Keeping Healthy: Staying Slim During the Holidays

We're smack dab in the middle of the biggest eating season.  It's hard to say no to all that delicious food - but there are ways to avoid gaining weight during this time of year.

"One thing to remember is it's a holiday," says Health and Wellness expert Pat salzer, "but we tend to extend it for so many days, weeks months. Then New Year's comes and there's that New Year's resolution so one thing to do is put the holiday in perspective food is one component of that but there's so much more to the holidays than that."

For one, it's about friends and family.  Salzer says it's not about depriving ourselves from the foods we love, but being mindful.  While we've passed thanksgiving - now, for many people holiday parties are the biggest temptation.

"What can happen is if you park yourself by that food table, it's way too tempting.  So a good idea is to take a look at everything on the table an prioritize what you want the most."

Then move away from the tasty treats and enjoy the company.  But don't forget about those liquid calories - they add up too.

"With alcoholic beverages we also need to keep in mind the calorie count...if let's say it's a mixed drink with a mixer that will have extra calories than just the calories of the alcohol."

Enjoy that glass of wine, but then switch to seltzer or water.  Salzer says most people tend to gain just one or two pounds during the holidays, but the problem is most people don't lose it, and then those pounds add up over time.  She says anything you can do to get in a little extra exercise this time of year is sure to help as well.