Make sure that the turkey is the only thing getting stuffed this Year!

Yes it is possible

Thanksgiving... the second food based holiday of the season. The average American gains 7-12 pounds between Halloween and New Year’s. Last month we addressed challenges specific to Halloween. Thanksgiving typically begins the alcohol part of the Holiday season. If you are planning on enjoying the holiday festivities with social drinking here are some tips which will keep you from sabotaging your weight loss or health.

For those not already on a fitness or nutrition regimen, so also starts " It's the holiday season, I will start my diet on the first of the year- itis."

If you haven't started a fitness program yet, why wait ? Why not give yourself the gift of a fit, trim body this year ? You can have a good time this holiday season without finding yourself 10 pounds heavier in January.

1. Keep your goals firmly planted in your mind. We all get caught up from time to time. While in the moment, it is easy to lose sight of your ultimate vision and why you began your fitness or nutrition program in the first place.

I always spend time, prior to the beginning of the Holiday season, reinforcing our client's "Why's." How will your life be better when you are living at your goal weight? What will you be wearing? How will you be feeling? Where will you feel more confident or energetic? How will your weight loss benefit your family ? How are you feeling in your current condition? Why the heck do you want to lose this weight anyway?

2. Avoid the "All or nothing" mentality. Let's face it, no one's perfect. Chances are, there will be a time or two when you go overboard. Don't let this lead into an "I already blew it" binge that lasts until January 1st. No one or two days is going to make or break your fat loss efforts. The key is to get right back on track the next day and consider adding some extra cardio in to work off the extra calories.

3. Make a plan. Plan how much you are going to drink before you go out and stop when you've reached your limit.

4. Have something healthy and filling to eat before you go out. Food slows the rate of the alcohol absorption. Drinking on a full stomach will also limit your alcohol intake.

5. Have non alcoholic 'spacer' between drinks like sparkling water, juice or diet soda. Alternate alcoholic drinks with these non alcoholic alternatives.

6. Avoid drinking in rounds. This will allow you to drink at your own pace and to control your consumption.

7. Avoid cream-based cocktails and sweet specialty drinks.

8. Compare the alcohol content of different drinks and select those with lower content.

9. Mix your drinks with diet soft drinks or water or choose light beer instead of full strength.

Dianne Villano is the president of CUSTOM BODIES which has been serving the Tampa Bay with fat loss and body shaping programs since 1996, Dianne is a contributing writer for over 20 on and offline media outlets. You can grab a FREE copy of her ULTIMATE HOLIDAY FITNESS SURVIVAL GUIDE – How to Actually Lose Weight Throughout the Holidays at www.mypersonalfitnesscoach.com