For many of us, when it comes to healthy habits and good eating, the holidays are a challenging time for us. All of sudden we are thrown into a real whirlwind of activity and if we are visiting family, there is a good chance that we will be quite tempted with assorted treats for days, or even months! Even if we've established better eating habits as adults, being back with family can pull us right into bad eating habits from our youth. People overeat for many different reasons, and whether it is due to stress, habit or simply being away from our normal routines, you'll find that the holidays are regular dietary pitfalls.

The problem with overeating during the holidays is that it can be so hard to get back to healthy eating afterwards. You might get on the scale and find that extra pounds to be quite disheartening, or you might simply find it very hard to return to good eating habits after so much excess. Good habits are just that, habits, and while they might be difficult to maintain, they can be distressingly easy to break. The holidays are typically a time when we give little thought to many things, but with healthy eating, like with so many other things, we need to pick them up again.

If you have gotten a little down over where you waistline has gone over the holidays, there are plenty of ways to get back on track. The important thing to do is to start now! It doesn't have to be anything big or dramatic, but losing weight and eating healthily has its own momentum. Just because it starts small doesn't mean that it stays that way. Take a look at a few things you can do to start getting better again.

Drink plenty of water. Not only will this help you suppress your appetite, you'll find that it keeps you healthier and feeling vibrant!

Do a little bit of calorie counting. Most people aren't terribly interested in counting every calorie that they consume, and you don't have to be either. Simply get a good idea regarding how many calories the things you usually eat contain and keep this in mind.

Find a form of exercise that that you like. You might not be into weightlifting or aerobics, but what about T'ai Chi and belly dancing? Think outside the box to get some good exercise and to make sure that you don't burn out, you can find other things to do that are similar.

Eat colorfully! The more exciting your food is, the better it tends to be for you. Especially during the winter months, splurge on some red, yellow or green bell peppers or some tomatoes. Eating this way can help your shape and your confidence.

There are plenty of things that can help you get back on track. Begin now by following the steps that I have given you. By exercising good judgment you will shed those excess pounds in no time.