Monthly fitness tip: Stay fit over the holiday rush.

Courtesy City of Milton

It is hard to find the time to eat right and exercise this time of the year. Striking that healthy balance while busy with shopping, parties and the endless parade of high-calorie food and sweets can be daunting. Unfortunately the average American puts on five to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and the New Year.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are some quick tips to keep you from gaining that extra holiday weight.

Park far away from the stores: Do not spend time driving around the parking lot waiting for someone to come out of the store. Instead go right to the back of the lot. This will keep you moving. Wear a pedometer throughout the day to help keep track of your movement.
Eat a healthy snack before you go: Whether it's shopping or attending a holiday party, be sure to grab a healthy munchable before you leave. Choose a snack that has protein, fat and carbs. For example, sliced apples with one tablespoon of almond butter or two slices of cheddar cheese will keep you from wanting without tipping the scales.
Exercise when you can: Do not be discouraged if you cannot make your regular exercise class. Instead, while decorating your tree, do squats as you are picking up your ornaments. Make it a fun game to see who did the most squats while decorating the tree. Or turn on the holiday music and get the family dancing.
Moderate your drinking: This is the fastest way to pack on the calories. Eggnog alone has 350 calories per cup. Pick drinks that are lower in calories. Make sure that you intersperse all alcoholic drinks with water or sparking water. And keep in mind - we're all much more inclined to exercise when we feel our best, so moderation the night before is key.
Keep a food log: Keeping track of your food will help with accountability. Write down the good, the bad and the ugly. Don't cheat. Share your log with a buddy to keep yourself committed to the cause. You will be surprised how quickly the calories can add up and how unbalanced your meals can get during this time of year (fat, carbs, few vegetables - it's a tradition that goes back to our agrarian past).
Core Physique is running a holiday contest from now until Jan. 13 to help ward or melt off those extra pounds. The winner will win six free months of Fitness Camp. For more information contact Core Physique at corefitness@corephysique.net or call 77-752-5152.