MANILA, Philippines - We've all heard that we shouldn't go to the grocery when hungry because we'll only end up buying things we don't need.

The same is true for that slew of upcoming holiday parties. Show up prepared and you're bound to make smarter decisions.

Follow these 10 steps to avoid packing on the pounds while still enjoying your favorite holiday food:

1. Don't starve yourself. If you know you are going to binge at your aunt's famous Christmas buffet, don't starve yourself the day of the event. Before going to a party or dinner, drink a glass of tomato juice like V8 or a similar drink. You can also drink a big glass of water with a touch of fresh lemon. This helps you fill up even before you see the buffet table and warms up your stomach to begin the digestive process.

2. Start light. Start your meal with vegetables, fruits or salad before going for the heavier choices. This way, you'll get full on the least fattening foods first before ou turn to the oily picks or sugary sweets. If you've been eating healthy already, a sudden binge of salt, fat, sugar and oil will make you feel heavier and more lethargic, or even sick the next day.

3. Choose healthy alternatives. If your event is a potluck party (everyone brings their own dish), bring a healthy alternative to the goodies you know will already be there. You can choose a tossed salad or sugar-free dessert so you're sure to have at least one dish that won't weigh you down.

4. Take smaller portions. When reaching for a plate at the buffet line, grab a smaller salad or appetizer plate instead of the full-sized dinner china. This is purely psychological, but it works. You can completely fill up the plate while getting a smaller amount of servings than you usually get.

5. Tight clothes rule. Don't wear loose clothing. A lot of people joke about wearing loose jeans to "make more room" for food at meals, but the truth is, wearing something that binds a bit will give you the feeling of being "full." This will help you say no to second helpings or thirds.

6. Exercise. Try not to let go of your fitness regimen during the holidays. If you don't have time to do what you normally would, like going to the gym a couple of hours a day, then at least commit to spend 10 minutes walking or doing some form of exercise. Try crunches or your favorite exercise video to encourage yourself. During weeks of heavy eating, increase your weight training to increase your muscles' metabolic rate (the rate at which energy is burned or expended).

7. Drink water. While sugary soft drinks or iced tea may be your drink of choice, downing lots of water is important when trying to keep weight off. It helps flush excess salt and fat out of your system.

8. Don't drink too much alcohol. Alcohol has calories. So instead of a glass of wine, drink a glass of spritzer--half-wine, half-seltzer. It limits the calories while still giving you a bubbly taste.

9. Choose your poison. Save your indulgences for 2 or 3 holiday treats you absolutely love. If there are cupcakes you adore that are only around during Christmas time, then take a couple of those instead of store-bought goodies that you can get all year round.

10. Have a food diary. Continue to keep track of everything you eat, no matter what. This can get tiring at times, but recording your behavior changes what you do. If you see yourself logging in too much food, there is a better chance you will scale back as opposed to eating more. Even if you tell yourself that anything goes and you will splurge to your heart's content, keeping track of your food intake by writing it down will likely foil your pig-out plans. Report by Michelle Katigbak-Alejandro, CHALK magazine.

For more information, grab a copy of CHALK's latest issue in major newsstands and bookstores nationwide! This month, CHALK features young hunks Enchong Dee, Xian Lim and Ejay Falcon on the cover.