I'm sure you've heard some of these tips before. I'm also certain a little remindedr this time of year can only help.

Last week I wrote about setting yourself for a successful new year by tackling resolutions well before the ball drops. This way you can maneouver around early stumbling blocks and relapses without feeling like a failure or letting your good intentions fizzle like stale champagne!

Navigating the Holidays without feeling like the world is spinning off its axis take some effort. I hope some of these tips stick in your mind and help you sail through the busy holiday season with a self-satified smile.

1. Start the day Strong!

Getting exercise in the morning, before life gets too crazy, can help ensure you make healthier choices all day long. You may have to wake up a bit earlier to give yourself an extra 15-60 minutes of time at home, outside or at the gym. Good news! Reseachers at the Universisty of Toronto found that early risers often have a more positve outlook than those who sleep in! What winter blues?! Start small and make time for a 15 minute circuit routine (Push-up, Squats, Jog in Place, Repeat) to get moving. Follow that with a healthy breakfast and you'll be setting yourself up for a great day!

2. Build willpower to stay Strong!

It's true that willpower is like a muscle. It has to be built and maintained with training. We use our self-restraint every day, not throwing a fit waiting at the post-office, dealing with crazy traffic. Sometimes it feels all used up. Replenish your willpower from the inside out. Before doing anything rash, before raiding the dessert table, STOP.  Take 10 deep breaths, chew a stick of gum, suck on a mint, phone a friend, go ahead check your email, anything to "hold on" until you get over the urge and reconnect with your real feelings or hunger.

3. Concentrate your workouts.

When time seems shorter than usual and evenings are packed with social events it's too easy to let workouts slip. But, this is when we need stress-relieving, calorie-burning exercise most! Even just 15 minutes can help maintain your routine and fitness. You might not be able to make your favorite Zumba class on Friday night, so how about dialing up a You-Tube version and dancing in your living room?? Or grab a jumprope and burn a whopping 200 calories in 15 minutes. My favorite quickie cardio sequence at the gym is 5 minutes on the rowing machine working as hard as I can, then 10 minutes of intervals of the treadmill alternating running and walking uphill every minute, followed by climbing stairs for however much time I have left. In 30 minutes I'm a sweat-happy-mess.

4. Stave of Snack Attack and Buffet Binges

Cutting back during the day or skipping meals before a big night out might seem like a good way to "save up" calories but it's a really bad idea. By the time you arrive at the party you're starving and it's impossible to keep sane surrounded by all those ooey-gooey, cheesy treats. A grumbling tummy can quickly chip away at willpower.  Best advice is to eat your regular meals, fill up on veggies, fruits and lean protein, and have a small snack before going out. Take back control with smart choices like hummus and carrots, hard boiled eggs, or whole grain crackers with nut butter.

5. Have Go-To Meals

You don't have to count every calorie you consume to stay on track.  Make things simple by having a rolling list of go-to meal options for when you are eating at home or the office. I eat the same thing pretty much every day for lunch and dinner depending on the season.  In the Winter, I love to start my day with hot coffee, sliced ripe pear, a scramble egg with spinach and cheese and a slice of toast with melty almond butter. Lunch is usually soup and a salad, or an open faced tuna-melt.  My snacks are almonds and carrots, Think Thin bars, rice cakes and Laughing Cow cheese wedges or hot cocoa. If we aren't going out or making a holiday meal dinner is simple too; pork chops with sauteed apples and onions, beef stew in the crock pot or baked chicken.

6. Slow Down and Pay attention

Seriously, this tip is the best. It takes practice but it works like MAGIC. Eat meals sitting down at the table. Do not eat in front of the TV. Distraction quickly leads to over eating and rarely leaves you feeling satisfied. Slow down. Slow WAY down. It takes time for your body to digest food and tell your brain when it's had enough. Chew each bite and swallow before even picking up the fork again. Try it. It's hard! Avoid a crampy bloated belly by chewing food fully (about 30 chews each bite). Focus on your food and you'll feel fuller faster and probably end up eating much less.

7. Choose FUN!

Holidays are supposed to joyous occasions for celebration. Well, we all know things are way more complicated than that! But, we also know celebrations are supposed to be fun. So, laugh, light candles, curl ribbons, have desert (just not all of them!) I love to play games. Family and friendly get-togethers are my favorite time to challenge folks to a raucous game of Yatzee, or Uno, Mad Gab or Cranium. Heck, I'll sit around for hours and try my hand a gin rummey with my Mom or anyone who'll play. Now, of course, I think a lovely glass of red wine makes the dice roll my way, but I'm having too much fun and giggling too much to do any serious damage.

Cheers to you all! Come see me before the end of the year! Let's get fit together!

And don't forget our December Specials -- Best Prices of the Year on Personal Training and Massage. Hmm, sounds like help for the holidays to me!

With Love,

Remy