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!
Judith
twitter.com/sodahoney/status/10062121932955648
Judith
Easy to follow, genuine advice, Sleep, regular healthy eating, hydrate, and exercise. Those are the main keys to a healthy life.
Ben
It is very hard! But what I've found very helpful is keeping your digestive system working properly. That is where everything starts. And then just try to walk instead of driving of using public transportation. You won't only get some exercise, but also will be amaze of how much more you can appreciate the place where you live 🙂
Diana Castillo
I loved your site and all the tips and new recipes you give us everyday, I follow you on facebook, and love all recipes.
To stay healthy and fit I joint a gym closed home, it is only a 10 minute drive, and i do the spinning class- Love it, the instructor is incredible since he creates themes for each class, just right on halloween the music he used was halloween related, sooo fun, and sometimes he does the latin music class which is fantastic. I also, try not to eat so greassy, i dont add any butter to my meals, as a matter of fact i made my thanksgiving turkey without any butter or oil, and it came out great!
Congratulations for the new family member that soon will be joining you! I wish you the best.
and please keep posting great recipes on fb and online... we love it.
Best Regards
Diana Castillo from Dunellen NJ.
La Torta
I'm pregnant this holiday season so I feel like I have a free pass on all the holiday goodies I can manage. THough, I tend to lean towards saltier foods which keeps me from indulging too much in sweets.
Zilia
Moderation is always the key to maintaining or losing weight, but it's equally important to get some physical activity in your life. I know I sometimes I lack motivation to go to Zumba class or for a jog especially with the chillier weather so I recruit my friends to be my workout buddies. I also know that during the holiday season you may be tight on money so look for free salsa, merengue, or tango classes offered at restaurants or lounges. It's a great way to burn some calories, learn a step or two, and have fun!
Caroll Buitrago
Hola Erica!
I am so thankful for your blog and the delicious cooking of the best country in the world. Colombian taste is a blessing anywhere we go. Right now I am cooking a simply delicious Sudado de pollo and really really do not know if can keep with the diets or abstinence ( of food) this Christmas holidays.
All I can advice to EVERYBODY who loves to cook from this blog is to:
1. Snack nuts before you serve the first plate.
2. Chew VERY well. No matter what you eat...my hubby is great at this and sometimes embarrassing when I finish first that him. Or try to keep a conversation while eating so that you will actually enjoy the food instead of rushing it in.
3. Allow 15 min after you eat, to repeat something if you want, by this time the stomach is already feeling full and a second plate will be too much. Instead of a second plate, that room is for a delicious dessert!
4. Enjoy time with family, give thanks to God for your life, for the gift of being able to enjoy food, and celebrate the Internet for we can share and be One in the name of good food.
FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!! BON NATALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheri
A little taste, but not a meal of the goodies!! Eat until you are 3/4 full and walk away from the table at the holiday meal. That food is a treat, but it will come around again another holiday. Also an extra walk helps. Happy Holidays everyone!! ♥
Andrea
First, congratulations on your pregnancy! I just discovered your blog and I love that I get a feel for who you are from reading your recipes and comments. And I love, even more, that I can find recipes from home!
As far as staying fit in the holidays goes, balance is always a good goal, as you wisely write. For me, that means the more calories ingested, the more calories need to be burned. But there's no need to obsess, just enjoy the journey, eating as well as moving!
Misha Hutchings
In addition to keeping moving (as you suggest, walking, taking stairs, getting outdoors, vacuuming, mopping the floor with a brush and Zumba!), I continue to think about portion control (small plates, and meat & starch portions the size of 1 and 2 packs of cards), and have a snack sometime in between meals (mid morning, and mid-afternoon). Skipping breakfast never worked for me, but eating breakfast everyday, and keeping my metabolism churning definitely worked. Drinking 3-4 cups of unsweetened herbal tea throughout the day (non-caffeinated such as ginger and peppermint) also aids digestion. Also, I like to freeze small portions of leftovers of the most "dangerous" foods that I crave, so that I can enjoy them over a few weeks in normal portions, rather than huge helpings over the course of a few days. Happy holidays everyone!
Mariu
Hi!! It's not easy to keep a small waistline especially after 40!!
I work out 4 times a week (even during the holiday season). I need to do it in order to have energy to go through the day. I also walk every time I have a chance, even when it's cold, aghh. I pack my lunch everyday, it helps my health and my budget. Pack lots of veggies and fruit, so you have no temptations. Also, I try to eat 5 small meals a day instead of three, and I try to eat very few carbs at the end of the day.
Breakfast is one of the most important meals of my day, I cannot skip it!
Chocolate is my big weakness, I have a little after lunch just to kill the craving. Ah! and it has to be dark, it's supposed to be healthier.
And that's it. I'm not going to say this is the final solution, but at least it helps me to keep the "zona bananera" under control.
Thanks for all the great recipes and the wonderful giveaway!!!
Michelle R
I have gained weight since i had my son and the best way I have found to loose it is to be active and eat in moderation. I still eat candy but only one piece,etc. I move around alot with my son.
Carrie Symes
I am starting a Fit Club to have all my friends join in with me!
Ann
I'm discovering intuitive eating. I listen to myself, my body and let it tell me what I need and when to stop. It got me to the gym last night and when I woke up this morning I was craving some fresh carrot juice, so out came the juicer. I think our bodies know, if we just listen.
Mary
I think we all know there is no magic formula or secret to losing weight. You must take in less calories than you put out, period. We can try all kinds of crazy plans and mind games but the bottom line is the same. Eat less, exert yourself more. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.
Frank
I use the Atkins diet and eat a lot of meat. I lose weight like crazy. No carbs!