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5 Gifts You Should Never Buy for Someone Trying to Lose Weight (and 5 Gifts to Buy Instead)

  • DON'T Buy: Unhealthy Treats

    There's no denying that sweets reign supreme during the holidays. But no matter how prettily they're packaged, high-calorie and high-sugar treats aren't a smart choice for someone who's trying to lose weight. Sure, the occasional splurge is fine in moderation, but these types of gifts just seem to scream for overindulgence.

  • DO Buy: A Healthy Food Basket

    Who doesn't appreciate a basket of ready-to-enjoy foods, especially during the time-crunched Christmas season? For someone on a health and fitness kick, smart choices include fresh fruit, a variety of spices and seasonings, mixed nuts, popcorn and other healthier fare.

  • DON'T Buy: A Scale

    It's pretty likely that someone on a weight-loss journey is regularly stepping on a scale, but that doesn't mean they want to call attention to that practice -- and chances are they already have one, anyway. Presenting a scale as a gift only succeeds in calling attention to the weight that remains to be lost.

  • DO Buy: Materials for a Vision Collage

    Vision collages are a fun, creative and personalized way for someone to stay motivated, inspired and on track toward their goals. Many of our members have had success with creating these boards as a visual representation of their journey: where they came from, where they're headed and what keeps them going. As a gift for the creative-minded, health-conscious person on your list, present them with the raw materials they need to create their own collage, such as a corkboard, thumbtacks, stickers, inspirational quotes, a few magazines and other tools.

  • DON'T Buy: Fitness Clothes

    Again, the intent here is good, but choosing the right fit can be tricky, especially when shopping for someone whose weight is dropping by the week. If you choose garments that are too small, it could cause the recipient to get discouraged that they haven't yet made that level of progress -- and if the clothes are too big, the person could feel offended that you assumed they were a larger size.

  • DO Buy: Fitness Gear & Accessories

    If you want to encourage a loved one who has boarded the fitness bandwagon while steering clear of clothing, there are plenty of one-size-fits-all gift ideas. Think dumbbells, activity trackers, headphones, water bottles, resistance bands -- the list of non-offensive gift ideas is as long as Santa's.

  • DON'T Buy: A Gym Membership

    Even if you know the recipient would benefit from it, a gym membership isn't likely to go over well as an unsolicited gift. Not only does it emphasize the fact that the person needs to lose weight, it also puts pressure on them to utilize the membership so the expense isn't lost. A gym membership is ultimately a very personal decision and investment that shouldn't be foisted on someone.

  • DO Buy: A Gym Bag

    Who doesn't love a great gym bag? What makes this a great gift is that it serves as a subtle, supportive nudge in the right direction, without overtly focusing on extra weight. After all, today's multi-purpose bags can be used for a variety of activities outside of the gym, from walking during lunch break to hitting a yoga class on the way home. It's also an evergreen gift, so the recipient can start using it whenever she's ready.

  • DON'T Buy: Gimmicky Weight-Loss Gadgets

    Unfortunately, the industry has no shortage of these seemingly miraculous, get-skinny-quick weight-loss contraptions. From body wraps to diet pills to devices that promise to vibrate the fat away, a vast majority of these products aren't only offensive, but downright ineffective. Don't waste your money.

  • DO Buy: A Voice-Activated Speaker

    Now, here's a gadget we can get behind. By using voice-activated wireless devices like the Amazon Echo, users can download Alexa skills, including many that are geared toward health, fitness and nutrition. Using skills like My Workouts and Fitness Guru, it's possible to turn the Echo into a virtual personal trainer to use from the comfort of home. And because the speaker also serves a multitude of non-weight-focused functions, it won't offend or embarrass the recipient.


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5 Gifts You Should Never Buy for Someone Trying to Lose Weight (and 5 Gifts to Buy Instead)

Written by Melissa Rudy, Staff Writer

You mean well...but when shopping for a loved one who's on a weight loss journey, even the best of intentions sometimes have a way of getting lost in translation. If someone on your list has embarked on a path to a healthier lifestyle, it's important to be thoughtful and tactful in the gift selection process. To help keep everyone in good cheer and minimize many unhappy returns, allow us to offer some suggestions for what to buy for the "loser" in your life this holiday season, and what to keep out of your cart at all costs.
Start Slideshow

DON'T Buy: Unhealthy Treats

There's no denying that sweets reign supreme during the holidays. But no matter how prettily they're packaged, high-calorie and high-sugar treats aren't a smart choice for someone who's trying to lose weight. Sure, the occasional splurge is fine in moderation, but these types of gifts just seem to scream for overindulgence.