We are all victims of emotional eating. Its the simplest form of self-sabotage that will derail any flat stomach diet before you can finish your first ho-ho, brownie, or slice of pizza.

Its time to put a stop to emotional eating. Its time to stop letting life get in our way and eating because we had a bad day, a great day or a so-so day.  Its time to overcome our moments of weakness and make sure that no matter how delicious that plate of cookies look – you have bigger and better places to go – and those cookies will not help you get there. Read the full story

Its the most wonderful time of the year!!! They’ll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting….

Now that I have that song stuck in your head…but really for many the next few weeks are a WONDERFUL time of the year – a time for family, friends, crazy shopping experiences, and a time to be grateful for what you have around you.

Its also a time for lots of sweet treats, good food, and glasses of wine! All you have to do is wear that baggy sweater in your closet and the spandex pants to the party so you won’t feel how tight your clothes are getting – right?

WRONG!!

This holiday season you’re going to stay in your skinny jeans and make it through the parties and the toasted marshmallows without worrying about your weight or having an EXTRA 5lbs to lose in the New Year! How?

Well, I’ve enlisted the help of my friends and fellow trainers on Twitter and Facebook to offer their own suggestions for keeping off the holiday pounds. Try one of the tips below and stick to your flat stomach diet this holiday season.

The Question:

Whats your BEST tip for staying away from holiday treats and sticking to your flat stomach diet?

Their answers:

Teresa Ann Hanson – Have an alternative food so you don’t feel like your missing out

Linda Paoletti Muszynski/Leslie Cooper Unterburger – Putting my jeans on!

Lauren Englehardt – Remind yourself why you are doing this – not just for looks but for your health too!

Stacey Corwin – Suck on mentholated cough drops at a party – they make EVERYTHING taste bad!

Heather Sloan Griffin – Eat some fruit before you go to the party and lots of water too – they’ll fill you up so you won’t be tempted

Abby Campbell – PLAN PLAN PLAN and MORE planning!!!

Remind Yourself What You Want Your Body to Look Like

Carrie Mandela – Competition Prep!

Christina Winkle – Motivate yourself with what’s coming up in the New Year – “I want to wear a nice dress and show of my toned arms”

Carun Braunstein – Don’t let too much time go between meals so that you get TOO hungry and make a bad decision about what you eat.

Barbara Server – I get two cheat meals a week, so I try and plan them around the holiday parties

Inga Duncan Thornell – Keep a journal and make sure to count your calories.

Patti Skok – Keep in mind all the hard work you put in all year to maintain your health and fitness.

Linda Covert Robinson – Think about the jeans…jeans can be SO uncomfortable when they are tight!

Holly Rigsby – Rid yourself of self-sabotaging view… Instead think about what you can do to keep you fat loss efforts in check.

Sheryl Hawkins – Eating consistently each day…Staying full, keeping your metabolism rev’d…drink a protein shake on your way out the door to a party…avoid starchy carbs and if I want a little dessert – I have a small portion and consider it a ‘treat night’….When this is a lifestyle, we don’t take vacations from our goals, health or happiness! Don’t let Nay-Sayers get you down – we’ll hear a lot of insecure comments, each one should put a smile on your face, as no one ever criticizes those making the same “MISTAKES” they are!

Thanks to everyone on Facebook and Twitter who helped me put this list together!! I hope you all have a safe, happy and a fitness filled holiday season!

Did I miss a tip? How do you stay away from Holiday treats? I’d love to know and so would everyone else! Add your tip below!

by Holly Rigsby

(Busy Mom Fat Loss Expert and Author FitYummyMummy.com – Founder ClubFYM.com)
Holiday sweets are some of my FAVORITE sweets of the WHOLE year! This year, I’m determined to eat in moderation and not let my fitness goals go out the window. I knew that I couldn’t write the best article about avoiding sweet treats on my own, so I looked to the help of a Fat Loss Expert – Holly Rigsby.  She sent me this GREAT Holiday Sweet Survival Guide that was just too good to keep for myself! So, please enjoy this sweet read, while avoiding the sweet treats this Holiday season.

Holiday Sweets are Everyone’s Concern over the holidays.

Overeat sugary sweets and your body goes into fat storage mode for your body releases more insulin, a powerful hormone that signals your body to store fat.

Treating yourself too often will most certainly…

- zap your energy
- disrupt your concentration and focus
- impair your immune system
- elicit mood swings
- accelerate the aging process
- increase cravings
- contribute to the Dreaded Holiday Weight Gain

Overeat sugary sweets and your body goes into fat storage mode as your body releases more insulin, a powerful hormone that signals your body to store fat.

Sugar is the Anti-Slimming Nutrient.

What is a Fit Yummy Mummy in the making to do?

You can enjoy the season and the best foods it has to offer without sacrificing your waistline. The following Holiday Sweets Survival Guide will help you practice Smart Indulging so you can Stay Slim this season.

Rest assured that you can enjoy your favorite Holiday Sweets! I created a 3 Step Holiday Sweets Survival Guide to help you practice Smart Indulging so you can Stay Slim and on track this season.

1. Have a Sweet Treats Plan

The best way to not blow it is to plan ahead and know when you will treat yourself. This will help you stay on track – you have something to look forward to and you are not depriving yourself (which only leads to more intense urges to over-indulge).

2. Do Not Skip Meals

Skipping meals to “save room” for your sweets treats will only slow your metabolism down, so the fat storing impact of sugar has a greater effect on your body’s ability to gain holiday pounds. Instead, eat supportive meals every 3 to 4 hours throughout the day. This will keep you satisfied and boost your metabolism – lessening the effect of sugar on your waistline.

3. Avoid Sugary Drinks

If you want to keep your sugar level in check, don’t waste your consumption on a soda, juice or fancy coffee. Save these “empty” calories for the treats you truly desire.

4. Check your Self-Talk

Rid yourself of self-sabotaging views – such as “I need to eat this, it’s the holidays, they only come once a year.”  This type of thinking will only cause you to spiral out of control with little to no concern of the choices you make each day. Instead think about what you can do to keep you fat loss efforts in check.

The most important tip….Practice Moderation!!!!

Keep your sweet treats in check, schedule your Short Burst Exercises and enjoy a slim and trim body throughout the holidays.

Trying to lose your holiday weight or get a jumpstart on your New Year’s Resolution? Try Holly Rigsby’s 7-Step Quick Start Guide for the 7 Successful Habits of a Fit Yummy Mummy.  You too can reach your fitness goals and be fit BEFORE the New Year!