by Christine Whitmarsh

Created on: November 13, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Americans have many holiday traditions that emerge from a healthy diversity of cultures and belief systems. The one unhealthy tradition that seems to tie all the others together is overindulging at the holiday table. Moms everywhere may frequently toss out the old adage about your eyes being bigger than your belly, but doesn't it seem like during the holiday season our bellies do their best to rise to the occasion?

Avoiding the holiday bulge is largely contingent on avoiding three common holiday culprits: Overfilling the plate, Overeating (especially the "bad stuff") and Overestimating how easy it will be to burn off all those extra calories.

Holiday parties have the unique ability to nearly collapse ordinary dining tables under the weight of countless heavy plates of food. Since buffet and potluck style meals are more common than sit down meals, there is the temptation to fill plate after plate full of savory delights. As you're standing in line with your empty plate and utensils, remember this: You are not a condemned man and this is not your last meal before heading to the electric chair! Take a deep breath, keep your wits about you and focus on enjoying a little bit of everything your hosts have so generously and decoratively set out for you. Trust me - eating infinite portions of each type of food is no greater compliment to the chef than eating a sensible portion. Another way to avoid the temptation to see how much food one plate can physically hold without splitting in half is to take the edge off with a pre-potluck snack. Before you leave for the party, treat yourself to a granola bar, a piece of fruit or some soup (not to a pre-party plate of nachos).

Overeating usually means overindulging in the very worst types of foods and beverages you know which ones I mean too (high fat, high sugar, high alcohol, high carbohydrate count).
Complete abstaining from the good stuff is no more the answer than pushing your stomach lining, digestive system, metabolism and glucose levels to their breaking points. Moderation and balance are critical points to remember when facing the mountains of sweets, salty chips and open bars. Besides, how festive and joyous can an evening be when you've overstuffed yourself and drank too much and all you want to do is take a nap?

The final key to avoiding packing on those extra holiday pounds is to remember that "pay later" always comes sooner than you think. It's all too easy to overestimate how easy it will be to burn off all those extra calories with the infamous New Year's fitness resolution. "I can eat all I want now because I'm going to hit the gym and hit it hard after New Year's. It will be a whole new me!" Even if that is the case and you will follow through with your plans to become a tri-athlete by springtime, why burden yourself with such high expectations?

The holiday bulge is entirely preventable with a pinch of common sense and a dash of restraint. The point of the holidays is to enjoy yourself and overdoing it is an instant holly jolly buzz kill.

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