We must enjoy the glamour and glitter of the Christmas season. Anyway, who does not want to enjoy? I am sure each one of us wants to value every moment.

However, the most important things about the holidays that you must give emphasis is to have a purely joyful moment with your family, enjoy good food and music with friends, and find enough time to decorate your home. All of these will be done smoothly, without sweat or breaking down or gaining pounds.

Here’s how not to overeat, overspend, or overdo things during this holiday season.

The following are the four biggest factors on overeating at the holiday table.

Variety: The increasing number of foods and the many options makes us giddy says “Wansiak” and shall lead to over eating.

People: “The habit of pampering and making people feel good and feeding them a lot and also eating lots by ourselves,” This shy mentality will lead us to continue eating every time we are offered foods by the host because we are ashamed to say “no thanks”. The solution is very simple, when you are already full and satisfied, you must stop eating.

Multitasking: Don’t combine eating with the other tasks.  Avoid multitasking while eating like writing holiday cards, e-mailing to your friends, because this shall give you mental consent to continue eating as long as the activity is done without noticing the quantity of food you ate. So, you have to do the task before or after you have finished eating to avoid such situation to happen.

Convenience: We shall be eating more and more as long as we see lots of foods prepared.  All you have to do is to eliminate those unhealthy and junk foods inside your storage area, in the fridge and shelves because whenever these are available and very convenient you, you’ll be consuming more.

Don’t consume empty calories and must be avoided through picking your holiday poison smartly. Example of this: Try eating up a cup of apple cider which is only 120 calories instead of having eggnog which is 343 calories. Or prefer the glass of wine which is only 120 calories compared to a bottle of beer which is 146 calories.

We must avoid drinking too much alcohol because this is definitely ruins your waistline. Do the “imbibe tall” drinking approach. Wansiak’s research found that we unwittingly pour more alcohol into short, wide glasses than into tall, skinny ones. So when drinking your merlo, you must a slender white-wine glass and highball glass for your gimlet

Here are four phrases that you should drop from your budget vocabulary during these holidays:

1) “I’ll just scrimp next month.”

You must determine financial capacity and live within your budget. Always be in a habit of tallying all the cost of the items on your holiday shopping list.  After that from your overall budget, just deduct that money and other expenses (say for example, your monthly entertainment and eating-out allowance). With this way, overspending can be surely evaded. Make sure to pay only cash or keep staying within limit you have set. You must avoid the frequent use of credit cards because this will only lead to eye catching shopping. Do try spending only within the budgeted amount of cash.

2) “It’s a splurge, but it’s not that expensive!”

Yes, if the item you’re purchasing costs more than what you initially allotted for in your holiday bank, it is that expensive, and you should only purchase it if you’re prepared to subtract the extra amount from something else on the list.

3) “But ______ really deserves this for all they do for me.”

Yes, your mother most likely does worth that expensive cashmere pashmina. But you’ll never truly be able to repay her --- or anyone you love --- for all she’s done, at least with stuff. Instead, tap into your inner self by giving a loved one your friendship, time, and energy, all of which are priceless. You must know to treat someone special to a big-ticket item? Buy their gifts first so you know how much money is left for the other gift recipient on your list.

4) “I really deserve a treat, too.”

Often times, a holiday shopping is not complete without a “one for you, one for me” stop at your favorite department store. Be smart a buyer, don't spend much if your wont be using it in long term.

Here are some stay-same strategies:

1) How not to over-fantasize:

Forget those magnificent Christmases of long ago when all the family were gathered at a table with enough food to serve the whole barangay, the neighborhood was humming with Christmas carolers; you received a ton of Christmas presents; and your house was fully decorated with homemade trimmings that will impress even Martha Stewart herself. Identify and realize what a meaningful holiday looks like for you in your life now. Set a more practical goals, like spending one night or two celebrating with your family, or hosting a simple party or gathering instead of a five-course feast, then protect those plans and make them happen. If creating your own Christmas decor means that much to you, then, do it. If not, skip it without ruining your holiday stride.

Before committing into any invitations to make merry with friends, neighbors, or coworkers, mark your calendar with allot of time to spend with family, advises Lisa Lelas, coauthor of Simple Steps for Every Holiday: An Easy Plan for More Joyful, Less Stressful Celebrations All Year Long.. Here are some other rules of thumb:

Limit social events to one to two per weekend

Spend your valuable time at the parties you’ll most enjoy. Save your energy and avoid chain of parties which you wont enjoy and you start weaving excuse in order to escape later on.

If you are the host or hostess, don’t ask for help. Invite relative and your closest friends to assist you in what ever things they can offer of bring with them to ease your burden.

• You always separate the musts from the maybes.

There’s usually no question about the first few names on your list, says Lelas, but it’s the ones you jot down after wondering, “Hmm, who did I forget?...” that must be have consider given.

• Finalize and shop on the near last minute.

Prepare a shopping, buy them little by little then crossed what you have done, wrap it to be more presentable and be settled.

• Buy a gift meant for a group.

You can practically save by buying a gift for a group rather than individual.

This is the bottom line: Avoid over doing your holidays. Focus on what’s important to you so you can create a more meaningful experience for everyone around you. The holiday is not measured by the food or the gifts and decorations…. The love and sharing counts most for the perfect holiday.

By TYRONE M. REYES, M.D.