As a working mother of two, I know it’s difficult to exercise consistently, and the holiday season makes it even more challenging. Sprinting from Neiman’s to Sephora used to count, but since online shopping has blessed my life, I need to be creative! (My fingers just aren’t getting any thinner). Abundance of food and busy schedules are the two main reasons we gain weight during the holidays, so here are some tips to enjoy the season, fit in fitness, and not be sorry come January.

Plan your workouts. Actually put them in your calendar and treat them like appointments; you’re more likely to stick with them. When squeezing in a condensed workout, choose exercises that move as many parts of the body as possible, like those in my new Xen Strength Yoga DVD.

Don’t overlook small opportunities to get your heart rate up. I keep small weights next to my cookbooks and I grab them while water is boiling or broccoli is steaming. Instead of staring at the stove, I jam out a few sets of my Xen Strength moves. So if I don’t have time to do a full workout, I get in about 15 minutes of strength training while cooking. Go for a walk between dinner and dessert. At our beach house, where we spend the holidays with 40 people, we have a closet full of down jackets just for our walk, so nobody can pull the “I’m cold” card.

Instead of limiting our indulgent eating to two holiday dinners, many of us overeat for six weeks straight, and tell ourselves we’ll figure it out in January. I tell my students to eat mindfully DURING this time so they don’t wind up with ten pounds to lose. (2 or 3, no worries!)

This time of year people go into two different modes: “Oh it’s the holidays, I deserve to eat it” or “I’ll start my diet January 1^st.” The problem with both of these mindsets is they trigger the “feast or famine response.” If you think you’re never going to eat another cookie once January comes, then you’ll stuff as many cookies in your mouth between Thanksgiving and New Years as possible!

I tell my clients to pick a few of their favorite treats and eat them in moderation. It doesn’t mean to pick a peppermint martini and drink one every day, but to mentally visualize what it is you want to splurge on, and imagine being satisfied with just a few bites, or one drink. That way, when you are staring down the buffet table you don’t go on a binge and eat one of everything.

Instead of focusing on all the FOOD, focus on the PEOPLE. Don’t mentally count calories as you repeatedly visit the mini quiche, sit down and catch up with that aunt you haven’t seen all year, or say hi to the intern who looks lost at the company party.

Thinking you can starve all day and “save” the calories for later is a recipe for disaster. Your metabolism will slow down and you’ll arrive at the party ravenous. A light breakfast and a big bowl of soup for lunch will keep you satisfied.

Here’s a recipe I know you’ll love:

Easy Butternut Squash Soup( you can seriously make this in 15 minutes!)

-2 large leeks sliced ( sometimes I save time and use a bag of Trader Joes frozen, sliced leeks- easy!)

-1 tablespoon olive oil

-1/4 teaspoon salt

Heat up the olive oil and sautee the leeks until carmelized, covered, then add the salt. Next add the cubes of butternut squash and put the cover back on.

-4 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash

Let the squash cook until you can easily cut a knife through it. Then remove the leeks and squash and throw them into a blender to puree. You might need to add a 1/2 cup of the chicken broth to get it going. Once pureed, return to the pot and add the rest of the chicken broth and black pepper if you prefer

-2 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth ( more or less depending on how thick you like it)

-Fresh ground black pepper (optional)

Maybe Santa will leave us all a box full of TIME under the tree. Failing that, remember to try and squeeze in fitness any way you can, and make time to prepare healthy meals and snacks; both your body and mind will thank you. Wishing you nothing but happiness and health this holiday season! - Danielle Diamond

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