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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Congrats! You definitely deserve it!
Oh, and I’m sure the winner wouldn’t mind if a couple ‘roons accidently fell into the box. Ha! 😉
I love the Holidays and going to see the inlaws always sucks because they cook everything in piles of butter. I trade off with small portions and workouts every morning.
Your blog has been a great resource. I am currently in Jamaica volunteering (only a couple weeks left!) and your blog has got me super excited to get home to a kitchen and a gym! Can’t wait to try some of your delish recipes
I love a good berry pie!! I usually make it so I know that it will be exactly what I want.
I can’t wait for some stuffing. I make my own cornbread to use in the stuffing so it only happens once a year, lol.
I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving! The yummy food and wine and spending the whole day with my family. Last year, I did a Thanksgiving Day 5 mile race and it definitely made me feel better about indulging at dinner.
I can’t wait for my aunt’s homemade pumpkin cheesecake!
I find this post very helpful and appreciate your reminders on how to keep the holiday weight gain at bay! I am most excited for the stuffing/dressing this Thanksgiving! Gets me every year! By the way – love your baby belly – so adorable!
I’m just looking forward to home cooked meals in general! dorm food is ick-ay. honey butter, fresh rolls, sweet potatoe casserole… YUM
I’m looking forward to mashed potatoes and gravy and homemade rolls on thanksgiving!!! And also.. christmas cookies 0:-)
My favorite Christmas food is my mom’s cheesy potatoes. She only makes them for Christmas and it’s my fav.
My hubby and I plan on staying fit by sledding our butts of!
My grandma makes the most delicious cookies! I can’t wait to be at her place for Christmas, since we’ve already celebrated Thanksgiving up North.
I include friends in my workouts that way I stay active and stay social at the holiday!
I let myself slide with the eating a bit more during the holidays, but I make sure to keep up with my fitness routine. I find when I continue to work out most days, the desire to OD on pecan pie and eggnog goes away and I can be satisfied with smaller portions of sweets.
I’m especially excited for Thanksgiving this year because my fiance and I are running in the Turkey Trot 5K in Oklahoma City on Thanksgiving morning! I just recently ran my first 5K at the Race for the Cure last month and am so excited to run another! It’s also an added bonus to get in a good workout before I fill up on Thanksgiving treats!
Hi Gina! Great job on the Zumba videos and you look so adorable! This Thanksgiving Im looking forward to seeing my handsome brother come home to his family since he lives far away. Im also looking forward to eating turkey and cranberry sauce! have a restful night.
I love PEPPERMINT MOCHA’S from starbucks!!
Anything homemade makes my mouth water. Can’t wait!!!
My mom makes the most amazing deep fried turkey…yes, I said it. It’s only once a year, so I say what the heck?!
I get excited most about the desserts. I am a sucker for sweets which is why this Halloween business is KILLING me! Bring on the pies!
I would love this! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I am so looking forward to going home from college for the first time this year. Hopefully, I’ll be able to stick to my running plan as a way to stay in shape.
I have to admit, I’m not very good at “staying on track” during the holidays – mostly I just enjoy! I so look forward to stuffing and pumpkin pie every year. The Thanksgiving Meal is probably my favorite =)
I am definitely looking forward to my momma’s homemade pumpkin pie & mashed sweet potatoes. The best way I stay on track during the holidays is cardio dates with family and early morning workouts pre-festivities.
I cannot resist anything pumpkin flavored! if every dessert could be a pumpkin one I would probably skip dinner and just eat those!
When I go home for the holidays my mother and I plan our workouts together! We help keep each other on track, plus, it’s a nice break from the holiday craziness and perfect for some quality time together just the two of us!
i’m looking forward to Christmas cookies!! my friends and i have cookie exchanges each year and i LOVE it.
I am most looking forward to all of the delicious vegetables we have on our Thanksgiving table! There are so many great ones to choose from, and it helps balance out with dessert. I am training for a half marathon in February, so hopefully that will keep me on track!
I was wondering where your November post was 😉 I really try to focus on getting at least 3-5 servings of fruits and veggies in on the days I know I’ll be eating a lot of treats. As long as the treats are not replacing my nutrients, I usually feel okay about it.
Another great way to stay in shape is to do stuff that you enjoy! If you hate running then don’t plan to do that because alot of the time you won’t end up doing it. If you love dance classes or Yoga, do that instead!
I love eating things that I cook myself or a friend/family has cooked. I know how much effort it takes, and it just means so much more than take out or a restaurant. The holidays are about giving! So I’m not going to say no to home cooked goodies!!
I look forward to my mom’s homemade stuffing! It’s the best. 🙂 I’ve started lifting weights with my fiance so I’m hoping that helps curb the holiday weight gain!
I am looking forward to apple pie with crumb topping! I make sure to keep the sweets out of the house and walk after the big meals!
Gotta love Pecan Pie…Thanksgiving is the only time of the year I enjoy this treat…homemade and warm with homemade whipped topping…just makes my body so warm and gives me comfort 🙂
I’m most excited for all of the food my mom makes for Thanksgiving: a soup to start, turkey from the local farm, roasted vegetables, flavorful stuffing, and homemade cranberry sauce. All washed down with some good wine and a slice of her amazinggg pumpkin pie. I want all of that right now!
10 Ways to Make November…
…neat
…nifty
…nonsensical (<– doesn't work at all but it's one of my favorite words)
…nutty
…notable
…noteworthy
…nervy
…new
…nonconforming
…novel
…enlightened (ignore the e)
Alright time for me to stop. Hope that helps!
or…nostalgic. The holiday season is definitely filled with nostalgia.
Okay now I’m really done. It’s odd how into ‘n’ words I just got ha!
I was just reading Shape today and thinking I need to subscribe! I am looking forward to sitting around the table with those I love! We could eat frozen pizza and I wouldn’t care! Although I do cook a meal lol Being a military family, treasuring a meal time together is much more important than what’s ON the table!
I’m looking forward to the stuffing my dad makes every thanksgiving – it’s a french recipe from my great-grandmother and it always comes out so good! my brother and i usually fight over who gets to take home the leftovers for the next day.
I’m most excited for mashed potatoes 🙂 I never take the time to make them for myself, so I always eat extra at Thanksgiving. But I also make sure to go for a run or do some yoga before the festivities begin!
The treats that I’m most looking forward to are gluten-free stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce & pumpkin pie! I’m also making those goat cheese/garlic/caramelized onion sweet potatoes as a side dish to bring a long since my husband’s family makes the sweet potatoes with the sugar and everything & I’m saving my excess sugar for the pumpkin pie 🙂 Before we sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, I will always get a long run in. A few years ago, my husband and I ran the Turkey Trot in Chicago, it was our first 8k together. Hmm ideas for a post title: 10 Ways to make November Noteworthy? Nifty? Nurturing? That’s all I got :-/ N is a tricky one to work with.
Mashed potatoes and gravy! I try to do some yoga when we travel for
the holidays because it’s so easy to do in any location 🙂
Like you said I think it’s all about balance…..enjoying the stuff that’s worth it but sticking some other nutrient dense foods in there so that over indulgence isn’t an issue! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
I just got the “final” notice from Shape telling me my subscription was up! My favorite holiday treats are pumpkin pie and christmas cookies.
I can’t believe its already the Holiday season! When I went to work today they were playing Christmas music. I totally sang and danced along. ;p I love what you said about seeing the forest and not the trees. The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, and if you do it in moderation they can be enjoyed without regret!
I love the holidays and I’m just excited the red Starbucks are back 🙂
Pumpkin pie – <3
I really like the focus of this post, as it’s always hard to stay on track during the holidays! I heard something along the same lines the other day that really hit home with me,
“Everyone worries about what they are going to eat between Christmas and New Years, when really they should be focusing on what they eat between New Years and Christmas.”
I love this because it shows that you can enjoy a few days during the holidays if you keep it healthy and in control the rest of the year!
The holidays are def always a challenge, but I’m def gonna keep the tip in mind to make sure and enjoy the treats that are “worth it”. Eating a bunch of halloween processed candy just tastes crappy, but enjoying homemade cookies or an apple pie made with my boyfriend’s mom or the traditional holiday desserts we make is so much more worth it!
Thanks for the tips!! 🙂
-Susie (fitsandgiggles)
Oh man, I love Thanksgiving! I always look forward to my mom’s homemade cranberry sauce, and stuffing is one of my all-time favorite foods. For your November post, you could call it “ten ways to make November notorious.” Ha!
I’m so excited our family’s Cookie Sunday which is the Sunday before Christmas when my mom’s whole family decorates cookies and has a cookie exchange. It is one of my favorite days of the entire year!
I’m REALLY looking forward to pumpkin pie. I’ll let myself enjoy the pie cause I’ll feel deprived if I don’t, but I try to hold off on the little sweets that pop up everywhere all season (cookie platters, etc.). I try to indulge in the good stuff and say no to the junk that pops up everywhere all season long, especially in the office.
I love my mama’s sweet potato casserole! I look forward to it every year. It’s to die for! 🙂