Let's face it: We often overeat the day of Thanksgiving ... err ... and the several days after Thanksgiving as well (too many leftovers sound familiar?).

Here are the top-5 tips for sticking to your wellness plan during Thanksgiving week.

1. Stay active. Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean you get a holiday from taking care of your body. Use your time over Thanksgiving break to pamper yourself even more. Sleep in, go for a longer run or do an hour of yoga each day. Thanksgiving break is a time to rest and spend time taking care of yourself, so don't let your routine slip just because you're in the holiday spirit.

2. Practice portion control. As tempting as it is to pile up your plate, don't. You will be sorry -- not only will you suffer from a "food coma", but stepping on the scale post-break might be a bit disappointing. So, be sure to practice portion control. Remember, you can cook these foods anytime of the year, not just Thanksgiving. Don't eat like this is your last meal. If you do, your waistline will have something to show for it. And don't even consider going back for seconds, unless it's on a vegetable or something that is low in fat and sugar.

3. Slow down and enjoy it. Although the anticipation builds for the Thanksgiving feast, shoveling your food in at lightning speeds is a bad idea. Why? Because your body won't have enough time to realize it's full before you're running back for seconds. Slow down and enjoy chatting with friends and family. You're not doing yourself any favors by rushing through your Thanksgiving meal. Aren't the holidays a time to slow down, anyway?

4. Don't deprive yourself. On another note, for those of you who tend to be overly health conscious, chill out a little bit. Depriving yourself of a food you really want will only cause you to binge at a later time. Is the caramel cake staring you down? Have a small slice or share with a family member. Allow yourself to enjoy the holiday -- just be sure one small slice doesn't turn into four.

5. Have a family activity planned to get everyone moving. Instead of just sitting around with your friends and family on Thanksgiving, plan a family walk around the neighborhood or play a game outside (weather permitting) that calls for some movement and activity. That way, you will still get to spend time with your loved ones but will be able to burn off those calories simultaneously.

                                  Happy Thanksgiving!