Got dad to agree to a shoe selfie after our run last Sunday! 🙂

Thanksgiving week can be brutal to any fitness routine.

Besides being a holiday dedicated to giving thanks for all that we have, it’s almost more well-known for the glutinous amount of food we’re presented with. From Friendsgiving celebrations to Thanksgiving Day brunches, lunches and dinners, temptations are ever present. I mean who wants to eat a protein bar for breakfast on Black Friday when there’s leftover Pecan Pie? Why drink water when there’s a darn good bottle of Pinot that’s already uncorked? Besides the gazillion calories lurking on every counter and in every pantry, our motivation to go out and get a sweat on wanes. I know I’m not the only one with a Judge-y Judy in the family who rolls her eyes as I lace up my shoes to go for an early morning run but don’t let that stop you. We’re all busy enough as is but add Thanksgiving week, or any holiday for that matter, and working out seems to be the first thing that gets skipped or cut short. Don’t get me wrong, I totally get it but I’m guessing we can all benefit from the endorphins we get from said workout with the stresses of cooking the perfect turkey and dealing with in-laws! 😉 Below I’m sharing 3 ways to sneak a workout in & have some fun doing so!

Local Turkey Trots

Just about every city, big and small, have Turkey Trot races on Thanksgiving Day. Most tend to be 5ks but you’ll see various options depending on where you live. These family-friendly races are a great way to bring everyone out next Thursday morning to burn some calories and start the day off right! Grab your dad, cousin, sister-in-law–the more the merrier–and hit the pavement. For those of you lucky enough to live in places where it won’t be frigid cold on Thanksgiving Day, I envy you. Most of our Turkey Trots involve gloves, heat gear, a windbreaker and headbands. If you’re unsure of where your closest one may be, I love Running In the USA where you’re able to narrow down races by state, distance, etc.

Yoga

Who doesn’t need to zen out a bit before and/or after all the Thanksgiving festivities? If you’re like me and prefer to sneak in your workouts early in the AM before the hustle & bustle starts, I totally suggest trying out Yoga with Adriene’s video for Stress Relief. Whether you feel stressed or not, there’s a good chance your body and mind are moving in a million directions. We may not feel stressed or anxious but it’s likely you are to some extent so combat it with a great flow that can be knocked out in under 40 minutes. It’s a great way for some YOU time before you head out the door or welcome family and friends in yours! And once things have settled down for the evening, especially prior to Black Friday shopping if you’re crazy like me, I’d encourage you to try THIS 17-minute Yoga for Digestion video. Seriously the perfect reset not just after Thanksgiving dinner but honestly for any time you feel like you might have overdone it. Truth: I’ve done this one my fair share of times and I’m not talking about on holidays! 😉

Quick HIIT Routine

Short on time? Aren’t we all! Squeezing in a quick 15 minute blast of high-intensity moves is the perfect way to jump start your metabolism while minimizing the time spent doing so. This quick 3 block, 4 moves per block set, involves nothing but your body weight and works a wide variety of different muscle groups. Not as limited on time? Do it twice through for a solid 30 minute workout!