With Mother's Day 2017 is fast approaching, now’s the time to decide what you're going to do to honor the moms who have made a difference in your life.

You might be wondering:

Most moms already have everything they want and need. How can my gift be special this year?

How about the gift of good health! Truly, nothing says "I love you" like a commitment to keep someone around as long as possible.

Since your mom may not appreciate a box of fiber bars or a tray of bran muffins (and really, can we blame her?) here are 15 creative gift ideas for the health- or soon-to-be-health conscious women who means the most to you.

1. Dark chocolate

Satisfy Mom’s sweet tooth with this doubly-packed treat.

The antioxidants in dark chocolate can help support heart health¹ and new research suggests that eating dark chocolate helps to create the beneficial bacteria that reside toward the end of our digestive tract, supporting gut health.²

2. Fitbit

With all the shiny options for activity trackers and pedometers it's easy to get lost in the fitness tracker world. The gift of a new Fitbit is great for the health nut or wanna-be health nut, because it takes the desire to know health information to the next level—and, it's oh so addictive to monitor your stats throughout the day.

Oh! Did you know Fitbit now comes in gold?

The fact that it looks like jewelry makes the Fitbit a win/win.

3. Monogramed yoga mat

For the yogi Mom in your life, how about a monogrammed yoga mat?

Several retail outlets offer these mats online, but take a look at Etsy if you want to receive a personalized product and support small business simultaneously. (You could even be supporting another mom with your Mother's Day purchase!)

4. Chef subscription box

Even the best cooks can use a hand in the kitchen.

Subscription boxes filled with gourmet, chef-created recipes will inspire her culinary aptitude—even if her skill level leaves something to be desired. These boxes deliver fresh ingredients and simple recipes right to her door.

5. High-tech water bottle

Drinking water is paramount to good health. And, it doesn't have to be boring.

Water bottles now come with built-in speakers, secret smartphone compartments, and special vitamin infusion capabilities. The Connection Hydration Bottle with Smart Lid from Thermos calculates your suggested hydration goal and syncs with your Fitbit to report the intake of liquids.

Your mom will be instantly tech-savvy and hydrated with this new water bottle.

6. Bicycle

Let’s be honest…Unless she’s a cycling enthusiast, a bike probably hasn't been on her wish list since Christmases from her childhood.

With all the trendy, comfortable options today, it may be the thing your mom doesn't even know she wants. And it’d probably be a bigger hit if that bicycle came with quality ride time together with you. Hit the bike trails this summer and pedal away your problems.

If she already has a bike, consider buying her a cyclocomputer—a bike computer to track her stats.

7. Sneakers

Good shoes are the foundation of good health. (Well, maybe not literally, but good shoes sure make a difference!)

Invest in a fashionable pair of sneakers that look great and provide the support to get active.

8. Workout bag

The perfect gift for the sweaty-but-stylish mom in your life, trendy workout bags are all the rage.

Give your mom a faux crocodile gym bag or a bag made with imitate leather and she'll want to go to the gym to show it off.

For some gym bag inspo, check out Activyst.com. Not only are their bags AMAZING in quality and design, every purchase helps fund efforts to promote girls around the world be healthy, active, and strong.

9. Cookbook

What if you bought your mom a healthy cookbook and offered to learn to make the recipes with her?

If she knew making a meal from the book would mean quality time with you, healthy eating might become an easy decision.

When it comes to picking out the perfect book of recipes, try finding one that focuses on gut health — such as the “Heal Your Gut” cookbook created by Hilary Boynton, Mary G. Brackett.

10. Alarm clock

Sure, an alarm clock isn't typically considered a great gift choice, but for the truly committed, the Novel Creative Dumbbell Alarm Clock could be a talking piece for a long time.

True to its name, the Dumbbell Alarm Clock won't allow the alarm clock to shut off until someone does 30 curls.

Monday mornings might be ugly, but think of the benefits long-term!

11. Boxing gloves

At the end of a long day or stressful week, who among us wouldn't love the chance to pound out our frustration with a good pair of boxing gloves?

And since boxing gloves often involve an up-charge at the gym, a sleek, affordable pair of boxing gloves may be the perfect gift for mom who wants to leave all her cares and frustrations at the bag.

12. Hula hoop

As long as it doesn't cause someone to bust a hip, the hula hoop is an easy, affordable option for the moms in your life to pursue health and have fun.

Buy multiple hula hoops and have a family spin-off! Maybe a tray of bran muffins could be the prize?

13. Tickets to a comedy show

A night dedicated to relaxing in a chair, being entertained, and laughing with your besties

What more could a hardworking woman want?

Not to mention, laughing has been shown to be crazy good for your health. A study conducted at Vanderbilt University even concluded that 10-15 minutes of laughter burns up to 50 calories.³

(Bonus: Buy a ticket for yourself too! You’ll be guaranteed a night full of inside jokes that will last you until next Mother’s Day!)

14. Breast Chek Kit™

If you’re looking for something thoughtful and useful, consider the Plexus® Breast Chek Kit™. The kit is designed for women to perform monthly self-examinations and enhance breast awareness to help detect changes in their breast.

15. A sporty jacket or hoodie

Ok, show of hands…Who here is more motivated to work out when you have something super cute to wear while doing it?

(Consider our hands raised.)

A go-to jacket that is as stylish as it is functional is the perfect gift idea for the woman in your life who loves to work up a sweat. Tip: When looking for a jacket, try finding something lightweight and breathable.

Bottom line:

Mother's Day is a great opportunity to let the moms in your life know how much you love them and want them around—in good health—for as long as possible. And since good health doesn't happen accidentally—nor does it need to mean high-intensity workouts or bland-tasting food products—it's great to get or give a gift that promotes health AND fun simultaneously.

 

References

1 http://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2015/05/20/heartjnl-2014-307050

2 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-is-dark-chocolate-good-for-you-thank-your-microbes/

3 http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu:8080/reporter/index.html?ID=4030