With the holiday season now fully upon us, you may have discovered that it's difficult to stay focused on your health and fitness goals.  There are sweets in the break room and everywhere else we visit, and, of course, the "come and get some" smells of baked goods waiting for us at our own front doors. We even get too hurried with shopping, wrapping, and visiting that we say we have no time to exercise.

This time of year it's very important to try a little harder to stay focused and committed to our wellness goals, but don't feel guilty and give up if you slip a little.  Remember that the natural outcome of a focused goal is success. We must develop habits to focus on our success patterns if we are to succeed. If we begin to develop a negative pattern we cannot succeed in anything we do.  If every time we get to the office we eat some of the holiday treats, we are allowing the force of temptation to grow inside us. I'm not saying that we have to be perfect, but please be honest with yourself.  Can you have one bite or one piece and leave it at that? How about one small taste to satisfy your sense of having enjoyed a treat? Stop at one.

In many ways, our habits decide our future. This goes for all areas of life. Successful people most likely have very focused habits. When working on our health goals at this time of year we must continue, or even raise, our level of positive habits. With strong habits we can create a fortress around our will and avoid the urge of temptation.

For example, get in the habit of avoiding the break room, bring a positive book you can read in your work station or office at break time, go for a walk at lunch, and make time to work out during the holidays.  If you know you crave that calorie-loaded holiday latté every morning, make a new healthier and less expensive habit like a cup of plain herbal tea. If you find yourself eating baked goods or sweets every night after dinner, try a bowl of fruit.

We don't have to be perfect during the holiday season, or in our everyday lives, but it's absolutely possible to continue along your road to fitness throughout the holiday season.  Write down your action plan of healthy habits, smile often, even in the face of challenges, lift your chin and your best days will still be ahead of you. Happy Holidays!

Troy Fontana owns Fontana Fitness at the Sparks Marina. Contact him at 331-6918 or e-mail getfit@fontanafitness.com