It's the most wonderful time of the year for some, but for others it's a time of stress. Whether you're worried about spending too much money or trying to keep up with your holiday commitments, the stress of the holidays can make you feel anything but merry.

As we approach the meat of the holiday season (hopefully not with tighter jeans), there are still plenty of temptations to come. Whether it's that merciless bake-happy co-worker, too many party invitations, or that mother-in-law who has never heard of fruit, even the most motivated and active person struggles with exercise lapses. Here are some tips to stay the course and come out ahead.

Keep It Real

Setting realistic goals will keep you motivated. A temporarily hectic schedule can make it harder to hit the gym or find the time to exercise. Instead of giving up altogether, plan to work out at least two days per week during the holiday season. Under-promise and over-deliver -- if you end up working out four times, even better.

Make Some Tradeoffs

It's not realistic (and no fun) to completely deprive yourself during all the festivities. Make a deal with yourself where you can indulge a little, then sacrifice somewhere else to compensate. Have an extra piece of pumpkin pie, then try to get in an extra indoor cycling ride! But know yourself -- if you can't have just a little, it's better to have none at all.

Quantify It

Reaching your goals means making sure you measure up. People attain greater success if they hold themselves accountable by keeping a journal that reflects workout hours and food portions.

Find What Motivates You

Self-reflection is as important as your reflection in the mirror. Don't let the chaos of the holidays derail your momentum. Stay as close to your regular routine as possible, and look inward to understand why you're setting goals.

Partner Up

The sad reality is, the harder you try to stick to an exercise program, the harder people try to lure you away. You may hear, "C'mon, skip a day!" or "Enjoy yourself and eat what you want." Develop strength in numbers -- find an exercise buddy who's on the same page and someone (a spouse, sibling, or co-worker) who will go the extra mile to keep you on track.

But exercise, or lack thereof isn't the only thing that makes or breaks you -- it's the gluttonous surplus of food and calories. Even if you exercise without fail, a calorie feast every day for a month will leave you bloated, heavier, and lethargic. Follow these tips to keep you satisfied.

Think Before You Drink

Liquid calories count too! The calories in alcohol can take you far off course and are sure to make your scale tipsy. All drinks are not created equal -- opt for lower-calorie drinks like wine instead of eggnog. Drink more water during a night out, or turn to seltzers and diet sodas to curb the calories.

Don't Skip Meals

Cravings and binges are attributed to skipping meals or severely limiting your caloric intake. If you're trying to be "good" around the holidays by eating much less, ditch that approach and eat something sensible and filling. If not, your brain senses famine, takes over, and actually produces chemicals that make you hungry to keep your body from starving.

Don't Stress

Life brings on stress, and around the holidays emotional stress levels climb fast. Remember that eating does not make your problems go away. Food is just a temporary distraction. Find other ways to beat stress. Read a book, call a friend, take a walk or meditate.

Drink Up!

The best things in life are free -- free of calories that is. Make a toast to the most sensible drink. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water each day to beat fatigue and fight hunger. Staying hydrated is crucial to good health and to your waistline. People often misinterpret thirst cues for hunger. If you feel hungry, drink a large glass of water before your meal, and continue to drink water during the meal. This will fill your stomach and make you feel satisfied.

Don't Be Impulsive

When faced with eating something that could derail your progress, you may need some help controlling your impulses. Try this: Stop yourself. Take five slow, deep breaths and think of three positive consequences that can come from not giving into your impulse, then move on to something else.

We still have a few weeks of busy obligations and delicious, tempting foods ahead of us. Self-control and hard work does not mean self-deprivation. You can celebrate responsibly by being mindful and accountable. Good luck!

Huffpost Healthy Living

Ends