Some Gift Ideas for Movers and Shakers

When I bought my stink-free shirt a few weeks ago -- $64 -- I was told it was designed to be worn, say, on a camping trip, with the odor-absorbing carbon allowing you to wear the same item for a few days.

Well, at least the bears won't be chasing me. Eleanor has been a bit standoffish as well, come to think of it.

Save your money (and your marriage).

Wash your clothes.

There's a glut of fitness books on the market, difficult to sort through unless, for example, you want the "LL Cool J's Platinum Workout" ($27.95) just because you're an ardent fan of the hip-hopper. Me, I'd go for anything that explained how Red Hot Chili Peppers vocalist Anthony Kiedis got his abs. The Methadone Six-Pack?

If you're tempted by this sort of gift, pay attention to the attitude of the author. Some people might find John Basedow a big turn-on (I know Vicky rushed to interview him when the opportunity arose), while to others he might seem like the Spawn of Stepford: a bit too creepily perfect.

One nicely voiced book that crossed my desk recently was Martina Navratilova's "Shape Your Self" ($27.95). It includes not only exercise and nutrition information but also the author's advice on how to motivate yourself. The workouts employ stability balls, resistance bands, foam rollers and other inexpensive equipment you can use at home.

For anyone who regularly lifts weights, "Power Training" ($19.95), published by Rodale, includes a lot of not-so-well-known exercises that would add diversity to the standard chest-press-biceps-curl rut that many men fall into. The book is refreshingly realistic in discussing what it calls "the big lie" that many fitness programs perpetuate.

Other ideas? Vicky and I will be online atwashingtonpost.comon Tuesday at 11 a.m. to keep the discussion rolling, and you can post your thoughts after that to our blog,Misfitness.com.