Yes, I put some weight on over the holidays, too, but I want you to consider that it is a First World problem, and one that we can work with without compromising our health. Dieting can often cause you to gain more weight in the long run, because your body will become convinced that it is starving, and will hang onto each calorie in a most efficient way, which will mean that when you go back to regular eating, you will put the weight that you lost back on, plus some.
Try cutting back on desserts first, just a little each day, and be mindful of every bite, so that you can really enjoy it. If you are paying attention to the fact that you are eating, you will automatically eat less. Use tea (Wuyi Oolong is good) to help boost your energy and curb your appetite. Have tea and just a nibble of something great for your break instead of a whole piece of a baked goodie. Find someone who might want to share your goodie with you. As we move toward spring, the desire for baked good and sweets will automatically fall away if you are paying attention.
Think of yourself in a loving way, and remember that you put that extra weight on to help stave off the winter cold, not because you are a bad person. Starting a New Year out by beating yourself up is probably a bad idea, so listen to your body, and whenever it wants vegetables, go for it. Buy yourself a new juicer for the New Year and juice up green vegetables and fresh fruit once a day. Be sure and use organic fruits and vegetables. Drinking a big glass of juice with chia seeds added is a great way to start your day, and will automatically curb your appetite for the rest of the day.
I have just gotten a new slow cooker, and am making soups in the morning to enjoy for dinner. It's easier to prepare healthy food in the morning and soup feels like just the right thing on a cold evening. If you have that juicer, you can add some vegetable juice to that soup to boost your vitamin content. Keep thinking about boosting your body's health by putting as many vitamins and minerals in it as you can, and you can't go wrong.
Instead of dessert, have a cup of herbal tea, with a big spoon of honey. You will satisfy your sweet tooth, and you will have put some nutrients and healthy herbs and spices in your body. You will also sleep better having had a cup of herbal tea than you will having had a rich dessert.
I write a lot of these things so I will remember them, too. Healthy feels better than anything and looks better too!