Planks and Thanks FAIL and Birthday Hijinx

Last month I joined a 30 day plank challenge.  Each day we increased the amount of time for the planking.  My friend on facebook hosted it and would post cute little motivational photos to help us along.  I did alright for about a week or so, but then fell off the wagon.  I tried to get back into things towards the end and at least didn't give up totally.
This month, we're doing the 12 days of fitmas.  The first day starts with one exercise, then the second day a second exercise with two reps is added and so forth.  That means the last day there will be 12 exercises, the last one having 12 reps - I haven't an idea what the last one could be, maybe something simple like 12 jumping jacks.
I guess the reason I am posting about this is because I am a bit upset about my figure.  I eat well during the week but come weekend I shatter.  I am somewhat hesitant to work out rigorously because my hip starts hurting.  I'm surrounded by eating and food and parties.  I love all that stuff, but I can't seem to strike any balance.
For instance, I pigged out at a birthday dinner last month then with drinks, all those calories add up.  At least there was some dancing and that was good activity.  The whole night was hilarious, in a weird way.  Taking an uber 300 feet is comedy, for instance.
Who has suggestions for getting into shape?  Links? Videos? Programs? Suggestions?  Please post some help.  You're my only hope, obi-wan fit-nobi.

Hyperspace Week! A BLUR!

Holy cow, this week has gone by faster than Han Solo in the Falcon!  I don't know how it is already Friday.  I don't think it felt like that as it was going by, but here I am, Friday morning, wondering where the time went.  I got a lot done this week, work wise, and took care of some important errands.  I didn't really go out a ton, though, because I've got a very busy schedule coming up.  If I'm being honest, I was really just so done by 7pm that I couldn't muster the energy to do more than make dinner, take care of stuff around the house and pass out in bed.
Part of that busy schedule was a graduate course I'm taking on creating trauma sensitive schools.  The topic is more relevant than I ever realized.  I had a group presentation Thursday, which I absolutely knocked outta the park!  The large project t took up most of my time on Wednesday after work.  Tuesday was my only down day.  Monday, however, was a curve ball.  I came home, exhausted, took a bit of a power nap then woke to start dinner.  When dinner was almost ready, I noticed the sink wasn't draining.  Four hours later, one visit from my 'landlord', a trip to home depot, struggling with unhelpful service staff and then very brisk plunging and my sink is back to normal!  I didn't get to be until after 11PM, so that kicked off my week.
I'm looking forward to the next two weeks - I've got no less than seven Christmas party events.  Yikes!

I haven't skated since college!

My news feed supplied me with a very fun event: Holiday Skating Path!  Apparently, a huge area downtown is opening up as a little holiday village.  Seeing as I haven't skated since I was in college, this will be a treat of terrible horror.  I don't want to fall on my old lady hip.  Maybe I should bring a chair to push in front of me like a little toddler.  LIKE A TODDLER.

That isn't very dignified, is it?  I'm so afraid of hurting my hip with anything I do!  Despite being a vibrant 30-something, I sometimes feel like a Wookiee taking cover behind an Ewok against Storm Trooper fire; its a totally useless effort.  When will I realize that A) troopers can't hit the broad side of a Star Destroyer anyways and B) the best thing I can do is get over my hip and go back to regular life?

Ok all star wars analogies aside, I'll see you there, right?  At least there's multiple ski chalet huts in which I can nurse my wounds with a delightful beverage.  I hope they have egg nog!  (...which...by the way, I only first tried last year).  Maybe I'll have to just have some Hoth chocolate!  (Ha, see that, I got one more lame Star Wars reference in there.  Boooyah!