Anyone else feel like they gained 10 pounds in the last 4 days?  Good thing I read Cosmo, now I can get back on track.  Here are 11 ways that will help.  I've broken most of these this weekend. 

1. Seat Yourself 
Where you sit can make a big difference in how you eat at a holiday meal. Snag a VIP seat near the turkey (or protein of choice) and make it the first thing on your plate. If you sit at the end of the table near the mac and cheese, you'll load your plate with the carbs first! 

2. Drink Up 
Look at alcohol as either a component of a meal or as a snack. Substitute your usual snack of pretzels or an energy bar with wine or a shot of vodka. 

3. Chomp on Chocolate 
If you're cocktailing at a holiday party, don't snack on carbs like crackers or pretzels. Choose something high in fat like cheese or chocolate (seriously!) and you'll be more sated, more likely to eat less and keep your body in fat-burning mode.  

4. Don't Skip Breakfast 
Most people blow it at the holidays by not eating breakfast. They assume they're going to be eating big meals, so they skip. In fact, breakfast gets your metabolism going and keeps it going throughout the day. 

5. Play With Protein 
Build your Thanksgiving or holiday plate around protein. Fill your plate with mostly turkey or ham or chicken. 

6. Count Carbs 
You don't want to have more than one simple carbohydrate-like mashed potatoes or stuffing-on your plate at the same time. Think one "white decadent" at a time. 

7. Choose Dessert or Booze 
Don't double up on dessert and booze, or your body will plunge into fat-storing mode. If you really want wine AND cake, don't drink the wine with the cake. Space them by a couple of hours. 

8. Snack Away 
Instead of eating one big feast, nibble in between meals and space your eating out over the course of the day. That will keep your body and your metabolism humming. 

9. Drink A Lot of Water 
Drink as much water as possible during the holidays. People tend to consume more processed food during the holidays, which means more sodium. If you drink water, you're less likely to hold water. 

10. Take a Walk 
Jump start your day with exercise first thing in the morning, even if it's just a little walk. It will boost your metabolism for the rest of the day. 

11. Have Some Coffee 
Start your holiday with coffee or tea. Studies have shown that waking up with caffeine helps you burn 85 more to 100 more calories that day.