Baking up goodies for parties, gifts and Santa is a terrific part of this festive holiday season -- even for me, your loving fitness trainer. Baking doesn't have to be bad for your body though, nor does it have to contribute to that traditional December weight gain.

If I weren't a fitness professional, I'd be a baker. It's fun and allows me the ability to be creative while making people happy. I love making people happy. I don't, however, enjoy putting fat on my hips or the hips of others. This has lead me to be really creative.

I've got a few suggestions for you to follow and a link here to my favorite baked treats in my online recipe book at Fitzness.com.

• Substitute eggs for an egg substitute like Egg Beaters.
• Substitute butter/oil for a sugar free syrup like the ones sold a DaVinci Gourmet. (Use equal amounts as the ones given for the oil/butter.)

• Always use low fat or fat free dairy products instead of the full fat stuff.
• Splenda kicks sugar's ass, and will keep the fat off of yours.
• Suck on a mint while baking to avoid constantly licking the bowl or spoon.
• Only bake when you have a group with which to share your goodies. Sitting home alone with a tray of cookies on the table is bad news for anyone.
• Sometimes bake your least favorite goodies. When I bake peanut butter cookies, I enjoy the process but I never even have a taste.

The recipes in my online recipe book are oozing with yummy low fat treats. Give them a try!