Taking A Step Into The Holidays…And Then Another…And Then Another
A couple of years ago, right before Thanksgiving, I ran the Coney Island Sports Foundation’s 5K Turkey Trot along the boardwalk.
OK, it was more like a few years ago.
Fine. 2010.
Anyway, I won’t claim it was my idea. It was my father-in-law’s (he’s an avid runner). And, despite not having trained or really done any running at all in the weeks leading up to the 5K, for obvious reasons, I did it. And it felt great!
Part of the reason it felt so good was just doing some outdoor exercise at a time of year when that becomes increasingly difficult. But more than that, it kind of gave me permission to enjoy Thanksgiving more. I felt like I’d at least done something to offset the inevitable gluttony. It didn’t matter that the run and the meal were several days apart.
Let’s be honest. I still ate A LOT and I still could have done A LOT more to work that food off. But committing to a 5K around the holiday definitely put me in a different frame of mind. I was more conscientious, made some better choices, and even went on one or two more runs that holiday season.
Speaking of the season, despite “Christmas creep,” Thanksgiving is the traditional gateway to the winter holidays. It kind of sets the tone for the remainder of the year. So while it’s definitely important to give your menu, tablescape, and specialty cocktails plenty of love and attention, also consider setting a better tone by giving attention to your personal well-being.
A great way to start would be by stopping into the gym that very day! Crunch Flatbush is open 6am to 2pm on Thanksgiving—and that’s the last day they’re offering their $0 enrollment special for Peak or Peak Plus Results memberships. If you don’t have an exercise routine to fall back on during the holidays and the dark, cold winter months that follow, get one going this week.
And if you need to put the gym off until next week, don’t beat yourself up. “Navigating this period can be very stressful,” says Bob Wells, Crunch Flatbush’s Fitness Manager. “It’s very important to have simple, effective strategies to counter the inevitable gorging that people do.”
Here are a couple of suggestions from Bob to help you during and after Thanksgiving:
Eat food slowly.
“Think about and enjoy the taste, texture, and even the origin of the food. By eating slowly, you don’t have to deprive yourself of not having certain foods/drinks on the holidays. This strategy also means that you don’t overconsume extra calories, and the potential weight/fat gain that comes from that.
Move more (I was right!).
“Find any excuse to get some extra movement during the holiday season, ranging from Turkey Bowls to Turkey Trots, to just parking farther away at the market and walking farther or taking a pet out for an extra or longer walk. I personally like the Turkey Trots, as they fuel my competitive juices.”
Unfortunately, the Turkey Trot I did on Coney Island is already over. But here are some more you can do on Thursday morning.
Of course, we’re not all that ambitious. That’s OK. That longer walk Bob mentioned? I’m a big fan. So is my father-in-law. He likes to add a malamute to the mix, but friends and family will do the trick nicely. Just make the walk long and brisk.
It’s one great way to remind yourself that good health is not just something to be thankful for but something to work toward.
(And you could always go past 1038 Flatbush Avenue and give Crunch a little look-see on the way!)
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