This holiday season, Julia Grieve plans to keep her energy levels high and weight gain at bay. But don't think that the 38-year-old mother and chief executive officer of Preloved -- a popular line of redesigned vintage clothing -- intends to avoid holiday socializing.

With a little strategic planning that includes an early morning jog three times a week, Grieve aims to go out, eat right and feel great.

As a Toronto-based mother of three children under 10, Grieve says she has no time to feel sluggish.

"For me now, it's about how I feel. I can't feel hungover or bloated after a night out."

But she admits she didn't always plan towards a healthy holiday season.

"I always go to a lot of parties and I never used to think about it. But without fail, I would suffer in January. You put on five or 10 pounds and you don't really feel so great," she says.

Many people deal with the yuletide season by eating and drinking their way mindlessly through the holidays, according to Nicole Springle, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic Canada in Toronto.

Alternatively, they'll rationalize their eating in ways that are counter to their bodies' needs.

"People will skip meals for a big meal," Springle says. "Or they'll go to a party after work and haven't had anything between lunch and the party. Then, they're starving so they'll fill up on high-calorie food."

Springle says it's important to eat regular, balanced meals and snacks throughout the day to maintain blood sugar levels and avoid cravings of the sweet and salty kind.

She encourages skipping the seasonal sweets and snacking regularly on protein mixed with complex, fibre-rich carbohydrates such as dried fruit and nuts or an apple and some low fat cheese, and sticking to the four food groups at meal time.

Calgary life coach and personal trainer Allan Fine suggests not only eating regularly but having a small meal before heading out to a party.

"If you show up hungry, your chances of overeating are huge," he says.

Fine also points out the common problem of sweets and leftovers from holiday festivities being passed around the workplace.

"People will give you tons of sweets this time of year. Have one or two, that's fine, but don't stand by the water cooler with a buddy eating a box of them," he says.

A little self-supervision can go a long way in the battle of the holiday bulge. But it's tough to stick to a plan when you're being pressured to consume for weeks on end.

What do you say to your mother-in-law during Christmas dinner when you haven't cleaned your plate?

"Tell her 'I'm stuffed, can I take it home?'" Fine says. "Don't worry about eating everything in one meal. The thing you want to avoid saying is 'I'm stuffed, roll me out of here.'"

And be prepared to plan ahead, says Springle.

"Allow yourself to have treats but think about it beforehand. How much will I have? What is OK? If you go in with one plan, it's easier to stick to."

But it's not all about the food we consume, it's also about the energy we burn off. And although people might struggle with the hectic pace of the holiday season, Fine says there's always time to integrate exercise into the mix.

"Don't wait until New Year's," Fine says. "There's no reason not to join a gym now."

If you're not a gym person, it's important to find other ways to stay active. Fine encourages people to join a group fitness program or hire a personal trainer instead.

Even if you hate formal exercise programs, there are still ways to keep your body moving.

Take the stairs in your office building instead of using the elevator and don't park close to work, Fine suggests.

The bottom line?

"Workout and take care of yourself so you can enjoy yourself when you want to," Fine says.

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Party tips from registered dietitian Nicole Springle:

You're at a party and the food and drinks are coming at you in all directions. Rather than accept everything you're offered, follow these tips to make wise and waist-friendly choices -- and still enjoy a few indulgences along the way.

- If you arrive at a party hungry, try to fill your plate initially with fruits and vegetables (this will help fill you up so you won't be tempted to eat too many truffles or tarts).

- A soup or a salad will also help fill you up at the beginning of a meal.

- At a cocktail party, don't stand by the appetizer table or you may find yourself eating mindlessly.

- Decide ahead of time what appetizers and desserts you're going to sample, and stick to your plan.

- Try not to eat off the trays at a buffet table, and limit yourself to one plate only.

- Be attentive to what you eat. Savour the food and enjoy it but don't just keep your hands busy while mingling.

- Monitor your drinking. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger.

- Alcoholic drinks can be high in calories. Pace yourself with water.

- The body takes about 20 minutes to feel full. If you're racing through your plate, you're not giving yourself time to feel full.

- Research shows the first bite and the last bite are the most enjoyable; the rest is filler. You probably don't need as much as you think.