According to WebMD there are many culprits for winter weight gain including less outdoor exercise, endless weeks of holiday celebrations, ultra fattening comfort foods, and more layers of clothing to hide our expanding waistlines.
It’s ok to splurge on occasional small portions of decadent foods and holiday delights but if you want to prevent packing on those unwanted pounds you may want to steer clear of the following foods or eat them in moderation:

• Macaroni and cheese- An all-time favorite comfort food for children and adults alike, a healthier modification to this classic fat bomb is to use low-fat cheese, low-fat milk and add additional veggies.

• Cream based soups and bisques- Anything loaded with cream is also loaded with calories, so instead you may want to choose warm winter soups that are broth based like vegetable or minestrone.

• Cream and cheese based casseroles- One serving of a traditional hash brown casserole topped with cheese, bacon, or fried onions has nearly 600 calories, 40 grams of fat and 21 grams of saturated fat. To shave calories off of this seasonal favorite by substituting low-calorie mix-ins such as fat-free sour cream, low-fat cheese or reduced-fat soups or try over-roasted veggies for a healthy side dish.

• Cheesecake- Try to stick to small amounts of cheesecake or try satisfying your sweet tooth with a 150 calorie sugar free ice cream dessert or suck on a peppermint stick.

• Chili and stews loaded with ground beef, sausage and cheese- If making this dish yourself stick to small portions of lean meat, lots of vegetables and beans, sprinkle with low-fat cheese and skip the crumbled crackers on top.

• Cookies- Nothing says the holidays like Christmas cookies and enjoying one small cookie isn’t a problem. At around 200-250 calories make sure you only eat one or split one half and eat the other half later.

• Creamy pot pies (with pastry top and bottom)-When you have pastry on the top and bottom, you get a double dose of high-fat crust plus the fatty filling. Forget the creamy pie and enjoy a roasted chicken breast and a whole-wheat roll for a fraction of the calories.

A few bites of even the most fattening foods can fit into your diet, but it’s important to consume these types of food in moderation. Keep in mind that most adults need fewer than 2,000 calories, 65 grams of total fat and 20 grams of saturated fat each day.

Just by making some slight alterations and by avoiding these fattening foods you will see that you will not only feel better but you can prevent packing on those unwanted pounds, too.

1. Set Goals and Document them- By keeping a physical list of things you would like to accomplish it keeps your goals fresh and at the top of your mind. Not only are they easier to rate in order of importance but you will also see them on a daily basis. As a result you will feel more inclined to want to check things off your list.

2. Set Deadlines- Set clear dates of when you need to complete things by, whether they are long term or short term goals. By giving yourself a deadline, you will work harder to keep them.

3. Reward Yourself- Giving yourself incentive for meeting your deadlines and reaching your goals is a great way to actually accomplish them. Whether you allow yourself to buy something nice or a day of pampering at the spa, you will work harder to do things when you know there is a reward at the end.

4. Be Inspired- Listen to motivational tapes and/or read motivational books to help gain some inspiration to keep going.

5. Breathe- Learn to breathe correctly. You will instantly feel more relaxed and when you are more relaxed you will also be more apt to stay motivated than when you are stressed.

6. Stay Positive- Keep a positive attitude. Even though it is easy to be depressed when the long, cold winter months drag on, try to remain positive and you will notice that motivation comes along with being happy.

7. Progress not Perfection- Remind yourself that progress is what is important and not perfection. This is especially essential when you are looking at your long-term goals, as they may seem more unreachable. Remember all of the short-term goals that you have met and you will be more successful.

8. Support- Build a support system of friends and family members that are typically motivated. By keeping like-minded people close to you, you will become motivated by just being in their presence. In addition, according to msnbc.com one of the best ways to stay motivated is to feel challenged by a friend. Buddy up with someone in order to hold each other accountable for your own individual goals. You can challenge each other to reach certain goals and then celebrate together once you hit them. You won’t believe how much more accountable you will be when you know someone else is right on your heels.

While these are only a few tips to get you motivated during the next few months, everyone is different, so do what works best for you, and you will see that spring will be here before you know it!