We all dread getting on the scale post New Years. That's when reality sinks in and we realize that all the cookies we ate at our holiday parties went straight to our thighs! Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years it's not surprising that the average person gains 1-5 pounds over the holiday season. Here are 10 tips to head off that unwanted bulge and keep you looking great in your jeans!

1. Be realistic.  You should have a realistic goal. Let’s face it; losing weight is going to be tough amongst all of the temptation. To avoid disappointment, your goal should be to maintain your weight throughout the holiday season.
2. Stay strong.  You will busy shopping, preparing food and writing holiday cards. You will have every excuse in the book to skip your workouts. Stay disciplined and make the time. Schedule your workouts in your calendar if need be.
3. Work hard.  All you need is 20 minutes. If you challenge yourself, incorporate interval and circuit training, you can have a great workout in as little as 20 minutes. As we say at the gym, it's all about quality, not quantity.
4. Make everything count.  Park far away from the mall entrance and you will get in a good walk  while doing your holiday errands. Wear your sneakers so that you can do a few laps around the mall. And take the stairs instead of the escalator when possible.
5. Stay accountable.  Pick one day of the week to weigh yourself.  Get on the scale the same time every week to keep track of your weight. Consider doing this on Friday mornings, as soon as you wake up. Weighing yourself on Friday will motivate you to stay on track throughout the weekend.
6. Be smart.  Don’t skip meals before a holiday party. This is counter-productive, it will slow down your metabolism which means you will burn less calories. And to add to that, by party time you will be starving and your blood sugar will drop leading to poor food choices and overeating.
7. Have a plan.  When you get to the party, start with a glass of water or a club soda with a splash of juice. Alcohol enhances hunger. So if you reach for the alcoholic beverage first you are likely to eat more than you should. Once you have had a few appetizers then start alternating an alcoholic beverage with a glass of water. Not only will you cut out additional calories in your beverage, but you are less likely to overeat.
8. Just say no.  Stop eating once you are no longer hungry. If your host offers you more, it’s okay to refuse.  Be complimentary and polite, your host will understand.
9. Walk it off.  After the big holiday meal gather a few friends or relatives and go for a walk. Walking can aide in digestion and also burn a few of those extra calories from dinner.
10. Have fun.  If you deprive yourself it will likely lead to overindulging.  So go ahead and try a small dessert. Just remember, everything in moderation.

Happy Holidays!