This time of year is a very challenging time to stay on track with our health and wellness goals, so with a little help from my colleagues we've compiled 12 tips to help you get through the holidays – that will help you stay on track or keep you from falling too far off course.

To start off our list we'll start with the one activity most people tend to put on hold until after the New Year – Exercise. The holidays are an incredibly busy time and in addition to preparing our houses for out of town guests, shopping for presents and working, we're enjoying Christmas treats and going to holiday parties. It's during this time that we tend to gain weight because we're consuming extra calories and burning fewer.

To get some good tips on exercise, I asked Walter Medieros, the Personal Training Director at Total Fitness Clubs, what he recommends to his clients during this tough time of year.  Walter's top Five tips include:

1.  Some exercise is better than none. The one hour of activity you typically do may not fit during these the holidays weeks but getting in 20 minutes is better than not going at all and will have lasting effects throughout the entire day. 

2.  If you belong to a gym, take advantage of specialty classes offered as they're something different and will be an efficient usage of time.'

3.  Workout early in the day so nothing keeps you from your program. 

4.  Incorporate super-sets and compound sets into your strength training routine. They will shorten your workouts and keep your heart rate up throughout the workout.  

5.  Think about hiring a personal trainer, if even, for a couple 1/2 hours a week they can take the stress off you figuring out what to do to make the best usage of your time. The appointment will also commit you to a program and keep you accountable, to your trainer, for your workouts through the week. Don't have the money for a trainer? Workout with a buddy – you'll be accountable to someone other than yourself.

Next we'll delve into the Nutrition side of things.  As I mentioned earlier some of the toughest challenges come with all of the holiday treats and holiday parties we attend.  For some advice on what to do this holiday season, I asked Emily DelConte, RD, LD, the Nutrition Director at EVOLUTION pilates & nutrition.  Emily gives each of her patients the following recommendations for how to stay on track and still have fun at holiday parties:

6.  Eat a snack before you go to holiday parties - so you aren't overly hungry when you get there.

7.  Pick one dessert and have that instead of trying a small piece of everything off the goody table.

8. Bring a healthy dish so at least you know there is something healthy to eat.

9.  Try to find out what the party menu is ahead of time so you can go into the party with a game plan.

10. Don't socialize around the food table - it makes it too easy to keep picking. 

So far there are 10 great tips from some of our local experts. For the last two, I'm putting them under the category of well being:

11.  Pace yourself!   As we get closer to the holidays the "mad dash" becomes even more hectic, but is it really necessary? For such a fun and joyous time of year, try to make it less stressful. 

12.  Step back and take it all in. We all work so hard for the perfect holiday, perfect dinner, and overall occasion, so take some well-earned moments to step back and take in all that is around you. Time spent with friends and family this time of year is precious, so enjoy it and make the most of your holiday!

Merry Christmas & Be Well….