Holiday Weight

What? Holiday weight? I have weight issues all year round - now there's holiday weight? Aaaaarrrgh! Well... it's true. Studies show that the average person gains eight to ten pounds during the holiday season. Wonderful... as if I didn't have enough stress.

Think about it. Halloween started it all off - a candy extravaganza! Who can resist? If you don't have your own children bringing in the miniature madness, you're stocking it for neighborhood Trick or Treaters. Unless you live in some out-of-the-way, extremely rural location, you're probably buried in mounds of tempting confections.

Just a short few weeks later, Thanksgiving greets us - heralding the countdown to the New Year. This wonderful tradition surrounds you with just about every decadent, lavish, high-fat food you can imagine. Stuffing (or dressing, depending on how you prepare it), mashed potatoes (the garlic, cheese, and cream twice-baked kind), creamed everything - and don't even get me started about the desserts.

My mother used to prepare for Thanksgiving weeks ahead. She'd sort through recipes, test drive new recipes (yes, test drive, that meant we started eating desserts a few weeks before the holiday) deciding which would make the Top 10 List. She'd make pies - apple, pumpkin, banana cream, chocolate cream, lemon meringue, pecan, and mincemeat. She'd make bar cookies and regular cookies - 7-layer bars, congo bars, blondies, brownies, and scotcheroos - I can't even remember all the bars - then the peanut butter cookies with the chocolate kiss on top, chocolate crinkles, and butternut crescents. Then she'd start making cakes - no joke - German chocolate cake, strawberry cake (yellow cake with fresh strawberries and real whipped cream), angel food cake with strawberries and jello piped into the center, and one year she made pistachio cake (crazy good). Is it any wonder I have weight issues?

As soon as Thanksgiving was over - my mom would start planning the Christmas menu (that was the elaborate one!) Steak, lobster, stuffed shrimp... we were drowning in melted butter! And a whole new list of pies, cakes, and cookies.

Christmas - or whichever winter holiday you celebrate (it's Christmas in my home) - is filled with so many temptations and extra opportunities to gorge yourself. And right at the end of the year is the biggest celebration - New Year's Eve! It's like you're doomed to start the new year with more weight than you thought possible!

So... whether you have a mom who buries you in mounds of delectable scrumptiousness or you are bombarded with party invitations, you will undoubtedly find yourself in foodie situations.

• Holiday parties
• Company parties
• Meals at relatives' houses
• Shopping parties
• Eating out
• Late-for-an-appointment fast-food stops

'Tis the season to be bombarded with high-calorie food. You're lucky if you make it through with ONLY 10 pounds in weight gain.

Party Strategies

You can't avoid every situation. But you can be prepared. Here are some strategies to help you come through the holidays unscathed (at least in reference to your weight)!

Drinks:

• No alcohol! Well, maybe a little. But be aware that you are loading up on carbs and empty calories.
• Use seltzer to water down alcohol - making spritzers can save on calories (or you can drink double the amount). You can also just have seltzer with fruit wedges.
• Water is great, it fills you up and keeps you hydrated - so alternate between water and other beverages to lower your calorie intake (add lemon or lime for flavor)

Before arriving:

• Eat something high in protein (fills you up, reduces cravings) (protein bars are great; they're portable and quickly consumed)
• Drink a bottle of water
• Make a plan: If you show up at a party without a plan - you'll eat everything in sight. Decide ahead of time how to handle eating so you have a plan to stick to! Are you going to eat one dessert? Have tiny tastes of everything? Seek out lower calorie alternatives (like salad)? Know the plan ahead of time.

Food choices:

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