1. Don't plan for those holiday traditions that want to compete with your valuable time to finish up work at the office or to watch the latest Christmas special on TV. The importance of those special times together with your family and the memories will certainly fade from everyone's mind soon enough-along with the true meaning of the holiday. Or Make a list of all your families holiday traditions, from cookie baking to Christmas caroling. Keep only the ones you absolutely love. Schedule them in your calendar and let go of the rest-guilt free. Enjoy the special moments that create long lasting memories.

2. Be sure to shop on the weekends so you can experience the stress and tension of standing in long lines and of course, wait until the week before to make your selections. Hopefully, your Aunt Tilda will love that polka dot sweater you grabbed off the rack since it was the best of the worst left in the store! Or Take one vacation day early in the month, preferably a weekday, to "power shop" without fighting crowds or dealing with last minute pressure.

3. "Save up" calories by not eating all day before your holiday meal or party. That way you can eat twice as much when the meal or food finally comes around (and you will!), but, what the heck-feeling stuffed and miserable is just a part of the holiday season. Or

Eat breakfast, a light, nutritious lunch, and when the big dinner or party comes around you'll feel much more in control of your appetite. A light snack just before, such as some soup or fruit, works great as well. Don't use the holidays as an excuse to overeat!

4. Deny yourself all the special holiday treats that come along this time of year, even though by doing so that's all you can think about! Forget that whenever you've tried this in the past you ended up bingeing. That way when it happens you'll have an excuse-you forgot! Or Special foods are a natural part of holiday celebrations and denial will often trigger bingeing. Moderation is the key. Enjoy smaller portions of some of the "special" holiday foods you enjoy. Remember, if your eating healthy most of the time-and getting in some activity-your fine.

5. Don't exercise at all during the holidays. You have too much to do and it's just not a priority. Instead, let the stress that builds up as a result give you the energy to keep you going. Besides-there's always that New Years resolution you make every year to make fitness a part of your lifestyle-and you'll really mean it this time! Or Give yourself the best gift of all during the holidays-exercise. A 20-30 minute walk, three days a week; skating or sledding with the kids; a romp in the snow; snowball fights, using that fitness club membership you paid big bucks for, long walks with friends or family are all good choices. Just get active any way you can and in ways you enjoy. Exercise is the single best way to maintain your weight and relieve stress during the holidays.

6. Don't think ahead, deal with those holiday challenges as they come up. You know what to do-it's easy. Except for that party last Friday when you had too much to drink and lost all your resolve to eat healthy or the one before that