Over eating is a major inhibitor to staying healthy, yet many of us tend to do just that during the holidays.

Between Thanksgiving and New Years day, many Americans find themselves eating more than usual. Diet and exercise tend to take a back seat to binge eating, and get put on the to-do list for next year.

When it comes to your weight, putting it off is not the way to take it off. Don't procrastinate. Start your New Year right, by finishing this year strong.

Try these few tips this holiday season.

Maintaining Your Weight Remember to eat regular portions through out the day. If you are going to a holiday party, don't put off eating in hopes of inhaling your daily calories in one meal. This encourages binge eating, and is habit forming. By eating regular meals throughout the day, you are more likely to eat regular portions each time.

Losing Weight If you are trying to lose weight this holiday season, use smaller plates and utensils. Smaller plates encourage smaller portions. Smaller utensils encourage chewing, prolongs the length of time it takes to eat, and allows you to get the most nutrition from each meal.

Eating What You Want If you wish to eat what you want this holiday season (and not have to pay for it the rest of the year), get out and exercise!!!

Find an exercise friend and get to it. The more calories you burn from exercise, means the more calories your body can intake, WITHOUT gaining weight.

Couple exercise with regular balanced meals, and even the most stringent of diets will allow for a little bit of cheating. Being able to enjoy a meal without counting calories is an actual luxury of a healthy lifestyle.