In general, it is seldom useful to stick 100 % rigidly to a specific eating plan. Yes, it can work for a while - and especially as a kickstart - but it’s certainly not reasonable in our society to live that rigidly for your entire life. Things happen … like holidays! And typically no holiday is as challenging as this time of year with its abundance of family feasts, road trips etc. Many a person has made great strides through the year, only to have them all wiped out over two or three weeks in late December / early January. The plucky ones pick up the pieces with a new year’s resolution (now THERE’S a topic for the next few weeks..!), while others just resign themselves and use it to further reinforce their self-defeating attitudes and beliefs. Two weeks ago I was part of the first joint discussion forum run by the Sports Science Institute’s Healthy Weight programme. Chaired by biokineticist Murray Capon, the topic was how to maintain your healthy lifestyle through the holidays. As part of this, I stressed the importance of deliberately making decisions in advance. It is not a good idea to approach a festive family meal with bated breath, waiting to fail. Rather decide beforehand on your strategy, so that there is as little room as possible for debating with yourself once there. And be reasonable - decide on something other than 100% perfection. For example, you might decide to ‘lower’ you standards to 80% for the holidays, or even just for a specific meal. Make sure though, that you have a good idea what 80% actually implies. (It might for example mean that at any festive meal you will indeed have pudding, but only a single, reasonable helping). Crucial point: If you decide in advance and then stick to your decision, it will boost your self-efficacy rather than erode it (which is what happens every time you try to do something 100% perfectly but ‘fail’). The decisions you make need to be challenging, but do-able within the context of the real situation. Once you have decided however, then commit absolutely to it by telling everyone, writing it down, or whatever. The same principle applies with exercise. Make a decision in advance on what type and amount of exercise is do-able through the holidays. If you’re going camping for example, in place of your normal gym routine you may decide to just walk at least 30 minutes every second day. I cannot stress enough the importance of deliberately making this decision IN ADVANCE. You should also decide in advance on a date until which the decision applies. When that day comes, you of course repeat the process by making the next decision. Adhering to these steps will ensure that you stay on track, and can start the new year from a better place than you did the year before. In the same forum, dietitian Toni Smyth from Shelly Meltzer and Associates offered the following practical tips: Eat properly through the day leading up to functions.  For road-trips, pack healthy snacks and water (or a flask with tea or coffee) to lessen the temptations at the various ‘padstalle’ and fast-food restaurants on the way.  Invest in a cooler box to help with the above, and try to stick to normal meal times.  On the aeroplane, don’t eat the meal simply because it’s there.  Be conscious of your hunger and satiety cues.  Remember to focus on portion control.  Don’t let one bad meal get you down.  Eat slowly and enjoy the company!