Something about the first cold snap of the year leaves me craving “comfort foods” and cozy sweatpants while I curl up with a good movie or book.  Am I the only one?

Something about winter makes it harder for me to stay on track with weight loss efforts.  Maybe it’s the onslaught of holidays and the feast that goes along with it.  Maybe it’s the colder temps that have me wearing big bulky clothes.  Maybe it’s the weather that has me wanting to stay safely under my covers instead of being active.

Regardless, I think it takes more of an effort to stay focused on weight loss goals during the winter months… As such, today we bring you a few tips and tricks for staying active and yes, even losing weight over the holidays.

(1) EAT BREAKFAST – this is one we’ve talked about a million gajillion times.  Eating breakfast – the most important meal of the day – is something many of us subscribe to… except perhaps on holidays?  where we WANT (even if only subconsciously  to gorge on the feast lain before us.  Eating breakfast is even more important on these days so we don’t over indulge.

(2) WEAR LAYERS – Ok, not I’m not gonna claim it gets remotely cold here in Texas… Especially since my partner in the north would die laughing at my idea of cold…. BUT I do know the benefit of layers.

(3) MAKE IT A FAMILY AFFAIR – get the whole family involved with a walk after Dinner – and not just on the holidays!  Between holiday Shopping and decorating the house, you are probably getting in a lot more steps than you realize – and the only way to know FOR SURE is to track those steps with a Pedometer.  Preferably an OMRON Pedometer!! If your family is competitive it can become a game to see who gets in the most steps each week with a prize at the end.  Plus, a Pedometer could be a good stocking-stuffer for the spouse who says they want to support your fitness goals….

(4) PLAY YOUR WAY THINNER – Ok, it doesn’t snow here in Texas but if you do live somewhere it does, bundle up and have a good old fashioned snowball fight… I do that when the boys and I visit snow and you’d be amazed just how much energy THAT takes.  Playing indoors with the kids can burn calories too you know and at the end of the day, these are the memories that last a lifetime.

(5) FOCUS on Non-food related gifts for friends and neighbors if you give – How often have we made the cookie plate or bread or fudge or other candy to share with co-workers, neighbors, the kids teachers, or friends.  And when we do, we snack and taste to our hearts content justifying that a little doesn’t hurt… and yet, a little bit over and over and over again adds up without us knowing it!  Instead, Browse Pinterest for a plethora of cute and fun and practical ideas that won’t add inches to your waistline or that of your loved ones.

What OTHER tips do you have for staying healthy through the winter months and holiday season?  PLEASE share!  We need all the help we can get

Speaking of Tips, here’s Jenny with her weekly Tips For Healthy Living:

And the numbers…

Shelley's Weigh In

Jenny's Weigh in

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Jenny writes over at Beyond Mom and Tweets as @jennydecki.

Shelley writes over at Slightly Off Kilter , Tweets as @momma_oz and spends WAY too much time on Facebook.

**As Mamavation Moms, we receive nutritional support and fitness product from Billy Blanks ,  Omron Fitness ,  New Balance , and  Inspired RD.   We thank these companies for their continued support. **

The holidays are upon us and it seems that this campaign – and this year – have FLOWN by.  Fast.

And with the holidays, we are often steeped in traditions, family, food… and stress.  It’s always that way it seems – stress about finances or family or just life in general.

Stress can ALSO be a huge deterrent to weight loss efforts.  Did you know I heard once that us Americans overindulge so much during the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to New Years, that you can gain Thirteen pounds! That stresses me out just THINKING about it to be honest…

Also, the average person consumes 5,000-6,000 calories (according to the national average) on Thanksgiving.

Two years ago, I shared some Tips for keeping your Thanksgiving a healthier one, and I thought it fitting to share again.

But I also want to talk about another way to reduce stress.  Exercise.

I know – you are grumbling as you read that… But I’m tired.  I’ve got too much going on.  I’m busy.

We all know the excuses.  I’ve used every last one of them.  And then, I beat myself up when the scale and I have a little spat.  But the fact is, that exercise can help reduce stress.  At least for me.

I think the biggest key is to find ways to incorporate fitness into your daily life… taking the family pup for a walk, or joining a class at the local Y with some friends, or using videos that you are excited about.

Right now, I’m on a Tae Bo Kick thanks to Billy Blanks.  There are many days I hear the voices telling me not to do it – skipping ONE workout won’t hurt… but I know better.  It does.  Because at the end of the day, I never regret working out… and always regret those times I allowed myself to skip it just this once… because it’s like potato chips.  It’s never just once.

So find your Soul Mate Exercise… and don’t be afraid if it changes.  Sometimes we have to let go of things that no longer serve us in order to push ourselves.

Jenny's Weigh In

Shelley's Weigh In

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Jenny writes over at Beyond Mom and Tweets as @jennydecki.

Shelley writes over at Slightly Off Kilter , Tweets as @momma_oz and spends WAY too much time on Facebook.

**As Mamavation Moms, we receive nutritional support and fitness product from Billy Blanks ,  Omron Fitness ,  New Balance , and  Inspired RD.   We thank these companies for their continued support. **

Ahhh yes… here we are… finishing up a glorious week 3 and starting on week 4.  We are halfway through the campaign… we are tired.  We may be bitchy…. well, more than normal.

I don’t know where the last 3 weeks went to be honest… Heck!  Where did the YEAR go? Can you believe that NEXT WEEK is Thanksgiving?

The dreaded week three is often when I give up… it gets hard.  It’s easier to grab a meal out than cook… I’m tired… I’m not seeing results as fast as I should…

Do you hear those voices too?

Here’s something new between this campaign and the one I did so many moons ago… I stopped listening.

In fact, I relied on my stubborn streak to keep me pushing.

Some other tips for breaking through the wall because to say “stop listening” is often easier said than done…

(1) Give in to the urge to pick up a meal instead of cook – but make healthier choices… Subway is my Go To to be honest…. and man do we load them bad boys up with veggies! Another Subway tip?  I get a footlong and have them cut it into thirds.  I find that if I pair 1/3 of the sandwich with some fresh fruit or bowl of soup at home, I am more than satisfied.

(2) Change up your fitness routine – If you find yourself faced with a negative nelly in your head telling you that a particular workout is just TOO HARD… cool – do something different.  Go for a walk, play with the kids, go for a swim at your local gym/YMCA (most have a “trial membership” you can check out to see if a gym is right for you) or heck… chasing the kids around may be just the thing to get your blood pumping… and if you can get some fresh air, that too might clear your head.

(3) Drink More Water – I know that when I’m dehydrated, I’m tired. I’m cranky. I’m just plum frustrated with life. Drink more water. Add fruit slices if you need to… Add fresh herbs like Basil (because everything is better with basil)… I personally love to freeze purreed fruit into cubes and include them with ice cubes in my water… but that’s just me. Whatever it takes to drink more water, do it.

(4) Do something for you – take a bubble bath, read a trashy novel, go with a friend to get a pedicure… whatever it is, find time for JUST you – when the kids aren’t clamoring for you… hubby isn’t needing you to find his socks… laundry isn’t staring you in the face… and breath.

(5) Be Gentle with yourself – Remember rule number one of being part of the Mamavation Sistahood -No Perfect People Allowed.You will not be perfect 100% of the time but if you beat yourself up over a choice that you don’t like, you keep the negativity going. Move on and know that you can make better choices for the rest of the day…Just don’t let it become a habit. There’s a big difference between making a bad choice or two and making excuses for not honoring your goals.

What tips do you have for breaking through the negative wall that can derail us? I can’t be alone in this… Right???

 

Shelley's Weigh In

Jenny's Weigh In

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Jenny writes over at Beyond Mom and Tweets as @jennydecki.

Shelley writes over at Slightly Off Kilter , Tweets as @momma_oz and spends WAY too much time on Facebook.

**As Mamavation Moms, we receive nutritional support and fitness product from Billy Blanks ,  Omron Fitness ,  New Balance , and  Inspired RD.   We thank these companies for their continued support. **

What is going on in the world?

No – I’m not talking election results…

It seems that a lot of people I talk with (myself included) feel like life is spinning out of control.  And maybe it is.  But… that doesn’t mean that YOU have to spin with it.  *ducks from thrown objects*

I talk a bit about choices in my video below but I personally had forgotten how empowering and hard it can be when we take responsibility for our actions.  I can’t speak for anyone else, but I intend to make a conscious effort to hang on to that power a lot more…

I’m not saying that we always have control over things that happen to us.  What we have COMPLETE control over is how we react to those things.

I also know that I am FAR from perfect when it comes to making choices that continue to propel me towards my goals…

Take the holidays for example.  So many look at this holiday season as a 3 month long binge fest with the excuse of “It’s the holidays” as if that explains anything.  We eat foods that aren’t good for us simply because it is “tradition.”

But what if… What if you allowed yourself a splurge DAY instead of a splurge quarter… how would you feel then?  What if you took those family favorite “traditional” recipes and converted them to something healthier? (all of the flavor, none of the guilt?) Or started NEW traditions with your family that don’t involve high fat foods – like a Thanksgiving turkey trot, or volunteering at a soup kitchen with the kids.

Choices.

They may not always be choices you like, but you have choices.

You may not always WANT to make a choice, but it is still yours to make.

Luckily, the Mamavation Sistahood provides a grip ton of resources to aid us in navigating the minefield of choices.  We have Alysa who provides some amazing healthy and flavorful recipes.  We have Billy Blanks ,  Omron Fitness ,  New Balance who keep us moving  which – by the way – is a great way to keep from turning into a crazed monster stress reliever.  We have the Sistahood members who serve as cheerleaders, counselors, advisers, and partners.  At the end of the day, the choices are ours to make… but that doesn’t me we have to make it alone.

And Now for the numbers!

Jenny's Weigh In

Shelley's Weigh In

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Jenny writes over at Beyond Mom and Tweets as @jennydecki.

Starting Weight: 318.4 lbs.
Difference from Last Week: -3.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 28 lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 8.79%

Shelley writes over at Slightly Off Kilter , Tweets as @momma_oz and spends WAY too much time on Facebook.

Starting Weight: 262.5 lbs.
Difference from Last Week: -1.5 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 13.5 lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 5.1%

**As Mamavation Moms, we receive nutritional support and fitness product from Billy Blanks ,  Omron Fitness ,  New Balance , and  Inspired RD.   We thank these companies for their continued support. **

I’m not sure what we were thinking agreeing to do a boot-camp with all of the holidays pounding down our door, but here we are.  Surrounded by chocolate and candy and sweet treats… all while sticking to meal plans and exercise.

And, for me anyway, Halloween is only a little issue… the “big one” is coming up soon too and that is Thanksgiving. But for now, it is bypassing all of the chocolate that is in my path… and chocolate is a weakness.

There are tons of things “fall related” that can be stumbling blocks… Cooler temps mean more baggy clothes for one – sweat pants, sweaters, etc.  It’s easier to notice when the weight creeps up when it’s hotter than Hades and you are wearing shorts and t-shirts… but when you are bundled up… well, that’s a different story.

With Fall, typically comes cooler temps and more rain.  At least here.  So easy to make excuses for not being active… Of course, Jenny is helping with that by sharing some awesome tips for a healthier life and is doing so outside!

I notice I cook differently in the fall & winter than I do in the summer and spring too. In the spring and summer it gets HOT here in Texas, so turning on the stove or oven is frowned upon. In the winter however, comfort foods call my name.

That said, as a family, we are all working together to find new ways to take old favorites and make them better for us. Along the way, I’m even teaching my mom about portion sizes. (and I never thought I’d teach HER anything!)

Case in point. The other night I was making dinner. This dinner doesn’t have a name really, it was just a Grip Ton (technical measurement of course) of veggies thrown into a cast iron skillet. Mom wanted this served over some pasta she picked up but was worried that there wasn’t enough pasta for us all. Since I made and dished up dinner, not only was I able to portion dinner out correctly, but at the end of the meal, mom even realized she was satisfied. Not stuffed, but satisfied and that lead to a whole conversation about portions.

We’ve said a million times that you can’t out train a bad diet and I’m really glad that I get to share what I’m learning with my family.

So on with the Stats…

Jenny's Weigh in

Shelley's Weigh In

 Jenny writes over at Beyond Mom and Tweets as @jennydecki.

Starting Weight: 318.4 lbs.
Difference from Last Week: -2.4 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 24.4 lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 7.6%

Shelley writes over at Slightly Off Kilter , Tweets as @momma_oz and spends WAY too much time on Facebook.

Starting Weight: 262.5 lbs.
Difference from Last Week: -1 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 12 lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 4.6%

What do you find hurts or helps your weight loss with Fall upon us?  Any Tips to help us stay on track through the holidays?? We want to know!!!

**As Mamavation Moms, we receive nutritional support and fitness product from Billy Blanks ,  Omron Fitness ,  New Balance , and  Inspired RD.   We thank these companies for their continued support. **