If you have Novus TV, you will have seen Natalie Langston on channel 4 hosting their most popular show, “City Lights,” an entertainment, lifestyle and events-based look at the city of Vancouver.  She thrives on chasing down the next story and bringing out the lighter side. When she’s not covering the hottest events, hitting a red carpet or interviewing celebrities and industry professionals, she is busting out a pony and kicks covering the latest and greatest fitness fads and fashions that really work with quick and simple workouts on the go.

1) What is on your wish list for the holidays in terms of fitness tech toys or fitwear?

This week’s Fitness on the Run column is all about getting a kick out of your fitness with the latest workout gadgets. I feature three different Fitbit models and the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2, which seriously gives you the capability to do everything, take phone calls, record notes and even take photos. I already have the Fitbit but will definitely be gifting some to my fit friends. Read all about it in my column on newsstands Thursday here.

What I could use is one of those arm bands to hold my iPod. I’ve been wearing Firma EnergyWear a lot lately which don’t have pockets and even though I love the sports bra and capris they don’t have anywhere to put my iPod, so this is on my list.

Fitwear – Firma EnergyWear socks are amazing! You can never have enough socks during these winter months. My feet are always cold and they are the best.

2) How do you stay fit and healthy when all the holiday parties call?

Great question and I am also doing my next story on just this topic. Staying fit and healthy during the holidays with the help of Steve Nash Fitness World and Sports Club. Some of my top tips I suggest include: eat before you go out, choose protein options that help you stay full longer and prevent a crash later. Make small changes like staying away from canapés which are high in fat and go for the veggie tray instead. Plan in advance. If you know you’re going to a holiday party in the evening, have a healthy breakfast and lunch, get 30 mins of cardio or resistance training in if you can and you’ll feel better indulging in those sugar cookies or a cocktail or two or three. I choose to drink gin and soda over wine or cocktails. Basically it’s all balance and not over doing it. For the full column stay tuned to next week’s edition of the Westender on newsstands Thursdays.

2)   What about something not even related to fitness that you are might want?

I read a great article in Notable.ca recently on Travel Accessories and the Go Travel Digital Luggage Scale would seriously make my life a lot easier! Especially with the holidays travelling with gifts takes up a lot of space and the digital travel scale tells you exactly what your luggage weighs so you know if you need that extra suitcase or not.

3)  What is the best gift you EVER got?

The most thoughtful gift I received was from my boyfriend one year who arranged a weekend in Vancouver at the Pacific Rim with all of my favourite things flowers, jewellery, chocolate. But the most thoughtful of all was a handwritten letter along with a special, intimate dinner arranged with all of the foods I love. If you know me I have a hard time at restaurants as I have a ton of food restrictions. It was the most heartfelt, touching and thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.

4)  What is the best gift you EVER gave?

I love the feeling of giving a gift, when you see the look on that person’s face that you’ve really touched their heart and surprised them inordinately. That is better to me than any gift I could ever receive.

I have given a couple that could be put in the “best gift ever” category. I’m a romantic at heart and one year for my boyfriend I surprised him with a cozy trip to Whistler. He’s originally from Toronto and they of course have no real mountains so this was definitely a surprise he loved. On the way there I had given him a box with folded notes that he opened, one at a time including some of his most favourite things, which ultimately lead him to a 5-course dinner ending in an extremely romantic sleigh ride for the two of us, through a secluded path, while starting to snow. The whole weekend was magical. That’s my get out of jail card if I ever screw up ;).

The other was a handmade scrapbook from some of my first childhood memories to now for my mother. It’s full of photos, inside jokes and memorable sayings we’ve shared over the years. It was one of those gifts I know she will keep forever.

5) What items to give for the athlete in our readers life ?

Sports bra and pants from Firma EnergyWear.  Down filled zip up from Lululemon.  Samsung Galaxy watch because seriously it’s just ridiculously awesome! Crazy cool leggings from Public Myth. Any one of the 3 Fitbit models. Infinity scarf from Kombi Canada. Kombi has the best basics and are a must for the runner in your life that will keep them warm and toasty while braving the elements.

5)  What do you bring to a holiday party?

I like to bring something personal for the hostess I know she could use. Depending on the occasion though you can never go wrong with a great bottle of wine, beautiful, fragrant flowers and delicious milk chocolate Lindts.  Veuve Clicquot and a Voluspa candle are always welcomed!

6)   What charity do you wish for more funding for in 2015?

Dress for Success Vancouver!

7)  Best gift as a kid?

My mom took me to the Nutcracker when I was really little and I fell in love with the ballerinas on the big stage. Ever since then a dream of mine was to one day dance on that very same stage on the high shoes, I used to call them. And so I did for the Ballet BC and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Oh and my blue water baby! I loved that little baby so much, that when I later left it in the playground I cried my eyes out and sadly that was the end of water baby.

Pictured above is Natalie and her wonderful mother and sister at Rowena’s Inn this summer. We were there for an amazing Great Gatsby Party thanks to Summer Dhillon.

8) How will you celebrate the holidays this year?

I’m in Toronto at the moment doing some of those classic holiday activities like ice skating at Nathan Philips Square, last minute shopping at the Christmas Market in the Distillery District, picking out a fantastic Christmas tree and decorating. Back to Vancouver to do some Christmas baking with my cousins and all of our special family holiday traditions. My mom prepares the most excellent bird for turkey dinner and spending time with my family is something I look forward to immensely. I’m back on a plane to Toronto on boxing day for ET Canada’s New Year special in Niagara Falls. This year Keith Urban, Lights and Nick Jonas are preforming and I can’t wait for that.