by Cyndi Li

Created on: November 13, 2008   Last Updated: December 10, 2008

Weight gain and the holidays are almost synonymous with each other. It's no wonder with all the sauce-laden dishes, delectable sweet treats, and calorie-packed holiday drinks; self-discipline just isn't enough. If you can't seem to stick to your otherwise healthy eating style when the holidays roll around, here are a few techniques to help avoid the winter bulge.

EATING STRATAGIES

It's easy to just say "Eat in moderation and you'll be ok." That's not always easy when you've got a tall glass of Grandma's home-made eggnog and a slice of pumpkin pie, with a dollop of cool whip perched atop it, staring you in the face. There some strategies, however, that can help curb the holiday feeding frenzy.

Not to be outdone by moderation, portion size plays a huge role in keeping your calorie consumption low. When you're standing in the buffet line looking at all that tantalizing food, don't follow your instincts and heap on as much as your plate will accommodate. Instead, take smaller portions of a variety of foods and get a little taste of them all.

Avoid the alcohol. Those spirits may taste great on the lips, but the calories they contain end up on the hips.

Starving yourself throughout the day to make room for the holiday feast isn't wise. A famished person, and a 7 course meal, aren't a good mix when one is trying to avoid the holiday bulge. Try this approach instead.

Fiber and water help to make you feel fuller. Eat lots of both throughout the day prior to the event. When you find yourself perusing the holiday food spread, you're not feeling famished, which means you eat less.

Eat healthy snacks between meals to help to regulate your blood sugar level and diminish cravings.

If you've been asked to bring a dish, make it a healthy one. When it's time to eat, you have at least one healthy dish to choose from.

PHYSICAL STRATAGIES

As much as people tend to cringe when they hear the "E" word, the truth is even just a moderate amount of exercise 3-4 times a week can make a major difference in the amount of weight you gain; or keep off. Fit some low impact exercise into your weekly schedule to prevent Mr. Cellulite from making himself at home on your hips.

Go walking on a snow covered path. Try out some sledding or ice skating with the kids. Shovel the walkways by hand rather than using a snow blower; and then go do your neighbors. The opportunities to get in a little exercise are endless.
TIDBITS
Don't rush your meals. It takes your stomach approximately 20 minutes to signal your brain you're full. Rushing your meal means you can overeat before your brain realizes you're actually full.

Reduce your intake of food as the day goes on, and stop all together 3-4 hours before bed. Your body's metabolism slows down as the day goes on. If you continue taking food, your body won't burn it off as quickly, which allows Old Man Cellulite to make himself at home.

Whatever you do, don't fall prey to one of those fly-by-night fad diets. As much as the manufacturers want you to believe their product is just what you've been looking for to keep off those extra pounds, incorporating year-round healthy eating strategies, coupled with an adequate amount of exercise, is the only real way to do it.

When the weather turns cold, it's easy just to hibernate inside on the sofa with a few snacks and warm drinks. But inactivity, holiday foods and overeating can be a lethal combination when it comes to the battle of the bulge.

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