I think this has been the first holiday season in years where I not only didn’t gain weight, but lost it. Part of the reason is due to our decision to “skip” Christmas this year and run away to Florida.
The blue skies and warm sun were a balm on my withered, flabby soul. We walked tons, drank lots of water, and I made a point of eating as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible. And I count the fresh guacamole I shared with good friends as “fresh fruits and vegetables”.
Except for the cilantro, which is more of an evil soap-weed.
While I missed seeing extended family for Christmas and New Year’s, I didn’t miss the stress. You know what I’m talking about.
It has been nice to start January without my normal shame spiral into a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream. Instead this year I’ve been energized to focus on eating well and exercising more.
If you had a healthy holiday like me, or if you are back in your fat pants and looking for a post-holiday jump start, the website Let’s Fight Holiday Fat could be a big help in your weight loss journey. It’s time to get back into a healthy routine with our food and exercise!
I signed up at Let’s Fight Holiday Fat and selected a program with personal food plans for each day, including recipes. They even had a vegetarian plan.
For my exercise choice, I selected yoga strength and toning moves. I like the look of the daily workout videos. The moves were well explained, had good verbal cues, and had a countdown to rest breaks.
As a veteran of many diet plans and programs, I like what I see on this site. It seems like a comprehensive and holistic approach to losing weight through an improved diet, daily exercise, facing your food issues, goal setting, and community support.
The website is sponsored by alli, the only FDA-approved over-the-counter weight loss aid, but there is no required purchase or fee and I didn’t find it pushed purchasing the product at me. There is a five-dollar alli coupon on a separate tab, if you do want to try it, so that’s a nice little something.
One of the fun things I’m doing to get in shape this year is a daily challenge of squats. A group of my friends are accountable to each other for doing an increasing number of squats each day in January. I’m up to 35!
What are you doing to get over the holiday? Let me know in the comments, babe! Your comments are like a warm hug.
I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for alli. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.
Well you know about my squat challenge! 🙂 I’m trying to finish up the leftovers from all the holiday meals and then my husband and I have talked about some healthier meals and ways we can get healthier.
Yes, your squat challenge is about to become very challenging, my friend!
I think a big part of not gaining weight this year was not having a lot of holiday baking or leftovers around. Will have to remember that for next year.
I am focused on limiting portions and exercise. I’m doing Julia’s squat challenge and I have to say in spite of my age and lack of physical activity I’m doing it. For now…LOL I like eating better, choosing fresh options as often as I am able. And I’m making just what we need for a meal – working towards not having leftovers at all. Or just enough for my beloved’s lunch/dinner the next day.
We seem to just waste leftovers. I’ve been trying to be better about using it up, since it’s good stuff.
I agree that cilantro is evil. I’m thinking about heading somewhere warm next year for the holidays. My personal weight-loss method this Christmas was to get a nasty virus.
Yeah, nothing like a good bout of flu to get you back in your skinny jeans. That’s the worst weight loss plan ever!
I hope you are feeling better now.
We are sold on this going someplace warm for Christmas thing. I’d like to do it again next year.
And I don’t know what you’re talking about…cilantro is yummy stuff!! 🙂
I’m so glad you had a healthier holiday. Would that I could say the same.
I am doing the squats thing as well. Didn’t realize you were! But so glad. Hope my knees survive.
Focusing on being healthier is so much better than focusing on losing weight, I think.
Tons of walking, water & fresh fruits and vegetables sounds great! My only goal is to get outside and walk each day and cook healthy meals at home.
As you know, I’m squattin’ to the oldies with you. Oh, wait, I am the oldie. Like you, I didn’t gain weight over Christmas. I didn’t bake much, and that seems to help. I love baking, but then I also love the eating and therein lies the problem. My husband and I have taken up learning to ski. Skiing is hard work, and afterwards I feel completely justified in eating anything damned thing I want. I’ve also been doing Jillian Michaels “Ripped in 30”. I like it. She has four different workouts, so it doesn’t get too boring.
I think the biggest thing that has jumpstarted my working out was spending a week at the beach with Julia. She’s a personal trainer and looks fantastic. I haven’t worked out much since my surgery, but standing next to her in a bathing suit would motivate anyone.
I’ve tried alli back in the day but didn’t use it like I was supposed to—kept forgetting to take it. I am on yet another quest to lose some poundage before Spring, so I may be checking it out again. I could use all the help I can get! 🙂