by Dr. Patrick M. O'Neil, Weight Management Center

Whether you think it’s better to give or to receive, the exchange of Christmas presents offers an opportunity in this fattening season to encourage better weight management (yours or others) throughout the coming year.

To help with your shopping and/or hinting, here’s this year’s weight control idea list. Take it to the store with you to inspire your shopping, and afterward just circle the items you want and leave the list where your Santa stand-in will see it. Depending on your personal 1998 naughty-to-nice ratio, maybe you’ll get some of your wishes.

Exercise gear

Walking shoes, running shoes, aerobic exercise shoes. Step bench for step aerobics. Exercise mat for floor work. Warmup outfits, shorts, tops, tights, sweat bands, socks. Carry-along water jug, strap-on-your shoe pouch for money and ID, digital watch with chronometer, heartrate monitor. Low-impact aerobics tape, Walkman-type personal radio or cassette player, exercise bike, regular bike. Paper/magazine holder for exercise bike, subscription to “Walking “ magazine. HeavyHand-type weights for walking, free weights (formerly called dumbbells). Rental or purchase of Roller-blade-type skates and necessary safety gear. Exercise log or diary. Gift certificate for a sporting goods store.

Measuring, cooking

A good bathroom scale - good defined as capable of giving you roughly the same weight each time if you step off and on a few times. A food scale for measuring food portions, and a few clear measuring cups of different sizes for the same purpose. A pedometer for measuring distance walked in exercise or general daily activity. A blood pressure cuff for the weight manager with hypertension. A wok to encourage lower-fat stir-frying. No-stick cookware. For popcorn fans, an air popper or a container for oil-free microwave popping.

No-cal treats

A selection of varied coffees and teas, perhaps with a few bottles of gourmet waters (beware of sugar calories in some flavored varieties).

Memberships, etc.

In a responsible nearby fitness center or weight-control program or swimming facility, or a club or organization that’s involved in a leisure pursuit that doesn’t focus on food or eating. Lessons in an active leisure-time hobby or sport. Subscription to Cooking Light magazine.

Help off the couch

Any gear that will encourage the recipient to spend time in non-sedentary pursuits, such as gardening, hiking, carpentry, sports, anything.

Personal services

No, no, no, this is a family newspaper. What we have in mind is a promise to do some things for the weight manager to deliver him or her from temptation (for example, cooking, clearing the dishes from the table and disposing of the left-overs).

Even better, when it works, a promise to exercise with a recipient who’s had trouble getting an exercise program going. The giver should put the promise in writing and be very specific.

Books

No fad diet books, please. Here are a few titles worth considering : “American Heart Association Cookbook.” A good stocking stuffer. “Heart Choice Recipes” from Charleston’s Great Chefs (MUSC, $12.95, proceeds benefit MUSC Heart Fund). Twenty-five chefs share their secrets to some of the tasty and healthy Heart Choice dishes that you’ve had in Charleston restaurants. Available at the MUSC Gift Shop, many bookstores and some of the participating Heart Choice restaurants.

The “I Love to Cook Book,” is available be calling MUSC Health Connection at 792-1414. You’ll receive an order form in the mail. Cookbooks cost $8. If you live in Mount Pleasant, James B. Edwards Elementary School is acting as a cookbook distribution point. You can purchase your cookbook in the school office at 855 Von Kolnitz Road.

“Emotional eating: A Practical Guide to Taking Control,” (Lexington Books of Macmillan Inc. 1993, $19.95). Not a dieting book, but a self-help guide to identifying and changing patterns of emotion-triggered eating.

“Weight Loss Through Persistence,” (New Harbinger Publications, 1994, $12.95). Takes a long-term view of weight control, with a comprehensive approach featuring a strong behavioral emphasis. Many good examples and suggestions.

For more information on weight management, call 792-2273.