Right Back On The Wagon {Giveaway}
Posted: November 8, 2011 at 8:06 am
After a weekend full of celebrating (!!!) hearty food, lots of beer, ice cream, and pumpkin pie fudge, I felt ready to get back to my more normal way of eating today. I loaded up on many of my standard healthy eating favorites yesterday.
![Picasa2_thumb[2]](https://www.faithfitnessfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Picasa2_thumb2.jpg "Picasa2_thumb[2]")
Oats for breakfast, Love Grown granola and Larabars for snacks, egg sandwich for lunch, and quinoa for dinner. Delicious!
I also felt really antsy to get in a workout. My legs were no longer sore, but I knew I needed to hold off on a run, so spin class it was!
I planned to take it really easy, but I should have known that my favorite instructor would pull more out of me. I actually credit her a lot with increasing my cardiovascular and my leg endurance during her tough workouts. She never fails to take me past my comfort zone. I truly think spin class helps my running. And I’m not just sucking up because she reads the blog either. 
Hi, Sophie!!!
As always, it felt so great to get right back to the normal go of things. I keep way more motivation that way and I know it’s all part of maintaining my healthy habits. Which I am all about, especially during this time of the year with the numerous events and celebrations that happen.
Last week, I had the chance to sit in on a video chat with Bahar Takhtehchian, the senior associate health editor for SHAPE magazine.
![image_thumb[8]](https://www.faithfitnessfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/image_thumb8.png "image_thumb[8]")
Bahar shared lots of tips on remaining healthy during the holidays, including some of my favorites:
- When you know you will have a heavier dinner out, make sure to choose healthier options during the day.
- Focus on satiating foods that include fiber, protein, and healthy fats – such as some almonds and an apple – for snacks before big meals out, so the chance of overeating decreases.
- Get in whatever activity you can, because even 20 minutes can go a long way!
- Splurge on the things you can’t get throughout the year. If it’s not special, is it really worth it?
- Remember positive mantras like “Do I want a moment on the lips, or to take care of my body for a lifetime?” <—or something like that
I really enjoyed the chat. It covered many ideas I already knew, but it never hurts to reinforce good habits and gain that extra bit of motivation before such a busy and food laden time of year.
In fact, SHAPE magazine and Fiber One (the sponsor of the chat) have teamed up to help YOU as well. One lucky winner will receive:
- a one year subscription to SHAPE magazine
- a yoga mat
- a stability ball
- a water bottle
- a pedometer
- Fiber One brownies
![image_thumb[15]](https://www.faithfitnessfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/image_thumb15.png "image_thumb[15]")
As usual, there are two ways to enter:
Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment on this post sharing either: how you stay healthy during the holidays OR your favorite snack for on-the-go.
Optional Extra Entry: Share this giveaway via any of the share options at the bottom of the post. Leave a separate comment letting me know you did so.
Giveaway will end this Thursday at 10 PM EST. Winner announced on Friday (promise! and remember to check if you won the Champion giveaway). No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.
Good luck!!!! Can’t wait to read all your tips! 
Tags: giveaway
A peanut butter and honey sandwich or almonds. And Congratulations for killing your first half marathon. I am inspired!!
My favorite snack on the go is either a Lara bar or Fiber One 90 cal Chocolate.
My holiday tip is not eating meals twice. My husband and I use to do double Thanksgiving and Christmas to spend time with both his and my family. Now we choose one and either invite the other to join us or we alternate.
Shared on my facebook!
I like to have a larabar handy for an easy on the go snack. I love the ingredients and the fact that there is some healthy fat to keep me satisfied.
I like to have a larabar handy for an easy on the go snack. I love the ingredients and the fact that there is some healthy fat to keep me satisfied.
Tina, I love, love your blog! You always have such inspirational and at the same time very down-to-earth thoughts and ideas for healthy living!! Thanks so much!!
My plans for the staying healthy (or really, really trying hard to) during the holidays is to stick with most of the great ideas that SHAPE magazine gave. My favorite “Go To” snack is a delicious apple and some EMERALD Cocoa roast dark chocolate almonds.
🙂
I hear you – spinning challenges my cardiovascular system in a way that running doesn’t. It’s awesome 🙂
Hmm…I stay healthy during the holidays by sleeping more…does that count? 😉 Sometimes I’ll also add in an extra day of cardio…but normally I just try to stress less and enjoy them 🙂
My favorite go-to snack is apples and peanut butter! I love fruit 🙂
I tweeted! And I do the same thing when I know I’m eating out for dinner-I make better choices during the day and resist munchies at work.
How I stay on track during the holidays is that I maintain my normal workout schedule. Maintaining my fitness means I make better food choices too!
My Holiday tip is to work out every day in some fashion AND choose dessert or a cocktail at parties, but never both because I don’t do well with lots of sugar.
I keep Larabars in my purse for an easy snack!
I tweeted!
My favorite go-to snack is an apple, with peanut butter if possible!
I tweeted about the giveaway 🙂
I know that it’s a little cliche, but my holiday tip to staying healthy is moderation. If I try to say “I’m going to go without pie/alcohol/Christmas cookies/etc”, I just get depressed and end up overeating. But if I say “you know, I’m going to have one small slice of pie or 2 cookies after dinner”, then I am not depressed, and I’m also not overdoing anything.
I shared the giveaway on facebook!!!
I think having a healthy snack on me always helps!
What an AMAZING accomplishment! You have come so far Tina and and are such an inspiration! To stay healthy during the holidays I really just try to follow my normal routine. There will be indulgences here and there but nothing more than what I normally allow. Keeping up with my fitness routine and getting plenty of sleep help me to stay fit year round. My favorite on the go snack is a Luna Bar or A Clif Bar. I have never tried a Lara Bar but I keep meaning to!
I just tweeted about this giveaway!
Granola bars! These have become a staple snack for myself as well as my two boys…they love them. I either have store bought ones on hand or make my own. Easy for on the go.
Shared of FB 🙂
Fruits like apples, oranges, and bananas are some of my favorite on the go snacks, especially since I went gluten-free. One thing I do to stay healthy during the holidays is to make sure I get in an extra good workout on the party days, and to pick one or two of the best looking treats rather than trying them all.
What a great giveaway! My favorite go to snack is an apple or banana with a nut butter! I love apple with peanut butter and banana with sunflower butter! 🙂
My holiday plan for holiday eating is moderation and snack sized portions. I was pregnant last holiday season, and I am again this year, and just having a snack sized portion I was usually able to get all my favs on a plate and be full/comfortable for an hour or two. Then I could go back and assess the situation rather than loading my plate full at the beginning and overstuffing myself and just feeling blah about the whole thing.
My fave healthy snack on the go is either an apple (they’re so delish right now) or individually packaged nut mixes. Or ya know, a brownie.
I +1’d it since no one else had yet 😛
I do indulge during the holidays, but keep in mind that if the weight goes on my body, it’ll eventually have to come off and it’s a lot harder to get off. I’ll have one cookie instead of 10 or one plate of food, as opposed to 2 – 3. My favorite winter snack is definitely dried cranberries and almonds. They keep full, but also have a bit of sweetness so that I don’t eat a ton of candy.
My favorite snack on the go is an apple and a larabar! Quick, easy, and so so good
Justin’s packet of peanut butter and a banana! mmmm!
During the holidays I really just try to not let one bad meal get the best of me. It’s okay to have a big Thanksgiving dinner, but just get back on track the next day so you don’t continue to feel guilt!
Congrats on your half, reading your recap was really inspiring 🙂 I trained for my first half during the holiday season last year and it helped me keep that healthy balance. I plan on doing the same this year and just being more mindful of “whats worth it”.
I love to try everything during the holidays, so I try to make and eat healthy on the other meals. I also try to stay motivated – and not afraid of the dark. It is always nice to get moving, even though it is dark.
I like cliff bars (the gingerbread one is surprisingly delicious) or fruit. Or sometimes I like cookies:) I’d love a subscription to Shape! I already get Self, but I think I like Shape better. I just wish they didn’t always have a girl in a tiny bikini on the cover – I feel funny reading them in front of my husband.
My favorite way to stay healthy during the holidays is one you mentioned: saving my calories to splurge on my favorites. If it’s not something I *love* I don’t put it on my plate when I’m at something like a Thanksgiving dinner. If it is a favorite of the high-calorie sort, I eat a moderate amount, rather than a huge portion. Often I just need a taste to feel satisfied, rather than deprived.
I shared on Facebook.
I try to sneak in additional cardio during the holiday months by walking during my lunch break or doing quick bursts of random exercises at my desk throughout the day.
I tweeted!
my favorite snack is nuts or a banana!
i stay healthy during the holidays by continuing to exercise. Even though I may not be able to exercise as much because of other obligations, i remind myself that a 20 minute run is better than nothing!
My favorite on the go snack is a protein bar with peanut butter. Yum!
My tips are to eat healthy and exercise as you normally do! Yes, you may indulge a little more than usual, but it’s all about balance! You can have a little something a day and still eat enough fruits and veggies and get enough exercise.
I tweeted!
tweeted about it!
I stay healthy during the holidays by keeping with my daily habits. Eat normally with a treat here and there and exercise the same way I would on a regular day.
My favorite snack is an apple with peanut butter. It’s delicious!
My favorite on the go snack is always changing! Right now, I’m trying to get away from always relying on snack bars and eating real food instead. Lately this has been veggies + hummus, or plain greek yogurt mixed with pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and raw oats.
I know a few were mentioned above, but to stay healthy during the holidays I always start my day off eating well and getting in some sort of workout before heading to dinner…I always drink a lot of water throughout the day and dinner too usually…and I only enjoy treats that aren’t available often or a treat that I don’t personally bake. Plus I always remind myself to stay in the moment, enjoy the company of my friends and family, and remember that focusing on what I’m eating during those special time meals isn’t going to benefit me one bit.
just tweeted about the giveaway! (@Danica_ipnp)
What a great giveaway! I love all the tips from Shape too.
I usually keep at least a banana with me during the day.
I stay healthy during the holidays by keeping with my normal routine as much as possible and letting myself indulge in the goodies when we might be at a party or dinner. Then it’s back to normal the next day. 🙂
Ha… Hi Tina! You called me out of lurkdom (though after this post, I’m going back 😉 ). First of all, let me just say all you’ve accomplished is ALL you! You have to have a certain mindset to be able to take your body outside your comfort zone. It’s a place few people ever go, or want to go, because heck – it’s not easy! I’ve said it before in class; there’s only so much I can do. I can’t make anybody WANT “it”, but I will do my best to encourage you to make you want to do your best. And you do, always. So, it’s because you get it that you’ve been so successful at all you’ve done this year – in and especially out of class.
Because I’ve come out of lurkdom enough to post this much, I might as well contribute my tip to staying healthy during the holidays. I treat this time of year as I do any other time of year. Temptations will always be there – birthday parties, football parties, outings with friends, etc – so having those around during the fall/winter, when so much celebration revolves around food, isn’t a big deal. It’s there now, and it will be there tomorrow. If I THINK I really need to have something, I’ll have a bite of it, then walk away. It’s much easier to put on the weight – it’s easy to EAT 3500 Calories (1 pound) – than to take it off.
See you soon! – Sophie
My favorite on-the-go snack is celery sticks with peanut butter.