Your Thanksgiving Day Gameplan

By Erin Whitehead, www.FitBottomedGirls.com

I commend people who can exercise portion control on Thanksgiving Day. You know, those will-power-of-steel types who don't get tempted to go back for that second helping of stuffing or that extra piece of pumpkin pie. I admit that I am not one of them. I indulge more than is probably healthy on Turkey Day.

Last year, my hubby and I were on our own, so we went out for our turkey dinner. We thought that surely we'd come out ahead because we didn't have leftovers from a bountiful feast tempting us for the entire day. Enter a four-course deluxe and delicious meal, and we waddled out of the restaurant miserable. This year I vow to do better with these four tips, adapted from Life Fitness.

1. Every Bit Counts. Sure, you may not fit in an hour-long session with your trainer on Thanksgiving Day, but every little bit of exercise during the holiday weekend will help offset any splurges. Take 20 minutes a day to be active, whether it's a series of push-ups, lunges and squats, or a walk with a friend. It might even be a good escape if your family stresses you out!

2. Take It To Go. If you're on the road, you might have an extra-hard time fitting in your workouts. Hit the fitness center at your hotel, pack your resistance bands or pick your favorite body-weight-only exercises. And there are very few excuses for not being able to get out for a short walk (swine flu and massive blizzards may buy you a pass).

3. Make It a Family Event. Get the family moving instead of curling up on the couch all day watching television. Seasonal activities include sledding, jumping in piles of leaves, playing football, ice skating and walking around the neighborhood to see the holiday lights and decorations-especially those crazy blow-up lawn art Santas that are so popular these days.

4. Meal Management. The average American is said to consume 3,000 calories at Thanksgiving dinner. This means that there are probably people out there who are eating 5,000 calories this one day. (I was probably one of them last year.) Practice portion control by eating small meals throughout the day so that you don't hit dinner starving and risk knocking people to the side to devour the turkey on your own. If it's just not possible for you to take it easy on T-Day, tack an extra 10 minutes on to your next few workouts and watch your portions the day after the holiday. Your waistline will thank you.


What tips and tricks do you have for navigating Thanksgiving? Share them in the comments!

Read More on Fit Bottomed Girls
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Healthy Pumpkin Pie Recipe