Last year, the only exercise I got during the holiday season was whipping out my credit cards and twisting the cork out of bottles of red wine.

This meant that my bank balance shrunk drastically; unfortunately, that was the only thing that shrank.

This year, I've set up an insurance policy: I've told a couple of dedicated fitness friends to lean on me so that I continue to work out through the New Year. I know I can count on them to shame me into getting into my yoga clothes or cross-training shoes.

When all else fails, I know that they'll serve up some good old-fashioned peer pressure, and that it'll probably do the trick.

The friends I recruited (or did they recruit me?) are really good about sticking with their exercise routine during the holidays. Unlike me, they don't tend to find a lot of perfectly valid excuses to miss a workout.

Apparently, they think it's possible to exercise regularly during the holidays and shop for presents, get ready for Christmas parties, bake cookies, send out X-mas cards, and participate in the general madness. They also think it's lame to skip a ride just because it's a little chilly outside.

So, I fail to show up for any of the above reasons, I'll get some grief. That's why I've started to ride with them, and I'm not the only one who appreciates their attitude.

These friends also organize a regular bike ride during the winter months (which is easier when you live in a relatively low snow area like New Mexico.) They always get a big turnout in December, mainly because so many people are looking for ways to burn off that extra Christmas cookie and keep their sanity during the season.

I expect that regular workout will not only balance out those extra holiday indulgences, but will also help me cope with the stress and craziness that starts to peak right about now. I'm pretty sure that I'll enjoy the holidays more (and have more peace-of-mind) if I make the time to squeeze in a few workouts. 

Nonetheless, I reserve the right to skip a trip to the gym or bike ride and stay home under the covers if it starts to snow.