The holiday season is approaching fast and can easily add unwanted inches to our waistlines.  It’s very easy to lose sight of both the holiday spirit and our toes in this day and age.  As the owner-operator of a pristine dad-bod for the past four years, I’d like to share some personal tips to help keep your physique in barely acceptable condition throughout the winter months.

Focus on proteins.  Turkey, lean meats and fish provide decent nutritional value.  They also taste great without being deep fried if you know your way around a spice rack.  If you aren’t well-versed in culinary sorcery, buy a bottle of cheap wine and let your annoying third cousin use black magic to transform bland poultry into edible plates of holiday cheer.

Keep your side dishes as healthy as possible.  Macaroni and cheese, stuffing, and corn bread are just a few entries on a list of sides that make life worth living.  Unfortunately, constantly stuffing your face with them makes your abdomen resemble a zip-locked bag stuffed to the brim with warm mashed potatoes and gravy.  Don’t fret, you can still enjoy your favorite sides throughout the season if you follow one simple tip: Mix in vibrant greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms.  This will keep your caloric intake down and your clothes comfortable.

Eat a humane amount of desserts.  I hate to break it to you, but your Aunt Dolores doesn’t make the best random cookie in the world.  Cookies are pretty straight forward.  They’re a bunch of ingredients that taste heavenly mixed with a couple of random gimmicks that make them “unique.”  It’s impossible to make a bad dessert.  Stick to having one serving of two or three of your favorite treats.  Your scale and your self-esteem will thank you later.

Finally, the most important tip of all.  Don’t forget to enjoy yourself!  There’s a reason why this is everyone’s favorite time of year (unless you’re a communist).  Happy holidays!