On Not Becoming a Holiday Beast

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

It's begun. That subtle shift into the holiday season. I caught myself unwrapping a piece of Halloween candy at 10:30 in the morning the other day at work. Unfortunately, it wasn't until it was actually in my mouth that I thought, "Gah. What am I doing?!"

Then I sighed, leaned back in my chair and thought, let the battle begin. The battle being the one to not spend the next two months grazing on all manner of fattening and terribly tasty foods, just because they're around.

Oh, and they'll be around.

Bowls of Halloween candy that subtly lead up to a day of late-November comatose feasting, which then gives way to little dishes of holiday chocolates, cookies frosted and shaped into the most delectable treats, hot cocoa sipped by roaring fires, hearty soups and warm slices of bread, candied pecans and holiday party hors d'oeuvres.

I'm going to stop there. You get the picture.

This year, in an attempt not to gain 10 extra holiday pounds, I've come up with the following guidelines:

• I'm going to drink more water
• I'm going to remind myself at each meal that I can eat as many vegetables as I like
• I'm going to skip gravies and other high calorie condiments
• I'm going to make an effort not get too hungry at any given point so that I don't end up wolfing down something regretful. Eating small meals throughout the day should help with this.
• I'm going to try to get outside and be active as much as possible
• I'm going to be nice to myself, and still try to enjoy myself. Moderation is my mantra.

This year I will not become a holiday beast! I just put it in writing. That means I'm serious.

What about you, Internet? How do you stay fit during the holidays?

Share your tips in the comment section and you will be entered to win $150. 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! 

Here are some rules:

• No duplicate comments. (In other words: NO CHEATING)
• You may receive an additional entry by linking on Twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by following me on Twitter: @clairebidwell and letting me know in the comments
• You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
• Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry.
  
• This giveaway is open to US Residents, aged 18 and older.
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
• You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
• You can read the official rules here.
• Contest ends December 5, 2010

  So let's do this! Let's win some free money! Tell me how you stay fit through the holidays!

--

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Comments

[Jennifer (mom of 4)]

I love to bake during the holidays but really try not to eat everything I make. To do this I try and eat popcorn to fill me up while I bake. This helps me not eat all of the fattening things. haha

[Mami2jcn]

This year I'm keeping a food diary and writing down all the calories I consume so I don't go out of control.

[Mami2jcn]

tweeted-http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/4933879634857986

[Mami2jcn]

I follow you on twitter @mami2jcn

[Selene Montgomery]

I'm afraid I don't stay fit during the holidays since we're traveling, so I can give you a tip on how I do stay fit.

[Peter Schott]

I usually just try to take my holiday snacks in reasonable doses, hard as that may be. That helps me stay pretty much at the same level, though I don't lose anything. I've got to step up that effort this year.

[ash]

I just try to get in exercise everyday and have small portions!

[Bebemiqui]

Find a 10 minute exercising podcast on Itunes and squeeze those 10 minutes in. It will help remind you to watch what you eat!
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

[Sheila]

I do a lot of baking so I switch out regular sugar for Whey Low and use Neufchatel instead of regular cream cheese.

[Roxy]

i lose weight before the holidays so I can gain it all back.

[Karen]

It is a task to stay fit during the holiday's but I really try to limit my calories by not going back for seconds and also eating off of a smaller plate. I also try to walk 30 minutes daily and instead of strolling my 1 year old I carrier him in a Soft Structured Carrier to burn twice the calories. It helps some, believe me.

[Karen]

Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/SCMOMOF2BOYS/status/5063123094474752

[Sheila]

I'm taking care of my grandson more days now while his parents are working and in school. Running up and down stairs and playing with him is all I need to keep fit.

[Anna]

Eat at only every other opportunity?

[Katie]

I continue working out even while we're out of town, and try very hard not to eat my weight in stuffing.

[Vanessa]

This year I am running a Turkey Trot 5K, but I am slightly worried about after the Turkey Trot is over and how I will do...we shall see.

[Vanessa]

Follow you on Twitter (@jewelsntreasure)

[Vanessa]

Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/jewelsntreasure/status/5118205194407936

[Cathy]

I don't know what I'm going to do this year, because I have a foot problem but I'm hoping walking my son to school every day will help at least maintain! Thank you for the giveaway!

[Ellen]

i try to eat light, produce rich meals when i am cooking for myself and save the indulgences for special occasions. it not difficult to eat healthy when i know i will be able to enjoy thanksgiving and christmas and certain other events in between!

[Eileen]

I have physical limitations AND low blood sugar so I have to be careful by eating small meals. THIS is so important for EVERYONE when holidays come around, so as not to starve yourself all day so you can pig out and go into a feeding frenzy at the holiday table. (This is key for anyone, not just those with Blood sugar issues.) Planning ahead is important…eat something controlled BEFORE you go to that buffet table! I can add a good 5 lbs. Christmas week alone. I can blame it on Mom’s award winning stuffing, but I think it is MY “stuffing” that is the problem! This year I will not be the crying piggy,…I will enjoy being the “laughing cow”!

[Eileen]

tweeted!

http://twitter.com/2sic2mooov/status/5159424788267008

thanks!

(mammablestx6)

[jennifer horn]

I try to stay active and not eat on the go. I find I eat less and more healthy while out and about if it's not at a drive thru. I also eat some of what I want, just don't overeat.

[jennifer horn]

Twitter follower. @jen_r_horn

[jennifer horn]

tweeted. http://twitter.com/jen_r_horn/status/5259256496390144