I am heading home to Virginia this weekend for a family reunion, which definitely means my weight-loss plans will come under fire.

While my boyfriend is worrying about eating too little to satisfy my feed-you-til-you-drop aunts, I am worrying about eating way too much. (Sometimes, I really wish I could borrow his lack of appetite for a few months. My weight loss would be done!)

Aunt Trevor has already told me there will be turkey with all the trimmings on Friday, a barbecue complete with chips, dip and pound cake on Saturday and my Aunt Wanda's mouth-watering spaghetti on Sunday.

And that doesn't count the grits, the biscuits, Aunt Dollye's fried chicken or Aunt Trevor's legendary candy apples.

So I have come up with some strategies to help me see my way clear. First, I plan to take some low-carb snacks on the road so I won't be tempted when we stop for bathroom breaks in New Jersey and Maryland. And if we must stop to eat, I will find a Cracker Barrel, which offers a full low-carb menu.

Next, I have already asked Aunt Trevor to cut up a candy apple so I can have a piece instead of the whole thing. I know, I should resist totally, but we all know if I try that, I will eat all kinds of other stuff to make up for that lost apple slice!

I also plan to eat a little snack before the big meals, as advised by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' site for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The Healthy Holiday Eating guide also advises eating slowly and staying away from the buffet table. Check out the complete list of suggestions.

So keep your fingers and toes crossed for me as I pass the Mason-Dixon line. I may lose a battle or two, as long as I don't lose the war.

And happy Fourth of July!

--Amanda Barrett, amNY.com