Yep holiday season is here!

People are bracing themselves for another three weeks or so of parties, drinking and lots of festivities. The month of December can be overwhelming!

It is helpful to enter the holidays with a plan so you can stay on track. Check out the 5 easy tactics to utilize this holiday season…

Tips to avoid holiday weight gain:

• Set boundaries- Stay clear of the lunchroom at your office, this is entirely doable. For most of us working in an office the holiday treats pile up in the kitchen. There is no better way to avoid eating those tantalizing treats than stay clear of the kitchen. During the holidays take you lunch outside or eat at your desk.
• Make it worth eating- Going to multiple parties a week, make sure you choose a treat you really enjoy. No point in wasting empty calories on fruitcake if you can’t stand the taste.
• Make a plan before heading out to a party-Be sure you eat beforehand. Eat protein-egg, cheese, chicken or turkey slices, so you don’t succumb to temptation from fatty foods and desserts.
• Stick to lower alcohol beverages- alcohol enters our bloodstream without burning extra calories; unlike we do when digesting carbs, fat and protein. Choose champagne, red or white wine or light beer and completely avoid the cocktails, which are often higher in calories than a holiday brownie.
• Watch the  hor d’oeuvres-don’t fool yourself by thinking you will only be eating carrots and celery during cocktail hour, you will only fall prey to eating fried cheese balls and egg rolls. Plan on choosing protein style hor d’oeuvres-crab cakes, meatballs and chicken drummets and limit the amount of hor d’oeuvres to no more than three or four.