There are many ways you can give the gift of health

Still wondering what would be the perfect gift for someone you truly care about? Forget the newest kitchen gadget, jewelry, Xbox 360 and sweaters. If you want that person around for a while, you want them to enjoy the benefits of having a healthy body. Consider one quality gift that will have a positive effect for years to come.

My daughter, Dayna, will be trying out the slopes for the first time this season. If she likes it, it may be a lifelong sport that will keep her away from the TV and help her to become a vibrant, confident young woman. I will give her the best chance at that by purchasing professional ski lessons from Heavenly.

You can give a gift of health for as little as $10. A pedometer is great for those who are beginning an exercise program and for the ardent walker. After all, 10,000 steps equal about 5 miles. Wouldn't it be nice to know that those steps from the parking lot to the store returning all those needless gifts are adding up?

Snowshoes are fun and can get you a vigorous workout.

Instead of giving the kids movie passes, how about a trip to the local ice arena?

There are books on every type of physical activity. Check out Neighbors Bookstore for everything from walking to martial arts. A fitness magazine subscription can be motivating. My favorites are Shape, Fitness RX and Men's Health.

How about a year-end bonus for your dedicated employees? Some area gyms will negotiate a corporate membership that will keep your workers happy, healthy and focused.

Sierra Athletic Club offers a great deal to people who live in the same household. Buy yourself a gym membership, and you can get a family gym membership for $20 per person per month, and everybody wins. On the Nevada side at Kahle Community Center, adults can get a 90-day membership for $99 or a full year for $199. Children 9 and younger are free.

Of course, a private training session at home or at the gym would put a twinkle in anybody's eye. I just sold a gentleman a 10-session personal training package for his girlfriend. The gift certificate will be presented to her in a new gym bag complete with workout accessories (towel, protein bar, water bottle, weight-training gloves and a 4-ounce bottle of Biofreeze). Now that's love.

A couple of people on my list are getting one-hour massage certificates.

Contact the local Red Cross to donate blood, and make sure you have "organ donor" printed on your driver's license. Those are the ultimate gifts of life.

A healthy body is priceless and really is the gift that keeps on giving.

- Rhonda Beckham is a nationally certified personal trainer, with teaching certificates in Pilates and kickboxing.

Help Me Rhonda Rhonda Beckham is owner of Help Me Rhonda and Perfect Pilates, a Pilates instructor at Lake Tahoe Community College and Sierra Athletic Club, as well as a personal trainer operating out of Sierra Athletic Club and the Tahoe Keys Marina Fitness Studio. She may be reached at (530) 208-6369, www.TahoeTrainer.com and rhonda@tahoetrainer.com.