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

[Timbo]

I am following you on Twitter :D

@TimboSquad

Please feel free to contact me at:

allrightyes at gmail dot com

[Timbo]

I just tweeted this giveaway here :D

http://twitter.com/TimboSquad/status/13788704631947264

Please feel free to contact me at:

allrightyes at gmail dot com

[Heather S]

Moderate the amount of holiday foods you eat, drink lots of water and walk as much as possible to burn calories

[Susan Randle]

I exercise on an elliptical exerciser at least 5 days a week, all year long.

[Sarah Hirsch]

instead of cake or cookies for dessert, have some fruit

[Mary M]

I try to go for the fruits, salads and veggies first to fill up, so I can't eat as many sweets.
marybug2 at yahoo.com

[Mary M]

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/marybug2/status/13993279972446208
marybug2 at yahoo.com

[Toby]

Not easy, but I try (not always successfully) to eat only half of everything put before me. And that means the healthy foods. As far as the sweets, I try to curb that by tasting (biteful) each sweet that tempts me (and unfortunately for me, these really do tempt me).

[Toby]

tweet:
http://twitter.com/tandek589/status/14004607835439104

[Cynthia C]

At home I control the ingredients so I know what and how much is healthy. When I'm out, I choose the smallest plate available and look for the healthiest choices - veggies and fruits, nuts. etc.

[Cynthia C]

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/clc408/status/14050969071390720

[Judith]

It is easy because i am nerotic health nut. i never eat junk food. I am no more then what can fit in the palm of my hand about every3 hrs. I told you I was neurotic

[Judith]

http://twitter.com/sodahoney/status/14146515844993025

[Elizabeth I]

I try to remember to put fat free milk in my coffee. topgun34er(at)hotmail(dot)com

[Tarah]

I make sure I don't withhold the treats from myself, I just get the correct portion size so I get my fill and don't feel left out!

[Debbie Bellows]

It's very difficult! I try to stay away from the food when at all possible!

debbiebellows[at]gmail[dot]com

[Debbie Bellows]

i tweeted about the giveaway

http://twitter.com/bellows22/statuses/14556636341338112

debbiebellows[at]gmail[dot]com

[Kerry]

If I know I’m going to be eating at a party, I will eat light the rest of the day to save some calories to splurge a little at the party.

[Kerry]

tweeted: http://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/14831043693518848

[M.A.]

Stay committed.
Think first.
Choose wisely.
Make healthy choices.

[Nadine L]

When I know I am going to be going somewhere with food (which is everywhere during the holidays) I eat some fruit or salad before going out, which makes me fuller and I eat smaller portions

[Nadine L]

I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/eyzofblu63/status/14875450857750528

[Peter]

Eat slowly, put down your fork between bites, and use smaller plates. It makes it look as if you're eating more which actually does trick your brain into getting full faster (as long as you eat slowly). Even for desserts, enjoy them, take your time and stop when you're full. If you feel a need to try a little of lots of things, take small portions and come back later.

It's not really a weight loss program, but it does help to lower the amount of food you take in.

[amy pugmire]

i try to work out consistantly because when I work out I want to eat healthier. I try not to overeat. I will eat slower so I get fuller alot faster!

[Kelly]

I am very careful about portion control.