So how do you fit in being fit?  Start your list now with the words, "I will..." 

 Plan Ahead. 

• Just like you schedule meetings, workouts should be placed on your daily planner at the beginning of each week.  A goal without a plan is just a wish.  

 Prioritize My Health.

• All too often, we think of exercise like chocolate sprinkles - it's great when you get some, but not essential to make life better.  This kind of misguided thinking leads to skipped workouts in favor of marathon shopping (not an acceptable exercise substitute ladies).  Much like eating and sleeping are crucial to your long term well-being, so is exercise.  Change your thinking, change your life.

Home in on Fitness.  

• Just because Old Man Winter has chased away our outdoor riding weather you don't have to hang up your spandex.  Find a place in your house where you can leave your two-wheeled companion on the trainer permanently.  Reducing your setup & break-down time makes it easier to fit in a quick workout.  Leave a set of dumbbells, stability ball, and dynabands nearby so you can do some strength training, too.

Inspire My Family. 

• Instead of
  trying to sneak away from your family to workout, bring them along!  Plan a family hike, do a video together, or set up a stocking stuffer treasure hunt that requires lots of walking, climbing, and lifting.  Avoid the dreaded post-holiday food coma by engaging the family in a round of Wii boxing, twister, snowman building or old fashioned playground games like red light green light, tag, or kick the can.

 Travel with Toys. 

• Heading home for the holidays?  Bring your exercise goodies with you.  Pack your suitcase with dynabands, a jump rope, a stability ball (deflated of course - blowing it up at your destination), exercise videos, etc.  Traveling by car? Throw in some ankle weights or dumbbells.  And always search the Internet ahead of time for local gyms, races, or events you can do!

 Move More.  

• While exercise is important, if you sit on your booty the other 23 hours of the day, your belly is likely to shake like a bowl full of jelly.  Every extra step counts.  Think of sedentary activities and how you can incorporate movement.
• Never sit or stand while on the phone - talk & walk.  Better yet, use a Bluetooth so you can talk & power walk or go up & down your stairs. 
• Use commercials or set alarms to beep every 20 minutes to signal computer/TV stretch breaks.  Do 10 sit-ups, 10 push-ups, and 10 knee lifts during each stretch break.
• Park in the furthest space from your destination, take the stairs, and jog to and from the car.  Never valet.

• We've become quite adept at lightening our loads.  We haul our goods in wheely bags, carts, and vehicles.  Opt for backpacks, bags, shopping baskets, and foot/bike transport instead.

 Maximize My Time.

• Combine errands.  Need to catch up with a friend?  Go for a walk together instead of sitting at the coffee shop.  Need to be at your daughter's basketball game?  Plan to use the track for a half-time jog or walk up & down the bleachers.  Need to cook dinner?  Buy a cookbook with 10 minute recipes to free up more "me" time.  Cook enough that you can put some in the freezer for healthy fast-food meals next week!

Where there's a will (list) there's a weigh (less).   Make yours now.  You'll be delighted to see just how easy it is to stay fit for the holidays!