Twinkie’s Challenge: Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Every holiday season we are bombarded with loads and loads of extra calories that are nothing more than sugar, fat, and simple carbohydrates that help us gain more weight than we’d care to admit.

We first get slapped with Halloween, which most people are sugar loaded before October 31st even comes. A short couple of weeks later, we get to enjoy Thanksgiving which is a day we consume a single meal that has more calories than what we normally consume in an entire week, not to mention the pies and other treats for dessert. One month later we get to enjoy Christmas, which is full of holiday traditions that are full of sugary hot cocoa, stocking stuffers, and making a whole house made out of candy (and buy extra candy so we can eat as we build)!

It’s no wonder why most people gain so much weight during the holidays. As a society, we don’t have just three days to celebrate – the holidays last a full three months!

I love that the holidays are three months long of celebrations, and no, I am not all “bah-humbug” just because I refuse to make sugar a part of my holiday traditions! Quite the opposite, really. I have actually found a way to not gain weight during the holidays! If you listen to what I have to say, you can even lose weight during the holidays, even with a couple of holiday treats every now and again.

Keep Exercising!

If you’ve been exercising all year (or even just the Summer) long, good for you! Now that it’s the holiday season, it’s time to step things up and keep going!

If you haven’t been exercising at all, now is the time to start! You have three months left until the end of the year, and that’s plenty of time to get moving towards your goals. You might not reach your ultimate health goals within just three months, but you will have gotten a three month head start towards those “New Years Resolutions”! Look at you, so proactive!

Here’s a thought: If you burned 300 calories a day (for example, 30 minutes on an elliptical machine) and eat within your calorie “budget” everyday (use a useful site like Lose It!), you will set yourself up for maintaining or even losing weight – it’s your choice!

Get you Rest

It’s easy to forget how important sleep is to our overall health, including how it can effect your weight loss efforts. With all of the holiday parties coming up, it’s time you take your sleep seriously! I am not one for sleeping in (I am a morning person!), but in times where you just stay up too late (which should be the exception, not the rule!), you really do need to get your rest. Go ahead and sleep in. You can always do your workout when you wake up…whenever that is : )

Drink Water

It’s easy to get dehydrated during the cold Fall and Winter months, so make sure that you track how much water you are drinking so that you know your daily intake.

Why is it so important to drink enough water each day? Water is a great way to stay full for longer periods of time, which helps prevent you from overeating at all of the social gatherings coming up! It also helps with your metabolism and allows for your body to function properly (which helps you lose weight easier).

Whenever possible, opt for water instead of soda or alcohol since they are both full of calories that are quickly consumed and add on the pounds fast.

You Don’t Have to Eat Everything Given to You

A lot of people show their love by giving you sweets. You don’t have to eat everything in sight just because it’s homemade or a special tradition. This is just something I had to tell you, and even give myself the little reminder.

When it’s OK to Induldge…

OK, I get it. The holidays come once a year, and you want to enjoy yourself. If you are going to indulge on your favorite holiday treats, there’s nothing I can do or say to prevent you from eating them, but there is a couple of things you should keep in mind:

1) Don’t eat your favorite candy/dessert/etc. when you are hungry. It’s not supposed to be a meal, and if you eat your favorite holiday treat when you are hungry, you will be more likely to eat a lot of it, and I mean a lot more!

2) Moderation is key! If you have little to no self control, you might want to consider “calorie counting” temporarily during the holidays, to make sure that you don’t overdo it when it comes to eating treats. If you know you don’t have self control, sometimes it’s easier to never start than to try and stop eating the treats later on.

3) Don’t give into temptation all of the time. Don’t make a three month long habit of indulging because “it’s the holidays”, since that phrase is what gets everybody in trouble and regretful come January 1st when they are carrying several extra pounds of holiday weight gain with them that lasts much longer than that holiday party ever did.

Plan out the days you will indulge a little, and adjust your day accordingly. You know yourself and your weaknesses, so put a strategy in place on how you plan on handling the situation and stick to your plan! For example, you can exercise more on the days leading up to the holiday party, or you can eat a big healthy meal before you look over the dessert bar! If it means you skip out on candy/desserts/treats altogether since you know you can’t stop at just one or two, then avoid the junk food and have fun socializing and being the life of the party instead!

Maintain – or Lose! – Weight this Holiday

Follow these steps, and maintain – or even lose! – weight this holiday season! You can achieve whatever you want, and whatever you are willing to work for. And yes, you can enjoy a wonderful holiday season with less (or no) junk food because the food isn’t really what makes the holidays special (I’ll let you think about that one).

Are you ready to take this challenge on?!

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Tags: holidays, Twinkie's Challenge, weight gain

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day everyone! Today is the day to celebrate the last of Summer and the first of the Fall – however you look at it, there’s usually lots of parties to attend! We all know that social gatherings can provide some unhealthy food that’s loaded with calories.

Is your Labor Day celebration strategy going to be…

A) Eat whatever you want, and exercise more to burn the extra calories off!

or…

B) Eat like an angel!

or…

C) Other (please explain)

Tell me what you plan on doing to prevent weight gain and still enjoy the holiday!

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Tags: eat healthy, exercise, Health, holiday, Labor Day

Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day! This 4th of July, I hope you remember to be grateful for the freedoms you have…including the freedoms you (still) have when it comes to your health!

You have the choice of what you can put into your body. Not everyone has this freedom, and I suggest you take advantage of it. If you feel your rights to have healthy food are slowly slipping away…get involved and do something about it! As we all know, freedom isn’t free.

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Tags: 4th of July, Choice, Freedom, Health, Independence Day

Give Dad the Gift of Health

This Father’s Day, I suggest that you show your Dad that you care by giving him the gift of good health! Here’s some fun gift ideas for you to consider…

Grilling for Father’s Day

Who said grilling had to be unhealthy? You can learn how to cook up this mouthwatering Fillet Mignon and enjoy this yummy meal with your Dad. It’s made with lots of healthy and fresh ingredients and has only 303 calories. Eat with healthy side dishes and enjoy!

Recipe provided by EatingWell.com: Grilled Fillet Mignon

Games that promote Health

If your Dad likes games, get him moving with the Wii Fit™ Plus or the Wii Sports Resort! Both of these systems will allow Dad (and the rest of the family!) to have a lot of fun while burning some extra calories.

Healthy Shoes for Dad

Does your Dad like to run, jog, or walk? Give your Dad Vibram Fivefinger Shoes! They promote a healthy posture, they are comfortable on your feet, and allow you to have a natural and healthy arch in your foot – which a lot of shoes ruin! Your Dad can wear these Vibrams as he is just walking around or when he is running a marathon. Very versatile and probably the best shoes you could buy.

Not digging the look? I know, they take some getting used to, but there are different colors to choose from, and once you realize how amazing they are for your feet, the look won’t matter so much for you. Also, I suggest reading Born to Run to fully appreciate how amazing these shoes really are.

By the way, my Dad is totally awesome and already has a pair of these shoes : )

Exercise with Dad

Is Dad trying to be healthier? Trying to lose weight? You can offer to be Dad’s exercise buddy! Studies show that if you have someone to exercise with, they will be more likely to follow through. You can start out simple, like go on a 30 minute walk with your Dad. This will be a great way to enjoy your Dad’s company and get in shape – together!

I would like to wish all of the Dads out there a Happy Father’s Day!

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Tags: Father's Day, gift, Health, holiday, Special Occasions

Healthy Recipes for Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, why not try something new- and healthy!? Here’s some delicious meals you ought to try!

1) Mediterranean Portobello Burger

Who needs a greasy hamburger when you can make this? This burger is so packed with flavor that any meat lover wouldn’t feel deprived eating it. With only 301 calories, this burger is sure to become a new summer time tradition! You will find this recipe at delish.com – Enjoy!

2) Grilled Rosemary Salmon Skewers

When you combine salmon, tomatoes, and rosemary, you are going to enjoy a super healthy and delicious treat from the grill with very few calories – 246 calories to be exact! Find this easy to make recipe at EatingWell.com and start that grill up!

3) Chicken Salad with Almonds

You thought salad was just a bunch of boring leafy greens put together? Think again! This is a delicious salad that can serve as a main or as a side dish – you decide! This recipe can be found at ElenaPantry.com, along with plenty more mouth watering (and healthy!) meals.

4) Grilled Shrimp

I love seafood – it’s a delicious form of protein, healthy fats, with (usually) less calories! This delicious dish is no exception, with only 156 calories per serving,  you can enjoy this guilt-free! Find the recipe at Self.com and try to leave some for others to enjoy, will ya? ; )

5) Farro Salad with Grilled Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Onion

I love trying new things, such as Farro, and this is a great way to try Farro and still use the grill! You will find the recipe at FoodNetwork.com, along with very positive reviews!

6) Berry-Banana Smoothie

Try a refreshing drink that doesn’t hold the guilt – this only has 126 calories and it’s full of healthy fruit and a touch of honey for sweetness! That’s right, no processed sugar or artificial sweeteners added! What a treat! Find this ridiculously easy recipe at EatingWell.com and make a toast to your good health!

7) Berries and Goat Cheese Mini Pizzas

Just because you eat healthy, doesn’t mean you can’t have dessert! You just need to learn how to make and/or find healthy desserts that are yummy and don’t ask  you to add in sugar and other not-so-healthy ingredients. Find this fairly easy recipe at FamilyFreshCooking.com and you won’t be disappointed!

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Tags: Healthy, holiday, Memorial Day, recipes