Ladies, those magical and fat-filled Holidays are just around the corner. Bountiful arrays of foods to entice you to feast on, high-cal drinks and constant snacks are all soon within reach. Possible unwanted pounds could be gained all too easily because of the eating variety this time of year brings. But, if pounds are undesired, why go out of your way to stuff face during all those holiday feasts and family gatherings?

Don't cave and use the Holidays as an excuse to overindulge on all those hearty and unhealthful eatables. Instead, consider some alternatives to avoid an all too familiar holiday weight gain.

Clearly, most holiday foods are super fatty and high in calorie content, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can't enjoy some of your favorite eats. Just be smart and attempt to cut back on their fatty and caloric values.

Start With a Fatty Cut Back:

• Initially, start your day off with a generous breakfast, especially one full of protein. Eating protein is proven to keep you satisfied, as it takes longer to actually digest.

• When partying, arrive with something already in your stomach. This way you'll be less inclined to feast and constantly snack. Ideally, eat a little snack or small salad before you celebrate festivities at friends' parties.

• Avoid eating those sweets! Sugar cravings lead to an increased carbohydrate intake, which is detrimental when in excess. And when carbohydrate cravings are indulged upon a nasty cycle of continued carb consumption will ensue. Avoid those simple carbohydrates, and opt for complex ones instead, as they are more healthful and will sate your cravings more efficiently.

• Constant running and shopping may keep you from eating well. Keep your kitchen stacked and supplied with an eclectic food selection. Mundane pantries lead to bland eating habits and poor health. Be varied and healthful instead, keeping in mind low fat and low cal eats!

• Drinking on an empty stomach is also a no go. Always have a little something to eat while you're drinking, as this can stop you from getting tipsy and being irrational with your holiday eating, or more typically, binging.

• A fan of turkey? Opt to eat better and healthier with your birds. Choose skinless white meat rather than dark meat turkey.

The manner in which you cook during the holidays is also a way to maintain your weight, shed pounds and just be mindful of unnecessary fats and calories.

Holiday Cooking Tips:

• Pass your homemade gravy through a skimmer before serving to cut the fat and calories.

• Opt to cook your stuffing outside the holiday bird and in a separate baking dish. External stuffing contains fewer calories and fat than stuffing cooked inside a turkey.

• Provide items for family and friends at parties that are very low-cal and low-fat, such as a fresh fruit salad and steamed vegetables topped with lemon juice and herbs. And for snacking, serve pretzels and low-fat snack mixes instead of starchy, greasy chips and doodles.

• Plate basic baked potatoes with your meals instead of sugary candied yams.

• Instead of serving a rich, decadent pecan pie serve a humble and healthful apple pie topped with fat free frozen yogurt.

• Using leftover meats from meals on sandwiches, use mustard instead of mayonnaise.

In tandem with these healthful cut backs and cooking tips, you have to also stay active. Being sedentary over the holidays is asking for a weight gain. So, exercise! If anything, use exercise as a means to relieve built up holiday stress from all the shopping, in laws and frigid weather.

While working out, focus. Be clear-minded and intent on your activity at hand. When focus is accomplished, you'll be able to exercise hard and well. This done, you will allow natural endorphins to be released from your brain to all parts of your body, which will boost your energy and better your overall mood.

Also, go to the gym if time allows it. Most people are hibernating this time of year and not trudging to a gym, but use this to your advantage. Go, work out and leave in a jiff. You'll gain a slim and sleeker physique for the upcoming spring and that's a definite plus.

If you follow these helpful holiday tips you'll be able to watch what you eat, cook well and be inspired to keep active during this most wonderful time of the year. Ladies, it's up to you!