One research study that recently found evidence that Americans gain weight during the holidays is the New Kaiser Permanente Survey, which was conducted by the research firm Synovate and surveyed 1,000 adults regarding weight gain and the methods of dealing with that weight gain during the holiday season. The New Kaiser Permanete Survey found that people ages 18-24 are most likely to gain weight during the holidays; in fact 46 percent of respondents said they gain “a few pounds” during the holiday season.

The best strategy for avoiding holiday weight gain is a strategy of weight maintenance rather than dieting during the holidays. If you are currently overweight and want to lose weight, the holidays are not the time to do it. Maintenance of your current weight is a challenge in itself during the holiday season. Don’t set yourself up for failure by making unrealistic goals for yourself.

Also, it is a good idea to plan on not dieting right after New Year’s—anticipation of dieting sets you up for binge-type eating during the holidays. Instead, there are several weight maintenance strategies that are realistic for holiday eating.

When eating out avoid buffets, eat smaller portions by sharing an entrée with a friend or family member and when partaking in cocktails make smart choices. Self magazine spells out the calories of some of the most popular cocktails in the article “Happy Hour Made Healthy” in the magazine’s November issue. Also, have a strategy for avoiding holiday sweets at work—bring in your own healthy snacks so that you won’t be tempted by candy or cake.

Weight Watchers magazine offers proactive tips in the magazine’s November/December issue. In “Holiday Help,” Weight Watchers magazine recommends avoiding fatty appetizers like mixed nuts, bruschetta, eggnog and brownies and instead go for less fatty appetizers like olives, mini-quiches, apple cider and ginger snaps.

When cooking at home consider making over your favorite recipes. Cooking magazines like Weight Watchers, Cooking Light and Everyday with Rachael Ray offer a slew of low-fat versions of holiday favorites that are just as tasty as the original recipes. These magazines offer lots of fat-reducing tips like substitutes for fattening ingredients such as eggs, oil and shortening. Also remember to make less food so that you will have fewer leftovers in the days after the holidays.

Remember to continue your regular exercise program during the holidays. Also, try to incorporate festive exercising such as walking around your neighborhood to look at lights and power-walking while shopping with your family. Fitness magazines like Shape, Self, Men’s Health and Women’s Health are great resources for festive exercise ideas.

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For more on health magazines, visit http://www.magazines.com/category/health-fitness Jessica Vandelay is a freelance writer in New York City.