So I have decided it is time to get back on the horse and ride off into the thin and fabulous sunset.  After being in and out of town, the holidays wreaking havoc with my diet and being sick for three weeks with SARS or whatever the hell I had, it is time to get back on the train.

I have had some 12-grain toast with a little PB and J this morning, a banana, an orange and some pretzels.  A lot of water.  AND I’m headed to the gym for the first time in about a month.  The antibiotic I was on, believe it or not, Avelox, has a side effect (while rare) of rupturing one’s Achilles’ tendon.  Sick, right? Eff that, big time.   So I decided even on the days I did feel well, but was still popping the pills, I didn’t want to risk it.  I’ll slowly ramp up to more weight and speed, but right now, I am just happy to be going to the gym at all.

I know my tushie has gotten bigger.  I know my arms are a little flabbier than before.  But I’ve decided today that it’s on.  been watching my intake, going to the gym and taking care of business so when the summer comes around, I look amazing.

The holidays are coming. Thanksgiving and Christmas (Hanukah, Kwanzaa, whatever you’re into) both are huge invitations to take those extra trips up to the buffet-style set-up your mom and aunt have in the kitchen. It’s a time where we all mix up the egg nog, sit around watching football and catching up with relatives we haven’t seen in far too long.

What can we do to stop, or at least minimize, the inevitable holiday weight-gain? How can we nip the tryptophan comas in the bud? One thing my mom and I do is put on the tennies and go for a walk in the morning or after our food has settled. Its a nice time to catch up with her, since she lives 1100 miles away in another time zone, and its a great way to not sit on the couch.

Another good tip is to think about all the ingredients that are going into your meals. If your stuffing requires canned creamed soups, consider low-sodium, low-fat versions. Try a little Splenda, vanilla and cinnamon in your sweet potatoes instead of all sugar.

Don’t forget your water either! Keep on chugging water while you’re cooking, while you’re sitting watching the game, and even have a bottle with you while you walk the mall for Black Friday deals.

what other ideas do you guys have about watching your holiday weight? Leave your ideas after the jump!