By Courtney Burkholder

Okay, ladies, in case your calendar is too full of kids’ extra-curricular activities and fall projects, I want to remind you that TODAY is a very important day. The countdown to the holidays has begun. That’s right. It’s time for our annual pre-holiday, get-in-shape, lose-a-few-pounds-so-I-can-get-into-my-Christmas-sweater push. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it. I know you better! If you’re like me, there are a few things required to be successful in this endeavor.

First is TIME.

In college, I needed about five days to whip myself into shape. A week prior to the Christmas formal, I would exercise daily, parading in front of the fraternity houses with several girlfriends and my walkman. I gave up chili cheese fries for pasta “salad,” and I did 50 crunches every night after returning from the bar. Voila! Five pounds lost.

In my twenties, two to three weeks was all it took to see significant improvement. Forty-five minute workouts at the gym after work, lean cuisine lunches, and cutting out bread with my dinner would usually do the trick. I felt lean and mean at that first holiday soiree.

Now, in my late thirties, I require six to eight weeks MINIMUM and a lot of discipline and hard work to see results. As of today, there are exactly four weeks until Thanksgiving and eight weeks until Christmas. So, the time has come.

Second is SUPPORT.

It’s not easy to lose weight, so having a good support group is essential. I’m blessed to have many friends who also work hard to maintain a healthy weight. We all work together and encourage each other by sharing healthy recipes, exercising, and providing a shoulder to cry on when the going gets tough. There are also many wonderful programs that provide support and guidance for weight loss. I’ve been a Weight Watchers lifetime member for eight years, and it is a wonderful program for learning portion control and healthy eating choices. It also requires accountability which is important for me. But there are many other wonderful programs like Jenny Craig or LA Weight Loss. Find the one that appeals to you.

Third is MOTIVATION.

I always need a goal. There are friends and family I see only once a year during the holidays, and that is a strong motivation to look and feel my best. Parties, gatherings, reunions – the holidays are a time to celebrate, and I always enjoy myself so much more when I feel in control of my life and good about how I look. I also like to eat my turkey and dressing without guilt. If I’ve worked hard in the months before the holidays to get in shape, I feel as though I’ve earned a little holiday splurge. And the five pounds most people put on during the holidays, isn’t nearly as painful.

So ladies … no excuses. You’ve got the time, so find your motivation and support and get busy getting in shape! My fellow North San Antonio Times columnist, Diana Chaloux, offers great wisdom into the world of exercise, so check out her column to see what motivating ideas she’s touting this week. Good luck!