6 Ways to Savor Your Way Slimmer

The year's not over yet. For most people, that means at least another couple of weeks of thumbprint cookies, glasses of eggnog, and end-to-end parties . . . closely followed by a bigger belly and a serious resolution to ring in the New Year with a no-nonsense diet and some serious fitness-club trotting. Trouble is, holiday overindulging doesn't just spell a tighter pair of pants; it can also alter your metabolism -- and not for the better. Need proof? A recent Swedish study found that just 4 weeks of overeating can lead to insulin resistance, a not-too-pretty condition that tells your body to store calories as fat instead of burning them for energy.

The secret to emerging healthier -- and maybe even trimmer -- from the holidays (and from more cookies than Imelda Marcos had shoes) is to test drive our top damage control tricks.

• Eat like a 4-year-old. Kids who are picky eaters are skinny for a reason: They choose only what they want, not everything they can get their hands on. Because they eat less overall, they polish off less addictive saturated fat, sugar, salt, and calories. So instead of sampling everything that goes by, stick with a few holiday favorites. And ditch the now-or-never mentality. There's nothing on the menu that you, your mom, or your spouse can't whip up anytime of year if you really want it.


• Make a playbook. You wouldn't want your favorite football team to walk onto the field without a plan, would you? Even the Cleveland Browns have a plan. Well, holiday eating isn't any different. When you wing it, you're more likely to end the evening in defeat. Instead, spend a few minutes mapping out a game plan of what you're going to sample and what you're going to snub. That way, you can indulge intelligently and close out the celebration with a greater percentage of victories than the CAVs and Lakers combined.


• Make a YOU-Turn, if you need to. Let's say you wolf down a piece of pecan pie or a couple of pigs-in-a-blanket (it happens). Does that mean you've blown the whole day/week/season? Hardly. Instead of wallowing in guilt -- which will only make you want to gorge even more -- brush yourself off and plan to do better next time.


• Mingle. You don't have to ditch your buddies entirely, but a recent study reveals that when people eat with strangers, they eat less than when they're with friends. Besides, you never know who you'll meet.


• Befriend the buffet. Those passed hors d'oeuvres seem so small and innocent. But it's hard to keep track of what you're eating when you're randomly taking a bite here or a nibble there. It's better to head to the buffet and grab a salad plate instead of one of those oversized dinner plates. Then, think big portions of low-cal foods (you know, fruit, veggies, and whole grains) to balance out smaller portions of heavier holiday goodies. And don't go to fill it twice.


• Count liquid calories, too. Holiday cheer in a glass doesn't just deliver calories; it also lowers your resistance, making you eat way more than you'd planned. In fact, Scottish researchers found that a little libation before your meal can cause you to wolf down a whopping 30% more calories. The more ingredients that are in your drink (think eggnog and champagne punch), the more calories it's likely to pack. To keep liquid calories in check, set a two-drink maximum. Long night ahead? Then alternate your cocktails with sparkling water. You'll cut down on alcohol and stay hydrated, both of which can leave you feeling far better tomorrow. Maybe not great, but far better.