Exercise Tips for Holiday Health

Fabio Comano, a certified trainer at the American Council on Exercise, recommends plunging in and getting in shape now, knowing that the holidays will bring a few pounds. "Most people tend to put on weight in winter. "It's part of our (biological) survival pattern, a little like animals packing it on for hibernation."

Comano thinks the holidays are stressful enough without loading yourself down with unrealistic exercise goals. "If you exercise 45 minutes a day, you may only be able to do 30 minutes," he says.

• Start the day with deep-breathing and meditating (if you meditate).
  
• Take a walk before a meal, then one after. Or take a walk after dinner but before dessert.
  
• If you bake cookies as gifts, walk them around to the neighbors' houses.
  
• If you exercise in the morning normally, keep up that schedule. Just don't skip.
  
• Buddy up with a family member. Walking is a good time to catch up.
  
• Start some family traditions that are active, such as cross-country skiing.
  
• Create some make-work projects, such as setting the table one piece at a time and returning to the kitchen in between. Or put on some holiday tunes and dance!

Don't stress out about exercise. It's the other way around -- exercise eliminates stress!