Well, Thanksgiving is over! :( Did you survive? Did you eat just a bitttt more than you should of? I'll let you in on a little secret...I did! Yep, I had one too many servings this year. But that's okay, because one meal doesn't ruin an entire diet...but multiple bad meals can. And that's what tends to happen over the holidays. So what do holiday parties and get togethers all have in common? Food and drinks…as in high-calorie food and drinks! (and your drunk uncle making a fool of himself most likely). It’s no wonder most people gain weight during the holidays! Everywhere you turn, you’re surrounded by sweet temptations—holiday cookies, gingerbread houses, pumpkin pies, and more. Even healthy foods like sweet potatoes and green beans are magically transformed into high-calorie dishes that will make you want to do nothing but fall asleep. And don’t forget the drinks. Eggnog and alcoholic beverages are loaded with calories too. Want to sidestep those holiday pounds? Stay Focused Yes, the holidays bring yummy foods and drinks, but friend gatherings and family traditions aren’t about food. Before a party, remind yourself what the holiday season is all about—friends, family, giving, and religious traditions. Then stay focused on the reason for the season rather than the plate full of pie in front of you. Second, stay focused on your fat loss goals. Remind yourself of how far you’ve come and where you’re headed. Keep your goals in the forefront of your mind. The holidays can be a time of emotional eating. So do your best to stay focused on the goal ahead! Strategize Is your holiday social calendar filled with night after night of parties and events? It’s time to come up with a plan. If you want to keep your diet on track, you’ll need to pace yourself. Don’t come to a party hungry but eat a small low-calorie snack ahead of time like a small handful of almonds or some baby carrots and hummus. Otherwise, you’ll probably overeat. Before and after a meal, chew gum so you won’t be tempted to overindulge in appetizers and desserts. During a party, don’t stand right next to the food table, but keep a safe distance. And before you get a plate of food, choose your plate wisely. Go with a small plate instead of a large dinner plate and don’t go back for seconds! Try to load up your plate with mainly proteins and veggies and you can still save a little room for those delicious carbs ;) Another important strategy is figuring out how to get in a workout between parties. Leaving room in your busy holiday schedule for exercise will help you fight off the extra weight trying to attach itself to your midsection and rear. Wise Choices Be smart about what you choose to eat. Don’t deprive yourself of all the foods you love or you’ll likely spurge and ruin all your good intentions. Enjoy the goodness of the season, but in moderation. Trim calories where you can by limiting your trimmings-cheeses, gravy, sauces, creams, and sweets. The holidays offer many food choices not available the rest of the year. Because of this, you may want to overindulge before they’re gone. Instead of doing this, survey what foods are available and make your choices. Indulge in your favorites and leave the everyday dishes for another time. Only eat what you love, and don’t just eat something because it’s on the buffet. Also, be sure to limit the amount of alcoholic beverages you drink. As you likely know, they’re filled with calories too. Try alternating an alcoholic drink with a water. Follow these simple tips, and you will avoid holiday weight gain this season and start the New Year off right! And finally, I want you to know that it's OKAY if you slip up and eat a little more than you're supposed to. Just get back on track and keep moving forward. Don't beat yourself up over one bad day! Have a great day!