If you eat the turkey, stuffing, rolls with butter and jam, potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, bean casserol and then follow it up with pumpkin pie with ice cream, you are looking at well over 2000 calories for just one meal! Of course, if this were it, it probably wouldn't be so bad. The thing that will kill you is the 2-3 days of leftovers afterwards. Yikes! But what can you do?

I have learned from experience that strict observance of a diet on Thanksgiving is just not the way to go. Generally, I end up feeling deprived if I succeed or guilty if I don't. Following is my plan for enjoying Thanksgiving sensibly this year.

1. WORKOUT CONSISTENTLY Make sure that I am consistent with my workouts and diet for the couple of weeks before the big event. This will help lessen the impact by making sure that my metabolism is running high and ready.

2. FIND A TURKEY TROT There are about 1500 Turkey Trots held on Thanksgiving every year across the nation. Find one and run/walk it. It's a great way to pre-burn some of your meal before you even eat it. If you need a suggestion as to which one to do, do the one in Riverton this year. The link to this is on the front page of this newsletter. I am a little partial to this one because it is for such a great cause. What a way to show your gratitude. Run to help those around you be able to eat. Besides, I'm the director of the race and it would be fun to see you all there!

3. ENJOY THE MEAL I am going to thoroughly enjoy everything. I won't feel guilty a bit. I can't wait for the apple pie! That's my favorite!

4. HAVE THANKSGIVING SOMEWHERE ELSE The best way to make sure that you don't have to contend with leftovers is to leave them at someone else's house. Unfortunately, this year will likely be at my house. I will be stocking up on disposable storage containers so that I can send everything home with my guests.

5. GET MOVING AFTERWARDS One of the best ways to make sure that the meal doesn't kill you is to take a walk right afterwards. Of course, if your family has the tradition of a friendly game of football afterwards, this works too. The key is to just do something. The benefits will be huge and will be lots of fun too!

Well, that's my plan! I hope that some of the suggestions help. Have a happy holiday!