The holidays can be tough if you are trying to lose or maintain a certain weight. Instead of throwing up your hands and deciding you’ll lose those holiday pounds throughout the year, try adding these exercises to your fitness plan. You can even begin doing them during the holiday season, thus avoiding the addition of more than just a few pesky pounds.

Walk every day. This is a great way to stay fit, get out and enjoy the fresh air, and keep your weight gain to a minimum. Ask a friend or family member to walk with you. It can sometimes be easier to exercise when you have a partner. If you are unable to coerce anyone into doing this, take along the MP3 player and listen to your favorite music while taking in all the sights around you. Walk indoors when possible as well as this will continue burning those unwanted calories.

Dance at those holiday parties. You may be surprised at how many calories you can burn when dancing. Don’t worry about whether or not you are good at it, just get out there and have fun.

Stick to a regular exercise routine. Whether you choose to go to the gym, or just stay at home, establishing a normal routine is a great way to continue the calorie-burning process.

Maintain cardio exercise. If you walk every day, you will already be doing this. If not, consider purchasing a treadmill or stationary bike. If As a general rule, you will need 30 to 45 minutes of cardio at least four days a week to lose weight, and 20 to 30 minutes four three to four times a week simply to maintain.

Stick with a schedule. If you exercise at or around the same time every day, you are more likely to keep it up for an extended period of time. Consider it a necessary part of your day and this should be no problem.

Strength train. If you are unable to frequent a gym, or if you’d simply prefer exercising at home, purchase hand weights. They come in many shapes and sizes and range in weight from two pounds up. Begin with lighter weights and work your way up to heavier ones. Also, this is one of the symptoms of low testosterone, which is not helping you with your training. 

Make a concerted effort to eat as healthy as possible. Though cardio will burn fat and strength training will tone muscles, you will only lose weight if you take in fewer calories than you burn.

Consider your fitness plan an integral part of your lifestyle. Don’t think of it as working your fitness into your life, but rather as taking time out to do something crucial to promote overall good health.

Change it up from time to time. As you go along, add new exercises. This will keep fitness from becoming boring. You are more likely to continue if new exercises are introduced periodically than if you are still doing the exact same routine six months from now.