This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.
So, just how do we stay fit as the holidays approach and all of its temptations are upon us?
Exercise and eat right, of course. We all know that's what we need to do to stay fit and healthy, but it's much easier said than done. I have to admit, I am not a diet or exercise freak, but I do like to look and feel good so my solution is... BALANCE.
There has to be a happy medium somewhere in between eating only steamed vegetables and adding pork belly to all of your dishes as my grandmother used to do. I try not to sacrifice taste just to lose weight so for me it's about the balance of good tasting food with fresh and healthy ingredients, but not to the point that I'm diminishing the flavor, because I love good tasting, flavorful foods. I try to use the minimum amount of fat that I feel is needed to maintain great flavor while cooking healthy.
This holiday season is going to be especially challenging for me because I am pregnant! Did I neglect to mention that? 😉 Being pregnant makes it more difficult for me to diet and exercise. I am almost always tired and I’m carrying an extra fifteen pounds. And because I am eating for two, I crave little snacks throughout the day.
Nowadays, we are lucky enough to have products on the market that don't sacrifice flavor and are low in fat, which make staying fit and healthy much easier. The Laughing Cow for example has many delicious and healthy snacks available for your family. We absolutely love their Mini Babybel Cheese. I always keep this cheese at home for my son and me. If you want learn more about Laughing Cow products you should visit their official site and go to the store and try some for yourself.
Being a busy mom, I have learned how to squeeze in some exercise without sacrificing time and making a huge effort. Here are some tips that I find helpful. When going to the mall for your holiday shopping, try walking up stairs instead of using the escalator or elevator. You could vacuum your house more often and don't forget to take the dog for daily walks. Not only will you burn some calories, but you'll have a clean house and a happy dog!
You could take your kids to the park and run around with them instead of sitting on a bench talking with the other moms drinking a cafe' au lait. You could also push them on the swing...over and over and over again...
Finally, if you have a little extra time, take a Zumba class! It's a great way to meet new people and have some fun while staying fit. You'll feel like you are at a party the whole time, which is wonderful for the holiday spirit. I'll bet you didn't know that Zumba was created by a Colombian guy. No wonder why Zumba classes are so much fun!
Oh, and by the way, I am giving away a $150 Visa gift card from BlogHer! If you would like to a chance to win, please leave a comment with your thoughts and tips on how you stay fit and healthy during the holiday season even while surrounded by all those holiday temptations and you will be entered in the giveaway. Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry. I will use a random number generator to select the winner from the comments.
And don't forget to visit The "Daily Dose of Well-Being" to read daily health tips and for weekly chances to win at the “Play for Laughs” game and to check out other bloggers' stories and more chances to win!
Click here for official rules.
PS- Please keep in mind the following as per the official rules:
-Initial Winner will be notified by email. Please check to ensure we have your current, correct email address. Winners must accept their prize within 72 hours of notification. If the Prize is not timely accepted by the Initial Winner, the Alternate Winner will be notified by email and shall be awarded the Prize if timely accepted. Please do not leave your email address in the body of your comment but rather in the corresponding field on the comment form.
-Only two entries per household.
-Entries must be written in English. Sorry to anyone who only writes in Spanish, but I don't make the rules 🙂
I will also be announcing the winner on my blog as well so if you've already left a comment without your email address, just be sure to check back when the contest is over. You can always supply me with your email address at that time. Thanks and good luck!
ANGEL JACKLYN
I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT IS TO AVOID HOLIDAY TEMPTATION. EVEN IF YOU REFUSE TO BUY IT, THERE IT WILL BE @ A RELATIVES HOUSE. I SAY GO AHEAD AND SPLURGE ANYWAY! HEY, IT IS THE HOLIDAYS RIGHT?
Hanan
With all the holiday food being eaten, going holiday shopping (walking around the mall/store) helps!
thanks, nickandhanan at hotmail dot com
Georgia
Tweeted here too
twitter.com/gmissycat/status/6422872666931200
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Georgia
I try to watch what I am eating and how much. There is such a varity during the holidays everywhere you go.
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Jess Curlz
I try to eat healthy and enjoy the holidays at the same time by only having dessert on the actual holiday and limiting myself to only 2 or 3 different things. I also ask for a small portion size of whatever is being served. I love to bake for others but I make enough to give away and not have extras that will stay in my house and tempt me. Lastly, I use the holidays as an excuse to go shopping at the mall and at the same time I get my exercise in by walking around and taking the stairs rather than elevators. =)
Susan Smith
I stick to my exercise routine. I don't do a lot of baking so that temptation isn't around. When I'm at other people house I try to fill up on proteins, vegetables and fruits and then I sample some of the other foods that may not be healthy. I also drink a lot of water or diet soda to keep me full.
angely salazar
before i head to a big party like a holiday party i always snack with fruits or healthy foods that way when i get to the party and i see all the delicious food i wont overeat everything ,i also like to do bicycle for 30 min and i do weights at the same time mato dos pajaros de un solo tiro lol
Ivan
We are eating vegetartian for a week before thanksgiving to help on the calorie intake we will be facing on Thanksgiving. I also intend to eat a lot of empanadas my mom makes during the holidays.
Deborah
Just control yourself and keep healthy snack on the car, your bag. Whith the kids out of school is very hard to exercise. I think that 3 extra pounds are on my way 🙁
edna murga
Your blog is lots of fun...Great recipes too...Take care brightest blessings to you and your family...Thank you for the chance to win...e*
Lina
Hi all!
When I was pregnant, I used to walk very fast every day when going to work and after lunch, in total 45 minutes a day. Ate healthy and to avoid gestational diabetes, after the sixth month of pregnancy went cold turkey with sugar! I suggest you to move a lot, eat a lot of veggies, moderate the sugar intake and drink water.
Doing that, when my baby was born, I was immediately back to my old weight :)!
grace
my focus is always moderation. one serving of dessert, grace! okay...maybe one and a half from time to time. 🙂
Tabathia B
To give yourself a cut off time and walk daily and eat small meals
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Kim
Great giveaway Erica! I follow some of the same rules that you do. In fact, the twenty pounds that I've lost in the past few months has all been due to dieting, but also cleaning my house. Keeping the house spotless is a hard job and will constantly keep you moving. It's really helped me out.
Mary
I think a good tip for living healthy would be to not think of food as a reward of any sort. If you really want to reward yourself then make healthy choices. You will never regret taking good care of your only body.
Heather V
I am a newlywed grad student...so it's difficult for me to fit in exercise! But I always try to remain a healthy lifestyle. I used to love running, but now I am lucky to have time to run one time a week. Instead I make sure I always use the stairs (yes, even for my classes on the 5th floor at 8am!), walk around campus instead of take the bus, always pack a healthy fresh lunch, and carry only enough cash for an emergency hot tea or coffee at starbucks!
At home I cook for myself and my husband, we will eat out every two or three weeks as a special date night (sure is great not worrying about those dishes occasionally!), but we both make pretty healthy choices.
I guess the key is us motivating eachother! Why wouldn't I want to keep myself as healthy as possible to enjoy my life to the fullest with him!