Yep, it's THAT time to remind you once again about all those common sense tips we've posted throughout the year to help you protect your waistline and your health during the holiday season.

For example, you may be far more successful for the long haul just by maintaining your current weight during the holiday season than trying to launch a diet that may be doomed to fail from the get-go.

Another goal -- maintaining a healthy balance between eating healthy foods and holiday treats -- is the moral of a recent New England Journal of Medicine study that tracked the health of nearly 800 overweight or obese patients who had already lost 24 pounds on average with the help of a low-fat diet. Participants, along with their families, were assigned to one of five diets, four of which featured various combinations of high or low amounts of fat and protein or a control diet with no limits on carbs and moderate amounts of proteins, and received support and guidance.

Out of the five diets, only patients assigned to the low-protein, high-carb routine regained a significant amount of weight -- about 4 pounds -- while those in the high-protein, low-carb group trended higher on the weight loss side. And more patients stuck with the latter diet too, because they didn't need to concentrate on calories or how much they ate, the lead researcher said.

If you missed it the first time, please check out our list of 10 common-sense tips that will help you make healthier choices during the holiday season.

New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 363, No. 22, p. 2102-2113, November 25, 2010

Yahoo News November 25, 2010