I have a work-related holiday party to go to this weekend, and - don't hate me - I'm looking FORWARD to it.  I can't wait to enjoy that glass of wine, that deliciously prepared meal, and that rich dessert around people I find good company.  The fact that I don't have to pay for it is icing on the cake.

Hmmm...how come she's not dreading it you're wondering.  What about all those extra calories and fat?  I don't even go to MY work parties anymore, you say.  I can't handle being around all that food.

What's my secret?  It's not a secret - it's a PLAN.  I'm going to...

1.  Work out HARD in the morning.  There's a class at my local gym (I go to Lifetime) called Total Conditioning that leaves me DRIPPING with sweat.  It's a tough, non-stop circuit workout that pushes my boundaries.  If you've been working out a while, go for it.  If you're newer to the game, find something that challenges you at YOUR level - a step class, a 20-30 minute run, an hour-long power walk.  Just do something.

2.  Get a little extra in here and there during the day.  I'm going to walk my dog and clean the house.  Doing so, I'll burn an extra 200-300 calories than if I sat on the couch.

3.  Eat a light and healthy breakfast and lunch and have a small snack about 3 hours before the party.  For me, this will be bowl of steel cut oats in the morning, some veggies and chicken for lunch, and a small shake (fruit + protein powder) in the late afternoon.

4.  Drink water and herbal tea to stave off hunger during the day.  Tea does a great job of satiating my appetite - just make sure you don't drink too much caffeinated tea as it's dehydrating.

5.  Enjoy every minute of it.  I'm not going to gulp my wine or stuff my face.  I'm going to cherish the gift of good company, drink, and food.  Focusing on gratitude slows me down and makes me happy.  The fact that I'm eating less becomes an afterthought.

6.  Stop eating before feeling full.  Pay attention to your body.  You know that sick feeling you get when you've eaten too much?  Why end what would have been a wonderful evening on that note?  Tell yourself you want to leave feeling good, not gross.

It's sad how our obsession with the scale has caused us to dread a time when we should be enjoying one another's company and honoring the work we do for each other.  The holidays don't have to be a time when your health gets shoved to the backburner.  Make it a priority - and allow yourself to have some fun at the same time by making and following a plan.