It’s no surprise that shorter days make it feel harder to fit in regular workouts. But staying physically active is as important at this time of the year as any other. That’s why it’s a good idea to find a few tricks to keep yourself moving and motivated.

Here are 5 ways to stay focused on fitness:

1. Put it on the calendar. Make fitness a priority and schedule it on your calendar like any other important activity or event. Planning and organizing the many things competing for your time will also help reduce stress, which is good for your health.
2. Exercise in the morning. It’s easy to make excuses by the end of the day when you’re busy, so switch to morning workouts if you can. If you exercise before the day gets too hectic, it can set you up for a more positive and productive day overall. You’ll even be more likely to eat healthier.
3. Find a workout buddy. One of the best ways to stay committed to a fitness routine is to do it with a partner. Knowing someone else is counting on you makes it less likely you’ll skip your workout.
4. Move whenever possible. In addition to all the sitting you may do at work, there are plenty of parties, meals and family gatherings that make it easy to sit around eating and chatting. Instead, stand as much as possible, go for a walk with the family or suggest a friendly game of touch football after dinner. During the day, get up and move for at least 5-10 minutes per hour to keep your body active.
5. Skip the “all-or-nothing” mindset. When things get busy, you may want to throw in the towel because you can’t stick to your regular routine. Even if you can’t fit in your usual workout, find ways to add small bouts of activity throughout the day – you’ll be surprised by how much they add up. Remember that doing something is always better than doing nothing.

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