How to Avoid Weight Gain During the Holiday Season
November 29, 2009 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · 3 Comments
The holidays are infamous for adding to our waistlines. It happens to the best of us. But we can take some preventative measures, so that we don’t have to go shopping for a bigger size during the New Year. I asked Leah @bookieboo, who heads up the Mamavation Sistahood—a group of moms losing weight and learning a healthy lifestyle together—to share some tips on how to enjoy healthy living during the holiday season. Here are some of the tips they shared:
1. Move more.
Get extra movement in any way you can. Turn the music on and dance. Park at the far end of the parking lot. Run up and down the stairs more. Studies have shown that adding extra steps to your day will burn more calories and keep your metabolism higher.
2. Get a support group.
Find a group of women that will support you in your healthy goals. If you are in need, we welcome all moms to the Mamavation Sistahood. You only need to have a desire to learn about healthy living and a positive attitude. We can be reached any time of day on twitter by using #mamavation.
3. Offer to bring a food item to the party.
Whether it’s a preschool party, family get-together, or office party, offer to bring a healthy alternative. Then bring something you can eat, like salad, fruit, or a low-fat appetizer.
4. Do your food research.
Know what it is you are eating. Do research and find out what the average calorie/fat count is to a certain food you like. Then ask yourself what you want to eat and what you want to skip. Don’t cut out everything, but cut out things you know aren’t worth the calories. For instance, did you know you will have to do over 2,000 jumping jacks to work off every cup of homemade stuffing?
5. Don’t drink your calories.
The holidays bring the best drinks of the season, but It’s very easy to drink your calorie allowance for the day without even knowing it. Check the nutritional count on what you are drinking BEFORE you drink. Wouldn’t you rather blow your calories on food instead? Dropping soda for the month is an easy way of cutting out a grip of extra calories. Stick to coffee, tea, red wine, and water. And for the diet soda lovers out there, studies have shown diet drinks actually make you gain weight, not lose weight. So don’t bother.
6. Control your portions.
Don’t get out of control. You can eat your favorite foods by using sensibility and portion control. Sometimes it is better to eat what you want and limit it, rather than deny yourself and overeat later.
7. Get a shoe that supports your needs.
Get a shoe this month that allows you to burn more calories as you are walking, like Earth Footwear. With a tool like this, you will be able to go about your life and the shoes will do a lot of the work for you.
8. Have a plate strategy.
When you load up your plate, fill half with veggies, ¼ protein, and then samples of whatever else you want. That way you aren’t depriving yourself and will feel full at the end of your meal. Another strategy is to use a smaller plate. You might be eating less, but you will feel more satisfied.
9. Add in more fruits and vegetables to every meal.
Make a conscious effort to eat more vegetables and fruit this month. Think about more ways you can incorporate them into every meal. Filling up on veggies will keep you satisfied and full and the end of your meal.
For more tips on how to live a healthy lifestyle and incorporate that in your family life, join the Mamavation Sisterhood.
Picture courtesy of Pink Sherbet Photography.
Giveaway! Stay Healthy Over the Holidays With Earth Footwear’s Exer-Walk Shoes
November 26, 2009 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · 361 Comments
Three lucky winners will receive a pair of Exer-Walk shoes from Earth Footwear.
Studies demonstrate that Earth Footwear increases the rate of fat-burning inside the body. Women wearing Earth Footwear burn 4x the fat than normal shoes. The difference is in the Kalso Negative Heel Technology, which positions the toes 3.7º higher than the heels. The slight angle shifts weight subtly back over the heels, and help strengthen and tone the body while also burning more calories.
This is why Earth Footwear is so useful during the holidays. While you are shopping, running errands and caring for the family, the shoes do the work for you.
Entry Requirements
You can earn up to three extra entries in this week’s giveaway by doing the following (one extra entry per completed item):
- Follow @earthfootwear on Twitter.
- Become a fan of the http://facebook.com/earthfootwear page and leave a comment there, sharing tips on ways to have a healthy holiday season.
- Tweet and/or post a message on your Facebook profile page the following messages:
GIVEAWAY! Enter 2 win a pair of Exer-Walk shoes from @earthfootwear (3 winners!). http://bit.ly/73vJay #gno PLS RT
X
Join #gno Tues 12/1 (9-11 pm ET) 4 tips on how to enjoy a healthy holiday season w/@earthfootwear RSVP: http://bit.ly/7NOZ4H PLS RT
Entry Requirements
You have the option of getting three extra entries in this week’s giveaway. Make sure to leave a comment for each extra entry on this post.
- Leave a comment on the Earth Footwear Whrrl story.
- Tweet and/or post a message on your Facebook profile page the following message (one extra entry each):
Become a fan of the http://facebook.com/earthfootwear FB page for tips on enjoying a healthy holiday season! #gno PLS RT
The Fine Print
No purchase necessary to enter. Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. Earth Footwear and Mom It Forward employees are ineligible to participate. All entries received after Wednesday, December 2 at midnight PT will not be considered. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered. Winners will be notified and will have 24 hours to confirm receipt of the e-mail. If they do not reply within 24 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to participants in the US and Canada 18 years and older. One entry per person.
Tips for Enjoying a Healthy Holiday Season This Tuesday on Twitter
November 26, 2009 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · 74 Comments
What are some ways to stay healthy during the holidays? What are your favorite healthy and non-healthy holiday foods? What gets in the way of starting a healthy living program and how can you overcome these obstacles for the New Year?
Join the Earthfootwear and #mamavation teams this Tuesday, December 1 to discuss the answer to these and more questions! Party details included in the bullet list below.
And don’t forget to enter this week’s giveaway. Click here to enter for a chance to win a pair of Exer-Walk shoes from Earth Footwear (3 winners!).
- What: Earth Footwear is sponsoring this week’s #gno Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
- When: Tuesday, December 1, 9-11 p.m. EST (8CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
- Where: Click here to party with us on our custom Tweetgrid. (Use hashtags #gno and #earthfootwear.)
- Topic: Fitness, exercise, and healthy living over the holidays
- Who: @alyssabecthold @banteringblonde @bookieboo @craftymamaof4 @earthfootwear @kaisermommy @mombloggersclub @momitforward @stacieinatlanta @vdog
- Party Favors: Click here to enter for a chance to win a pair of Exer-Walk shoes from Earth Footwear.
- RSVP: Please leave your Twitter ID in the comments to follow and be followed (on Twitter, of course!) by other #gno gals. The best format is as follows: http://twitter.com/jylmomIF.
Who Starts a Diet/Exercise Program Right Before the Holidays?
November 7, 2009 by Jyl Johnson Pattee · 5 Comments
Think I’m crazy for diving in to an exercise regime right before the holidays? Don’t get me wrong! I’m not giving up cheese. And, I will definitely have some of my MIL’s sugar cookies. Daily life and my holidays wouldn’t be the same without them.
But, since I decided I’m done having kids, I’ve been dying to shed 20 pounds and no time like the present to make that happen. What a better way to start off the new year… healthier and in a better position to shop, right? LOL!
I’m not gonna lie! As much as I’ve been wanting to start exercising again, winning a pair of shoes gave me the perfect bit of motivation at just the right time. I had completely forgotten first and foremost that I even entered the giveaway. And second and most importantly, that the prize came with a “Change Your Body in 30 Days Challenge” from Earth Footwear led by Leah, @bookieboo on Twitter and the marvel behind #mamavation.
So, in an effort to stick to the challenge, I am going public, admitting my exercising ways, and Whrrling about my progress (power of positive thinking, right?). Feel free to join me as I Whrrl my way skinny…. er, healthy!
I’d love to see your comments on my stories. I’d also love to have you join in the fun and get healthy with me. Just tag your Whrrl stories with #mamavation and #gno and let the weight-loss love fest begin. And, because every goal needs a prize (IMHO), let’s set a date now to go virtual shopping in February as a #gno IRL! Are you in?
Here’s my first Whrrl of a story!
