The average person gains weight between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

And then we fret about it.

I don’t want you to worry about holiday weight gain or stress about the upcoming holiday season. Here are seven steps to help you thrive during the upcoming holiday season:

1. Plan Your Indulgences.

We all have a favourite holiday food, but that doesn’t mean we have to eat it in excess every time we see it during the holiday season. Make a plan for yourself and stick to it. Decide where you will indulge and where you will pass.

If you eat 80% healthy, then there’s plenty of room to indulge the remaining 20% of the time. This approach will keep you feeling comfortable in your clothing and healthy in your choices all year long.

2. Sneak in Exercise.

Time gets really tight with all the shopping, cooking and parties that come up during the holiday season. And you may be tempted to remove your workout off your To-Do list. Don’t do it! Sneak minimal exercise into your day so you can attend the holiday parties without sacrificing your fitness. As little as 15 – 30 minutes a day can keep your fitness level intact and help keep you sane.

3. Practice Gratitude.

During the holidays, it’s really easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of commercialism. And if you tend to be over-scheduled, it’s easy to lose track of what’s really important during this time of year.

Create a daily gratitude practice so you can enjoy the holidays with a healthier and happier mindset. If you’re willing, post your daily gratitude on Facebook. Your holiday cheer will make an impact on those around you.

4. Set Yourself Up for the Win.

When you decide what you want, unleash the power of goal setting, affirm your convictions, visualize the win, declare war on the enemy, and take action, winning is practically guaranteed.

5. Set a Budget.

How many times have you received your January credit card statement and were scared to open it? None of your gift recipients want you to feel this way!

This year, develop a gifting strategy and budget so you don’t go broke and become resentful when you receive those pesky statements. Hint: shopping earlier will help you stay within budget.

6. Stay in the Moment.

Commitments, feuding relatives, fruit cake, oh my! All of these things can seriously distract you and take you to a very dark and dreary place.

Follow a daily mindfulness practice so you can slow down and enjoy the holidays with your friends and family.

7. Change the View.

I don’t think I’m alone in admitting there were years when I couldn’t wait for the holidays to end. I remember taking down the “stupid Christmas tree” on Christmas day because I was D-O-N-E!

In these times, it’s important to make a slight perspective shift in order to fly through the holiday stress without being the relative everyone complains about next year.

With these simple seven steps, you’re practically guaranteed to have a healthy and happy holiday season.