As we take on November, it’s time for everyone to embrace the one “move” that can save you a world of hurt as we head into another cold and flu season.

You already know I want you to:

Seriously, the gym is a literal hot bed for germs. Taking a couple of extra minutes at the end of your workout to head to the bathroom and get the grime off your hands is just plain ol’ common sense. Unfortunately, the cold and flu virus can play a sort of hopscotch on elliptical machine handles, barbells and weight plates. Rubbing your sweaty, unclean hands or fingers near your eyes makes it all too easy for these sneeze-and-cough inducing bugs to invade your own body.

Of course, washing your hands also offers protection against fungal infections that also thrive at the gym, including ringworm. I know, this is a rather icky post to kick off a new week, but hey, it’s reality. The good news is it’s easy to ward this stuff off by washing your hands. Just remember to use soap and water, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and dry them well.

One final note on gym hygiene: when you get home, do not place your dirty workout wear or even that gym bag on your comforter, couch pillows or anywhere you lay your head. (You don’t even want to think about how many germs jumped onto your shorts or t-shirt from that shared exercise mat or worse from the locker room floor!) Remember, keeping it clean is one of the best ways to stay on track with your plans to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!