By Dr. Jamie Y. Marable , Contributing writer

Worried about overeating during the holiday? While this is a common concern, you don't have to give in to negative thinking and start planning your post-holiday diet. There are a few effective strategies that you can use to enjoy a guilt-free holiday dinner without gaining a single pound.

Find an Accountability Partner

An accountability partner can be an invaluable source of support and encouragement when trying to manage one's weight. The results of a study at Harvard Medical School and the University of California-San Diego revealed that people have a tremendous amount of influence on one another when it comes to weight loss and gain.

An accountability partner can be a friend, coworker or family member, as long as he or she helps you stick to your goals. A true accountability partner will never suggest that you postpone healthy eating -- not even for one meal. And it does not necessarily matter if the person is not physically present for your holiday dinner; a brief phone conversation with them before you sit down to eat can help reinforce your weight management goals and keep you focused.

Practice Visualization and Positive Self-Talk

Instead of succumbing to self-defeating thoughts such as, "I'll diet after the holidays," or "this one time won't hurt," try verbally reaffirming your weight management goals and visualizing yourself achieving them. Recommended by a number of doctors, visualization has been used effectively by persons who once struggled with food cravings and a lack of motivation to exercise.

Practice visualizing your desired outcome -- enjoying a healthy dinner and looking and feeling your best -- until it becomes a habit.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast and 'Minimeals'

It is fairly common for people to "save their appetite" for the big holiday dinner by not eating breakfast or lunch.