Making it Through the Holidays Without Having to Buy New Pants

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

Okay, I made it through Thanksgiving without gaining ten pounds. While I definitely didn't lose any weight, I don't even think I gained one pound. High five, pat on the back.

That said, December is here, and everyone knows what that means. It means holiday cookie extravaganzas. It means random, frantic snacking in an effort to get through the busiest month of the year. It means little bowls of irresistible red and green chocolate candies at my mother-in-law's house. It means party food every weekend from here until January.

It means I have to do something drastic in order not to gain the same kind of weight that I did in my third trimester of pregnancy.

Here are my plans for portion-control and conscious eating habits this holiday season.

• I'm going to use smaller plates and glasses so that I can't overfill them
• I'm going to keep healthy snacks at the office so that I'm not tempted by holiday candy
• I'm going to eat BEFORE going to parties so that I don't show up hungry and mow down the entire food table
• I'm going to (big breath) weigh myself daily so that I'm more conscious of what I'm doing
• I'm going to make sure I don't go shopping hungry -- that way I'll be less tempted to snack on unhealthy foods at the mall
• 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 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

What about you, Internet? How do you manage healthy eating during the holidays?

Share a health/fitness/wellness tip and you will be entered to win $150. Also visit The Daily Tip hub to read health tips each day and for weekly chances to win $100 at the “Play For Laughs” game. We may even use some of your Tips!

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 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
• You can read the official rules here.
• Contest ends 12/28/10

  So let's do this! Let's win some free money! Tell me how you manage healthy eating during the holidays!

Comments

[Tabathia B]

Drink plenty of water and add lemon or a lime for a splash of water and snack on fruit like apple slices or grapes for healthy eating and to avoid over indulging
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

[Tabathia B]

tweet
http://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/12735001279856640
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

[Mami2jcn]

I keep a food diary and make sure to keep active during the holidays.

[Mami2jcn]

tweet-http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/12875311746125826

[Adrienne gordon]

I manage by avoiding the sweets.I make sure to stick to my daily exercise and that handles any extra food I may eat during the holidays.

[Terri Dell]

Snack on fruits instead of sweets

[Terri Dell]

http://twitter.com/Ziggywag/status/13334431947296768
Tweeted it

[Margaret Smith]

I try to snack on healthy items before going out. I also like to drink lots of water.

[Natalia D]

I eat a lot of salads before main dish

[John]

I try to drink a lot of water before party.
jdrombo AT yahoo DOT com

[SANDY]

my tip is if you bake use splenda
if you snack no larger portions than your fist...............

[Roxanne Ellis Raymond]

I am very conscious of serving sizes this time of year, its not worth over indulging!

[mickeyfan]

If you are a pop drinker, try to make yourself switch to diet. It takes a while to get used to the different taste, but you can save so many calories.

[Stephanie V.]

usually portion control size of palm but this year fighting cancer, had treatment and isolation last week and lost my salivary glands so no taste whatsoever
tvollowitz at aol dot com

[Benny Williams]

I always try to follow the "80% rule". Eat until you feel 80% and stop. If you feel hungry later, you can always have a snack. But usually that 80% is enough. Thanks for the giveaway!

[Benny Williams]

http://twitter.com/#!/benny8484/status/13497371442810880

a tweet!

[Susan Smith]

I fill up on proteins fruits and vegetables so I'm not as tempted to eat sweets. I also eat before I go to parties and just sample foods while I'm there.

[Susan Smith]

http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/13610927412744193

[Kelly]

Actually, the best thing to do is NOT to weigh yourself every day! There are so many fluctuations, depending on that time of month, sodium intake, etc., that weighing every day can easily throw you off track. Go by the fit of your clothes, not the number on the scale!

That said, if you eat well the rest of the time, you can allow yourself a treat here and there. Have a handful of candy and use a little less butter on your potatoes later. :)

[Andrea S.]

I eat everything, but in moderation. I try to eat more of the lean proteins, and nibble on the high-fat apps and desserts. I also don't drink much any time of the year, so it is easier to do without all the high calorie drinks that seem to be so present this time of year.

[Gina]

I try to eat only to satisfaction and track everything I am eating

gina.m.maddox AT gmail.com

[Gina]

http://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/13747158071115776

tweet tweet!

[Georgia]

I have to say, I really don't worry to much about eating during the holidays. We are suppose to be enjoying life with our friends and family with the stress of worrying.

gmissycat at yahoo dot com

[Georgia]

Tweeted here too

http://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/13750200455663616

gmissycat at yahoo dot com

[Timbo]

Gotta say the finest way to eat healthy for our family is to stick a Mediterranean diet of pastas, fishes, olive oil and other necessary peripherals :D

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