Staying on your diet and workout plan is hard. Whether it’s the holidays, birthdays, or the big game, there are plenty of tempting excuses to indulge.

If you’ve fallen prey, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Just remember these two keys as you try to control the damage.

START EATING

Trying to offset your binges with an excessive caloric restriction will only set you up for failure. Basically, your body will think the end of times is near and will shut down. Once that happens, your body will desperatley cling to fat. No matter what you ate, go back to your regularly scheduled diet once you’re done splurging. Skipping meals is a definite no-go.

START MOVING

Start moving to put those extra calories to good use.

Those interested in fat loss should do a dumbbell circuit. This one is so short and effective you could do it over your lunch break!
The setup is as follows: Do 10 reps for each exercise with no break. You can rest three minutes in between sets — this will jumpstart your fat-burning.

If you are in the muscle-building camp, those extra calories could help you pack on some size. Try a whole-body workout by pairing compound movements with smaller ones. Do one set of an exercise, rest at least 60 seconds, then do a set of the following exercise until you reach the prescribed number of sets.

DUMBBELL CIRCUIT

EXERCISE 1

DUMBBELL SQUAT You’ll need: Dumbbells How to

Dumbbell Squat thumbnail
3 sets, 10 reps, rest

EXERCISE 2

DUMBBELL ROW You’ll need: Dumbbells How to

Dumbbell Row thumbnail
3 sets, 10 reps, rest

EXERCISE 3

DUMBBELL LUNGE You’ll need: Dumbbells How to

Dumbbell Lunge thumbnail
3 sets, 10 reps, rest

EXERCISE 4

BICYCLE CRUNCH You’ll need: No Equipment How to

Bicycle Crunch thumbnail
3 sets, 10 reps, rest

EXERCISE 5

DUMBBELL DEADLIFT You’ll need: Dumbbells How to

Dumbbell Deadlift thumbnail
3 sets, 10 reps, rest

EXERCISE 6

OVERHEAD DUMBBELL PRESS You’ll need: Dumbbells How to

Overhead Dumbbell Press thumbnail
3 sets, 10 reps, rest

EXERCISE 7

DUMBBELL FRONT SQUAT TO PUSH PRESS

exercise image placeholder
3 sets, 10 reps, rest

EXERCISE 8

CRUNCH You’ll need: No Equipment How to

Crunch thumbnail
3 sets, 10 reps, rest

EXERCISE 9

GENERAL PUSHUP You’ll need: No Equipment How to

Pushup thumbnail
3 sets, 10 reps, 3 min rest

MUSCLE-BUILDING WORKOUT

EXERCISE 1

BODYWEIGHT SQUAT You’ll need: No Equipment How to

Squat thumbnail
4 sets, 10 reps, 30 secrest

EXERCISE 2

HAMMER CURL

exercise image placeholder
4 sets, 10 reps, 30 sec rest

EXERCISE 3

INCLINE BARBELL BENCH PRESS You’ll need: Barbell, Bench How to

Incline Barbell Bench Press thumbnail
4 sets, 8 reps, 30 sec rest

EXERCISE 4

STANDING CALF RAISE You’ll need: Box How to

Standing Calf Raise thumbnail
4 sets, 30 reps, 30 sec rest

EXERCISE 5

BARBELL BENT-OVER ROW You’ll need: Barbell How to

Man Performing Barbell Bentover Row thumbnail
4 sets, 8 reps, 30 sec rest

EXERCISE 6

TRICEPS PRESSDOWN You’ll need: Adjustable Cable Machine, V-Handle Attachment How to

Triceps Pressdown thumbnail
4 sets, 15 reps, 30 sec rest

EXERCISE 7

OVERHEAD PRESS

exercise image placeholder
4 sets, 6 reps, 30 sec rest