1. Never Arrive Hungry for a Party
Holiday treats will seem even more tempting if you show up hungry to a party.  Plan ahead and have a sensible snack or a small meal before leaving for holiday events.  You will be less likely to sample the cheese dip or the cookie tray if your hunger is already at bay. 

2. Limit Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is a quick way to pack extra calories into your day.  The average alcoholic drink contains 150-200 calories per glass and seasonal drinks, such as eggnog, can have up to 450 calories per drink.  That’s more than 25 percent of what the average woman should have in an entire day!  Alcohol also lowers your inhibition, which makes it harder to resist those high calorie appetizers on the buffet table.   Allow yourself one drink and then switch to seltzer water or diet soda for the remainder of the party.

3. Avoid Indulging in Seasonal Coffee Drinks
A Peppermint Mocha might sound like a festive way to warm up a cold winter day but this Starbucks favorite is loaded with calories.  A 16-ounce Peppermint Mocha with whipped cream packs in 470 calories, the Pumpkin Spice Latte a close second with 410 calories, and the Gingersnap Latte closes in with 370 calories.  If you feel the need to treat yourself, order your drink with nonfat milk and no whipped cream to save around 200 calories per drink.  Or go to the website of your favorite coffee store to see how your holiday drink stacks up.  

4. Don’t Rush the Meal
It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to signal the brain that you’re full, so make sure to extend all of your meals for at least that long.  Take your time, eat slowly, really taste your food, and enjoy the company of your family and friends. 

5. Fall Back on that Food Journal
A food journal is a dieter’s best friend…any time of year.  Writing down what you eat helps you to recognize those extra treats (and extra calories) that sneak into the day.  In fact, research shows that people who keep a food diary consume 15% less food than those who don’t. You’ll be less tempted to have one more handful of caramel popcorn if you know you have to account for it later.  If you don’t have a pen and paper handy, do a mental rundown of your food and beverages for the day to keep the mindless eating in check.    

6. Don’t Starve Yourself Before Thanksgiving Dinner
We’ve all been tempted to skip breakfast and lunch on Thanksgiving Day in hopes of balancing out the calories from the feast ahead.  Unfortunately, this approach only sets you up to binge when dinner finally arrives.  Eating every few hours will keep your metabolism burning all day.  Skipping meals momentarily slows down your metabolism and can leave you feeling ravenous, which makes choosing healthy food and monitoring portions a difficult task.   Eat small, high protein meals or snacks (such as string cheese with an apple or nonfat yogurt with berries) every three to four hours before the big dinner and you will be more likely to pass on that second serving of mashed potatoes.

7. Treat Yourself…To Something Other Than Food
The stress of the holiday months can be exhausting and overwhelming.  Instead of rewarding yourself with eggnog and Christmas fudge, resist the temptation to turn to comfort food.  Try rewarding your hard work with something non-food related that really makes you happy.  Go out to coffee with a friend, schedule a massage or buy a new book.  Relaxing without the use of food or alcohol will help you to feel better while keeping your waistline in check.

8. Make Time for Exercise
Sometimes, life seems far too hectic to exercise.  During the busy holiday months, however, it’s important to make time in your schedule for physical activity.  Exercise will help to burn some of the extra calories from holiday treats with the added bonus of decreasing your stress level.  Your best bet is to stick to your regular exercise schedule but if you find yourself tight on time, aim for short bouts of exercise throughout the day. 

9. Have one Tasty Indulgence
Don’t attempt to deprive yourself of your absolute favorite food.  Deprivation can set you up for a disappointing binge.  Instead, allow yourself one small serving of your favorite treat to really savor.  Then switch to low calorie, healthful options such as veggie slices, shrimp cocktail and turkey breast without the gravy.

10. Don’t Lick the Spoon
Many would argue the best part of baking is “testing” the batter, but those sample bites can really add up.  Just a few spoonfuls of cookie dough may cost you a few hundred calories.  Try chewing gum while you bake so that you can’t easily sneak in a quick taste.  If you are still tempted, ask yourself if a taste is worth the calories.  After all, for 300 calories you can eat a whole slice of pumpkin pie (hold the whipped cream) or 3 ounces skinless turkey breast with 2 tablespoons of gravy and ½ cup of stuffing.  Which would you prefer?

11. Be Kind to Yourself if you Overindulge
The holidays are filled with temptations beginning with Thanksgiving Dinner and lasting through New Year’s Day, but don’t beat yourself up if you overdo it at a meal.  It takes an extra 3,500 calories per week to gain one pound.  Overeating once or twice probably won‘t lead to weight gain if you don’t use it as an excuse to continue indulging.  When you eat more than you were intending, pick yourself up and get back on track.  It’s never too late to start making smart choices. 

12. Follow the ‘Dessert Split’ Plan
Go ahead and take something from the dessert table but split it with a friend.  If you must taste two desserts, split them with two friends. If you feel the need to sample three desserts, split them with three friends.  You get the idea.  That way you’ll get to taste your favorite holiday treats and your friend’s newest recipes without completely breaking your calorie budget.