Holiday Temptations, Part 2 - With a Visa Gift Card Giveaway!

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Going to a party brings a whole 'nother level of effort to the diet/exercise/healthy eating game. After all, what's the first thing you see at most parties? The FOOD.  You could sit in the kitchen and munch on celery sticks, or you could go the other route and pig out on everything in site. (The next day isn't pretty if you chose this route - don't ask me how I know...) Here are some of my tried and true party tricks.

If I know I'm going to a party, I make sure to eat a large apple on the way there. It fills me up without stuffing me, and I know that I won't go overboard on the appetizers. Speaking of which...

If I know I'm going to a party, I make sure to eat a large apple on the way there. It fills me up without stuffing me, and I know that I won't go overboard on the appetizers. Speaking of which...

Use a small plate at the buffet. Pick 3-5 foods to sample and really enjoy those, instead of loading your plate with every food offered. Instead of having eggnog or mixed drinks, white wine spritzers have a much smaller calorie load. After you have one, switch to club soda with juice and a garnish - it's festive and looks like a mixed drink but with a much smaller calorie count.

If you are a baker, like I am, make sure to share your treats. Enjoy one of two cookies and package the rest for others. Your mail man or UPS driver does a lot for you during the year - he'd probably really appreciate some cookies or fudge.

What are some of the ways that you stay fit during the holiday season? Leave me a comment sharing your ideas and you could win a $150 gift card! In addition, check out the other 17 bloggers stories of handling holiday temptations. Here are the official rules:

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a)      Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b)      Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c)       Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d)      Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

“Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry.  You should also Visit The Daily Dose of Well-Being hub to read helpful content each day and for weekly chances to win $100 at the “Play For Laughs” game. If you share a really great tip, we may even use it in The Daily Dose!”

 

Comments

[A Simple Twist of Faith]

1. Don't go to a party hungry.

2. Drink two glasses of water to every alcoholic drink.

3. Exercise, exercise, exercise.

[addy]

Always eat something before you go - protein is best.

Do not hover around the food tables. Mingle, mingle.

Limit yourself to 1 alcoholic beverage. You will feel better the next day and have so much less explaining to do... don't ask how I know that.

[Liz in Seattle]

Be well hydrated before you leave.

Eat protein before heading to the party.

Instead of a second alcoholic beverage, order tonic and lime. Hydrates you, but with no more alcohol.

Scope out the food table. Fill your plate with proteins and veggies. If you want a sweet, great, but save it until shortly before you leave, so you won't keep running back for more.

[Tabathia B]

I drink water with lemon and eat fruit between meals to avoid overindulging
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

[Tabathia B]

tweet
http://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/12732902362054656
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

[Maggie]

just eat things you really like. if you discover on the first bite it's not that great - don't eat the rest.

[catriona]

Exercise. No question. I don't let myself feel guilty about the occasional holiday indulgence - if you want to call it that - but I make a point to work out a minimum of four times a week. It keeps me happy, healthy, and sane!

[Mami2jcn]

I keep a food diary and make sure to keep active during the holidays.

[Mami2jcn]

tweet-http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/12875652231340032

[Lauren]

Definitely schedule my exercise and don't miss it! It helps me not beat myself up for eating some holiday sweets and also gives me the energy I need to get everything done in preparation for Christmas!

[Kyla]

Workout just before getting ready for the party. Having that experience fresh in my memory makes it easier to keep my goal in mind

[Nicole]

I always try to have a snack before I go to a party. That way I'm not hungry when I arrive.

I also try to walk a lot, even if it's just through the house picking up after my son. If I'm moving, I'm burning calories, and that's a good thing.

If I know who's throwing the party, I'll also often offer to help set up or make something for it. That way, I can get some nibbles of the food before the party starts and I won't be as tempted to "try everything" because of how good it looks.

[Kait]

I have no advice but I have to say that I could have USED this advice last weekend! Church is going to be awkward after all the drinks I consumed on an empty stomach last weekend.

Next time, right?

[Karen P]

We don't tend to go to parties! But if I make cookies I bring a bunch of them to work to my boss so they are not tempting me at home.

[Tonya]

We don't do many parties, but when I make cookies, I put a few in the cookie jar and the rest go in the freezer for giving. That way I don't eat them all in one day.

[Azul]

I try to spend more time visiting than eating.

I wear read lipstick of the non-long wearing variety. Sometimes just thinking of smearing or having to reapply keeps me away from the the nibbles.

I fully indulge and enjoy the 2 or 3 seasonal treats that I only have during the holiday season, and I don't feel a bit of guilt about it.

[Beth C]

I try to exercise as much as possible and I don't worry much about indulging

[Donna Moore]

Keep smiling and remember good times with friends and family does not have to mean overindulging. Enjoy the moments and savor the memories.

[Nicole]

I just wanted to let you know I tweeted about this, which also copied it to Facebook.

[Callie]

I go to kickboxing once or twice a week and try to drink water all day long.

[Karen]

Sadly, I just indulge! I shouldn't give myself holiday license, but sometimes it's ok to kick the heels off and enjoy a party.

I do stick to the "don't finish anything you don't LOVE" rule though which helps.

[elizabethk]

I really should do better - but for now, I just have a little of something I really like. I make sure I eat something *good* and no junk, or empty calories. I am old enough to know what I do and do not like, what settles on the hips and what does not...SO if I listen to the inner scold, er - voice...I do okay. :)

[MelissaS]

I try to drink water and not have too much alcohol, which lessens my ability to pass up on all the food treats! And get a little more walking in, either through the mall when it's too cold or around our neighborhood.

[Headless Mom]

I always try to load up on veggies before I go to a party. That way I eat less when I'm there and I know that I've gotten my vitamins and fiber!

[Headless Mom]

Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/HeadlessMom/status/13034685001105408

[Jenn]

I extend my exercise from an hour a day to an hour and a half if I have alot of parties that week. I also will only eat something if I truly enjoy it.

I also keep in mind how hard I've worked at the gym and that I do not want to ruin my hard work.

[Adrienne gordon]

I swim every other day, hit the treadmill or track, and run around with my kids.

[Terri Dell]

I try to eat veggies and fruit to help keep me away from the sweets

[Terri Dell]

http://twitter.com/Ziggywag/status/13333099215585280
I tweeted it

[Margaret Smith]

I try to eat lighter and drink more water. Thanks
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

[Margaret Smith]

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/peg42/status/13363545446023168
Thanks again
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

[SANDY]

my tip is if you bake use splenda
if you snack no larger portions than your fist
walk walk walk

[Scott Martin]

Eating during the holidays is not easy sometimes. To stay healthy I always eat a small meal before I go so I don’t feel like I have to pack it on at the party. I would rather do that and have everyone say how svelt I look instead of hiding the pie when I walk in. Happy Holidays.
THANKS for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!!

Scott Martin
spmartin122@gmail.com

[Roxanne Ellis Raymond]

I use my Wii, the Fit Plus and EA Sports - great way to stay in shape and have fun

[Stephanie V.]

usually portion control size of palm and taking walks but this year fighting cancer, had treatment and isolation last week and lost my salivary glands so no taste whatsoever
tvollowitz at aol dot com

[Benny Williams]

I always try to follow the "80% rule". Eat until you feel 80% and stop. If you feel hungry later, you can always have a snack. But usually that 80% is enough. Thanks for the giveaway!

[Benny Williams]

tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/benny8484/status/13498002912051200

[Susan Smith]

I try to fill up on proteins, vegetables and fruits so I’m not as tempted to eat the sweets. I also keep drinking water while at a party, keep to my exercise routine and not do a lot of baking to keep sweets out of the house

[Susan Smith]

http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/13608431990603776

[Kelly]

I work out for 30 minutes a day, 5 or 6 days a week. Since I cook my own meals and eat pretty well most of the time, there's no harm in having a few treats throughout the season. A cookie here, a bit less cheese on my salad there. It all balances out. ;)

[Christy]

I mostly just try to stick to foods I really enjoy - I don't eat just for the sake of eating. That helps a LOT!

[Gina]

I try and always get my workouts in to counteract what things I might overindulge in.

gina.m.maddox AT gmail.com

[Gina]

http://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/13746383664189440

tweet tweet!

[Georgia]

I really don't worry to about eating to much. I just love getting together with everyone for dinners and laughs. I eat a little slower That's what the holidays are about.

gmissycat at yahoo dot com

[Georgia]

Tweeted here too

http://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/13759497096921088

gmissycat at yahoo dot com

[Patrice]

I try to take a long walk every day. I don't deny myself the sweets and goodies, but I try to limit them and eat fruit and veggies to fill me up.

[Timbo]

Gotta say the finest way to eat healthy for our family is to stick a Mediterranean diet of pastas, fishes, olive oil and other necessary peripherals :D

Please feel free to contact me at:

allrightyes at gmail dot com

[Timbo]

I just tweeted this giveaway here :D

http://twitter.com/TimboSquad/status/13789600942133248

Please feel free to contact me at:

allrightyes at gmail dot com

[Heather S]

I love trying lots of different goodies, so I make sure I take a very small amount so I don't feel deprived but I don't overeat. Also drink lots of water

[Susan Randle]

I recently joined a program at work with a pedometer that gives us cash rewards for walking. That is helping me keep fit this holiday season!