Time for the obligatory column on how to stay relatively healthy during all the holiday parties and events. DON'T GO! Just kidding - that's not healthy either - too depressing.

 

1. Drinks. You know what I'm going to say. Alcohol itself is just empty calories, plus whatever you might mix it with could add a lot more calories and fat. If you drink a little too much, your inhibitions go down and then you're likely to eat more and worse. If you drink a lot too much, who knows what you might do? One strategy to consider is alternating an alcoholic drink with a water. Then you have a drink in your hand but not the danger. And water fills you up.

 

2. Location. Like in real estate, locating yourself at a party is all-important. Stay AWAY from the food and the bar. Stay NEAR other people and engage them in conversation. Meet new people. Avoid getting bored - you'll eat or drink or both to fill the void.

 

3. Ambience. Pay attention to the cues. Music, table setting, behavior, and other things make a big difference. Is the food presented as a nice buffet or a trough? If it's a trough, even more reason to stay away. You are not obligated to try everything.

 

4. Prepwork. Do some pre-eating so you're not hungry when you arrive, especially if you know the event will be a feeding frenzy. Do not skip meals the day of an event - you don't want any excuse to overeat. Drink plenty of water beforehand.

 

5. MOVE! Keep as active as you can. Passing out on the couch may be a tradition but it's not a necessity. Take a post-dinner stroll instead - you'll feel better.

 

6. Realism. Breaking even on the scales during the holidays is a great thing. Save the weight loss goal for January. Have fun, don't deprive yourself, but don't abandon all reason either.

 

OK. I said what I had to say.

Now I'm going to get drunk and break all the rules I just gave you. NOT!