If you're like me, you love the holidays and the never-ending food that comes with it. But, also like me, I'm sure you sometimes go overboard on everything from bread and meat to desserts and high calorie beverages. So, before you're knee-deep into the holiday season and eating everything you see, I'm offering some advice that will allow you to enjoy the holidays guilt-free. The trick is to lose the five or so pounds now that you're sure to gain during the holidays. Yes, that means that everyone must go on a 30-day diet, or let's just say cut back significantly if that makes you feel better. After the 30 days, you can over-indulge on your favorite holiday eats to a degree without gaining any extra pounds. But you have to start now! It is a completely doable goal that is easily attainable. Plus, it's so nice to eat without the quilt. So, let's do all we can to ensure that the battle of the bulge doesn't win this holiday season. No one wants another year of those extra three, five, or more pounds that tend to not only stay on our waistlines all year, but they like to pick up a few friends (more pounds) to join them throughout the year. Drum roll... Here are lagwriter's tips to prepping your stomach for all the holiday treats you'll be eating at least until the first week of January 2017.

1. Severely limit or omit your bread intake. There will be plenty of rolls that need to be eaten the next two months, so you can cut back no matter how much you think you love bread. Remember, bread doesn't love you back so you two need a break from each other. 2. If you drink alcohol, it's time to go on a self-induced detox for a few weeks if you can or cut back to only a few drinks per week. Alcohol has many more calories than many people realize, so don't waste your calories on it. 3. Don't even think about having any fried food, especially fried chicken wings ... the fattiest part of the chicken. You and your beloved fried chicken can stand to be apart for thirty days. This way, it'll be a great reconnection when you meet again.

4. While you're limiting your bread intake, you may want to completely omit pasta from your diet while you're prepping your stomach for holiday meals. Nothing fills you up and bloats your belly like pasta. You don't need that. Pasta is the enemy, at least for four weeks. Just hold onto the thought that the make-up eating will be epic.

5. You absolutely must do some form of exercise, whether it's walking, running, or other light cardio. Stretching and yoga or some type of weight training is important too since you lose muscle as you get older. Just make sure you're exercising for at least 30 minutes 4-5 times per week. If you can manage to exercise for an hour every time, you'll be that much closer to meeting your goal.

6. Drink more water and try to omit sugary drinks, especially soda. I'm so surprised that many people don't generally drink enough water. It's such a basic and easy way to flush out your system.

If you follow these few tips, you'll be well on your way to NOT gaining any extra pounds this holiday season. Good luck!

What's your guilty eating pleasure during the holidays?

#holidays #food #exercise #healthyeating #health