Holiday Pounds, Banished and Vanished!

Don't dwell on your indiscretion if you ate and drank too much over the holidays. With a few simple changes, you can lose those holiday pounds in no time.

Feeling blue about overeating on a few occasions the past few weeks? It's time to jump back on the horse and gallop toward a new you! Here are some great ideas that will help you get back on track with your weight-loss plan.

Shovel, rake, or mow your way to a slimmer you. No matter what season it is, there's always some yard work to be done. Take advantage of a snowfall and tackle your driveway or sidewalk several times that day. In the spring and summer, grab a manual lawn mower and trim your lawn. In autumn, rake the leaves in your front yard. Remember to use your arms and legs as much as possible and not your lower back so you don't injure yourself.

Get rid of the holiday goodies. We all stock up on extra sweets and goodies over the holidays for guests. But get rid of them as soon as the holidays are over so they don't tempt you! If you don't want to throw them out, drop them off at your local food bank, or take them to work to share them around. How about a nice new year gift basket of sweets for your children's teachers or caretakers? (Obviously, only untouched, unopened packages apply.)

Map out your meals. Spend a few minutes each morning planning out your meals and snacks for the day. The key is to prepare for when hunger strikes. This way, you won't default for the chips, but will grab the crudités instead.

Turn the music up. When you're ready to clean up the holiday mess, turn on music and move your body! Add a few dance steps to your kitchen sweep or while vacuuming the carpets. When cleaning the bathroom, alternate among the bath/shower, sink and toilet, to make it more interesting and to keep yourself moving. Add some toning to your dance routine with lunges and squats.

Finish with fresh fruit. Instead of the sweetness of chocolate, or a heavy, high-calorie dessert, finish off your meal with fresh fruit. It's just as sweet, and guaranteed to satisfy.

Play outdoors as much as possible. Any time of year lends itself to outdoor activity, and not just the ordinary kind. Grab your kids and go inline skating. Take advantage of a snowfall and go sledding on the biggest hill in town. Or pick up a softball bat and some mits and start a game. Soon enough you'll be running around like a kid, having a great time while burning calories.

Skip the wine when you dine. Instead of having a glass of wine with dinner, opt instead for mineral water with a splash of cranberry juice or grape juice for some sweetness. If you really enjoy a glass of wine in the evening, trying having one every other night, or treating yourself once or twice a week.

Work your water intake. Encourage yourself to drink your 6 to 8 glasses of water a day by buying yourself a refillable water bottle and keep it filled while at work or on the go. In no time, this will become second nature, and you'll feel fuller more often.

Fill up on fiber. Try adding more fiber-rich foods to your diet, like whole grains and leafy vegetables. Foods full of fiber tend to have fewer calories and keep you fuller longer. This is another easy way to get your recommended 4 to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. You'll probably even discover some fiber-rich foods you love!

Join the gym sensation. Throughout the year, gyms everywhere are offering promotions for memberships. Take a walk-through of your local gym and see if what they have interests you. You may like the classes they are offering, or you may feel inspired by all those working out around you. Remember, if you decide to join a gym, you can start off slowly and work your way up!