Smoking: How Not To Fall Into It During Holiday Parties

The holidays are here, and with them can come the temptation to overindulge and pick back up bad habits like smoking. ‘DWTS” Mark Ballas told us exclusively how he stays on track and how you can, too!

The pros on Dancing With The Stars have the lean and toned bodies we all want, but even they can hit bumps in the road when it comes to staying healthy. When Mark Ballas, 29, stopped by the Hollywood Life offices, we quizzed him on how we can stay healthy during the holidays and how he quit smoking for good. Keep reading for his fitness tips.

Reporting by Dory Larrabee-Zayas:

“I’ve been [smoke-free] for two years now, and I feel much better for it,” Mark told us. “It’s really helped my health in general and cardio [for dancing]. When you stop, it really does make a difference, so I’m always trying to be a good voice and help people out with the “What’s Your Why?” campaign. We’re doing this new thing with the holiday season, the Gift To Quit, which is really cool. It’s kind of saying it’s the gift that keeps on giving because you’re giving yourself better health, a better life, and that keeps going.”

Stay Healthy During The Holidays — Mark Ballas Talks Staying Disciplined

When it comes to other indulgences during the holidays, Mark is a bit more lenient: “Here’s the thing with me, when I’m training, I’m on it. But at the holidays, I like to enjoy a little pudding,” he said. “But I don’t overdo it; everything in small portions. If you’re trying to eat clean, stay disciplined, stay focused, but also, enjoy your life. Don’t do it to the point where you hate dieting because you don’t treat yourself ever. I feel like the holidays, especially during Thanksgiving, you have to enjoy those things. Then when the holidays are over, get disciplined.”

And if you were hoping for a bit of inside DWTS scoop, Mark revealed his favorite routines with partner Alexa Vega: “I loved the Breaking Bad routine and Edward Scissorhands. I loved the last one we did, the contemporary, to “Make It Rain,” when we did the piece about [Alexa’s] bulimia [disorder]. It’s such a great show, and I’ve been a part of it so long now. To see how it’s advanced, not only in its production, but in its story telling as well. You really get to know these people, you get to find out things about them that I don’t think you would ever find out. Like the way Alexa told her story was beautiful. It’s a really positive, nice thing.”

Are you planning to follow Mark’s holiday motto?