Eight Simple Tips to Avoiding Holiday Weight-Gain

For many of us, the holiday season is the happiest time of year. It can also be the time when we pack on the most pounds. In order to avoid that extra holiday weight, we need to understand why we overeat and how we can prevent it. Here are eight simple and helpful tips to avoid gaining weight this holiday season.

There are lots of reasons we gain weight from Thanksgiving through the New Year. The holidays inevitably add stress to our daily lives. Preparing meals and purchasing gifts, dealing with crowds and hosting gatherings, all create added worries, and stress, of course, is one of the reasons we tend to overeat.

Celebration is also a reason we eat more than usual. "Try this." "Oh, you have to try that." And holiday foods, meals you don't see from January through November, can be overly tempting. Not to mention the festive drinks that are high in calories!

Of course, another reason we pack on holiday pounds is because we rationalize that it is okay. "The holidays only come once a year," we say. "I'll begin that diet the first week in January!" "Oh yeah, one of my New Year's resolutions is to eat healthier."

Well, that's all well and good. But there are ways to avoid overeating during the holidays, and not pack on those unnecessary pounds in the first place!

1. Portion control. Sample all those delicious treats, but don't allow yourself too much of any one thing.

2. Be selective. Only eat those exciting dishes that won't be available in February. Indulge yourself with a slice of pumpkin pie, but save the apple pie for mid-July.

3. Create your own plate. Your host will be happy to serve you, but assure your host that isn't necessary. Your host will only pack your plate as a generous host does. You can help yourself by selecting and portioning your foods as mentioned above

4. You don't need to clean your plate. You're not seven, and your father isn't going to remind you that there are starving kids in Ethiopia, so feel free to leave some food behind. You need not waste it; wrap it up and save it.

5. Just say "No." It's easier than you think. Just ask Nancy Reagan or watch one of those anti-drug commercials. A well-meaning host will understand if you politely decline an appetizer or that second helping, even dessert.

6. Control your eyes. Everyone has heard the axiom, "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach." Well, they won't be for long if you insist on overeating this holiday season! Look away from the pie. Please.

7. Continue to exercise. Exercise often takes a back seat during the holidays. The combination of added stress, a million things to do, and bad weather cause people to push exercise aside. Don't let it happen. Take some time every day to do some exercise. Bundle up and go for that walk.

8. Plan, plan, plan. If you know that you're likely to overindulge at the get-together tomorrow night, plan on eating less during the day. Count those calories and adapt.

Happy holidays! I hope you enjoyed my eight simple tips to avoiding holiday weight-gain!