Ab Fab

As I wrote in "Happy Holidays?" keeping up with the gym in the wintertime is kind of a pain in the derriere. It's freezing out, and you think to yourself, "Screw it, everybody gains weight this time of year. Now, where is that chocolate eclair?"

At a time when you are stuffed full of gooey pastries and freshly-frosted cookies - at every turn, from office parties to actual parties to family dinners - the last thing to give up on is a little workout. For one thing, it will make the inevitable "OMG-it's-almost-bikini-season-and-I-need-to-lose-half-my-body-weight-in-3-days" March weepfest much more bearable. For another thing, you can snicker (silently, of course) at the girls who suddenly start behaving like fasting Buddhist monks.

SO. Step 1: the Pink Patch. Step 2: Follow the tips below. They aren't the equivalent of a full-body workout, but they will help keep your tummy trim through the winter months - and you won't have to freeze like an ice cube. Throw in 10 - 15 ordinary crunches a day, and you'll be golden.

EASY + SIMPLE WINTER AB-QUICKIES

- Drink water instead of soda and fruit juice. Yes, it's old news, but it's also smart and easy news. Sugar will add pounds to your tummy. Even just diluting your juice with water will make a difference.

- Perform a legs-up crunch. Lie flat on the floor, and rest your legs on something high enough to allow for a 90 degree bend in your knees (like a chair or the sofa or your bed). Fold your arms across your chest and curl up slowly. Don't come all the way up - pause holding your back slightly off the floor. Hold that position, lower and repeat.

- Concentrate on sitting and standing up straight. This requires you to pull in your abs, and it strengthens them naturally. It's also great for your back - if you have frequent lower-back pain, it's just another reason to improve your abdominals.