Don’t ruin all the good work you’ve been doing all year with your weight over the holidays! Vacations 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 will not ruin your waist. For other festive events, fill up on healthy foods first. Eat fruits and vegetables before going 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, spend 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 with 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 with your SIPA and regular exercise regimen for relentless weight loss. Walk every day or jump rope every day! An occasional slip-up won’t hurt, 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 going to the gym or playing sports like golf, tennis, or swimming, keep doing it.

The fourth way is to eat slowly. The slower you eat, the less you’ll have eaten when your body finally decides it’s full. The easiest way to overeat is to eat fast. Chew your food slowly and completely. Talk between bites. Drink lots of water and eat salads with your meals. This will also fill your stomach. Give yourself time to log 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 holiday 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!