Are holidays your hardest time to stay focused on healthy eating and maintaining your weight?

Do you pack on the pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years?

Are you convinced that everyone gains weight during the holidays?

Well, here's a shocking revelation....Holiday weight gain is NOT inevitable! Learn the secrets others employ that keep them sane and slim even through holiday festivities.

Here is a brief summary of an article I wrote for EzineArticles.com.

1. Plan ahead. Don't pretend like you don't know what your challenges are. Strategize new options and actions; make a commitment with yourself to follow through on the plan.

2. Don't eat like it's the Last Supper. Although you may eat a little more volume or variety on that day, keep it reasonable so you don't roll yourself away from the table and have to pop some Tums or chug Mylanta.

3. Keep up exercise. Don't let the "excuse" of busy-ness prevent you from staying on your exercise routine—even if it is a modified routine. Twenty minutes is better than nothing, and YOU KNOW you can spare 20 minutes for yourself if you set your mind to it.

4. Eat a healthy, balanced meal at home before you go to a holiday party. This strategy will keep you from eating a meal that may not be an optimal choice. If the party is at someone's house, bring something you can enjoy without guilt and that others might enjoy as well.

5. Limit alcohol. Liquid calories and sugar can really add up and not only add fat but also stop fat-burning potential. Also remember that alcohol is a depressant and makes you less inhibited to say "no" to things like food, makes you forget about eating, or convinces you that you haven't eaten much.

6. Drink more water. Drinking water helps fill you up before your meal and can rehydrate you after a glass of beer or a cocktail. If you don't like drinking cold water when it's cold outside, drink it at room temperature or heat it up with lemon or herbal tea.

7. Remember, it's a holiDAY, not a holiMONTH. Most holidays are just celebrated on one day. Keep that in mind and focus on enjoying the "exceptions" of the one day (instead of a week or a month), then get back to your regular eating routine the next day.

Use these simple tips to take the "gobble gobble" out of the season so you'll have less weight to lose once the new year comes around and you can focus on achieveing your weight loss goals more quickly. (Click here to read the full article)

For more information, free tools, and hypnosis CD's for Weight Loss (including my holiday special on "Healthy Holidays & Vacations"), visit http://www.hypnocoachlisa.com/

Live Fully!