ajc.com 2008 Holiday Guide

They're slim and trim and glide into holiday parties aglow with health and beauty. Are they the skinny people some love to hate because they were just born to be thin?

Or could it be that staying svelte is a result of being savvy about diet and fitness even in the face of food temptations? Smart habits are the secret to long-term weight-control success. Research from the National Weight Control Registry, the largest investigation of successful weight-loss maintenance, has proven over and over that the key to keeping pounds off is a strong personal motivation to eat fewer calories and get more exercise.

Louie Favorite/Staff (ENLARGE)

Kathleen Zelman carries a clutch and also eats before going to parties.

Louie Favorite/Staff (ENLARGE)

Robanne Schulman likes to talk a lot at parties.

Louie Favorite/Staff (ENLARGE)

Tonya Arnette bikes to stay fit.

Louie Favorite/AJC Staff (ENLARGE)

Veronica Best uses small plates to keep portions under control.

RELATED LINKS: • More Health stories • Blog: Share your 'skinny' secrets HOLIDAY GUIDE How not to be the jerk of the party  Northside's top stories in 2007  New Year's resolutions shrinking  A how-to for the perfect thank-you

OK, that grand conclusion doesn't exactly give you the diet details you need to navigate a holiday buffet to avoid bursting out of your sequins — so let's get specific.

I found five fabulous Atlanta women who walk the walk on weight control as a part of their lifestyle. (Maybe all that walking the walk is what helps keep them thin.) Here are their personal holiday diet secrets — which are as smart and unique as they are.

Outsmart yourself

Kathleen Zelman, dietitian, director of nutrition, WebMD

"Carry a clutch so you only have one hand free to eat or drink — not both at the same time!"

Because there can be a lot of mindless eating during holiday gatherings when you gobble bites of party food without keeping track of how much you're consuming, Zelman's tips focus more on consciousness than calories. Her No. 1 rule is to prioritize foods you really enjoy. "If you don't love it, don't eat it. Save calories for favorite holiday treats." Her favorites? Fudge, cookies and turkey stuffing.

Food and drink: Sauces, gravies, casseroles, dips can contain lots of hidden calories, so opt for simple food like shrimp cocktail, roasted meats, crudités. If you want sauces, dips or gravies, keep portions small, she says.

Watch your drinks; these calories add up quickly, especially holiday favorites such as eggnog, which is loaded with fat, she says. To keep hydrated, control calories and prevent inebriation, drink "mocktails" or sparkling soda with lime between cocktails and no one will even know the difference.

Fitness: While others prefer to use the "tight jeans test," Zelman still believes in the scale. "Weigh in regularly. Checking in with the scale at least once a week (at the same time of day) is the real litmus test. When the scale notches upward, this is your signal to cut back a little on your portions or rev up physical activity."

Finesse: Forget trying to lose weight over the holidays; instead aim for "social weight maintenance," which allows you to enjoy the holidays, splurge a little and keep your weight stable.

Cool moves

Tonya Arnette, restaurateur, co-owner of Haven and Valenza restaurants

"I just feel more like moving when it's cold outside. I like to bike when I can hear the leaves crunching under my tires."

So you think you have a tough time saying no to tortellini and tiramisu? Arnette is constantly surrounded by talented chefs offering her delicious food because she owns two restaurants with her husband, Michel. "Being in this business is like attending a social gathering every night," she says.

Food and drink: "The things that I crave during the holidays are turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy. I could eat that meal every night. I'll have double portions of turkey and then skip dessert. I like champagne, but don't normally order it, so I have that as a treat during the holidays."

Arnette prefers to eat meals instead of grazing. "That habit extends into social gatherings. I rarely ever eat at a party." So she eats a late lunch before the restaurants open and avoids sampling food from the kitchen. A relaxed late dinner with Michel ends the evening.

Fitness: No excuse that it's too cold to exercise for her. "I grew up in Michigan, where winter months were the most active for me. Most people lose weight in the summer and gain in the winter, but I am just the opposite. I prefer to bike because of the solitude it provides. It's a nice change from the constant social interaction that we have at work."

Finesse: "I do not weigh myself ... ever! If my jeans don't feel tight, I know I'm doing OK."

Keep the 'joy' in 'enjoy'

Brigitte "Brie" Paraham, psychologist, Fulton County schools

"I work out during the week so I can enjoy myself at parties."

Paraham is a serious social butterfly involved in many of the city's charities and social events. She easily attends three events a week and more during the holiday season. Her winning fitness philosophy is to accept the fact that she's going to be in a lot of splurge-happy situations and needs to burn the extra calories ahead of time with regular workouts.

Food and drink: "Most of the delicacies at these parties are very different and have a variety of flavor and appeal, so I try them all. The drinks are becoming so creative and colorful that I tell myself, 'I have to try this concoction.' "

Paraham has a before-and-after party plan, too. "I eat a salad before going out, and I always drink water driving home."

Fitness: She knows the importance of balance. "Staying slim starts with your physical health. ... When you're in good health, your energy is automatically higher so you feel more like being physically active."

Finesse: "Self-care means planning ahead. Make an effort to sit down and think about what you can and cannot do. Lastly, and most importantly, find joy in the holiday season."

Life of the party

Robanne Schulman, personal shopper, owner,

Plaid Monkey Co.

"Personality-wise, I talk so much I usually never eat at parties!"

Schulman puts a high priority on the holiday glow found in sparkling conversations at the season's many social gatherings. So she'd rather laugh and learn "what's new with you?" than hang out by the buffet table, a lifestyle habit weight-control experts encourage.

Food and drink: She prefers to eat a bigger lunch so she doesn't graze her way through party appetizers while waiting for dinner. "Most tempting of all are the party dips and chips." If it's a cocktail party, "I sometimes eat before I leave home so I can focus on socializing all night." For cocktails she prefers a simple vodka and soda.

Fitness: Power shopping, of course. Being a personal shopper is a workout, especially when she takes the stairs instead of the elevator with all those bags. "I do not own a scale — just go by how my jeans fit!"

Finesse: This personal shopper focuses on how to dress to look like less. "To appear slimmer, a high heel always helps, elongating the body. A boot-cut jean also helps make the legs look slimmer, and the darker the better. Opaque tights are super slimming, especially black, gray and dark chocolate. Sequins and shine are hot, hot for holiday. But don't overdo it. Too much 'bling' is never a good thing."

Model behavior

Veronica Best, model, Elite Model Management

"I am not one to deprive myself."

Talk about pressure to be thin. Best is a professional model who must compete in a beauty-conscious world on a daily basis. And she's a success because she realizes her physically demanding job requires a lot of stamina, and that means staying healthy and fit — not starving herself skinny. During the holidays, she's literally running from runway shows to photo shoots to almost nightly social events, such as restaurant openings and charity balls.

Food and drink: At parties, rather than gobbling bites of foods passed on trays, she makes a point of taking a selection on a small plate and sitting down to enjoy the food. Using a plate will help you determine how much you are eating and avoid some of the mindless munching that can add lots of calories. To save liquid calories, Best drinks a mix of white wine with sparkling water. But her real weakness is dessert. "It's all about moderation. I don't overindulge in anything other than cupcakes!"

Fitness: "I work out, run, play tennis or go for long brisk walks almost daily."

Finesse: Take it from a fashion model. To look instantly thinner, "Good posture is key. Straighten your back and tuck in your tummy while sitting or standing."