The holidays are coming, the holidays are coming! Those four words will strike fear in anyone who is currently on a diet, or wants to start a diet or anyone who is out-of-shape.

Why does fear strike these people so strongly? Because they know that it is quite common for individuals to gain 5 to 7 pounds during the holidays. And, if you already need to lose some weight, then the thought of doing the opposite for the next two months (gaining weight!) is terrifying.

So, you'll start to see every magazine cover spouting a headline on how to "maintain your weight" during the traditional holiday season. Well, maintaining is certainly better than gaining. But, if you are someone that already needs to lose weight, well, maintaining really doesn't get you where you need to be. It just postpones your important goals by at least a couple of months.

So, why not consider starting a diet during the holidays rather than after them. Wait! Don't dismiss it without reviewing the compelling arguments in favor of this idea.

1. Use the motivation you have today to start reaching your goals immediately. There's no guarantee that come January your motivation will be as strong.
2. You won't get caught in the crazy New Year Resolution hype. You won't need a resolution because you'll already be on your way to reaching your goals. The vast majority of resolutions are broken, so why be a part of that train.
3. In the few weeks that represent the holidays, you could lose as much as 16 pounds considering that a healthy weight loss is about 2 pounds per week. Imagine starting the new year 16 pounds LIGHTER!
4. Don't set yourself up for failure. Waiting until the new year may erroneously give you "permission" to blow your diet during the holidays. Thinking that you might as well indulge in one last big blowout before restricting yourself come January may result in even more pounds for you to lose. Who needs that?
5. If you are truly, truly serious about getting more fit, then right now is the perfect time to begin your journey. Be faithful to yourself - don't put off the inevitable until January.
6. Experts claim it takes around four week to establish a new habit. If you start your fitness plan in November, then you could have healthy habits in place before the holiday season even ends. What a great way to keep your holiday season healthy and have a jump start on the new year. Consequently, if you wait to start your new behaviors until January, then it will be February before you can expect to have a habit formed.

About the author: Lynn Bode is a certified personal trainer specializing in Internet-based fitness programs. Her company, WorkoutsForYou.com, can help you achieve your fitness and weight loss goals. Visit: http://www.workoutsforyou.com for tips, sample workouts and more. Fitness professionals, learn about our online personal trainer software, visit:http://www.trainerforce.com