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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I gave up sweets from about 3 weeks ago until December 4th (my 1/2 marathon) and my birthday and Thanksgiving are the only cheat days. All that to say I am SO looking forward to Thanksgiving sweets!! I have decided though to only try desserts that are “worth it.” I always look forward to my mom’s banana pudding and my mother-in-law’s chocolate pecan pie. This year I’m hoping to make something special too!!
I think the key for the holidays is being laid back (not crazy about over indulging but not crazy about restricting) With eating, I do what you say, I try to pick the stuff I think is really worth it. And I usually aim to stick to one plate (and eat it sitting down). Exercising is just about doing SOMETHING whether it be a walk with the family, or a short on-demand video in the living room. Just something always makes me feel better.
I’m making myself hold out on the egg nog that’s been staring at me from the grocer’s fridge section for a month. It’ll taste so much better if I wait until after Thanksgiving to enjoy its yummy goodness!
I’m looking forward to soft bakery rolls!
Thanks for the giveaway.
I am definitely looking forward to pie! And, walking around in the snow with hot chocolate! 🙂
Great tips! I think the key is moderation. Yummy holiday treats are too hard to pass up!
Homemade stuffing, after Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches, anything with pumpkin….oh my, time for a snack over here 🙂
I loved reading these reminders. Time and time again I remind myself (and my friends) that balance is KEY. If you’ve found what works for you stick with it, and make small tweaks here and there. We get overwhelmed when we try to completely change our lifestyle & eating habits all at once (and it always seems people want to do it around the holidays) and then they wonder why they couldn’t stick with it. BABY STEPS. Thanks for the awesome reminders, your blog is like my daily cup of coffee (I am completely sensitive to caffeine). It gets me going and always starts my day in a positive way! Feeling very blessed to have stumbled upon you Gina!
I’m most looking forward to stuffing & sweet potato casserole on T-giving, and crab legs & twice baked potatoes on Christmas! Yummm. To stay on track, this year I am writing in a food journal from Nov 1 – Jan 1 so I can take a look at what I’m eating. When it’s all tracked, you really notice what you’re eating, and it helps 🙂
I’m actually dreading the holidays but hope to use some of the tips above to help me stay motivated (and good!). I have started my healthier eating already – no Halloween candy for this girl! – and hope to lose some extra weight BEFORE New Years resolutions kick in. As a baker with a huge sweet tooth, it is going to be a challenge. I plan on choosing wisely and only having food that I cannot make myself and are minimally processed.
What about Make November Notorious?
anything with pumpkin in it!
I am definitely looking forward to stuffing and salted caramel hot chocolate. Thanks for the great staying healthy through the holidays tips! I will be keeping these on the brain 🙂
I CANNOT WAIT for the dark meat turkey with fresh cranberry relish. YUM! I’ll Bodyrock to keep [most of] the chub off.
The thing I’m most looking forward to is pumpkin pie which I will be making this year and my tip for staying on track is to just say no to taking home leftovers 😉
For me, it’s Gingerbread lattes! I heard Starbucks brought them back as of 11/1. I still haven’t gone to check. Aghh!
Sadly, I’ve been doing November marathons over the past couple of years, which means I usually spend the 2nd half of that month and all of December giving myself a break from much running until the new year. Thus, less exercise + treats = danger. Ha ha.
My favorite holiday meal is most definitely GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE! So creamy and delicious!
I think the most important thing you can do to stay on track during the holidays is to not overdue it. Get a little taste of everything but don’t go back for seconds or thirds…and don’t overdue it on the drinking either! 🙂
My plan is to allow myself to indulge on a meal (or three) over the holidays, but attempt healthy and balanced eating the rest of the time! It’s so easy to have a bad “week” over the holidays instead of a cheat meal.
Gingerbread popcorn… if I win, I’ll even share the recipe! :o)
I am a major chocoholic, so I love holiday desserts, but my favorite holiday-season foods are the MEAT. I rarely eat any kind of meat (not a vegetarian, just price- and health-conscious) so when I hit up holiday parties, I go for the turkey, bacon-wrapped stuff, pork roasts, etc. And gravy excites me too. But these shindigs are usually vegetable-heavy, which is perfect to balance out all that meat. Roasted asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower… mmm.
I don’t ever look to lose weight, just to maintain what I have going on now. I live Chicago, so I end up walking about two miles every day – and if I don’t hit that mark, I go for walks up and down Michigan Avenue at lunch (right past the newly-opened TopShop…)
Thanks for posting these tips – I know it’s all stuff we’ve *heard before* but the reminder certainly helps. I’m printing to put on my office wall as a daily reminder.
I am SUPER excited for my stepmom’s dressing and mashed potatoes. Of course swimming in gravy. Her turkey leaves something to be desired, but the sides are always on point. As far as staying with the fitness goals around the holiday season, I make sure to drink lots of water while i am getting ready to go places. Not sure if it does anything, but I feel like it might counter balance the booze a little.
I love sweet potato casserole! The marshmellows on top are the best. A tip that comes to mind is don’t go back for seconds. Make a healthy serving portion wise and enjoy every bite! And eat slowly!
i can’t wait for thanksgiving! it’s my 4th year doing it myself with both my family and husband’s family. i love getting everyone together and spending time with loved ones!
I love pumpkin pie!!!!! Yummmy! During the holidays it helps me to count calories a little more than I normally do that way if I overindulge or know that I’m going to I can just workout more. 🙂
Im excited for chocolate pecan pie. My tips are to indulge…a little. I only take a table spoon of everything.
My favorite holiday meal is the turkey and mashed potatoes…mmm!
I try to pace myself when eating large family-style meals. So small portions over the whole day instead of one huge, overly stuffed meal. 🙂
Great post! Definitely getting into holiday mode in my house! Very exciting with a 2.5 year old! 🙂
I can’t wait for my mom’s delicious 7 layer bars, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie cheesecake : )
oooohhh…fun giveaway!! I’m just going to amp up the cardio and weights a little to offset my many many treats! Works like a charm!
I’m most looking forward to Egg Nog!!! Since I work at a gym, I workout before my shifts. When I’m not there my boss will ask how come I wasn’t in? So its keeps me accountable for my workouts.
i’m really looking forward to my family’s tradition of homemade pizza on christmas eve! this holiday season is especially crazy for me since i’m the super intense first year of an MBA program, so i’m all about multi tasking like doing reading for my class while walking on the treadmill!
I love pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce! I stay in shape by eating what I want, but not going overboard. Everything in moderation!
I love the holidays. Good advice to live it up for just one day! I was trying to figure out how I was going handle this year. Thanks! 🙂
I’m looking forward to “wiggly salad” a pasta salad that my auntie makes as well as my grandma’s stuffing for Thanksgiving.
I am aiming to get in some exercise even when I am out of town visiting family. I am going to bring my laptop with p90x dvds and a yoga mat to my famiy’s lake house!
Mmmm I am so with you on the stuffing! It’s one of my favorite splurges, I would eat it year round if my body would let me!
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i need to get in shape!
I have an obsession with pretzel jello salad. My mom generally makes enough for both days and I will admit it turns into my breakfast, lunch & dinner(love when the pretzel get kind of soggy)! My best motivation is my big doberman. She requires a lot of exercise as she has a lot of energy. Zoomies are cute inside with little dogs, but a 100lb doberman in a confined space can be trying to say the least.
Looking forward to some new chocolate discoveries on my Xmas vacation…wherever I travel I search out the best chocolate shops to find treats for my friends (and me :). Work is so busy up until the holidays which keeps me running around. And I have rehearsals for a holiday dance concert to keep me moving!
My favorite holiday treat has to be my pumpkin cheesecake… I don’t like pumpkin pie so having the pumpkin flavor in the cheesecake is perfect. I think the key to staying on track during the holidays is to focus on spending the time with family and not camping out in the kitchen. I tend to eat whatever is in front of me so I avoid standing around the food, haha.
I’ve heard all of those tips before, but it’s always a great reminder!!
This season is my yearly battle – Arg!
I love the holidays, and do GREAT the rest of the year with portion control and snacking. But for some reason, as soon as Thanksgiving rolls around, I have zero willpower. I keep up with my exercise routine, but it’s sweets and comfort food galore…. then I don’t fully “recover” until February and I already feel awful. Yuck!
This year I am committed to making a change. Thanks for your help!
Awesome giveaway!! =] =]
fun giveaway!! i just love all the homemade foods over the holidays. my mom makes a great breakfast casserole on christmas morning every year and im hoping to make some breads this year to start a new tradition! With the holidays, I try to stop eating when I’m full so I don’t get that sick feeling…I also really try to keep working out so maybe I won’t necessarily lose weight, but at least I won’t gain any (hopefully)!
I love the Holidays. I think as long as you eat modestly, I see no reason not to indulge here or there. I also like to keep up with my workouts even though it can be difficult. It reduces the stress and lets you enjoy those treats even more!
I like all the tips you added on! Also, I LOVE the idea of “let’s take a Zumba class” meet-ups 🙂
Thanks for the tips! I have a tendency to go comfort food crazy rigt as the cold weather hits. Inspiration to stay a little more on track is always helpful!
Holy mackeral(sp?) you have a TON of comments. ha. Guess thats what a giveaway does. 🙂
Anywho, I seriously thought you had your tree up already when I first looked! And I can not wait for homemade Apple pie on Thanksgiving! The two Thanksgivings that I have! 🙂 Yum! But I think the key to the holidays is to keep getting workouts in. I think people tend to not workout as much during the holidays because they are busy or its cold (I’m in PA). Even if it’s just little workouts at home to a DVD or such. Totally agree on NO NEW DIETS! 🙂
The holidays are going to be bitter sweet this year. It’s always a nice time and makes you think about family and being thankful for what you have. But, we also have some financial hurdles this year that will force us to be creative with the gifts, etc.
This insight was great timing. Considering my dinner for halloween night was helping myself to some of the candy we had for the Trick or Treaters. Thanks Gina!
I go crazytown for peppermint bark! White chocolate and peppermint. Or a peppermint mocha. I guess peppermint is my holiday love. Honestly the trick i can think of is being the cooking. I always find that after working all day in the kitchen, when its time to sit down to chow I don’t have half the appeptite I had while i was cooking. I guess it’s all the “tasting” for seasoning and flavor. So then I have very small portions and really don’t have any desire to overeat.
I meant doing the cooking or being the cook —
I can’t wait for the big thanksgiving and christmas meals, but baking christmas cookies are my favorite. I’m going to try to make them more healthy this year too 🙂 I’m going to sign up for a turkey trot and jingle bell runs to keep me on track!