Your Pre-Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving and Post-Thanksgiving Day Workout!

When I was a lot younger with a much faster metabolism, I could miss a workout and not worry about it. Especially on big holidays like Thanksgiving, the idea of a pre-Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day and post-Thanksgiving workout was in direct conflict with my overall goal of eating to excess!

Now that I'm older I almost dread the amount of food that Thanksgiving Day affords. One piece of pie and I look and feel like I gained 5 pounds. Fortunately I have learned to overcome my eating dread by not skimping on my workout schedule in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and in particular by augmenting my workouts before, during and after Thanksgiving by running.

The Effects of Running on Your Stomach Muscles

When it comes to Thanksgiving, running benefits you in two specific ways: running tightens up and shrinks your stomach and tends to impact your appetite by making you less hungry (which stands to reason if your stomach is tightened up). As opposed to swimming for example which stretches your stomach and actually increases your appetite. So on the morning before Thanksgiving I make it a point to get in at least a 40 minute run. It used to be five miles but I'm more about time these days instead of actual distance. I do the same thing on Thanksgiving Day and the day after.

Like I mentioned earlier, I know this in direct conflict for many of you who love the idea of seconds and thirds for stuffing and corn or whatever but for me I have discovered that although I am eating less I still enjoy the meal just the same. The Secret of Smaller Portions

The best advice I ever got by a fellow gym rat was to eat smaller portions several times a day. That keeps your metabolism up and running all day long. Especially on and after Thanksgiving, smaller portions can be a life saver. There are some years we eat at home while on other occasions we go out for an all-you-can-eat buffet. Whatever we decide I stick to smaller portions. Why overload your plate when you can go back several times?

Water is Your Friend

I don't mean to diminish the joy of eating to excess but my goal is make through the Thanksgiving meal and post-Thanksgiving meal feeling reasonably healthy. Another tip for workout: drink lots of water before, during and after Thanksgiving. You should be doing that anyway whether you're running or pumping iron or doing a combination of both. Just remember, the presence of water in your belly will keep it full, while additionally water in your system will keep you hydrated, so you won't mistake thirst for hunger.

The Workout

So I've explained the benefits of working out, staying hydrated and eating small portions. Let me now turn you on to the actual pre and post Thanksgiving workout. Modify as needed. The important thing is that you do something.

Pre-Thanksgiving Day: As noted I run for about 40 minutes. I'm not sure, based on my speed or lack of, if you can call it "running", but it's the effort, right? This year I might go for an hour. Anyway, I run in the morning. After my run I hit the gym and do an overall upper-body workout and for sure I do not exclude sit-ups. I'm talking 3 sets x 10 reps of bench, dumb bell flies, shrugs and curls. For sit-ups it's 3 sets x 50 crunches.

Thanksgiving Day: On the morning of the big meal I do my run. Remember, at least 40 minutes. And afterwards I do my sit-ups. That would be 3 sets x 50 crunches.

Post Thanksgiving Day: I repeat the same workout as Thanksgiving Day. A run and sit-ups. And make sure you go in the morning. I can only speak for me, but the longer I wait the less chance I have of getting my workout completed.

So there you go: with a little effort you can make through the Thanksgiving holiday and actually feel good. You can eat reasonably well and not get sick, bloated or worse. The workout is the thing! Now get out there and do it!