You have adopted a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is part of your daily routine. You get your proper intake of fruits, vegetables and protein-rich lean meats. You’ve even managed to sneak in 8 hours of sleep a night. But something happens once a year that disrupts your sensible choices and your life. The holiday season. Somewhere between Thanksgiving and New Year’s your clothes start feeling a little snug and that scale dips a little further than it should. Read on for tips on how to keep that waistline trim during the holidays.

Snack before heading out

You’ll most likely be attending several holiday parties over the next couple of months. Sure, there will be copious amounts of heavy foods. To avoid stuffing yourself with those delicious looking pigs in a blanket, make sure you arrive to the party almost full. Make yourself a sandwich with lean turkey on whole grain bread or enjoy some yogurt sprinkled with low-fat granola and berries before heading out. The idea is to arrive at the bash full enough so you don’t pig out on everything in sight.

Limit your drinks

Wine, beer and spirits pack in the calories and contain a fair amount of sugar. Opt for light beers and diet mixers in your cocktails. If you’re a wine drinker, try adding some low-calorie club soda to your glass. It’ll cut out calories and make your drink last longer. And remember to drink one full glass of water for every cocktail you drink. This will not only keep you feeling full, but it will also keep you hydrated and potentially ward off any hangover effects.

Indulge…just a little

 Completely restricting your diet during the holidays is not the way to go. You’ll be miserable and will likely binge on fatty foods after the party. Pick one food at each party you can’t live without and satisfy your craving. This little indulgence of your mom’s cheesy potatoes au gratin or your best friend’s caramel apple pie won’t do too much damage to your waistline and it will definitely put a big smile on your face.

Don’t neglect your fitness routine

 With so many events to fit into your already-busy schedule, it’s easy to skip that spinning class. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t maintain your usual fitness routine. This is a great time to sneak in exercise in creative ways. Take a long walk around your neighborhood with friends to check out all the glittering Christmas lights and decorations. Bundle up and try ice skating at your local rink. And, hey, dancing the night away at a holiday party definitely counts as exercise. 

Alina Tarkhanian is the First Course editor.