"It's definitely a lot harder to stay focused around the holidays," admits Shelby Bennett.
It is hard, there is no doubt about it, sticking with an exercise routine and staying away from those sweets takes a lot of willpower come Christmas.
Holiday cookies are probably one of the biggest culprits but we have some tips to help you stay strong.
"If you're just sitting around...and there is a nice dish of cookies sitting on the table, it's more tempting so you gotta find something clean. I mean, no one wants to do that but it'll keep you away from those cookies," Bennett says.
If you're the type whose eye is always on the chocolate, personal trainer Scott Keppel says you can always try a healthier version. "Just using protein and peanut butter and water. Just freeze em' take em' out and there's your sweets so you don't have to feel like your neglecting anything," advises Keppel.
The one thing you might want to cut out completely is eggnog because the calories add up quick. Keppel explains, "In one cup of eggnog it has 350 to 400 calories so if you're going to drink some eggnog knowing that you're going to take in that many calories and that many grams of fat, watch what you eat."
Speaking of watching what you eat, prime rib is popular for many at Christmas dinners but if you're trying to watch your waist line, try a leaner steak like a flank or sirloin and be careful how much you eat. Keppel explains, "Control that portion. Three ounces, which is really a size of deck cards is really all you need. Too many people go and eat 8-ounce which is twice as much."< /p>
If you're New Year's resolution is to lose weight, try starting before the new year. Keppel advises, "Just get into a routine. Get into Mondays I'm going to do a half hour on the treadmill or I'm going to go for a walk around my house and then that way once January comes and all the Christmas cookies are gone, all the company has left and that way you can hit with both feet on the ground."
Breanne, another gym-goer, says, "Once you get in the habit it doesn't make it as hard."
And whatever you do, do not get discouraged and give up.
For more exercise tips or recipes that'll help you cut calories this Christmas, .
When time is limited, Kepel came up with this you can do.
