December is really a great time to be thoughtful about exercise and healthy eating. I know, it’s counterintuitive, right? All those parties? Food (and drink) everywhere you look! In fact, our WeightWatchers flipchart this week says that “For the next couple of weeks our environments will be flush with treats.”

Next couple of weeks?!

How about, FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES (unless things change radically) we are going to be surrounded by temptation. Yes, even in January.

I’m so proud of everyone I know who is making an extra effort to stay sane and focused right now (and I know a lot of these folks). The key, as someone told me yesterday, is about “balance, not deprivation, not excess.” In other words, it’s about knowing how to enjoy December, but also how to do the work of being a healthy person during a very busy time.

Trust me: doing this now is going to pay off in spades.