The good news is, with a little determination, we can make it through the holidays and still be friends with our scales come January 2nd! It comes down to staying focused on our weight loss journey despite the many distractions this time of year offers. The following are just a few suggestions that may help you greet temptation with confidence instead of holiday-induced helplessness!

• Plan ahead.
  Successful weight loss often boils down to good planning and more than any other time of the year, planning is paramount during the holiday season. If weight loss is a battle for you, then it's time for an all-out assault on holiday weight gain! Sit down and calmly think about your tactics: what to do when you're offered foods you'd prefer not to eat; what to eat instead; how to handle nosey relatives and their comments about your weight loss efforts; fun ways to enjoy the season that aren't food-related, etc. If you have a plan, you will not be caught off-guard in the mass confusion that is a family get-together. Write down your plan of attack in your weight loss journal. The more concrete your plan is to you, the more likely you are to stick to it.
• Be a picky eater.
  We all have particular foods that we love and others that we may eat simply because they're there. Remember, whatever diet you're on, you have a "budget" of fat, calories, carbs, etc. Watch your "spending" habits and only choose the foods you really want. Mindlessly munching on potato chips isn't nearly as satisfying as allowing yourself a small slice of Aunt Edna's apple pie, right? Don't beat yourself up about eating something that is normally out of the question. Enjoy it! As long as you keep your portions under control, there's no reason you can't treat yourself to your favorite goodies.

  However, be sure to remind yourself that the holidays aren't a license to overindulge. Make sure you remember that old adage of "All things in moderation." when you're tempted to binge. When you reach for seconds, ask yourself if you are really still hungry. Chances are you'll realize it's just force of habit (Or force of Aunt Edna offering "Just on more slice, honey?"!). Say no to yourself and politely decline the offer, and you'll be very proud of yourself for staying in control.

• Go "veggie" for a day.
  Many families have vegetarians or vegans in their midst these days. Chances are your hosts will have prepared a special dish or two just for those non-carnivores in the crowd. Take advantage of the healthier fruit and vegetable-based fare. Why not try those veggie buffalo wings, the eggplant casserole or a mushroom burger? While not all vegetarian dishes are low-fat or low-calorie, they're still a very healthy option, as they will provide you with the extra nutrients that you might not have gotten eating meat and carb-based foods. Plus, this is a great time to try a new vegetable or discover a dish you may not have tried otherwise. You just might find yourself asking for the recipe before you leave. Maybe you'll even decide to go "veggie" for good!
• Don't run on empty.
  Whatever you do, don't go to a party hungry or "save your appetite" for a big end-of-the day meal at the family's. Make sure to eat healthy snacks before the office get-together and throughout the holiday weekend at Mom's. If you find yourself facing down a buffet table on an empty stomach, you'll have little chance of avoiding a binge. Just as you no longer skip meals on a day-to-day basis and expect successful weight loss, don't do without during the big day so you'll truly "appreciate" Mom's famous turkey and dressing. If you allow yourself to become too hungry, you'll "appreciate" everything else right along with it, with little regard for portion size. Turkey day could turn into a diet disaster... and you won't be very thankful to yourself for what the scale says a few days later!

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