'Tis the season to overindulge. Thanksgiving to New Year's can be a five-week challenge to your dieting willpower and your commitment to working out. Big family meals, lots of desserts, chips and snacks and festive parties are lots of fun, but also give us lots of chances to break our resolution to work out and eat better.

So what can you do?

Let's start with food.

Make a plan to enjoy food, without putting on weight. At holiday parties, look for leaner foods like chicken, veggies and seafood. If you want something sweet, consider picking up some fruit. If you're craving chocolate, try dipping the fruit (lightly) in a chocolate sauce. If you have friends trying to lose weight, team up with them to pick a sweet treat and each take a bite. Savor the one bite and not the whole thing.

Don't go to a party starving. Eat a handful of carrots, a container of yogurt or a small bowl of high-fiber cereal before you go to take the edge off your appetite.

Now let's talk about working out during the holidays.

We all know how easy it is to sit on the couch with your friends and family, but why not plan something active? You'll burn some calories and create a memory with your family. Need some ideas? How about:

Plan a walk with your family at a local park or lake.

If you have adventurous people in your family, consider taking a rock climbing class as a group.

Several local rec centers have indoor pools with lazy rivers where you can swim and play.

Find a scenic hike at a local state park

Buy a Frisbee or a football and take it outside

Don't sit around just because it's Thanksgiving. Some local recreation centers are open for special workouts. There's even a run Thursday morning, the 35th Annual Mile High United Way Turkey Trot.

Remember, your friends will be inviting you to parties and other holiday events. Consider asking them if they can go for a walk with you the next morning so you can catch up even more.

Make a commitment to stay on track this holiday season. If you need help, e-mail me your goals at deb_stanley@kmgh.com and I'll email you once a week to make sure you're sticking to it.

We'll keep each other on track. Last week, I managed to work out 5 days including a hike Saturday since the weather was so nice. I did have one day where I was just too tired, but I made sure I got back on the elliptical the next day. (If I take two days off in a row, I have a tendency to get off track.)

I asked fitness trainer and exercise medicine specialist Jane Hastings for advice on survivng the holidays. Jane said:

The holiday season does not have to be disastrous to your personal health and fitness goals. Family gatherings and parties should be seen as occasions to connect socially and emotionally with those who are important to you rather than occasions that will sabotage your intentions.
Deb had some great ideas to help with food choices and exercise implementation. Give them a try.
Stay focused. Let your family and friends know your objectives and they can help you stay on track. Keeping your focus will also help with the stresses that the holidays can bring.
The better you feel by doing what is right for you, the better you will cope with those stresses and the better the holiday season will be overall. This year is different than any other year that we, the world, have experienced. Keep it simple. Let this year be the year that you take care of yourself first.
The best gift of all is the gift of personal health.
Be well and enjoy the magic of the season.

You can reach Jane at Mad About Fitness in Denver.