THE SEASON HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN. This is it from November 1 through January 1 . . . The season of overindulging, eating, drinking and being merry. It's also the season of party, planning, shopping, cooking, more shopping, wrapping, family, busyness and craziness. In all of its goodness and lights it can also be the time we set our selves up for some thickening around the middle.  

Especially, if you found gobs of leftover candy in your house after last night's Trick-or-Treating . . . That's where the SIMPLY MAINTAIN EQUALS NO GAIN challenge comes in!  

I do not advocate folks trying to lose weight over the Holidays. If you are trying, and do, you are a rockstar! I think it's really hard, stressful, and puts lots of pressure on an already pressureful (don't think that's a word) time. And face it, it also sucks the fun out of lots of events! SO, my mantra has always been, MAINTAIN DON'T GAIN, over the Holidays. So, don't set yourself up that your ARE going to gain that extra 5 pounds. It just doesn't have to be!  It's not too hard, either. Just commit to this Challenge and begin today by doing some smart things.

1.  Watch your portions
2.  Move more
3.  Park farther away in the parking lot
4.  Take the stairs, often
5.  Drink lots of water
6.  Make smart choices
7.  Eat an apple (or some fruit) every day
8.  Eat vegetables every day
9.  Remember, a little exercise is better than none
10. Watch the booze (if you are going to a party tomorrow night, do you really          need  that wine tonight?)
11. If you are indulging in dessert or treats, make sure they are the very              best and worth every calorie!
12. Eat breakfast!
13. Shove the bread basket away in a restaurant
14. Try not to eat on the run, or while standing, or straight out of the bag, or          from the drive-thru.  Notice I said, try, I'm not crazy.

So, who's with me? November 1 until January 1, I am taking the Challenge to Simply Maintain Not Gain during this time. Hope you'll join in!

I'll be nagging you otherwise . . . 

How much candy is just too much candy? We separate and donate lots of candy. What do you do with the overflow?

Fitness instructor and self-professed “fitness nerd” Marla-Deen Brooks is a wife, mother of three boys, three dogs and a leopard gecko. See more from her at Marla-Deen-Fit.net.