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.