Don’t ruin all the good work you’ve been doing all year with your weight, over the holidays! Holidays and fattening food go hand in hand. Thanksgiving and leftovers can last a week or two. Before you know it, it’s Christmas followed by Christmas. New Year. Studies show that about 75% of a person’s annual weight gain occurs between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. How can you avoid gaining weight during the holidays?

The first way to avoid gaining weight during the holidays is to make sure you have a healthy meal before you arrive at a party or other event that includes food. Feel free to go crazy on Thanksgiving. A single day won’t ruin your waistline. For other holiday events, fill up on healthy foods first. Eat fruits and vegetables before you go to your event. Your stomach will be full of healthy foods and you will be less likely to eat junk food.

The second way is to focus on things other than food. When you attend a party, take your time and pay attention to the other attendees. Mingle and socialize. Find a healthy snack and a bottle of water. Talk and listen to others, keep your mind occupied in the events you attend so that food and alcohol do not speak for you. If they do, you will eat and drink and gain weight!

The third way is to stick to your Strategic Individual Plan of Action (SIPA) and normal exercise regimen for relentless weight loss. Walk every day or jump rope every day! An occasional slip won’t do any harm, but it’s surprisingly easy to gain 10 pounds or more in 6 weeks if you stop watching what you eat or exercise. If you like to go to the gym or play sports like golf, tennis or swimming, keep doing it.

The fourth way is to eat slowly. The slower you eat, the less you will have eaten when your body finally decides that it is full. The easiest way to overeat is to eat fast. Chew your food slowly and thoroughly. Chat between bites. Drink plenty of water and eat salads with your meals. This will also fill your stomach. Give yourself time to record your first meal, before adding a second. If you don’t do this you will end up eating too much!

The fifth way is to do everything in moderation. Plan ahead this year. It is easier to avoid gaining weight than to lose weight. Enjoy your friends and family during the Christmas season. Overeating is not a prerequisite for having a good time. Focus on making healthy choices in moderation. You can avoid holiday weight gain by making smart choices and taking action. This is part of the process of self-regulation and relentless weight loss!