Despite the of best intentions, come January, most everyone is wearing their belts a tad looser or replacing their skinny jeans with a pair of comfy, and more forgiving, pants. However, it doesn't have to be that way. These local experts agreed to reveal their secrets on how to avoid weight gain during the indulgent holiday season.

Maplewood's Randy Rabney, teacher, chef and founder of The Conscious Plate, said that one of the best ways to combat gaining weight is to prevent it from happening in the first place. "Don't treat the entire period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day as an opportunity to go crazy with what you eat. Every time you have a meal or snack, it's a chance to make a choice about what it will be," said Rabney.

Oddly enough, Rabney recommends eating before heading out to a party. "You don't want to go there starving or you'll eat everything in sight. You also don't want to eat a full meal before you go because you want to be able to enjoy what is offered at the party without over eating." According to Rabney, eating a small and healthy snack before festivities will allow you to choose what you want to taste with some self-control.

Rabney also encourages folks to pause before reaching for those deviled eggs or for that second serving of chocolate fudge cake. How will you feel after you consume the food?

"Make the connection between what you eat and how you feel." Rabney feels this piece of advice is something everyone should follow, holiday season or not. "Once you make that connection, it will be easier to limit the amount of foods that really aren't great for your body because who wants to feel bloated, foggy or tired on a regular basis?"

Of course, making good choices is a lot easier if there are delicious healthy options available. Rabney suggests taking every opportunity to bring your own treats to parties. "Trust me, no one will think you're a party pooper if you bring something healthy. Not everything needs a stick of butter or pint of cream to taste good, and people often don't realize that this is the case unless they've been exposed to delicious food prepared in a health supportive way."

Here is one of her favorite healthy, and easy, holiday recipes.  

Holiday Roasted Cauliflower

Cauliflower can be somewhat bland. Here is a preparation that makes it so good because the natural sweetness of the vegetable is developed. Rabney assures us that this recipe tastes delicious whether hot, room temperature or straight out of the refrigerator. The addition of truffle oil makes it more luxurious and festive for the holidays.

1 head of cauliflower, core removed and cut into small pieces

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Sea Salt, to taste

White Truffle Oil to taste

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. On a baking sheet, toss the cauliflower with a thin coating of olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place it in the oven and allow to brown on the bottom (this gets the cauliflower sweet and delicious and the really small pieces get crunchy). Give the pan a quick shake to loosen the cauliflower and continue to cook for a few more minutes until the florets are tender when pierced with a knife. Toss lightly with truffle oil to taste.

When Patch next interviewed Maplewood resident Monica Mangan, a personal trainer and owner of Buff Fitness in South Orange, whe clearly was in the giving holiday spirit—sharing her five stay-slim secrets that she typically only shares with clients. Here they are:

1. Set realistic exercise goals. Aim to exercise 20 minutes a day instead of an hour. You'll be sure to get at least 20 minutes of exercise per day without feeling disappointed if you do not complete an hour.

2. Grab a friend. Walking and talking with a friend can be a great way to burn extra calories and reduce your stress level. Or, take a group exercise class. Working out with others can keep you motivated.

3. Treat yourself well. Although spending time with friends and family is essential, it's also important to take time alone each day to relax. Try practicing deep breathing exercise when you feel stressed out or do yoga.

4. Give yourself a break. Aiming to lose weight during the holidays may not be the best idea. If you enjoy your favorite foods in small portions, you'll feel more satisfied. Trying to stay away from certain foods may leave you feeling deprived, which may cause you to eat more than you intended.

5. Just laugh. Laughing is a great tension reliever. It burns calories, reduces stress and usually means that you're enjoying yourself.

And with that, have yourselves some happy, healthy Holidays!

Do you have ideas for upcoming columns, know an athletic enthusiast, want to ask a question, or can put me in touch with people who are inspiring or creating a healthier Maplewood? Post a comment or e-mail Hurtado. Hurtado is an enthusiastic fitness and wellness expert with years of experience. She blogs about her health and fitness adventures at JudiesJuice. Her articles have been published in magazines such as Time Out New York and Park Place.