Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, the pumpkin-spice-flavored everything is already abundant and you can already feel the threat of an impending weight gain.

Did you know studies are saying Americans will gain between 1 and 10 pounds on average between Halloween and New Year’s Day? That is crazy! But, the most troubling fact is that most Americans never will lose that extra “holiday” weight.

If you don’t have a game plan for the holidays, I can pretty much guarantee you will easily go tumbling down the sugar cookie and eggnog slope. The temptations literally around every corner, those festive parties and treats ganging up on your waistline in the form of hundreds or thousands of excess calories, all spell bad news for your weight-loss goals. Or this might be the holiday season that forces you into the need for weight loss goals next year!

So, before you even pull out your sweat pants and gear up for Thanksgiving, try to save yourself from the inevitable food-induced coma. Extra weight can lead to poor budgeting habits, unneeded stress and health issues.

Just know if you want to make it through this holiday season without losing any ground or even better than when you went in, you absolutely must have a game plan! And if you are worried about falling short of your goals, take comfort in knowing that by even just having a plan you will make it through the holidays better than most.

Now let’s talk about developing a plan that works for you, using some of these tips:

• If you’re hosting any dinners or events, make sure to send guests home with leftovers.
• DON’T OVERBUY! Are you purchasing a giant turkey for your family of 4? Enough potatoes to feed the neighborhood? Buying and cooking proper portions for 1-2 meals will help your bank account and your waistline.
• Make your house a “safe zone.” Don’t stock it full of cookies and holiday treats; this makes it easier to take control of your eating habits when you are at home. Which ends up giving you more wiggle room to cheat during parties and events.
• Eat a snack before big meals. If you deprive yourself of meals in an attempt to cut calories, you’re MUCH more likely to over-indulge.
• The holidays are a high-stress season. In fact, law enforcement, mental health professionals and counselors all go on “red alert” due to the well-documented stressors of the season! So you can fight this by eliminating the stress wherever you can and this might lead to fewer cravings and less “stress-eating.”
• Forego the feast all together and have your family volunteer at a soup kitchen, or cook for a less-fortunate family.

I see a lot of families stress more about a meal, instead of focusing on spending time together. This season start a new tradition, where your holidays are about hanging out with each other, blessing others and not freaking out over a bird or pig!

Tell me what you have planned for your family this year. And be sure to “Like” and “Share” today’s post on Facebook or Twitter. And pass this Holiday Survival Kit along to your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors!

The extra calories aren’t the only threat to your goals, is your wallet is trembling with fear already? Don’t worry, I’ll get to how to save your bank account this holiday season next week. So stay tuned!

This Sunday is The Dani Johnson Show at 9 pm ET/8 pm CT, so be sure to write yourself a reminder and join us then!

In great faith,

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