Christmas time is truly the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a combination of the music, the lights, and the weather. The leaves that fell during fall clear away, and the cold takes over. The cold keeps us indoors, and we eat warm food around our loved ones.

But all too often we indulge in the holiday food a bit too feverishly. Christmas food is basically the same as Thanksgiving food, but with more desserts. Who doesn’t love deserts? YOUR BODY. THATS WHO.

Admitted, desserts taste delicious, but when combined with all the meals you eat, people begin to get concerned with their weight. So, here’s a few tips to keep your scale from saying “please step off.”

Firstly, slow down on sodas. Yes, that means Dr. Pepper, Coke, Sprite, etc… Sodas serve no benefits for your body, aside from a short lived burst of energy. When in doubt, stick to a water or some sort of juice.

Instead of gorging yourself on 2-3 massive meals, try to eat more consistently throughout the day. Eat somewhere in the range of five light meals a day. It keeps your appetite at bay, and in turn keeps your temptation at bay.

Exercise! Do SOMETHING. Walk your dog, take the stairs, do a jumping jack. Doing something is always better than doing nothing. Exercise increases your metabolism, which allows you to burn food faster. Exercise more, so that you can eat more (but that shouldn’t be your main motivation.)

Lastly, relax. When people are stressed they tend to eat high-fat food. If you’re having a bad day, flop on the couch, take a deep breath, kick your dog (not really), and keep a positive mindset. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and YOU decide whether or not you want to enjoy it!