With Thanksgiving just a few days behind us, I have to admit I haven’t been looking forward to holiday season.

I’m not being a Grinch. I’m not hating on the holiday. I’m not conducting a war on Christmas.

I’m dreading the barrage of holiday goodies, treats and unhealthy foods.

I know. The horror, the horror.

But let’s be honest: The holiday season is the time of year that takes your healthy eating habits, your fitness routines and your self control and tosses them to the curb. Then we get to January, feel guilty and make a resolution do better next year.

So a few of us at the Herald have been talking about how to keep the holidays from getting the best of us. I took to the Internet to find some holiday workout tips, but not all of them are that practical.

One of the most common arguments was to adhere to your routine, because you’re really not that busy. I want to slap every author that argues that.

For many of us, the holidays take a busy schedule and adds Christmas shopping, parties, family get-togethers and more.

So here are a few things I’m trying to do:

1. Workout in the morning. I’ve been working out most mornings for a little less than a year. Is it for everyone? No. But it’s about the surest time to minimize distractions. You have to beat public enemy No. 1, though: the pillow and the covers calling for you to stay just a little longer.

2. Make workouts part of your down time. Since I started mixing entertainment with my workouts, it’s kept me going. Heck, I’m writing this column on my phone as I’m pedaling on an exercise bike with Monday Night Football on in the background. Multitasking for the win. This isn’t to brag. It’s to admit that I need a certain amount of time to unwind, but I know I can work up a sweat at the same time. Audiobooks or loud music can be great on the running track, and I love the individual TVs on the cardio loft at the YMCA.

3. Be good on average days. With so many special days this time of year, it’s important to stay on target on the average days. Resist the urge splurge or relax on the normal days.

4. Take time off without breaking the routine. Sometimes I feel like fitness freaks and trainers act like a day off is like a cardinal sin. But sometimes days off are either unavoidable or necessary. Let yourself feel a twinge of guilt; it’ll bring you back the next day. I keep reminding myself that working out and eating right is a marathon, not a sprint. Or it’s got to be just part of your day-to-day routine. Days off should be refreshing and rejuvenating, not something that dooms you.