Jumpstart Your Fitness: By learning to say 'no' this holiday season

Ugh, holiday weight gain. Yes, it's mostly the treats and meals and festive decadence, but there's no doubt it also has something to do with the stressful and hectic nature of the season. It's just so hard to find time for working out and eating right when your regular routine is completely in shambles. There's shopping trips, cooking, traveling, and visiting with family that all make it near impossible to keep a healthy handle on things, and then throw in holiday parties and obscure relatives and friends coming out of the woodwork and you might as well kiss your healthy efforts goodbye -- and say hello to those extra holiday pounds.

Unless you can learn to just say 'no' nicely and manage your schedule a little better.

Realizing that you don't have to accept every invitation that comes your way is the first step to a less hectic December, and learning how to decline nicely without offending anyone or hurting any body's feelings is the second.

Here are a few pointers on how to say no, keep your sanity, and stay in everybody's good graces:

To a casual friend or coworker: Thank them for the invite, politely say you just won't be able to make it, and then suggest getting together after the holidays because you'd really love to spend time with them. Make sure you mark your calendar and follow up with them later.

To close friends and family: Explain that you won't be able to make it and be empathetic by acknowledging the fact that they must be disappointed. Natural Health suggests saying something like "I imagine that you may feel disappointed because Bill and I are staying home for the holidays this year. We decided that we really wanted quiet time. I hope you'll understand." Balance expressing what you need with understanding regarding how they must be feeling, and possibly suggest or schedule a get-together after the holiday season when things have calmed down.

Thinking ahead can also help -- by making plans in advance and prioritizing you can make sure to fit everybody you must see into your schedule, while still keeping time for yourself and your health.