It might be stating the obvious but in preparation for the holiday season ...

Do your best to exercise most days of the week. Try for at least three days of exercise during the holiday season, including core workouts and walking or hiking as much as possible. If you exercise even just 30-40 minutes and get a little sweat going you WILL stay on track! This is critical. Don't let yourself get lazy.

Make your exercise programs quick, practical and to the point especially if you are traveling or spending time with family. Do body-weight training, e.g. lunges, squats, tricep dips, crunches etc. No equipment needed.

Eat small snacks that include apples, oranges, nuts (try to stick to almonds), low fat cottage cheese and protein based snacks between possibly tempting meals or holiday parties. DO NOT go to a party with an empty stomach and DO NOT starve yourself before Christmas dinner ... that is why people overeat when they get all that food in front of them. Be smart! Also, make sure you STAY HYDRATED! This is the biggest reason most people overeat during the holidays. Drink water, team!

Do your best to stay away from the sugary stuff. It only makes you hungrier and leaves you wanting more food. Eat your food more slowly than everyone else at the table and you will be satisfied with less food. Have your dessert, but keep it small. You will feel so much better.

If you do want to have alcohol, go ahead, just know that it will make you hungry and less likely to stick to your plan. I suggest that after any beer, wine or alcoholic drink that you drink one glass of water. This will make you less dehydrated and less likely to overeat or get a terrible hangover!!

Do not lose sight of your goal. Make your fitness program a part of your holiday routine!

Trudy Nicholls is a qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer, a director of Just For Ladies Fitness in the Sydney suburb of Maroubra and also writes for http://www.Walking-For-Fitness.com