Adding a short strength-training regimen in conjunction with your daily cardio can help you accelerate your weight loss and tone up your slimmer, sexier bod.

Increasing your lean mass gives your metabolism a slight boost around the clock, since even at rest muscle cells burn more calories than fat.

Weekend survival guide: 3 dishes under 250 calories

Don’t worry, you don’t need to spend hours at the gym to see a difference. Starting today, your goal is to work in just 10-15 minutes of strength-training exercises 3 days a week. A series of push-ups, planks, lunges, squats, bicep curls, and triceps kickbacks will do the trick.

For slimming recipes, menus and health tips, visit joybauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of today's Challenge tip? Still sticking to your New Year's Resolution? Share with us on TODAY Health's Facebook page. And record your progress on the new Twitter hashtag #TODAYHealth!

Read yesterday's tip from Joy: 
Enjoy low-cal cocktails that won't blow your diet

If you’re starting to struggle with the rigidity of your 3 meal, 1 snack-a-day food plan, I come bearing good news.

You now have a list of “unlimited foods” that you can munch on in unlimited quantities when you’re feeling hungry between meals. This list includes all non-starchy vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, tomatoes, spinach, zucchini, etc.), as well as several ingredients to jazz up your veggies: mustard, salsa, vinegar, lemons and limes, and any herbs and seasonings.

So stock your fridge with veggies and enjoy them any way you like -- raw, steamed, sautéed (in oil spray), roasted -- whenever you’re struggling with a growling stomach.

For slimming recipes, menus and health tips, visit joybauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of today's Challenge tip? Still sticking to your New Year's Resolution? Share with us on TODAY Health's Facebook page. And record your progress on the new Twitter hashtag #TODAYHealth!

Read yesterday's tip from Joy:
Prep your weekend diet survival guide

TGIF … the weekend is just around the corner! Strategize a battle plan for the weekends so your healthy habits don't unravel.

It’s great to relax on the weekends, but the lack of structure and plethora of delicious temptations at happy hour, parties, and restaurants can spell trouble for dieters.

So, today and in the weeks to come, head into your weekend with a premedidated schedule. Set aside time for exercise, and avoid lots of downtime at home.

Make an ambitious to-do list and plan events and activities to keep you busy so you’re not lounging around at home all day surrounded by food. Avoid grazing: stick to your usual breakfast-lunch-snack-dinner routine, and make sure you plate your food and sit down to regular meals, just like on weekdays.

For slimming recipes, menus and health tips, visit joybauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think of today's Challenge tip? Still sticking to your New Year's Resolution? Share with us on TODAY Health's Facebook page. And record your progress on the new Twitter hashtag #TODAYHealth!

Read yesterday's tip from Joy:
150-calorie snacks to stomp the afternoon slump

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