With the first of the seasonal holidays checked off in the way of Thanksgiving, hopefully your pants aren't fitting too snugly after a full fledged feast! It is possible to escape the holidays without packing on the reported 5 to 10 pounds that the average American will between November and the New Year, and you can do this while still indulging in your favorite dishes by sticking to your workout and fitness regime. In fact one of the biggest benefits of eating a generally healthy diet and being active is the ability to treat yourself when these special occasions occur! It's normal that in order to balance out a few giving-in's to a particular food favorite you can add a few more sessions in the gym and minutes on the treadmill. Many professional athletes, celebs, and even the most avid gym goers themselves cave in to their holiday cravings without any attacks of guilt!

So what are the favorites among the stars? Kim Kardashian won't pass up her turkey and cranberry sauce, and to keep her enviable curves during the holidays she logs miles around Runyan Canyon and follows her own workout DVD's. while Jessica Szohr is a sucker for her grandma's special powdered sugar cookies, she doesn't actually tip the scales as heavily as she claims, "I gain like 20 pounds every year because of them." The Gossip Girl starlet isn't obsessed about a few cookies or junk foods every now and then and instead focuses on finding a balance between the healthy and not so healthy fare. For her that usually means a week of being 'good' and then easing up on the weekends. But don't think she doesn't hit the gym too, in addition to yoga she tries to fit in 30 minute bouts of cardio.

Also a fan of the desserts is Justin Timberlake, but don't think we'll be seeing those abs go to flab anytime soon as he's an active athlete. Between lifting weights, running, and biking he's usually up for a game of basketball or other sport. Yet not everything that the stars are looking forward to noshing on is completely bad for you, as Ali Larter claims green bean casserole as her favorite Thanksgiving day fare.

And just like any other fitness minded individuals, sport's stars aren't ones to pass up their holiday foods of choice. For Alex Rodriguez that comes in the way of cheesecake, but he obviously is able to stay in top form due to his rigorous training both on and off season. And Houston Rocket player Yao Ming will gobble up anything made by his mother. America's top distance runner, Kara Goucher, is always a sucker for black and white cookies and a great milkshake; but when you're running over 100 miles a week no amount of ice cream will pack any pounds to her slender frame!

So take assurance in knowing that in your own post Thanksgiving days and in anticipation for the next holiday or event, a few variances in your diet isn't anything to beat yourself up about. Remember that moderation and balance is the key, and when you return back to your more healthy food fares, and keep your workout appointments you can enter the new year just as fit and healthy as you left off!