Tips to stay fit during the holidays

"This year, I'm going to get in shape." Sound familiar?

Year after year, "getting fit" and "losing weight" are among the top five most popular New Year's resolutions, according to USA.gov. But why wait until the New Year this time? Here are some ways to jump-start a plan to stay healthy over the holidays.

1. Don't skip meals. One method commonly used around the holidays is restricting oneself throughout the day and saving up for one huge meal. According to bodybuilding.com, this can be detrimental to one's metabolism and wreak havoc on one's fitness goals.

Instead, it's a better idea to eat smaller meals and graze throughout the day on fruit, vegetables and other low-calorie foods and to drink plenty of water to stay full and hydrated to keep away the temptation to binge at holiday parties. Grazing throughout the day will also keep that metabolism revved up and able to better handle any excess calories consumed.

2. Control portions. Using the excuse, "It's the holidays, so I can eat as much as I want," will only put one in the wrong mindset for sticking to his/her goals. After stuffing one's face with all the food he or she can get his or her hands on purely for the sake of eating it because it's there, all that will follow is guilt, a miserable stomachache and another setback. Instead, just have a "taste" of everything. That way, deprivation won't set in.

Ryan Kelly, director of external relations for the University of Southern Mississippi's College of Health, said portion control is the biggest problem people usually have.

"The best thing to do is to limit yourself to one scoop of everything you're getting," Kelly said. "Then, only get a couple pieces of meat, and make sure it is trimmed of fat."

3. Don't skip dessert. Just moderate it. One shouldn't even try to avoid it. It's there, and it's tempting. By depriving oneself, it is only setting up for disaster later. The tantalizing aroma and image of those holiday cookies and pies will not subside and will lead to a binge later. Pick a favorite (something that isn't obtainable year-round) and have a piece, not everything in sight.

*Tip: Pumpkin pie is usually one of the lowest in calories. Pecan pie is usually one of the highest.

4. Skip/limit high-fat dressings, gravy, and condiments. Adding these to a meal can easily tack on an extra 100 to 200 calories. Instead, opt for ketchup, mustard or low-fat dressings and gravy, if available.

5. Sneak in a pre-party workout. An article on bodybuilding.com states that a workout that incorporates both muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance (such as circuit training or high-intensity interval training) - even for just 15 minutes - keeps an individual burning calories for several hours following exercise. Planning and partaking in a quick, exciting workout will not only allow the body to utilize the carbohydrates in those starchy holiday dishes more effectively in muscle repair and glycogen replenishment, but also keep the metabolism heightened to help burn off extra indulgences.

6. Go outside. Instead of sitting in front of the television after eating, be active. Enjoy an outdoor game of football or frisbee with the family. Not only will being active burn off the calories, but it will also help the food to digest.

7. Don't forget to enjoy yourself. The holidays are about letting loose and celebrating with loved ones. It's important to keep one's goals in mind and make healthy choices when possible, but depriving oneself completely isn't necessary.

Group fitness instructor Lindy Miller said there is no such thing as a New Year's resolution.

"Healthy eating and getting fit for life starts now," Miller said. "During the holiday season, don't go to parties hungry, practice moderation and portion control and incorporate exercise in your day, even when traveling."

Kelly said for the holidays it's not about what one eats so much as it is how much one eats.

"Gluttony is a very easy thing to fall victim to, but when people go into the day with a game-plan, it's easy to stay trim," Kelly said.