Modern Moms -- you can have it all this holiday season - maintain your health and enjoy the time with friends, family and colleagues. This two part series provides tips for making it a happy and healthy holiday season.

The first 'secret to success' is preparation. Laying the right foundation for your holidays can make all the difference. Here are 10 tips to help you step off on the right foot

1. Commit today don't wait for 'after the holidays.' Making a commitment to a healthier holiday season is something you can feel good about; research shows that when we feel good about ourselves we make better decisions. So start the cycle today. And note that this doesn't mean foregoing all your favorites and feeling deprived; rather, commitment to health means making choices. Yes you can have your fruit cake, and eat it too but for how many days? In what portion? What if you made it as opposed to eating the one from the office gift box? And maybe you take a walk after the fruit cake to look at the lights on the street?

2. Think health, not just weight. Yes, weight management is important but more so is overall health. For example, eating preservatives such as hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and high fructose corn syrup found in many packaged holiday goodies present health risks that their homemade counterparts don't. Pick foods over food products most of the time; prioritize food quality and quantity for optimal health as well as weight management during the holidays.

3. Calendar management:

a. Commit to not overcommitting by identifying calendar 'no' days; these are days where you note that no matter what invite comes along you won't book something on those days.

b. Balance the calendar like a checkbook if you have to be out late one night then give yourself a mornings up to get up late; if the afternoon is heavy, keep the evening lighter etc.

4. Pick your favorites. We all have them whether its pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes 'n marshmallows, a special cocktail, an iced sugar cookie, or a honey-baked ham. Distinguish your favorites, plan to enjoy them (perhaps not all at the same meal), and plan to pass on the ones you don't care as much about.

5. Identify your support team. Maybe it's a group at home or colleagues at work or even some email pen pals, or a therapist, trainer, hair stylist, or nutritionist. Plan some check-ins as well as have one or two on emergency detail.

6. Make home a 'safe' zone. Talk with your kids, your spouse, and any house guests to limit the amount of holiday food in your house. If gifts come to the office, re-gift them to your officemates, clients, or service workers as appropriate. Also, identify a local charity, community center, or other donation option to help others enjoy the holidays as well.

7. Get active. From exercise to relaxation plan to fit it in according to what your body and soul need each day.

8. Turn shopping for others into time for you. Don your sneakers, park as far from the shops as possible, take a few extra laps to preview the store windows get in your activity first. Remember to eat before, hydrate throughout, and bring a snack if you envision shopping for longer than three hours.

9. Journal. Start now with writing down your food and activity each day. Being accountable to yourself (or another like a dietitian, trainer or an online ejournal) helps you to define limits especially on days where you encounter your favorite treats.

10. Pick your mantra a song, a poem, or a photo. What's going to get you smiling and keep you on track this year?

About ModernMom.com: Modern Mom ( www.modernmom.com) features smart and practical advice on topics such as parenting, finances, career, health, wellness, beauty, entertainment and more. Read more about Health & Wellness at http://www.modernmom.com/category/HealthWellness

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