Enjoy Holiday Hoopla Without Gaining a Pound

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the average person gains "only" about a pound between mid-November and the beginning of January, which is slightly comforting if you're worried nothing in your closet will fit come New Year's. But the bad news is, the study also found that the extra holiday padding didn't come off during the following year — and slapping on an extra pound every time December rolls around can add up to a big cumulative gain. Fear not! If you strategize you can still enjoy the special sweets and treats of the season without blowing your diet. Here are some of my best tips to keep you on the straight and narrow (for the most part, anyway) as the season's festivities shifts into full gear.