Ave. Thanksgiving Day Meal is More Than 229 Grams of Fat
ACE Shares Secrets to Stay Healthy and Fit During the Holiday

Posted: Feb 20, 2004 in

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Nov. 24, 2003 – From the golden, roasted turkey to the buttery mashed potatoes to the slice of homemade pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving is a festival of favorite family foods. For many though, it’s also a guilt-ridden, downward spiral of diminishing willpower and unhealthy, unwanted pounds continuing through the New Year.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America’s nonprofit fitness advocate, suggests balancing caloric intake over a several day period and committing to physical activity to stay healthy through the holidays.

“To burn off a 3000 calorie Thanksgiving Day meal, a 160 lb. person would have to run at a moderate pace for four hours, swim for five hours or walk for 30 miles. Many people don’t just stop at the meal, snacking throughout the day can lead up to a total caloric intake of 4500,” said Dr. Cedric Bryant, ACE chief exercise physiologist. "But it doesn’t have to be this way, all foods can fit into a quality diet and exercise plan, including holiday delicacies.”

Secrets to a Healthy Holiday

  • You can make up for a feast of rich, higher-fat foods with lighter, lower-fat meals for the next couple of days. Or plan for tomorrow night’s party with a low-calorie, low-fat breakfast and lunch.
  • Look back and assess your diet over the past few days. Were you on the party circuit last weekend? Then look ahead. Are there celebrations looming?
  • Don’t panic or feel guilty if your diet seems to have gotten out of hand. When you balance your intake over several days, you have the time to regain control.
  • Make physical activity a regular habit. Beyond burning calories, exercise is essential for good health and well-being.
  • Have a salad, light soup or fruit before leaving home or prior to your meal.
  • Select only “special” or favorite foods at a holiday buffet – leave standard fare like potato chips, nuts and rolls for the other guests.
  • Space the party beverages – have a glass of sparkling water after a glass of wine or cup of eggnog.
  • Practice portion control. A smaller serving of the real thing can be very satisfying.

About ACE
The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America’s Authority on Fitness, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting consumers against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction. As the nation’s “workout watchdog,” ACE sponsors university-based exercise science research and testing that targets fitness products and trends. ACE sets standards for fitness professionals and is the world’s largest nonprofit fitness certifying organization. For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636 or log onto the ACE Web site at www.acefitness.org

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