Let’s face it–we go into the holiday season every year with the best intentions of staying in shape but come out a few (or 10) pounds heavier. It is inevitable–there is simply too much great food, holiday parties and drinking that bring a wave of calories that our body is just not used to taking. The irony in all of this is that most of us then follow our holiday binges with a list of New Years resolutions focused on getting back into shape.

Instead of devoting our attention to taking pounds off, we’ll take a proactive approach and look at ways we can keep from putting the pounds on in the first place. It won’t be easy but with a few tricks and a hefty serving of will-power, we can all avoid the holiday overeating.

Smaller Plates Hold Less Food

We’ve all heard weight-loss experts telling us to use a smaller plate but I can honestly say from my own experience that this one does work. By simply using a smaller plate than what you’re used to, you will inevitably consume less food and still be full. How many times do you continue eating simply because food is in front of you? If you’re anything like me, the answer is “every meal.” Also, if everyone else at your holiday meal finishes their dinner and heads to dessert, you’ll be inhibited going for seconds anyway.

Eat Before You Even Arrive To Dinner

If you’re heading over to someone else’s house for your holiday dinner, do a little pre-meal warmup. For me, a couple of carrots, a handful of almonds and a tall glass of water an hour before my meal fills me up quite a bit. I’ll still be hungry enough to eat with my family and friends but the one small plate of food will be plenty to keep me satisfied.

Carry Your Leftovers Home On One Plate

We all leave our holiday feast with large quantities of leftovers. It’s just about a tradition in my family. Instead of taking enough food home for a few meals, take just one dinner plate home with a single serving. I’ve been guilty of taking food home to enjoy for lunch and dinner the following day but every year I end up consuming it all in the following meal. From now on, I take a plate home to enjoy for lunch the next day and my waistline thanks me for it.

Allow Yourself One Snack At A Time

This year is a great example of how we can get into trouble with excessive holiday snacking. One of my colleagues that I work with gave me a bag of caramel popcorn. A distributor sent a box loaded with crackers and spreads. A vendor sent me a tin filled with enough cookies for my entire department. The tidal wave of waist expanding snacks seems almost endless this time of year. The great aspect of these snacks is that they’re all sealed and will last quite a while in my cabinet. It is very tempting to have a small amount of caramel popcorn, one cookie, and a taste of the cheese and crackers. The problem I would run into though is that once I’ve opened each of these items, my mind subconsciously tells me to finish them before they go stale or ruin. This year, only open one snack at a time. A bit of caramel popcorn spread out over a couple of weeks will not hurt you. Slow and steady wins the race on this one.

This One Hurts–Keep Alcohol Consumption To A Minimum

I apologize in advance for adding this tip to the list but it’s no secret that beer and other drinks carry a fair amount of calories. That’s not the problem though. All of these tips above require will-power and alcohol will definitely wash away any will power you have. Once you start excessively drinking at your holiday parties, those appetizers are going to start looking great. While sober and in control you might only have one or two. A few drinks in and you’re wondering where the waitress is with the next tray. I’ve done it and it isn’t pretty. Limit your drinking and it will be much easier to limit your eating.

What Do You Do To Keep Control During The Holidays?

If you’re great at keeping the weight off and resisting the urge to overindulge, how do you do it? Drop a note in the comment box below and help us all out!