The Laughing Cow – Post 6

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
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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!

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Comments

  1. I drink plenty of water and bump up my exercising to cover the guilt of that one (or two) extra slices of pie.

  2. All things in moderation!

  3. Christine says:

    drink a lot of water

  4. Keep up with exercise and eat a little every few hours.

  5. All that Christmas shopping keeps me moving so that helps – and drinking lots of water!

  6. Workout daily around the holidays.

  7. I fill up on veggies instead of less healthy appetizers like creamy dips and chips. And then, hopefully, by the time dinner comes, I’m less hungry for all those unhealthy midwestern casseroles my family makes!

  8. Tamara Meigh says:

    Eat a healthy and semi-filling snack before heading to a holiday party to help with NOT eating the whole buffet table. I like KInd bars, a handful of plain almonds or walnuts, a small bowl of oatmeal or a piece of whole grain peanut butter toast.

  9. I’m increasing my fiber intake daily.

  10. First: Rethink your priorities every morning. We add undo stress to ourselves everyday by thinking we “have” to do certain things, when we really don’t.
    Second: Start the day(instead of ending it) with a long hot bath and while you are up to your chin in the hot water, do slow deep breathing. It makes you start the day out slowly, set’s your pace. Let your mind begin at a slow peaceful beginning instead of 90 miles an hour. Try it, it works.
    Third: Give up “perfect”. No one remembers what was perfect, they only remember that you were cheerful and that they had a good time or felt cared for while in your presence. So just relax and the people around you will feel relaxed too and good memories will result. Merry Christmas!

  11. beth shepherd says:

    I like to eat a salad before we go out to dinner at friends and family. I also like to get small portions and drink lots of water.
    Thank you
    tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

  12. beth shepherd says:
  13. i drink lots of water!

  14. Mary Helen says:

    Keeping our schedule down so that we are not overloaded with parties or other engagements. This makes all of us happy because it allows us to focus on our family, what is really important and also keeps our holiday treat intake under control :)

  15. Suzanne K says:

    I try to stay healthy by making sure I have a good breakfast (oatmeal with raisins and apples fills me up and keeps me going). I also have my daily glass of vitamin C (lemonade from my lemon tree) to keep colds at bay, and try hard to get enough sleep.

  16. Kathy Scott says:

    I stay healthier by avoiding sugar.

  17. Janna Johnson says:

    I drink a bottle of water in the car on the way to parties to help me curb my intake!!
    Merry Xmas! Thanks!
    Janna Johnson
    jannajanna@hotmail.com
    janna@feedyourpigblog.com
    http://www.feedyourpigblog.com

  18. Courtney S says:

    I try to stick with the fresh/raw veggies to snack on at family events/parties. If I want to indulge I only eat a very small portion.

  19. I don’t go to any holiday parties hungry. I’ll eat a small healthy snack beforehand that way I’m not starving and I don’t gobble up everything in site.

  20. I try to fill my plate three-quarters of the way with veggies…cooked, raw, or salad. Then I take whatever the main course is.

  21. Drink lots of water and talk some short walks with my dogs. Good for them and me to

  22. I don’t treat the holidays any differently than regular days when it comes to staying healthy. I just eat mostly good stuff, with the occasional sweet or treat. Too much holiday food makes me feel lethargic and grumpy and it’s simply not worth it. I want to enjoy time with family and friends! Not feel bloated and sleepy.

  23. I try to get up early and do my exercise video (Jillian aka the devil!) a few days a week. Notice I said that I “try” to do this :)

  24. soup, like vegetables, fill me up before a party. when i feel like i have eaten somthing substantial, i can better control myself.

  25. drink so much water you feel like you are going to float away under your own power.

  26. i have realized the more water I drink in general the more water I want to drink…it becomes craveable and yum-o

  27. I use a smaller plate so I don’t over eat too much.

    kport207 at gmail dot com

  28. Get plenty of sleep and eat protein with your breakfast.

  29. Portion size, portion size, portion size. I still try to get some exercise, but what I eat (and the amount!) seems to have more to do with how I feel than how much I exercise.

  30. Naps! I’m NOT a night person, so if I know I’ll be staying up later than my normal time (10pm is pushin’ it!), I try to get a nap in during the afternoon if at all possible.

  31. I walk on my treadmill four days a week. I put on my favorite t.v. show and just walk for 60 minutes.

  32. I never accept anything to take home from a party and I avoid alcoholic drinks so I don’t have to worry about those empty calories.

  33. Eat Laughing Cow Cheese!

  34. I have to force myself to get enough sleep/rest during the holidays. There’s so much to do and it’s easy to get run down in all the hurrying around. It just adds so much more stress when I’m exhausted.

    Exercise is important, too but I’m awful at being motivated to exercise.

  35. This year I’m not baking as many goodies as usual since I’m the one that eats the majority of the sweets.

  36. I love cheese and fruit. I pass up the rich deserts. It works for me:-)

  37. ALWAYS eat breakfast.

  38. I eat more salad and veggies so I can avoid the more fattening food choices. I also choose water to drink.

  39. i try to always leave a couple of bites of whatever i’m eating. that helps me to cut back a little

  40. Jennifer gersch says:

    I try to fill up on soup for the holidays

  41. I eat a big healthy dinner before I go out to parties so I’m not as hungry.

  42. Debra Hall says:

    i eat wisely

  43. I’m going to try using smaller plates when I hit the buffet line, and see if that keeps me from over-doing it.

  44. I try to eat healthy at home so I can indulge when I do go out. Thanks!

  45. I take small portions and eat slowly to give my brain time to receive the message when it’s full. I wait until later to have dessert.

  46. I keep fresh veggies washed, cut and ready to munch on instead of sweets.

  47. I make time to exercise and eat fruit and veggies before other treats, and drink a big glass of water before a meal.

  48. I don’t eat treats and foods offered just to be social, cordial or whatever. I take small portions first, only finish what I really like and, as I do almost all the time, skip sugary sodas all together. I drink lots of water as a habit.

    dchrisg3[at]gmail[dot]com

  49. Tweeted
    http://twitter.com/DchrisG3/status/18902452711460864

    dchrisg3[at]gmail[dot]com

  50. To eat healthy during the holiday season I keep a veggie tray & fruit tray handy for snacking – easy to just grab a small piece of fruit or a few cut veggies! To help manage portions I don’t use large serving spoons – just regular spoons. I also try to walk on my treadmill every morning for 30 minutes.

    chlorinebrain at sbcglobal dot net

  51. Elizabeth N. says:

    I try to keep to my regular meals whenever I can. Then, I don’t feel so guilty if I splurge when I’m at parties. I also keep minty gum on hand – so I can pop in a piece after I’ve eaten to avoid gobbling up all the sweets (my weakness)!

  52. To minimize my holiday dessert and fried food indulgences, I drink a lot of water before and during parties so my stomach stays fuller the entire time, and I limit myself to one of any treat or one plateful from dinners and buffets. I also try to sneak in exercise by parking at the far end of parking lots and going for early morning runs to help stave off weight gain.

  53. I try to nibble on lots of veggies over the holidays. Then I’m not nearly so hungry for the tasty (but less healthy) goodies.

  54. during the holidays I limit alcohol intake because that’s empty calories. I healthy meal before heading out so I’m less likely to snack. Finally when I’m full, I stop eating

    teechbiz at gmail dot com

  55. I eat a healthy meal at home before I go to any holiday party. It keeps me fuller and less likely to eat bad treats.

  56. Lori Walker says:

    I have learned to always bring a dish when going to a holiday party. Then, I seem like a gracious guest and know that there is at least one healthy option available!

  57. I found that the time I overeat too much is at dinner (especially when there is pasta or potatoes), so I’ve taken to eating on a bread plate….seriously. It sounds like a tiny portion, but I fill the plate so I feel like I’ve got a whole plate full, and usually it’s plenty of food. If I get hungry later, I have a healthy snack. Works well at parties too. I let myself have whatever I want as long as it can fit on one small size plate.

  58. I buy more veggies and fruits as well as low-calorie snacks. I know that if we have goodies in the house for the holidays, I overindulge..so I take them to work and gift them to my coworkers instead of leaving them home to tempt me.

  59. the more you eat the more time on the treadmill

  60. Eugenie Wu says:

    I like to cross-country ski. It burns lots of calories, strenghtens the body with low impact and gets rid of cabin fever.

  61. I’m not physically able to do a lot of exercise so I have to concentrate on my intake. Thankfully I love fresh fruit and cottage cheese! Its my breakfast everyday. Thanks
    hondaray6 at hotmail dot com

  62. tweeted-http://twitter.com/hondaray6/status/19380169676423168
    hondaray6 at hotmail dot com

  63. At holiday dinners I fill my plate halfway with fresh fruits & veggies before going for the fat & calorie heavy dishes

  64. Teegan Briggs says:

    I have a rule for myself…before I go for the junk food, I will eat something healthier and then wait 20 minutes before indulging. So…if somebody brings over lasagna, I will have a banana and some salad before gorging myself on the fattening food!

  65. I make sure I don’t keep any sweets that I make over the holidays in my house. We eat a few and then drop them off at someone else’s house or a work potluck! Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com

  66. I try and stay healthy during the holidays by making sure I leave enough time for plenty of sleep and exercise. I also try eating nutritionally in between all the treats I eat at the parties.

  67. My tip is lots of fruit and salads. I don’t have much of a severe sweet tooth so no worries there. I also drink a lot of water (which is also good when you’re inside overly heated rooms) and tell myself often that dusting/cleaning/vacuuming is cardio!

  68. I try to keep plenty of fruits and veggies on hand already cut up so we reach for those instead of the sugary goodies!

    sweepyhead at gmail dot com

  69. Ironically, I’m sick right now–for the first time this year. :) Obviously the number one way to stay healthy is to not allow your children to bring home nasty cold germs from school! Other than that, just the normal–eat healthy food in addition to all that yummy Christmas junk food, exercise, and most importantly, sleep all you can.

  70. I try to eat healthy, low calorie, high-protein snacks at 11AM and 4PM. It works two ways, it keeps the metabolism high and keeps me feeling more full until proper dinner time.

  71. Janice Crespo says:

    Instead of using a big plate, just use a smaller plate – you will automatically take smaller portions to fit it on the plate :)
    janicecrespo@gmail.com

  72. I sneak veggie purees into my dinners to amp up the nutrition, fools my husband into eating veggies way more than he usually would!

  73. Same as yours – drink a lot of water and eat a lot of veggies so you won’t have too much room for all the unhealthy stuff!

  74. First I drink lots of water then eat, then walk Baby, my dog after. It is hard though.

  75. latisha depoortere says:

    I eat alittle at a time small meals! I drink alot of water and get alot of sleep!
    tishajean@ charter.net

  76. latisha depoortere says:
  77. hi

  78. heatherzilla says:

    Drink lots of water. Add additional exercise to your routine, ie: take the stairs instead of the elevator, park at the end of the parking lot and walk to store.

  79. Becky Horn says:

    I am trying to convince myself to drink more water
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

  80. Becky Horn says:
  81. Honestly I have tried in the past to stay healthy, but its flu season (I work as a nurse) I have to work more, have less time and more to do, I gain weight but I always set a New Years Resolution to do better.

  82. I used to would take a big spoonful or two of anything on the dinner table that looked good. By the end, I’d be stuffed and packing on the pounds.

    Now, I take a very small spoonful of each item I want. I am comfortably full by the end, and I don’t feel that I’ve denied myself anything.

  83. ANGEL JACKLYN says:

    I USE PASTA SAUCE TO TRICK MY KIDS INTO EASTING HEALTHY & NEVER SO MUCH MIND MYSELF kytah00@yahoo.com

  84. ANGEL JACKLYN says:

    2nd ENTRY TWEET twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/19641507677995008

    kytah00@yahoo.com

  85. Mickey Coutts says:

    I eat healthy when friends are bringing me all sorts of goodies by eating a healthy meal first, before parties or entertaining. If I’m not hungry, I won’t nibble the goodies!

  86. Mickey Coutts says:
  87. Awesome blog and thanks for the giveaway!
    Would love, love, LOVE to win this!
    Happy New Year!
    =]

  88. Danielle B. says:

    i eat a healthy snack before a party so i am not tempted by all the goodies! I also use a smaller plate so i think i have tons of food and do not over eat. oh and i always bring a healthy dish to the party so i have something to snack on that i wont regret later!

  89. Try staying away from the goodies and fattening things and think in your head- I’ll pay for this later and maybe that will motivate you

  90. I always try to eat a filling breakfast, usually oatmeal, and a filling lunch with lots of protein and fiber so I’m less likely to snack. Plus I try to walk more and take the stairs.

  91. Leslie S. says:

    I try to have a healthy snack for every unhealthy one I eat.I try to keep fruits and veggies around as well as cheese and crackers to not be tempted to just eat the junk.Thanks!
    lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com

  92. Although we have the goodies in the house for the get-togethers, I send the majority of them home with my daughter, who does have the extra appetites in her house! That does not mean, unfortunately, that I might not indulge somewhat while they are here.

  93. I have been losing for the first time in 3 years. I tried everything. First get lab work, make sure your thyroid level is where it is supposed to be. If you need thyroid rx. do not get the generic. (didn’t work for me) try walking (I only walk 20 min. a day) cut my food in half. (what I normally eat) alot of salads and alot of berries with yogurt (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc. This is all I did and I lost 15 lbs in three months.

  94. Use antiseptic wipes when out shopping, lots of germs out there.

  95. I still try to walk outside when the weather is nice enough.