Are you tired of giving your dad Father’s Day gifts you are super psyched about and then a couple of weeks later discovering those same gifts in the back of his closet? Father’s Day is upon us, but it’s not too late to find him a perfect, closet-proof gift. Help your dad get healthier in a fun and sustainable way without the hassle of joining a gym with these gift ideas:
Cookbook: If your dad is one of those original Latin American foodies who loves to claim the kitchen during special occasions and creates culinary masterpieces, chances are he may have a not-so-secret desire to explore his inner chef. Getting him a cookbook (libro de recetas) will get him cooking and eating healthier meals. It will also get him away from sedentary behavior like sitting in front of the television while encouraging him to unleash his creativity.
Personal training in Spanish: If your dad is the formerly-buffed, luchador type who longs for those days when his muscles bulged out of his guayabera shirt, then I recommend doing a little research and finding him a personal trainer who speaks his language (Spanish, and maybe “macho”). Personal trainers are skilled at encouraging individuals to adopt a wellness and fitness lifestyle. A Latino/a personal trainer is culturally-equipped to help your dad get back to his glory days or at least closer to them.
Dance lessons: This is for the “Rico Suave” dad who used to spend every Friday, Saturday and sometimes Sunday night at the COPACABANA (or your local dance club) and of course never gained a pound because of it. Now he’s settled into a couch-chips-show routine, but with a couple days a week of dance lessons he will definitely get his groove back and love you more for it.
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Massage: This one is for the hard working dad who never gives himself a break, but is in desperate need of one. Relaxation is one of the best remedies to prevent stress-related illnesses; it is all-natural and organic! If you live nearby, there are worse things than going with him and treating yourself to a massage also. I know it’s a sacrifice but you’ll live.
Comedy show tickets: This is for “grumpy dad,” or someone who can use a hearty LOL session or simply misses El Chapulin Colorado. While it may not be scientifically proven per se, laughing promotes good health by promoting mental health, relaxation, and stress relief. If you decide to come along, it is also a great bonding experience for you and your dad. If you are feeling generous, you may want to invite the rest of the familia.
When choosing a gift remember that what your dad really wants is for you to appreciate his contribution to your life. Choosing one of these gifts will show him that you are paying attention to his unique talents and hobbies and appreciate and enjoy spending time with him.
Yaromil Fong-Olivares, ACE-certified Personal Trainer, Reiki healer and lifestyle coach, empowers women to aim beyond weight loss and expand their wellness and fitness goals to include lifelong health, functional fitness, self-love and and healing. Learn more about her work at Brown Stone Fitness.
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