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!

Okay, so here I am, contemplating the excitement of calorie counting and sore muscles, and I wonder if this isn’t the beginning of the same old cycle of weight gain and loss. Can I seriously lose the weight I need to lose and keep it off? I want to. I need to. I know I can do it if I set my mind to it… (sings – you can do it, put your mind into it) I just have to get over myself and get started. Well, guess what???? I did.

Sunday – 1 hour brisk walk, a nice salad for brunch but still drank about 3 Cokes in one sitting, some broccoli and egg salad for dinner with water

Monday – 45 min. brisk walk, yogurt & blueberries for b-fast, broccoli and egg salad with a tortilla for lunch and a couple of wheat thins and water, chicken chili w/a small piece of corn bread and some sweet tea

Tuesday – 45 min. brisk walk, yogurt, blueberries & a banana for b-fast, chicken quesadilla with one Coke for lunch, forgot to eat dinner…ugh…. Funky Fit with the amazing Queen Pash for an hour.

Wednesday – (so far) – 45 min. brisk walk, yogurt & blueberries for b-fast, will have chicken salad w/a tortilla for lunch and maybe a Coke.

There it is – I’m making an effort and my body is not dying, and I’m feeling pretty good – happen endorphins and all…..

Wish me luck, and please feel free to give me a hard time. Yes, I love Coke and need to cut it down to less than 1 day – empty calories and all. Yes, I need to remember to eat throughout the day and not forget dinner. I have my faults, but you’re here to help me with them and point out the obviousness of my retardation. Love ya! See ya soon….