This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.
The thing about the holidays is that they seem to arrive on the scene in the form of a big ole party buffet.
And a party buffet – oh, it can be tempting. The temptation probably has something to do with all the dip and the bread (THE BREAD!) and the sweets and the nuts that have been roasted in three or fourteen sticks of butter.
Those nuts are DELICIOUS, by the way.
But here’s the thing that I’ve learned as I’ve gotten a little older: it really isn’t fun to be indulgent all the time. There’s a price to pay for loading up a plate with a whole bunch of not-very-healthy foods. Because while yes, it might all be very tasty and wonderful in the short-term, in the long term it’s not so great. Besides the fact that I rarely sleep well when I’ve eaten a whole bunch of super-rich food, there’s also the consequence of feeling bloated the next morning.
And believe you me: I have enough issues with morning as it is. I don’t need to add ill-fitting clothes to the equation.
The good news is that there are several things that we can do to avoid a chronic bout with holiday-related bloat. Even better? These tips are SUPER simple. Seriously.
Ready?
1. Water. We need to be drinking lots of it. In fact, I’ve realized over the last few years that when I feel like I’ve had enough water, I need to drink even more. It fills us up, keeps us hydrated, and it never, ever causes a hangover. I’m convinced that it’s a huge part of conquering the tendency to put on five or ten pounds from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Water is our friend – our holiday BFF, if you will.
2. Vegetables. Vegetable platters are a feature at almost every holiday get-together. And I happen to think that it’s way better to fill up on vegetables dipped in a little bit of your favorite salad dressing than it is to avoid the food table altogether. Not eating anything at all will only make you drink more, and if you’re drinking alcohol, “more” isn’t a very good idea at all. A hearty snack of raw vegetables will temper any tendency you have to fill up on drinks – and it might even keep you from making a post-party run through a nearby drive-thru. Because let’s face it: trying to be the “strong one” who doesn’t eat a single bite at a party is probably going to lead to some super-sized French fries at the end of the night.
Not that I’ve ever done such a thing, of course.
Oh heavens no.
3. Move. This one is definitely the hardest for me. When it’s cold outside I tend to be drawn to activities like watching TV, napping, sitting in front of a fire, napping, drinking beverages with the word “mocha” in them, and napping.
You may sense a bit of a pattern.
But here’s the thing: making time to move every day is the single most important thing we can do, especially during the holidays. Sometimes the combination of gray weather and holiday treats and Christmas parties can take a toll on us physically as well as emotionally. It’s so good for us to get outside (if weather permits) and take a 20-minute walk. It makes a world of difference in our outlook, our metabolism and our energy level.
And when I find myself feeling drawn to the couch on a winter afternoon – when I think that a nap sounds like the best thing on earth – that’s a sure sign that it’s time to grab the dog’s leash, bundle up my little guy, and head outside. It’s the best free medicine on earth.
Now it’s your turn! Share a tip on how you stay healthy during the holidays and you could win a $150 Visa card! Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry. You should also visit The Daily Dose of Well-Being hub to read helpful content each day and for weekly chances to win $100 at the “Play For Laughs†game. If you share a really great tip, we may even use it in The Daily Dose!
And don’t miss the other bloggers’ posts – you have 17 other chances to win each month!
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
Here are the official rules.
This sweepstakes will run from 12/8-12/28.
Happy Laughing Cow, everybody!
I am trying to eat less sugar!!!
As a family, we go do exercises. Whether it is a hike, run, go to the pool, etc. We burn off what we eat.
Play outside in the snow with my kids, shovel snow, get some fresh (cold) air!
Save the snacking for special occasions and eat fruit and veggies in between to help keep full.
http://twitter.com/Ziggywag/status/13336541405384705
Tweeted it
I try to eat a healthy snack before going to any parties. If I do indulge in a high calorie item, I take tiny portions and instead try to fill up on veggies.
my tip is if you bake use splenda
if you snack no larger portions than your fist
Eating during the holidays is not easy sometimes. To stay healthy I always eat a small meal before I go so I don’t feel like I have to pack it on at the party. I would rather do that and have everyone say how svelt I look instead of hiding the pie when I walk in. Happy Holidays.
THANKS for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!!
Scott Martin
spmartin122@gmail.com
I am very conscioius of serving sizes and eating better for breakfast and lunch, not to mention keeping fit on my Wii
usually portion control size of palm and taking walks but this year fighting cancer, had treatment and isolation last week and lost my salivary glands so no taste whatsoever
tvollowitz at aol dot com
I always try to follow the “80% rule”. Eat until you feel 80% and stop. If you feel hungry later, you can always have a snack. But usually that 80% is enough. Thanks for the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/#!/benny8484/status/13496166729650176
I eat a little something before I go to a party and when I’m there I keep drinking water and just sample foods.
http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/13615747125219328
Invest in a pair of hand weights and scour your On Demand channel for a workout you can enjoy! It’s easy to say, “Oh, it’s too cold/rainy/snowy for a walk,” but it’s hard to say, “Oh, it’s too… far… to walk to my living room?” LOL.
For an added holiday bonus, mute the trainer and put on an upbeat Christmas song list, including things like “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” by NSYNC and “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey, and you’ll be joyfully squatting and lunging in no time! ;)
I write down everything I eat and that keeps me from overindulging.
Sticking to the weight watchers point system.
I make sure that I contine my exercise routine and drink a lot of water to help counteract what I am eating!
gina.m.maddox AT gmail.com
http://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/13744656865034240
tweet tweet!
gina.m.maddox AT gmail.com
I am with you, lots of water and veggies first and you will feel a lot better the next day.
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Tweeted here too
http://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/13765918198865920
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Gotta say the finest way to eat healthy for our family is to stick a Mediterranean diet of pastas, fishes, olive oil and other necessary peripherals :D
I love trying lots of different goodies, so I make sure I take a very small amount so I don’t feel deprived but I don’t overeat. Also drink lots of water
I don’t neglect my exercise routine and eat a lot of green salads.
water water water
Walk some and breathe fresh air every single day!
Take small portions of the things I can’t live without or sweets. It’s those first few bites that satisfy that urge, not 20 or so in.
Also, make sure I’m eating healthy on the day-to-day meals so those indulgences don’t just add to the rest.
don’t ‘graze’ – take a normal sized amount of food and don’t go back and nibble on more throughout the night.
I drink lots and lots of water..and then some more water.
i am a neurotic health nut.I can’t remember the last time I ate junk. So if you want to be a healthy neurotic I can give you advise.
http://twitter.com/sodahoney/status/13842312404672512
I drink lots of orange juice and sleep a lot each night, and so far I haven’t gotten sick this season! :-)
Don’t overeat! There will always be more food tomorrow.
I will try to drink water at most events – and stay away from soda.
Getting plenty of sleep. Doping up on extra vitamin C and D. Eating healthy. Washing hands and covering sneezes/coughs.
I try to stay well-rested. I also try to be as organized as possible because for me that cuts down the stress. If I’m overstressed, my immune system is weaker.
I’m drinking lots of water and trying to add extra veggies to our meals as fillers. Moving is a little difficult because it’s so cold, but I try to walk when it “warms” up!
We usually try to be “late” so we want to mingle and not eat. and we try to eat before we go so we aren’t tempted! It works for us.
I make an effort to include a lot of healthy vegetable rich meals in my meal plan for December and early January so that we aren’t indulging both at parties and at home. I also let other people take the leftovers home so that I’m not tempted to eat an entire tray of dessert during Fringe (hypothetically).
I am eating fruits, veggies and staying away from fast foods.
marybug2@yahoo.com
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/marybug2/status/13987792262529024
marybug2 at yahoo.com
For me I have to remind myself that the Holiday season is not a free pass. I am not allowed to eat anything and everything I want from Thanksgiving until the new year. There are days were there are no parties and on those days I will follow my weight loss plan!
I just try to limit how much I eat — if I know I am going to a party in the evening, I’m really careful all day. It just keeping a balance!
I do my best to make the healthiest choices and eat sensible portions. I also try to keep moving.
Moderation is key! Plus a little extra exercise thrown in for good measure :)
I think anything and everything in moderation is the key. If you do over eat just try to do better the next day.
Get plenty of rest and try to take a walk
Eat light healthy snacks before heading to holiday parties
Love snacks of apple slices and cheese (yummy laughing cow!)
Lots of water
I try not to sample all the holiday baking we do
I run, then I run even more during the Holidays hehehe
Sleep is important to staying healthy as when we get too tired or stressed over the holidays, we are more illness prone. If we have a particularly busy week, I try to make sure everyone goes to bed on time and if I know we won’t be home at bedtime, we all have a rest time during the day. Having fun isn’t worth it if we end up sick. Who wants to be sick at Christmas?
I drink ONLY water, and sometimes an IZZY soda. I don’t have dessert except on the weekends, and nothing with added sugar or sweeteners. I get my “sweets fix” by eating lots of fruit. I limit starches all together, but if I’m going to have bread or pasta, I make sure it’s 100% whole wheat. I’m working really hard to make this a lifestyle vs. a seasonal diet. I feel so much better eating this way!
Before going out to dinner or to a party, drink a large glass of water and/or eat a healthy snack. Exercise 4-5 times a week.
Naps!
Don’t forget to exercise. Even though you might not have time to exercise every day, try to get there two or three times a week. Or take a walk. A little something is better than nothing.
try to get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water
the exercising is hard for me
i tweeted about the giveaway
http://twitter.com/bellows22/statuses/14191727321546752
Portion control at every meal and healthy snacks in between.
I bring a healthy option to share at holiday parties so I know there is at least one dish I can nibble on without guilt.
I eat a light dinner before going to a party. That way I am not ravenous and have more self control to pick a few things that I REALLY want to eat instead of filling up on foods that are not worth the calories.
I usually get completely stressed out during the holidays, but this year I’m trying to keep it all in proper perspective. There’s only one reason for this special season and I’m trying to stay focused on that!
This winter I wish I knew how to stay healthy…so far, not a good season for overall health & well-being. But I’m sure if I did more exercise and water, I’d feel better, so maybe I’ll try that!
I do my best to drink a lot of water, and the most important health is MENTAL. Staying calm, not stressing about everything being perfect is key. Happy, Happy thoughts and actions!!
Exercise, even if it is with a DVD/TV indoors.
Health doesn’t count during the holidays. I stand by this statement.
I keep all $1 bills and change out of my purse so that I’m not tempted to hit the vending machine. That and a few laps around the company parking garage at lunch seem to help.
I try to take time to rest- sleep is very important to holiday sanity!
Kim
I honestly have not been very good about staying healthy this winter. It’s been a brutally cold month so far, and I just don’t want to be outside exercising. I guess I’ve been sleeping more often, but that just makes me sound lazy.
I make sure I don’t withhold the treats from myself, I just get the correct portion size so I get my fill and don’t feel left out!
I’ll echo the “moderation” mantra of others. Also, I try to allow myself special treats that truly are only around at the holidays, but those that I can access year-round, maybe less of those.
I’m hoping to make it through the holidays by sticking to the basics that I’ve been doing: lots of water, daily exercise, and smart meal choices (apart from special dinners/get-togethers). Hopefully it works!
I try to keep my regular daily workouts and eating habits at the top of my priority list. Holidays (and other busy times) always threaten to derail me because it’s tempting to skip meals or a workout because I’m too busy. But I know that I won’t make healthy choices if I’m starving. By following my regular meal habits of eating small, healthy & low glycemic meals/snacks frequently through the day, I find that I have no desire for unhealthy food.
dogsrock at insightbb dot com
I “try” to get enough sleep.
And wait to bake my cookies until closer to Christmas, so that I am not tempted to nibble on them before giving out as gifts or bringing to someone’s house.
lots of rest and vitamin C, plus hand washing
Maintinaing weight is a good goal for this time. Laughing alot and talking instead of eating is good. And lots of water!
Sad to say, but I do not eat healthy during the holidays—what fun would that be! But I do start dieting after the new year.
dolniaks[at]consolidated[dot]net
I MUST remember to take all of my medicines. I know, one would think that I would take them all, everyday, anyhow. But I get so rushed during this busy time of year, that I write myself a note on the mirror…Since I look at the mirror every day, I can r emind myself to take 30 seconds, just to put the medicine in my pockets so I can take it later – at work.
I make sure I eat something, drink some ginger tea and breathe!
I just stop eating when I am full. Otherwise I am miserable. I also try to stay active rather than spend the whole day on the couch.
I use vit c drinks when I start feeling run down.
I make sure I still get my exercise in, even though it gets busy this time of year!
tweeted: http://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/14830396336250880
I eat lots of fruits and veggies
Choose your holiday treats carefully then eat only half of each one —the next day double your exercise time if possible.
I eat some fruit or a salad when I know I am going somewhere with lots of goodies. That way I am fuller and if I eat anything, it is smaller portions
I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/eyzofblu63/status/14878405388410881
When we are not at the parties I do try and keep our meals healthy. I’m working on soups right now to put in the freezer for easy meals!
Extra water, exercise, and plenty of sleep!!
I can’t decide between water and sleep, so I think I’ll just opt to nap in a waterbed….
I am eating better as in more veggies during the lunch meal. Also, I am cutting back on my portions and that has helped me tremendously! Still drinking water and need to move more though! ! ! !
Thanks!
I need to drink more water and exercise and eat better…..
I have a 7 week old and am nursing so, I really need to work on it!
Minimalize. It’s easy to get so wrapped up in the crazy chaos that it’s over and I wonder what happened. This year I’m doing the minimum- only things I WANT to do- and enjoying the calm.
Sleep, and decaf hot tea. I don’t want to drink water when it’s this cold outside, but will consume vast quantities of decaf hot tea. The trick is to find one you really like without a sweetener!
drinking lots of water and doing the shred, even when, what i really want to do is- nothing!
Running 2 miles on the treadmill every few years, will help a little.
Meditate. It keeps me healthy mentally and if I’m healthy mentally, then I make better choices in other areas of my life, too. Everything in moderation. Okay…most things in moderation. ;-)
I get a small portion of things that I think I will like and if I don’t then I don’t seem wasteful or hurt anyone’s feelings.
I too try to drink water.
And as far as moving after all the goodies I really don’t want to move but park far away, don’t take the short cuts and take the stairs!
Sleep is the winner for me, too!
I work out, I eat well, and I laugh and love. Seriously, one cookie isn’t going to put you over the edge! Go ahead, treat yourself to that snickerdoodle!
paigewiley16 AT gmail DOT com
Keeping healthy during the holidays is a priority for me. With three children, I cannot afford to feel icky. So, I manage my weight and health with the following things:
1. Vitamins-I take a multivitamin every day.
2. Fiber-I take two fiber caplets with an entire glass of water about an hour before each meal. It helps me hydrate, and the fiber helps me feel fuller faster so as to avoid over-eating.
3. Lots of hand sanitizer-after visiting the grocery store or busy gas stations, I wipe my hands down with Purell. I have no doubt that my last bout with Strep throat came from Publix. Ha!
Step. away. from. the. cookies. For a minute at least! No, really. I do try to be very conscious of every bite I put in my mouth. It’s so easy during the holidays to just graze all day long, but it doesn’t pay off come January 1st!