We all start to worry about the inevitable weight gain of winter. When the days grow shorter and it becomes cold outside many of us cease to do outdoor activities that helped us control weight. We are also faced with the holidays which pose their own threat of wonderful food and lazy afternoons watching football. So the battle of the bulge must begin before Thanksgiving and Christmas ever arrive. You must get into good habits ahead of time to keep those holiday pounds off or under control. Here are ten tips to help you control weight gain over Thanksgiving and throughout the winter.

1) Don't use the bad weather of winter as an excuse not to exercise. Join a gym and get involved in a serious workout program. Even a class once a week will help you keep the weight down. You can also bundle up on the days that are not too cold or snowy and just take a brisk walk. You will be amazed at how refreshed you will feel getting out of the house and breathing fresh air. Local YMCA's also offer workout classes for reasonable rates.

2) If you cannot join a gym because of the expensive join up costs then plan to spend one day a week swimming at a local community pool. Swimming is an amazing form of exercise that will help your all over health and fight weight gain. Most community pools charge $3-$5 for an afternoon of swimming fun.

3) Buy a few workout CD's to workout at home in the comfort of your own living room. You can even get the children involved with you. It can be a fun family activity to follow a Workout CD.

4) During holiday parties the alcohol becomes plentiful. It is also a fact that during football season beer sales skyrocket. So cut back on the alcohol. Beer and other alcoholic drinks contain empty excessive calories. Instead of a beer during that game have a glass of ice water.

5) When shopping for food always eat a healthy meal before you hit the supermarkets. This is especially true of the holidays when there are so many tasty treats and samples to be had at the local supermarket. Make sure you have a full tummy before you shop so you don't buy extra fun food or fill up on snacks.

6) When you go to holiday parties avoid the snack finger foods. Many people have large baskets of potato chips with creamy dips. Try to avoid the temptation to eat these high calorie unhealthy snack foods. Look for a vegetable tray with snacks and if your host is not offering one then bring your own as a foresight. I'm sure your host will be delighted at your generous addition to their snack table.

7) Avoid the foods that you know hold empty calories like thick gravy and anything that is dripping with butter.

8) Try to focus your gaze away from the snack foods at a party and socialize instead. Head into the other room instead of looking at the tasty food.

9) Do not ever go to a party hungry. You need to always eat a well balanced meal before any holiday party occurs.

10) Plan your Thanksgiving feast to be a low calorie meal. There are many excellent cookbooks available to help you prepare your entire feast in low calorie dishes. There is no reason why the Thanksgiving meal that you prepare for your family should be unhealthy or have excessive calories.

Here are some wonderful websites that offer low calorie recipes for the holidays.

http://www.dietbites.com/Low-Calorie/low-calorie-thanksgiving-recipe.html

http://www.usaweekend.com/08_issues/081109/081109cooksmart-low-cal-thanksgiving.html

http://www.healthy-eating-made-easy.com/healthy-thanksgiving-recipes.html

http://www.ifood.tv/network/low_fat_low_calorie_thanksgiving_side_dishes/recipes

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2225813/tips_for_avoiding_thank...