• Keep on journaling.
  Keeping a food journal can be one of the most effective weight loss tricks for anyone, regardless of the diet or eating plan you're following. It keeps you honest with yourself. Many of us get selective amnesia every now and again about what (and how much) we eat. And the hustle and bustle of the holidays can make us very prone to those memory lapses.
  
  If you're stressed out taking care of family and guests or you're luck enough to be relaxing in the bliss of a mid-winter vacation, either way you're likely to tell yourself you "deserve" whatever you want to eat. It's just part of the package, right? Wrong. Why set yourself up for failure? Keep yourself in check and you'll have an easier time getting back on track by the time you're hanging that 2003 calendar on the wall.
• Move it!
  Don't let a beautiful day pass you by without taking a walk outside. Don't just watch everyone dance, join in! Take your exercise videos with you and get the kids in on the aerobic action with you a few hours after lunch. Après-turkey-day shopping on the itinerary? Park far away from the entrance (Chances are, you'll probably have no choice anyway!), take the steps instead of the elevator, and "explore" a new mall from one end of the other instead of following the directory. Just be sure to take along your sneakers! Incorporate extra walking wherever you can on your shopping extravaganza. Then your credit cards won't be the only thing getting a workout!
• If you booze it, you won't lose it.
  So, you've heard the phrase "beer belly" for years, but you've never stopped to think about its meaning? It's no joke: alcohol is very fattening, thanks to its high calorie count. Whether you're downing a shot, a glass of wine or a pitcher of beer, those empty calories are going to add up in the end. Drinking may increase your appetites and will weaken your judgment, which might lead to a binge on foods you might have never touched sober. If you do choose to imbibe, try making some switch-offs, like downing a wine spritzer instead of a full glass of wine.

These are just a few tactics that I have found helpful in battling the holiday weight war. In the end, it all comes down to being focused -- on yourself, your goals and enjoying this special time with your loved ones. Stay motivated in your weight loss efforts, but don't be so focused that you let the holidays pass you by without enjoying them. The point is to be with your friends and family and have fun, not to be constantly on-guard against eating something "bad" or over-doing it.

And what if you do indulge? Don't be your own personal Grinch! Ease up and be kind to yourself. Berating yourself will spell failure; forgiving yourself will assure continued weight loss success. Remember: Tomorrow is always brand new day, every time it happens!

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