Staying on Track {Giveaway}
*******This giveaway has already ended. Stay tuned for more!
Hey everyone! How was your day?
I was blown away by all of your awesome comments and sweet compliments on the Zumba videos. Even though it’s a little more challenging than it usually is, I still love teaching so.so much. Dancing makes me happy and is one of the few things that feels good right now, so I’m sticking with it as long as I can. Maybe I can plan some “let’s take a Zumba class” meet-ups when I get back into the traveling thing 🙂
Last night, while nana, madre and I were shopping, I couldn’t believe that all of the Christmas decor was already up. It’s like retail skips right past Halloween into Christmas, which I love, but it just seems so early this year. Just another excuse to get the tree up before Thanksgiving, eh?
[Our 2009 tree]
Holidays are definitely already on the brain for many people, and it was the topic for this morning’s conference call.
After I posted this morning’s post, I hopped on a video conference with the Shape Magazine Senior Associate Lifestyle Editor. The funny thing is that I woke up a little earlier so I could brush my hair and look semi-human, but we could just see and hear her, no one else could see us.
The funny thing is that if I would have zombie-d it, it would have been set up where everyone else could see me. Isn’t that how it always works out?
Anyway,
the video chat was fantastic. The speaker was Bahar Takhtehchian, and she discussed her favorite tips for staying on track during the holidays. She was a joy to listen to, but I couldn’t help but think “I’ve heard all of these tips before. I hope she shares a secret awesome trick I can share with my readers.” But the truth is, the methods to staying on track during the holidays are really all things we’ve heard before. Just like healthy living in general: the idea behind it is simple, but the execution is where it can get tricky.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the things she discussed, along with my own tips in brackets:
-You can still enjoy the holidays while maintaining your fitness and health accomplishments- treats are ok! [I am a huge believer in treating yourself! The only time we can run into challenges is when we tend to celebrate holidays over and over and over again. If it’s Thanksgiving, live it up- but after that holiday, get back into the usual swing of things]
-Make important choices during the day. Enjoy a satisfying breakfast with a combo of whole grains and protein- choose foods that will fill you up and keep snacking at bay. As far as lunch goes, choose something like salad, broth-based soups, salad, whole-grain sandwich (hummus or avocado instead of mayo), and keep lunch lighter since those who are at work are unable to nap after lunch and digest a large amount of food. [I also like to enjoy something healthy before going out to a party, such as some soup or a large salad. This way, I know that I’ve had some veggies and nutrients before the party, and don’t arrive ready to stuff the buffet table into my face]
-Go for healthy snacks, as they keep blood sugar stable and rev the metabolism. Some good choices: fruits, nuts and yogurt. [Amazeballs, egg puffs, smoothies, small salads, veggies and hummus, banana or apple + almond butter, deli meat or tempeh rolled up with some goat cream cheese, Larabars]
-Aim to get enough fiber. Women need 25g per day and men need 38g. Not only does it help with satiety, it can help to prevent disease.
-Stay hydrated (avoid caffeine since it has a dehydrating effect, and we can easily mistake thirst for hunger). Take H2O in a bottle with you, or flavor it with some lemon zest [I also like to add fresh berries, cucumber, mint, or orange slices to add some flavor]
-Keep moving! Use the mall for cardio, walk and chat with a friend (extremely beneficial in such a technology-focused environment), find a class you love (an instructor who inspires you, amazing music make all the difference), work out with a buddy who will motivate you to reach your goals, make small changes.
-Choose wisely and don’t overdo it.
When it comes to the holidays, I really think it’s important to remove pressure from yourself as far as working out and eating perfectly. The holidays aren’t a time to go on a crazy diet or set some lofty fitness goals- it’s a time to kick back, relax and enjoy family, friends and the season. I think that it’s much easier to stick to what you want to achieve when you’re willing to cut yourself some slack. Enjoy dessert, just don’t enjoy it every single day at every chance you get –treats are everywhere, from now until New Year’s. I’ll usually go for the ones that are really *worth it* like my nana’s Bundt cake, or my other nana’s Thanksgiving pies. If it came from a factory, it’s not worth it to me.
[Thanksgiving table of dessert justice]
As far as cocktails go, I don’t really have to worry about that this year, but usually I’ll go for something clear with club soda, a beautiful cocktail or fancy pants glass of wine and savor it.
As far as fitness goes, if you’re running short on time, go for a quick and effective workout. HIIT is one of my faves- 20 minutes and you’ll torch a ton of calories and have a higher afterburn effect throughout the rest of the day. For weights, choose compound movements that work more than one muscle group at a time (like lunges with a bicep curl or overhead press).
Definitely look for the forest, not the trees, and in the grand scheme of things, if you’re *mostly* sticking to your usual habits, a few extras here and there are NBD.
What holiday meal/treat are you most looking forward to? What’s one of your tips for staying on track during the holiday season?
I cannot wait for Thanksgiving. Cranberry sauce, stuffing and pie… and I’m drooling.
When you leave a comment, you’ll be entered to win an amazing prize pack from Shape magazine:
-a one-year subscription to Shape magazine
-a yoga mat
-a stability ball
-a pedometer
-box of Fiber One Brownies
See ya in the morning with 10 Ways to Make November Gnarly <— help me with this title? haha
xoxo
Gina
**************************This giveaway has ended as of 11/3 12:01 AM EST. Stay tuned for more fun giveaways in the near future!
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Thanks for all of the great tips! I’ll have to try having a healthy snack before heading to holidy events this year… maybe that will help tear me away from the appetizer table for once.
This year my mother assigned me to Thanksgiving Dinner Duty and I could not be more excited (and nervous)! This will be me first year hosting and I just hope it all turns out. I am a total newbie to a healthy lifestyle, so I have always waaaay over-indulged on holidays. I am excited to implement these new-to-me tricks this year, though!
I love dessert.
I can not wait for stuffing but I need to look for a recipe of a healthier version than I’ve typically made in the past.
Thanks for the great tips! I cannot wait for mashed potatoes and stuffing! YUM! If I know that I’m going to splurge at a party, I try and make sure that my other meals are more on track or on the healthier side to balance it all out!
I’m looking forward to my Nana’s apple pie. YUM!
I’m thinking s’mores in the firepit on the patio tonight…that sounds delish!
My tip for staying on track this holiday season is to keep the same workout routine. If you normally workout 5 days a week try to keep that up even if you have to modify what you’re doing to fit it into a busier than normal schedule. I never regret working out after I’ve moved my booty out the door!
My favorite treat is courtesy of Paula Deen (God bless her) and her Brie en Croute. Basically, it’s phyllo crust stuffed with brie cheese, raspberry jam, brown sugar, and pecans, baked in the oven until a heavenly smell wafts over you. SO GOOD. And my way of staying on track is to put a little bit of everything on my plate and then eat slowly. By eating slowly I find that I’m basically stuffed when I’m done with my plate and physically can’t really go back for seconds even if my brain wants me to. Genius! Ha ha.
Pumpkin pie! my favorite holiday dessert. In order to stay on track this season, I am going to try my best to maintain my normal work out routine but also tell myself it’s okay to indulge once in a while 🙂 Thanks for doing this giveaway!
I look forward to any meals and treats eaten/made with family over the holidays! I try to focus on the people instead od making food center stage.
Moderation is best, especially during the holidays. If I restrict myself too much, I’ll end up overeating. I am looking forward to cuddling up (it’s getting cold) with my little ones and my husbnd this holiday season!
i love cranberry sauce, turkey, sweet potato casserole, and stuffing…all in one bowl. i swear its awesome!
I have to give credit to my dad for helping me stay in shape during the holidays. Whenever I am visiting home, he wakes me up each morning around 5:30am and we go to the gym together and also encourages walks after each meal. It never seems worth it until I get there and begin my workout. We go early so we still have the whole day to spend with family and eat delicious food. 🙂
I am looking forward to homemade cream puffs that my mom makes only once a year. I definitely savor each one I have since I know I have to wait another year to eat them.
I am looking forward to my grandma’s pumpkin walnut roll! It is AMAZING, and I only get to have it once a year. My tip is I always try to eat a healthy breakfast before the eating craziness takes place. I also pour myself a glass of red wine with dinner… for some reason I tend not to eat as much when I am drinking red wine. Plus, it’s good for my heart, right?!
I love stuffing and mashed potatoes, ugh so good. And I love all the cookie baking that goes on in my family during the holidays!
Christmas!
I love homemade cranberry sauce. Oh, and nothing is better than turkey sandwiches topped with cranberries on the days after.
My mom’s homemade wheat rolls are divine…as well as the homemade mashed potatoes. I make an effort to be active every day, and even sign up for some races to keep me motivated through the holidays
I’m looking forward to pumpkin pie! Yum! I try to eat lighter meals on days I know there will be lots of treats. And spend my calories on the foods that only get made on the holidays, instead of something I’ll make for myself anytime.
I look forward to Christmas time. Christmas is spent with my entire family, my Mexican side. It’s the time where my sisters and I grab other significant others and bust out the tamale making factory with our mom. Making tamales is my ultimate favorite activity with the family in the holidays, other than then annual boys versus girls pictionary Christmas war (girls have won two years in a row!). Laughing, talking, playing and spending the holidays with those most important to me make me happy.
Tips? I keep to my workouts, enjoy a treat here and there and dive face first into a pile of tamales. 😀
My mom’s pumpkin bread!!!!!!!!!!
My family and my best friend’s family (known her since kindergarten) always have Thanksgiving together. Every year her mom always brings amazing pumpkin pies that have turkeys made of crust baked into the middle. Amazing! 🙂
The HIIT method is definitely a great way to stay on track! Thanks for the reminder!
And dessert-wise, I’m looking forward to this strawberry jello (with fresh strawberries in it) /coolwhip/ pecans– layered cake! It is the best combination of sweet & salty 🙂
I’m also a huge fan of sweet potato-anything!!!
all of these are great ideas!
I’m most looking forward to my mom’s homemade Christmas coffee cake and my dad’s homemade eggnog! I guess my main thing for staying on track is to just eat healthy when I’m on my own/during the day, so when I’m with family and at parties I can indulge! Going on walks with family is also a good way to get some exercise in without sacrificing family time.
Gina~Great tips and yes, I agree a healthy lifestyle will make it count unlike a quick fix. I like your Nov Goals too. Bravo!
DANG your NANA can cook! SO delicious all of those pics!
My favorite holiday meal is my Mom’s Thanksgiving turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and homemade apple pie.
Thanks for the great tips, Gina !! So inspiring! I am looking forward to a healthy sweet potato casserole and turkey with gravy!! Yum!
I am looking forward to being pregnant this holiday season!
Thanks for all the great tips. I’m looking forward to my mom’s Thanksgiving dinner. EVERYTHING is so good!
I am most looking forward to my crustless pumpkin pie… and my bacon fried brussels sprouts… and turkey… and even that damned can of cranberry… I know that stuff is hideous but it’s tradition for me and I love it! 😉
My favorite treats are chocolate buttersweets. They are cookies that my grandfather used to make, but now my dad and I keep the tradition alive by getting together each Christmas to bake them. Sugar cookie, coconut, walnuts, chocolate – serious sugar rush, but so good! Staying on track…my Jazzercise class offers a gift if you attend 20 classes throughout the holiday season. It actually isn’t so much about the gift as it is about reaching the goal 🙂
I’d love to win!!! A subscription could really help to keep me motivated to stick to my health and fitness goals over the holidays! It’s all about balance, right?
I love all Thanksgiving food but the next day. Left over turkey and stuffing sandwiches, yummy!
I’m most excited about making healthy, delicious treats a part of our Thanksgiving feast!! I also want to do a Turkey Trot!! (:
I’m looking forward to some pumpkin pie. 🙂 Yum.
I have a feeling this is going to be an amazing month! 🙂
I would love to win this giveaway!!
My favorite Christmas treat are Italian cookies with almond paste. Yum!!! Everything in moderation is my goal for the holidays paired with some fun workouts 🙂
I’m most looking forward to pumpkin pie. That’s the one thing I eat way too much of.
I want to make lighter versions of my favorite treats!
every year i look forward to my mom’s apple pie – i just moved to AZ and won’t be able to afford a trip back for Thanksgiving this year, but maybe she can FedEx that 🙂
My favorite holiday treat is stuffing! I only eat the homemade version at Thanksgiving time, so it’s a great treat. My trick to staying on track is to limit my portions, only try things at work that are homemade and go to the gym straight from work!
Thanks for the positive encouragement. I found that I am my healthiest when I have the least amount of pressure on myself to eat right and exercise. When I lived on the East Coast, I used to gain 10 lbs every winter, like clockwork! But now that I live in San Diego, Im finding it much easier to keep the winter weight away because there aren’t as many excuses to stay indoors!
Hi Gina, thanks for the holiday suggestions. I’m looking forward to a week an ashram the week between Christmas and New Years. Mary
My dad’s pumpkin & apple pies – they’re the best!
I try to eat in moderation, but let myself eat a little of everything/anything – smaller portions!
Look at all the special treats and just enjoy your favorites!
Try and walk or do some exercise consistently BUT enjoy! Food is a big part of family traditions.
These tips are great! Fall is my favorite season, and I LOVE Halloween and Thanksgiving! I’ve just lost 10 pounds and I’m celebrating that; however, I can’t let the holiday season be a regression. Just another step in my lifestyle change!
I LOOOOVE my thanksgiving stuffing – we use lots of broth to cut down on butter, but its still a guilty pleasure.
I’m looking forward to cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning! I stay on track by making healthier versions of my favorite treats, and by not slacking on my workout routine.
Desert and potatoes!