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!
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Here are the official rules.
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Happy Laughing Cow, everybody!
I always feel better and more energized when I exercise.
My strategy is to stay healthy all year round and indulge around the holiday season. I like to work out and I tend to eat clean year round, so when the holidays roll around I don’t feel bad about sampling from the goody tray.
My wife lets herself eat off of one medium sized plate and doesn’t go for seconds.
(http://twitter.com/lpauld68/status/19831176248168448)
Thanks!
I don’t deprive myself of anything. I will put just a small portion of everything on my plate. Sometimes I get a bit of something I really don’t like but having it on my plate keeps me from pigging out on the stuff I really love.
tweet
http://twitter.com/MistySunrise/status/19853984734908416
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
I eat rich foods in moderation
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
I’ll just eat a bit of everything and don’t go for seconds. .
Fresh fruit and veggies on hand for snacks
Taking a long walk every night with our dog. Drinking lots of water.
try not to eat that much more than you normally do. portion control. don’t eat lots of sweets. save them.
leave the sodas alone and drink water instead
try to limit my hang out time in the kitchen, drink lots of water!!
We never do Christmas baking anymore. Just don’t need it. And we hardly ever eat out and never eat fast food. I think if you eat out and eat fast food often you will have alot of problems with maintaining your weight. Eat as close to nature as possible.
We exercise ever single day, even holidays and have found we feel better and keep our weight at a healthy number.
I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/dresdenrain/status/19886133211037696
walk and playing the snow with the kids!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
I try to fill up with water, use smaller plates and get up and EXERCISE.
http://twitter.com/miriama59/status/19898050281476096
Exercising at least twice a week, portion control and making good choices about food and life.
Drink more water, make better food choices, eat something before going where the temptations are many, and what you cannot resist avoid like the plague.
I participate in a cookie exchange. This helps me from sampling every single batch of cookies that I would make for my family and they get to try a variety. Works well for me.
Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/chipdip2010/status/19919611893915648
I make sure I still continue a 30 minute modified workout routine to keep from packing on too many extra calories.
txhottie_86 at yahoo dot com
I try to avoid the sweets, and stick to the fresh fruit and veggies – then I don’t worry about the portions! For any of the “bad†foods I indulge in, I limit portions to no more than a 1/2 cup. I actually have a 1/2 cup measuring cup in my purse that I’ve had in there for awhile now, so I can eyeball it pretty accurately.
My best tip is to eat a healthy meal before going to a party so that you won’t eat so much unhealthy food at the party.
I don’t eat that healthily during the holidays as I never want to offend a host or hostess. After the holidays, I stick to a rigid diet and exercise regimen.
Tweeted about this giveaway. http://twitter.com/elangomatt/statuses/19930299290882048
My portion control is keeping foods out of my house that I would eat too much of. Thanks for the contest.
blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2010/12/win-150-from-blogher-laughing-cow.html
I eat veggies and exercise daily to balance out the extra sweets.
I keep up with exercise, eat fish and low calorie vegetables
I try not to neglect the produce (which is easy to do with so many yummy baked goods around) and I get moving as much as possible!
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/LuckyJinxy/status/19949673808662528
I always try to eat a healthy meal at home before I go out to a holiday party or get together. This way I won’t be so hungry that I will eat too much junk food while I’m out.
I’m telling you, if you don’t already have one go get one! An xbox Kinect of course. That thing will kick your rear while tricking into thinking you’re just playing a game. No need to go outside…..
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/mrssquigg/status/19955500183461888
laugh today and everyday
I stay healthy by not being hungry when I go to eat at a buffet and by taking my dog on long walks…
I do an early morning workout and that in turn causes me to make healthy choices thorughout the day and evening because I don’t want to ruin the benefits from the exercise that i’ve already done. It works way better than putting the exercise off until after I’ve eaten…because of course the exercise then won’t get done at all.
Tweet
http://twitter.com/mail4rosey/status/19966717908230144
Instead of feeling guilt about the cookie i eat it just makes me want to exercise harder.
I eat healthy during the holiday season by not depriving myself of treats but by limiting myself to small portions of favorite items. I also drink water throughout the day so I don’t overeat at mealtime.
longbarb1@aol.com
I try to limit myself to one indulgence per day during the holidays.
I stay healthy by eating in moderation and small portions. Little exercise helps too’
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
tweet
http://twitter.com/Ardy22/status/19998096788295680
ardy22 at earthlink dot net