Festive parties, family gatherings and an abundance of left-overs can tempt any of us to over indulge, but there are some simple tips to avoiding the typical seasonal weight gain:

·       Have healthy snacks before you go. If you know you’ll be attending an event with tempting treats, try eating a salad or snacking on some fruit before going out the door. You’ll find yourself less likely to eat too much.

·       Make sure to get sleep. Lack of sleep not only contributes to stress (which can make you want to eat more), but also causes weight gain.  Researchers at the University of Bristol found that those who got less than 8 hours of sleep a night were more likely to carry extra pounds than those who got their shut-eye.

·       Keep moving. Taking part in regular exercise will not only help to prevent seasonal weight gain, but will help to reduce stress and improve the quality of your sleep.

·       Go ahead and enjoy in moderation. Peruse the table or buffest and carefully choose the items that you really want to splurge on and take a bite or two. If you take the time to savor each bite, you’ll find that you can be satiated with a smaller amount.

·       Drink plenty of pure water. This simple trick will help you to feel full and will also help to keep you hydrated when enjoying a glass of wine or champagne.