BE FESTIVE & FIT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON THANKS TO

FITNESS ICON DONNA RICHARDSON JOYNER'S

TIPS TO FEND OFF HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN

The holidays are a time of excess - lots of parties and lots of spending.  But it isn't just the credit card debt that many people are trying to shed in the New Year.  It's also those excess pounds!  With all those family gatherings, office parties, Hanukkah and Christmas celebrations, it can be easy to gain 5-10 pounds between Thanksgiving and January.

Don't fret.  Fitness icon Donna Richardson Joyner, the creator of the new Body Gospel workout program by Beachbody and the only member of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition to be re-appointed by Obama after serving under Bush, has put together 10 Festive & Fit Tips that will keep you fabulous and fit during the holidays and prepare you to look and feel  great into the New Year:

NUTRITION TIPS:

1. Eat a healthy snack at home before you go to a holiday party or to the grocery store.  If not, you could find yourself filling your basket or your tummy with food you would normally pass up.

2. Make sure when you leave for the party you are not empty handed.  Keep your hands full with holding a purse, camera, cell phone...anything that will keep you from holding food or a drink at the event, unless it's water.  P.S. holding your mouth open and allowing people to toss food in isn't allowed, nor is putting food in your purse or taking pictures of desserts and viewing them in private for your own pleasure!

3. When you do eat at the gathering, grab a small plate and think small portions.  Once you have your plate of food stay far away from the table of temptation.  And this doesn't mean pile the food onto that small plate.  Here's a rule, if you're holding a salad plate at the height of your stomach and food is rubbing against your chin...you've got way too much!

4. Just politely say no to Aunt Betty who wants to load you down with doggie bags of leftover ham, macaroni and cheese, and sweet potato pie.  But say yes if she asks if she's prying by asking you when you're going to get married and have children.

5. Remember to hydrate because certain drinks will dehydrate you.  So drink up, yes drink lots of H20.  Stake out the bathrooms so that you won't risk having to make that uncomfortable wandering search while doing the "Potty Shuffle."

FITNESS TIPS:

1. When you are out at a holiday party don't just dance for one song, stay on the dance floor and be a dancing machine.  Extra points for doing the moonwalk in your "Tis the Season" stilettos!

2. Before shopping at the mall put on your comfortable shoes so when you get there you can walk a couple of laps around before purchasing your goodies. Warning: sprint through the food court so that you won't stop to smell the combination of pizza, chicken, chili dogs and cinnamon rolls.

3. Ignore valet parking and don't waste your time driving around for 20 minutes for a close parking spot.  Park and walk.  Once inside make a conscious choice to take the stairs. If you do take the stairs, you have the right to give a judgmental slow shake of the head directed at the people riding the escalator.

4. For those who love Christmas caroling add some movement.  Sing, move and get your groove on.  If you want to turn the speed up a notch, I suggest working out to "A Chipmunk Christmas."

5. Give your loved ones gifts that will keep the heart healthy and their buns blessed...like,  the Body Gospel fitness DVD, walking shoes, pair of weights or resistance band, session with trainer.  That will beat a fruitcake, a pair of fuzzy slippers and a Chia Pet any day of the week!

For more information on fitness guru Donna Richardson Joyner, her new Body Gospel workout program by Beachbody and her role on the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, check out: www.BodyGospel.com and www.DonnaRichardson.com