It’s December 4th and things are getting dangerous now: holiday shopping, office parties, neighborhood open houses, baking. Dodging, weaving and running out of self-control? How about some strategies to get us through the next 27 days and into 2013?

In an earlier post I wrote briefly about expectations and keeping them realistic. An example of a realistic expectation for this time of year is not that you will continue to lose 1-2# each week. Unless you are committed to finding time for 60 minutes of physical activity daily and are willing to become a martyr at the mere sight of holiday appetizers, weight loss as an expectation will just add a heaping helping of stress to your already over-filled plate. Instead, aim for weight maintenance.

Now I suspect that you have heard these tricks before but they bear repeating because they do work. Let’s start with the concept of moderation.

Moderation can mean:

• Eating/drinking less of. One way to cut the calories of an item is to eat a smaller portion or dilute a cocktail with a non-caloric mixer.
• Having a particular food or beverage less often. If eggnog is a festive treat for you, enjoy a serving at only one event instead of every possible opportunity.
• Find a low cal/low fat substitute. Did you know that you can actually buy low-fat eggnog?

And don’t arrive hungry. Have a salad or hot cup of soup at home to curb your appetite. Take the time to look over the options on the buffet and grab the smallest plate that you can find. Now with a beverage in one hand and your plate in the other head for the opposite side of the room and visit with folks that you haven’t seen since barbecue season. After all, holiday gatherings are about connecting with family and friends. The food is just a nice perk.