I used to be one of those people who said that I would never buy any of those newfangled music devices. Not only because I had no idea how to get music onto one, but because I felt like I was being wooed too much by the technology world to spend my money on something that may become entirely obsolete by the following Christmas.

Needless to say, I never did buy one, but while on vacation at my parents home, my father, having three iPod Shuffles, generously decided to give me two of them. Not knowing how to work them, my sister then took them to her house and downloaded four hours of music onto them for me.

It was a wonderful distraction for my two daughters on our trip back home, a 24 hour drive. I was still not taken by the iPod, but my children were hooked.

Upon returning to a normal routine after a 2 week vacation, I resumed taking my daily walks. Remembering the iPod in the car, I found it and thought I'd try it out. I felt like an idiot for the first little while. Like I was trying to be a cool teenager or something, but I was really getting into the music.

The sound was crystal clear and the music was flowing through my body. I felt energetic like never before and could feel my legs working to keep up with the rhythm of the music. I was appalled at the power of this little tiny machine that I could clip securely to my clothes and not even feel that it was there.

Towards the end of my walk and starting to feel tired, I glared hatefully at the mountain that I would have to climb to get to my house. Unfortunately, upon looking for a house, my husband and I didn't take into account that we were choosing a house that sat at the top of 2 large hills. Of course we have a great view, but what a climb it is, especially with 3 children and groceries.

Anyhow, feeling tired and sore, I contemplated taking a break before making the trek up the hill when suddenly a great song with a great beat started up on my iPod. Immediately feeling energized by the beat, I ploughed ahead and made it up the hill in record time and didn't even feel breathless from the exertion.

The music had taken over some part of my brain and kept me going without me even realizing it. It was amazing! And I was effectively hooked from that walk forward and completely in love with my little green iPod.

Ever since that first walk with my little green iPod, I have religiously taken my walks, no matter how I feel.  And each time I go, I get a little faster and I am less tired when I get back.  I am now starting to think that soon I will be jogging, and maybe from there, I will be running. 

My iPod is keeping me in shape and I am loving it.

Though I was unsure at the beginning, I now understand the craze when it comes to iPod.  I have become a believer.

Even if you have the most anti-exercise person to buy for on your Christmas list, iPod Shuffle is still an ideal gift. Because iPod Shuffle is so small and attaches securely to clothing, its also great for house cleaning, working in the garage, or for raking leaves.

And if you are buying iPod Shuffle for a computer-illiterate, make sure to download their favorite music onto the Shuffle before wrapping it so they can experience the magic right away. This will help them get over their phobia of learning how to download the music themselves because they will love it so much.

You can't go wrong with the iPod Shuffle. Young or old, it is an amazing gift, and though there are always new iPods and MP3's turned out onto the market, seemingly every month, this one will stay and won't become obsolete by next Christmas.