Sigh. This first BelleToday challenge couldn't have come at a worse time.

When Gisa was first merrily planning this challenge, I was like, "Sure, whatever, count me in," without really checking out the details. I had a flurry of deadlines to meet. When I had the time to breathe and learn what this challenge was all about, why, I wanted to hurl my keyboard at the wall.

See, there's this day that comes once a year for each girl, where she can eat cake and for once, not give a damn about calories.

For me, that day comes right smack next week, in the middle of the BelleToday no-sweets challenge. I've been planning for said day for over a month now. I already gave specific instructions to my cake committee (my parents). "Please get me the King Oscar cake at the Peninsula and maybe Daniel Craig too." When my mom expressed reluctance because she didn't know where to park at the Pen, I gave her a detailed account of the drive from our house into the Pen's basement parking lot. Yes. I am getting my cake, come hell or high water. This day only comes once a year, after all, and I'm not going to let anything or anyone stand in my way.

Which is why I'm requesting for amnesty from the first BelleToday challenge, at the risk of making me look like a wuss. But you know what? I think I've earned it. I've discovered I now have the much coveted power to eat whatever I like without gaining weight. I wasn't born with that ability, and gaining it entailed a lengthy journey of discipline and willpower.

But now that I think about it, this no-sweets challenge couldn't have come at a better time. Since I wholeheartedly support this effort put forth by everyone here at the BelleToday team, I'll play nice. This means I won't have to bring cake to the office next week, since it's on the list of prohibited foods. Sorry, guys! Maybe next year.

Hi Belles!

Consider this our Christmas gift to the BelleToday community. For a limited time, you can join the Bon Appétit Diet with Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen with a HUGE discount of 70% off through Groupon. Pay only PhP 990 for 3 months of access, compared to the original price of PhP 3,300!

You can pick up the Groupon now and start your program in January. What can be a better New Year's resolution than taking action towards a healthier and slimmer you?

If you're familiar with the BelleToday weight loss program, then you'll feel right at home with the Bon Appétit Diet! Daily sessions, meal plans, forums, blogs... You'll also see the entire BelleToday team there.

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We've been working with Dr. Cohen since 2007, and the Bon Appétit Diet is an adapted version of Dr. Cohen's popular Savoir Maigrir program, which made him a household name in France, that is suited for Filipino tastes and preferences. You can lose an average of 2 lbs a week, in a healthy manner.

There are no blood tests or any prohibited food. The Bon Appétit Diet is all about the pleasure of eating!

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I'm afraid my tip for you for the holidays is going to be un-sexy, even unappealing. But it has to be said. So I'm telling you to start exercising now, even just a 30 minute walk 3 times a week. Did you know that the two most common New Year's resolutions are to stop smoking and to lose weight? So why not get a jump start on it, one month earlier?

I know, I know—it's the holidays, a time when you look forward to that ham or fruit salad at Noche Buena, or all those cookies and cakes that are given to you as presents. I'm not telling you to forego those holiday treats. I'm just telling you to take an hour or two from your entire WEEK just to walk. It'll make the transition to exercising in January even easier. But keep in mind, exercising in December does not give you license to eat even more this Christmas!

So, why should you start your walking habit in December? 

• Take advantage of the cool December air. I've taken up the running habit again, now that my injured ankle is convalescing nicely. I change right into my workout clothes when I get home from the office, and I do a little 30-minute run before dinner. I typically don't enjoy running, but I do so this time of the year because I get to enjoy the cool air. It's even better early in the morning; I would sometimes wake up at 4:30 a.m to be able to run before I leave for work.
   
• Shopping! Come to think about it, it'll be easier for you to incorporate walking during the Christmas shopping rush when you walk around the mall. Buy a pedometer for yourself and aim for at least 5,000 steps each day.
   
• Travel! Some of you might even have plans for a getaway during the Christmas break. Do a lot of sightseeing by foot...you'll rack up those steps before you even know it!

By the time January rolls around, you won't be resisting any efforts to fulfill your New Year's resolution!

I like going through diet and fitness forums all over the Web to share my experience, and I found a topic that asked, "What Ruins Your Diet?" But rather than answer it there, I figured I do owe my BelleToday blog an overdue update, so I'm taking it here instead.

Over the years, I found that NOTHING ruins my diet.

Not even my favorite chocolate-covered toffee popcorn and nuts.

Not even late-night alcohol and junk food binges.

Not even filling up on steak or roast beef and eating myself to a heartburn at buffets.

Not even going off exercise for extended periods, like I am now, while I'm (still) injured.

Here's the thing—I paid my dues by losing weight steadily and slowly, incorporating good eating habits most of the time, exercising regularly, and allowing myself the occasional treat.

This is my kryptonite

I am still stunned whenever I return from a food-filled weekend trip and see my weight hasn't changed. It's a different story, of course, when I'm on a month-long vacation, but I go back to my previous weight with almost little effort when I return home.

But I know that the main thing that helps is, despite knowing this, I still don't go entirely off track. I still keep my treats and cheat days in check. I still eat healthily and reasonably most of the time. I still find ways to exercise and move.

And I do all that without much thinking, because it's all already natural to me. Because I spent so many years doing all those, that they've become habits and routine.

I get antsy when I lay off exercise for a week. I feel sick when I eat way too much junk food. I also trained my body, and likely my mind, to feel those limits and crave for my good habits when I lapse.

Right now, I'm avoiding dessert for the week, because I know I have a buffet to look forward to this weekend.

I'm not always good with my diet and exercise, but it's such a relief to know that I can occasionally afford not to be.

I had lunch at Pancake House with Doc ilegna csm before my appointment with a physical rehabiltation doctor for my still injured ankle. (Seems like every big hospital in the city has a Pancake House—not that I'm complaining.)

You can't go wrong with Panchicken at Pancake House—best fried chicken on the planet, I think; but I also wanted to try their healthier brown rice options. They now have Spicy Chicken Fillet with Brown Rice Pilaf and Salmon Cakes with Brown Rice Tabbouleh. I love tabbouleh, so I thought I'd give the salmon dish a whirl. Fried chicken, you'll have to wait later.

The lemon juice in the rice worked well with the salmon cakes. It was also served with a dill mayonnaise.

It was pretty tasty, and I actually didn't regret not ordering Panchicken for lunch.