Physical Activities for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving festivities often center around eating mass quantities of food. Even people who typically watch their diet throughout the rest of the year may be tempted to overindulge on Thanksgiving. To balance the effects of abundant food combined with sedentary activities like watching football games and televised parades, incorporate some physical activity into your Thanksgiving Day celebration.

Organized Activities

• Many cities nationwide host a Thanksgiving Day running race. These events, sometimes called a Turkey Trot, are typically races or marathons of varying distances that take place early in the day before most people eat dinner. Put on your running shoes and burn off some extra calories before diving into your holiday meal. Alternatively, volunteer to help cook and serve dinner at a community homeless shelter on Thanksgiving. While not as fast-paced as a marathon, you'll still spend hours on your feet and have the satisfaction of knowing you're helping others.

Impromptu Activities

• When the family gathers at your house, dig your football out of the garage, divide into teams and head out into the yard for a game of touch football. Play to win, work up an appetite and make the losers do the dishes after dinner. Engage in a Thanksgiving Day scavenger hunt. Create a list of items commonly found in nature during the fall. Require the winning team to bring back leaves of varying colors and varieties, pinecones, acorns, Indian corn and a pumpkin.

Outdoor Activities

• There's nothing like the smell and feel of the fresh, cool air in the autumn. Take a long walk through the woods or the neighborhood, kicking up piles of leaves like you did as a kid and enjoying the sights and sounds of the season. Embrace an idea offered by the American Dietetic Association and have a "gourd hunt" in the backyard. Hide several small gourds or miniature pumpkins and let the kids and adults see who can find the most.

Indoor Activities

• If the weather is too cold or rainy for outdoor activities, put on some music and dance the night away in the house. Play music that appeals to young and old, roll back the carpets, push the furniture aside and take that special someone for a twirl around the floor. When you know you'll be too full to perform your usual evening workout, arise early and use your exercise equipment to get your blood pumping before you start cooking. You'll be surprised at how much more energy you have to meet the challenges of the day.

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends! 

+courtesy of Amie Taylor, Ehow.com