When Thanksgiving rolls around, most fitness writers will caution you to avoid one day of gluttony and speak to the evils of pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and second helpings. The truth is, if you’re already conscious of what you eat and are in the habit of making good choices, you’ll probably do the same on this day as well. Otherwise, your over-consumption might be just like any other day in your life. I’m assuming you will simply eat till your belly hits its limit and enjoy every bite of it. So go ahead and chow down. It’s what keeps me in business. Instead, let’s talk about what you’ll need to do after the fact; that’s where I come in. If your “calories-be-damned” attitude takes control of you like your Angry Birds addiction, then let’s take a hard look at what you’ll need to do to even it all out. According to the American Council on Exercise, a typical Thanksgiving feast can add up to about 3,000 calories. To put it in perspective, a 160-pound person would have to run at a moderate pace for four hours, swim for five hours or walk 30 miles to burn off a 3,000-calorie Thanksgiving Day meal. Who wants to learn that lesson after the fact? If you plan ahead, you can minimize the effects of your overindulgences. At Fit, we offer morning workouts on Thanksgiving Day that are high-intensity and fun. Our members participate in cycling, weight training or hot yoga classes to get their bodies revved up and ready to take on a few more calories than usual. Some come in for their last personal training session before the big feast and others simply show up to do their own thing and get their pre-meal calorie burn, creating a deficit, of sorts, to soon be replenished. If you’re traveling out of town and away from your gym or taking a brief break from whatever your regular workout regimen may be, you can also offset some of those calories by planning activities that engage the family like flag football, golf (without the cart), or even a competitive game of Wii sports. A simple stroll around the neighborhood to explore new territory can burn off about 100 calories in 25 minutes, not to mention provide a little stress relief that is sometimes needed when too many relatives gather in one place. An event that has gained popularity over the years — and is a great way to get everyone involved in a Thanksgiving workout — is to participate in a Turkey Trot. These 5K events not only get you moving but also raise money for different charity organizations to help those in need. Involving friends and family in the run will make it more fun and keep you committed. Plus, you’ll be running for a cause that is really more important than yourself. So this Thanksgiving, before you pack on the calories, why not pack on a few miles? You’ll feel healthier for doing so and less guilty when you go for that second helping. Most importantly, remember the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving is to express our gratitude — not just for smart phones, daily deals and the Backstreet Boys touring with the New Kids on the Block — but for our country, your family, friends and pets and all the simple things that make life great.
