Midweek Post for November 22, 2023 – Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

If you’re reading this post and live in America, you know tomorrow, November 23rd, is Thanksgiving. It’s the day we traditionally spend with family and friends and give thanks for all the good fortune we have in our lives. It’s also the official beginning of the holiday season.

The start of the holidays, however, has baggage. It means a lot of excessive spending, drinking, overeating, and, for many of us, lots of stress, especially if you are traveling. If you are a cyclist, how do you deal with all that stress and not ruin your training and diet with too much food and drink but still have a good time?

Thanksgiving Morning Workout/ Exercise

Many people partake in their Thanksgiving activities early in the afternoon or evening. That gives them time to relax so they can watch football or spend time with their families doing other things.

To get ready for that big binge of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pie, try to fit in some pre-dinner exercise. A long walk, even a short bike ride around your neighborhood, can burn off some pre-feast fat.

Any movement, really, will help you to digest your food better. And that pre-dinner walk, workout, or bike ride may even help to curb your appetite so you don’t clamor for extra servings of turkey or pie.

Put the “Giving” in Thanksgiving

Unfortunately, America suffers from a huge homeless problem, and in 2023 with inflation and the cost of living crisis, the problem has only become worse. Many homeless people not only are hungry and, perhaps, have no family but also suffer from mental illness.

If you know of any homeless people in your area or you’re close to a shelter, set aside a plate or two for those less fortunate people in the spirit of giving. The amount of food waste that occurs at Thanksgiving is enormous. In fact, according to the University of Minnesota, “American families waste about 1,160 pounds of food, especially around Thanksgiving where an estimated 305 million pounds of food are wasted,” according to an article on the University of Minnesota website.

Another way to curve your possible food intake at Thanksgiving is to think about those who don’t have family members. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s can be especially difficult and lonely for these individuals.

If you know some seniors, friends, etc., who are alone on Thanksgiving, show that you are thinking about them by stopping by with a meal. We should also spare a thought for those in hospitals or nursing homes who get forgotten by their families and may not even realize it’s Thanksgiving.

Last Thoughts

Thanksgiving can lead to overindulgence and some heavy calories. The holiday is not about what we eat but the people we choose to spend time with. If you’re worried about packing on extra pounds and blowing your diet or training weight, think about a little exercise before dinner, the homeless, and those alone without family.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone and try to enjoy the time with your families and some turkey!