Thanksgiving is over and it’s time to set your sights on the upcoming office Christmas party. You may not think you can drop that extra weight in time, but if you modify your eating habits and get going on an exercise program then over the next few weeks you can fit into that sharp, stashed party outfit.

Alter Your Eating Habits

The first thing you need to commit to in order to get in shape in time for your Christmas party is an altered diet. People are known for gorging and stuffing during the holidays when the stores and shops are filled with tempting and tasty treats and families and friends are baking extra cookies and pies. However, the phrase “you are what you eat” is true so if you gobble down calories, they’ll find their way to your waist.

The idea isn’t to become the Grinch and give up all the goodies, but to simply say no to that second helping and make smart substitutions to fat-filled foods. For instance, that yummy cappuccino or latte you grab as you head to the office is packed with a whopping 15 grams of fat and 300 calories. Either substitute a flavorful herbal tea or regular coffee, or have it made with fat-free milk.

Also, carry fruit, nuts and other healthy snacks with you. When you get an urge for a bag of chips, eat an apple instead. Small changes in your diet will go a long way at reducing your waistline.

Make Exercise Your Mission

Once you set your mind to alter your eating habits, you then need to make an exercise program a part of your fitness mission. That stored fat jis fuel that will only go away if it’s used up through exercise. However, you don’t have to take time out of your busy holiday schedule to join a gym. You can do plenty of fat-burning exercises from the comfort of your home or even slip some in at the office.

Cardiovascular exercises such as running, cycling and jumping rope are good for dropping pounds as long as you do them intensely and regularly. However, you also want you body shapely for your Christmas party so you need to add muscle-building exercises to your workout program as well.

Plyometrics are great choices for building muscle tone quickly because this type of exercise causes muscles to contract rapidly through an explosive movement which effectively burns energy and tones muscle. Some examples of plyometric exercises are clap pushups, burpees, press-up jumps and kangaroo jumps, all of which workout various groups of muscles at the same time. The more muscles that are used, the more calories are consumed.

Resistance bands are another good choice for home workouts. A total body workout can be achieved through the use of fitness tubes and they’re portable so you can carry them with you to the office or on vacation.

Regardless of which exercises you choose to include in your workout routine, the idea is to do them regularly and intensely. High intensity workouts consist of going hard for at least 20 to 30 minutes. If you’re doing plyometric or fitness band exercises, only allow for one minute of rest in between sets. This type of vigorous exercise causes your body’s metabolism to increase to the point it will not only consume calories during the workout session, but also for several hours after you’re finished.

If you alter your diet by eating less fattening foods and more nutritious foods and commit to a vigorous exercise program, you will lose a lot of body fat and tone up your muscles in the short few weeks before Christmas. Then, you can walk into your office Christmas party decked out and toned up and heads will turn!