I hope you had a wonderful holiday, and that you're looking forward to a fit and healthy 1999. At this time of year, I sometimes get mail from women whose exercise or weight loss program went off track during the holidays. Often they're having trouble getting back into a good routine, and they feel discouraged. If you're in this situation, here are a few suggestions:

Think positively. You did this before, so you know you can do it again. Forget about guilt. Focus on what you want to do now. If you're planning to re-start your program, you've taken an important first step. Congratulations!

Set tiny goals. Make them so ridiculously small that there's no way you can fail. If you haven't been able to complete you're full strength training routine, resolve to do one or two exercises - that takes just five minutes. You know you can manage five minutes. Once you've done that, you'll work your way up. Nothing is more encouraging than the experience of success.

Act now. If your enthusiasm is ignited, take advantage of it. Make specific plans: Figure out what you're doing, when you're starting, and make a list of everything you need to make it happen.