The holidays are notorious for being a time when even the most health-conscious woman lets her fitness goals slip to the wayside as she happily accepts a second helping of mom's famous pumpkin pie and skips that day's planned trip to the gym. All those indulgences coupled with a busy schedule can quickly add up to extra pounds on the scale, come the New Year.{relatedarticles}

When the holiday crunch leaves little time for fitting in your crunches (or squats, or downward-facing dog, etc.), there's still plenty of ways to add physical activity to your holiday routine. Exercise is a proven stress-fighter and you might be surprised at how energized and invigorated you'll feel after a 20-minute holiday workout.

Instead of obsessing about a few gained pounds or living in regret over that missed run and/or the plate of latkes, focus on enjoying the holidays with your family and friends and carving out a few minutes every day for fitness.

Walk it Off

One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to keep your body active during the holiday season is to go for daily walks. Make it a goal to get in at least 20 minutes of walking time every day. Go at the fastest pace that is still reasonably comfortable for you. To get an idea of how many calories you can burn walking, consider that a 150-lb. woman walking 1 mile in 20 minutes will burn an average of 80 calories. Not bad!{relatedarticles}

Consistency is important for any fitness program, including walking, so create a schedule that works for you, perhaps every evening before or after dinner. Bring a friend or family member along, or go it alone, with or without an iPod and the family dog. The point is to get your heart rate elevated. You can also relieve some of the stress and anxiety that can build up after spending too many hours waiting in line to buy gifts for everyone on your list.

Use a Fitness Video as Your Guide

If you're someone who benefits from a bit more direction, but you don't have time to make it to the gym or fitness studio for an hour-long aerobics class, choose a 20-minute fitness video as your guide. Or use a few segments of other videos combined together to focus on your needs and goals. Not sure where to begin? Hit the local library to see if there are any fitness DVDs or ask your friends if they have a title they would be willing to loan you for a week or so.

Exercise TV provides an assortment of free and paid fitness videos online or On Demand that allow you to work out at your convenience. You can also find fitness titles on Netflix that are available to watch instantly with your computer or gaming device, such as Wii, PS3 or XBOX 360. There are numerous options for 20-minute workouts, with everything from boot camp-style aerobics to restful, relaxing yoga. Vary your viewing habits to keep things interesting and provide a well-rounded workout experience.{relatedarticles}

Good, Old-Fashioned Fast Fitness During the Holidays

If you're pressed for time and looking to burn calories and tone muscle, break out your running shoes for a quick lap around the neighborhood. On average, a 150-lb. woman will burn 49 calories in a 1/2 mile run. Keep the pace comfortable, as the short timeframe won't provide for much of a warm-up and you don't want to cause injury.

After you get your muscles loosened up and your heart rate elevated, return home for a few simple exercises, or-if you're fortunate to live in a warm climate-stop at a nearby park or your own back lawn for a few time-tested moves including:

• 13 reps of the tricep dip (you can use a chair or do these right on the ground), each held for 2 counts;
• 8-10 reps of the modified push-up, each held for 2 counts;
• 8-10 crunches in which you contract abs with upper back off the ground for 2 counts and lower for 2 counts (hold for 8 counts on last rep and "pulse" for 8 counts); and
• 1 to 3 sets of 10-15 reps of any version of the squat that you favor.
  

Don't forget to start and end your routine with a few easy stretches and a gentle walk.

Sneak Fitness Into Your Holiday Routine{relatedarticles}

If the thought of setting aside even 20 minutes solely for exercise causes you anxiety during the holidays, find ways to sneak physical activity into your daily routine, or as part of your holiday plans.

Listed below are a few ideas on how to sneakily fit in fitness:

• Pull the blinds, turn up the music and dance while you clean the house before that big party or family dinner (a 150-lb. woman will burn an average of 135 calories during 20 minutes of dancing).
• Park the car on the far end of the parking lot at the mall and use the longest route you can to get to the stores on your list.
• Hand-deliver holiday greeting cards to neighbors.
• If you're hosting a holiday gathering at your home, make time for activities that get people moving and having fun together (Twister, Wii Fit, charades, an impromptu dance party, etc.).
• If you're traveling and stuck at the airport with a long layover, go for a walk around the airport instead of cooling your heels by the gate.
• Carry your own groceries out of the store, sans cart, if possible (Bonus tip: carry the bags behind you. It looks funny, but is great for your triceps).

The Cleveland Clinic recommends that instead of focusing on losing weight this holiday season, you make it a goal to maintain your weight. In addition to practicing moderation, the simplest way to do this is to move more, particularly on those days when all you can think about is raiding the pantry for that box of holiday cookies.