Have you been thinking about the fact that the holidays are in the not-too-distant future? With that in mind, maybe you are also thinking of parties you'll be hosting and others you'll be attending. Did you indulge too much over the summer months as you took your kids out for ice cream sundaes or as you splurged at lunches with your friends? 

No matter how you added the extra pounds, do you have a plan on how to lose them? If so, then you're all set to go. On the other hand, maybe you're still looking for ideas. If that's the case, from arranging for a gym membership to improving your diet, here are some things that might help you.

Arrange For Gym Membership - Maybe you have promised yourself over and over that you'll start walking in your neighborhood or at a nearby park. And, yet, how consistent were you with fulfilling that promise? 

Have you considered that if you actually pay to work out you might take it more seriously? Think of paying for a gym membership and committing to certain days of the week that you'll go there. For example, maybe it's not realistic for you to go to the gym every single day. However, could you go every day except Saturdays and Sundays? 

Remember that going to a gym can be a lot of fun. It might be that your gym offers jazz exercise classes or other group classes. Maybe it even offers yoga. Find out from the very beginning what you can sign up for. And, if you'd be more diligent in going to the gym with somebody else, invite a friend to join you.

Gym membership certainly doesn't need to be expensive. And, the end results when you have your healthy, attractive body back will be worth every dollar you spent. 

​Improve Your Diet - Be totally honest with yourself. Are you eating too many French fries? Are you driving through fast food restaurants too often? Do you skip meals and then get so hungry that you eat voraciously? 

Consider keeping a food journal so that you can see where your problem areas are. For example, maybe you see that at about 4:00 in the afternoon, you are desperately hungry. If that's the case, plan on healthy snacks at that time of day.

Maybe you love to eat while you're watching television. If so, how about choosing things like a crunchy veggie tray? If you crave sweets, think of allowing yourself one decadent dessert per week. That way you'll have something special to look forward to.