Here's what I do over the holidays

Here are some tips that I personally use myself that help to minimize the pounds during the holiday.

1. Don't think that anything goes and you can gorge yourself. If you do you will find that those weeks you spent watching your weight and learning healthier habits will go down the drain.
2. If it's going to be a long time before you actually eat your meal then have a small salad or some fruit to tide you over. You don't want to be famished when you sit down for the main meal. If you are you will over eat.
3. Moderation is the key. Forget about seconds and remember you are there for the companionship not to see who the bigger eater is.
4. Slow down- this is not a race to see who can eat the most in the least time. Converse, eat, drink and be merry.
5. Avoid the carbs- that means the bread, soda, beer and deserts. If you can't, then then choose a smaller portion.
6. Have a salad instead of the bread
7. Substitution- instead of gravy over your turkey, try cranberry sauce.
8. Stuffing in the bird vs. stuffing made out of the bird. Go with the latter and cut down on the calories from the turkey fat.
9. Dark vs white meat- go for the white meat and don't eat the skin. If you have to have that drum stick, remove the skin.
10. Wine- try sparkling water
11. After dinner, take a walk if the weather permits. Just don't sit around the table and continue to nibble for hours watching football, etc.
12. Next day, hit the gym or at least the shopping mall to get some exercise in.