Staying Real During the Holidays

Who doesn't have mixed feelings about the holidays? "It's the most wonderful time of the year," to be sure, but after navigating the minefield of Halloween and the gorgefest of Thanksgiving, who has the willpower to make it through a month's worth of parties, food gifts, special dinners and candy on other people's desks?

You do.

The holidays are not the time to shelve your weight-loss goals. It may sound counterintuitive, but this time of year is actually perfect for reinforcing those goals. Here are a few goals you can work on during this happy chaos:

* Portion control--As in, is that whomping slice of pecan pie going to make you feel better or worse than a smaller sliver?
* Savoring flavors--There's nothing better than the flavors of the season, so enjoy them! You're much more likely to appreciate them if you're nursing one eggnog rather than gulping down three, or sampling your absolute favorite dark-chocolate cognac truffle instead of wolfing down four or five mediocre candies. Choose wisely.
* Exercise--I know, I know, there's no time. But exercise WILL help you feel better, less stressed, calmer, more energetic and more in control. Build your workouts into your schedule, and you won't feel so bad about a little overindulgence (but just a little!).
* Water--Drink lots of it. In fact, for every alcoholic drink you have at an event, follow it up with a serving of water. You'll feel fuller, and you'll be less likely to embarrass yourself from drinking too much of the other stuff.
* Fiber--With all the sweet and starchy treats, your digestive system is going to be screaming for some fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts and seeds, so give it what it needs! You'll look better in your slinky party dress, too.

See? You can stick to your weight-loss plan during the holidays. Enjoy, but remember to balance not-so-smart choices with smart ones, and you won't be sorry come January 1.