Caution: Winter Weight Gain Up Ahead

Derail. You know the word. Let's face it, most of us working toward good health through diet and exercise have an intimate relationship with the word. Diet derailers are everywhere -- in your house, in the grocery store, at work, at play, in your head even. Here, we'll address the very things that throw us off course. Together, we'll learn how to avoid our diet traps -- and how to get back on track when we can't.

FitSugar tells us it's not unusual to hit a fitness slump this time of year. Another site tells us that 30 percent of people don't work out at all during the winter months. There's the cold weather, the colds, the shorter and darker days -- oh, and the holidays too. I mean, who has time to work out with all the family, shopping, and cooking commitments? Ah, cooking -- this brings me to the diet disasters that might plague you during the bunches of days that fill November and December. Think Thanksgiving feasts and other holiday splendor and the fact that we tend to eat more carbs in the colder months, and it's clear that winter is a sure diet derailer.

Want to head off this derailer before it throws you off track? Here are some ideas. First, start engaging in some winter-y activities that burn calories. Prevent your seasonal pudge, says Good Housekeeping (December 2008), with these powerful moves (all require one hour of work and are based on a 150-pound woman).

• Shovel your driveway and burn 430 calories
• Stack firewood and burn 358 calories
• Build a snowman and burn 286 calories
  
• Downhill ski and burn 215 calories
• Ice skate and burn 197 calories
• Set up and decorate your tree and burn 164 calories
• Walk in a winter wonderland (3 mph) and burn 118 calories
• Wrap presents and burn 107 calories

Next, plan an indoor workout adventure, says Maggie. Then get in shape and hit the slopes. Invest in some winter produce too. And avoid these foods -- AOL Health says they are sure to ruin your diet.

And one final note to keep in mind: Winter can have a positive affect on your weight if you let it. You see, your body has to work harder in the cold to stay warm so you burn more calories during this season than any other. So why not melt calories faster than you can melt the snow by keeping active and eating right -- for at least the next month or so. Once you survive the rest of the year and realize your body is in pretty good shape, you'll be all the more motivated to kick butt in 2009.