Sticking to a healthy eating plan and regular exercise can be challenging, no matter what time of year. But the holiday season, with its social gatherings and excessive amounts of baked goods, is the toughest time of year to indulge with moderation. Here are some of my favorite ways to avoid the holiday weight gain!

Always plan ahead. If you’re attending an event, make sure to eat a high-protein snack before you get there. The protein will keep you fuller longer than a high-carbohydrate snack and making objective choices about what you’re eating is easier when you’re not starving.

Don’t drink your calories. Liquid calories are just as important as the ones you eat. Drink lots of water to stay well hydrated and avoid holiday cocktails that are made with heavy cream, sweetened juices or sour mixes. Instead, sip a glass of red wine or opt for clear alcohols with club soda and a splash of lime, and have a glass of water between each drink.

Focus on the holidays, not the food. The holidays are really about spending time with the people we love, creating memories and celebrating traditions. Find different things to do with your loved ones that don’t revolve around food. Stay active together, try a new exercise class together, go ice-skating, or even take a painting class to create memories revolving around the fun you had instead of what you ate.

Avoid emotional eating. Along with food, the holidays can also bring extra stress, and turning to food for comfort is easy because there’s so much of it around this time of year. No matter how busy you are make sure to take at least 30 minutes for yourself every day.

Make exercise a priority. Don’t skip your morning workout because you overindulged the night before. Instead use it as motivation to get you out of bed and give your workout everything you’ve got. Sneak in exercise as much as you can, try taking the stairs, doing sit-ups during TV commercials, parking a little further from the store, walking a few extra blocks before jumping into a cab. Any extra time you spend raising your heart rate is better than not doing anything at all, and you won’t feel as bad if you do skip a workout or two.

Jacqueline Banks is a certified Holistic Health Counselor focused on nutrition and green living strategies. She works with women in all stages of motherhood, from mothers struggling with conception, through pregnancy, lactation and beyond to ensure the best health and nutrition for both mother and baby.