How to Survive Holiday Parties Without Gaining Weight

As your calendar gets filled with social engagements, you may be concerned about maintaining healthy behaviors. The good news is, with a few easy "to-do's" added in, you could survive the most tempting holiday party.

Your best bet is to make a PLAN ahead of time. The following suggestions are simple - yet they could make the difference between sabotage and success:

• On the day of the party, use HMR Shakes with fruit and Entrées with lots of vegetables for a low-calorie breakfast and lunch. Think more is better. . .If you usually have one entrée for lunch, try two; if you usually have three or four vegetables with your entrée, have five or more. Eat as many as it takes to feel really full and crowd out higher calorie food choices.
  
• Right before you leave, have another shake to take the edge off your hunger.
  
• Plan in an extra walk or two (even if it's a short one!) on the days leading up to the party.
  
• Offer to bring a low-calorie dish. This way, you know there will be a healthy option - not just for you, but for others who might be watching their weight too.

If you do overeat, don't get discouraged. Compensate by reducing your calories for a few days later that week, and adding in some extra physical activity.