Since you’ve been trying to be good about your nutrition, are you worried about how to survive the upcoming holidays? Thanksgiving dinner(s), Christmas parties, sweets and candies galore – oh my!

Here are few tips to help you through the upcoming weeks in general:

• Pick your days. If you know you have a party to attend or a really busy schedule, then plan your days around those events. Go ahead and schedule workouts on your calendar NOW for all the way through Dec. 31. Book 3 to 5 days every week to workout, and limit your “cheat” days to no more than 3 per month.
• Drink your water! If you must have a favorite holiday beverage, limit it to just one and be sure to count it in your calories for the day.
• No mindless eating. When it’s time to eat, just eat! No TV, no phone, no distractions. You’ll end up eating less – and enjoying it more – when you pay attention to your food.
• Track your intake. Whether you count calories or track containers with the 21 Day Fix Eating Plan, tracking will help keep you from overeating.
• Be accountable to someone. Not your spouse – they’ll be too nice (or too mean) to you! Find a friend who is focusing on Clean Eating right now, too. I’m happy to be that friend! Share what your plans are as well as your goals. Saying it to someone else increases your commitment and likelihood of success!

When it comes to those big holiday meals, keep these tips in mind:

• Drink your water! I know – I said that yesterday. I mean it differently this time. About 10-15 minutes before time to eat your big meal, drink 8 to 16 oz of water. It will help occupy space in your stomach, leaving less room for those calorie-laden dishes.
• Fill you salad plate. If a salad in an option, then start your meal with salad and the lightest dressing option you have. If it’s not an option, then use your salad plate for your meal. It will hold less food than you could fit onto a regular plate, but it will still look like a lot of food because of the small space.
• Load up on veggies and protein. Take a smaller portion of dressing or macaroni and cheese. You’ll get the nutrition you need without all the heavy carbs. And you might not need that classic post-dinner, carb-induced nap!
• Avoid sauces and gravy. They add calories you can often live without eating.
• Lighten your recipes. If you have any control over the cooking of any of the dishes, remember my Simple Swaps. Try to make your dishes lighter, and see if anyone even notices the change you made to the recipe!
• NO starving!! Don’t send your body into fat storage mode by eating only one huge meal that day. Eat something at the other meals times, even if it’s smaller or lighter than your normal choices.

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