Your Guide to Working Off Those Holiday Calories

You can run for an hour to work off two slices of pumpkin pie

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We know it’s hard to push back from the holiday table and think about exercise. But we’ve done the work for you and figured out how much running, walking or football with the family it will take to shed the calories from that pumpkin pie and more.

“I love eating, but I also love football,” says Jordan Fliegel, CEO of CoachUp, a private-coaching network for athletes. “My big tip is getting your game on before the Thanksgiving meal, since it’s harder to be motivated to get exercise later on.” Working out in the morning or before a big meal can keep your cravings in check. You tend to feel better after you work out, so you’re less likely to fill up with extra calories.

But if you didn’t get a chance to break a sweat before the turkey and all the trimmings, then find a fun way to exercise so it’s less of a hassle. “Thanksgiving is time off, but it’s also time for friends and family. If you want to go on a run or walk, go as a group. Or find a dance class for everyone,” says Fliegel.

(MORE: License to Eat: Why You Shouldn’t Deprive Yourself This Thanksgiving)

Below is a list of ways to work off each part of the Thanksgiving meal from the experts at CoachUp. Now you have no excuse.

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(c) Thomas Northcut

2 slices of pumpkin pie (632 calories)

  • 1 hour of running at 5 m.p.h.
  • 2 hours of skiing
  • 1 hour and 26 minutes of rowing
  • 2 hours of walking at 3.5 m.p.h.
  • 1 hour of football
  • 1 hour and 43 minutes of resistance weight training
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1 turkey drumstick (112 calories)

  • 11 minutes of running
  • 21 minutes of skiing
  • 15 minutes of rowing
  • 21 minutes of walking at 3.5 m.p.h.
  • 11 minutes of football
  • 18 minutes of resistance weight training
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Matthew O’Shea / Getty Images

4 helpings of cranberry sauce (344 calories)

  • 34 minutes of running
  • 1 hour and 6 minutes of skiing
  • 47 minutes of rowing
  • 1 hour and 6 minutes of walking at 3.5 m.p.h.
  • 35 minutes of football
  • 56 minutes of resistance weight training
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2 glasses of apple cider (240 calories)

  • 24 minutes of running
  • 45 minutes of skiing
  • 33 minutes of rowing
  • 45 minutes of walking at 3.5 m.p.h.
  • 24.6 minutes of football
  • 40 minutes of resistance weight training
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1 handful of candied pecans, 2 oz. (278 calories)

  • 28 minutes of running
  • 53 minutes of skiing
  • 38 minutes of rowing
  • 53 minutes of walking at 3.5 m.p.h.
  • 28 minutes of football
  • 46 minutes of resistance weight training
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3 scoops of gravy (150 calories)

  • 15 minutes of running
  • 29 minutes of skiing
  • 20 minutes of rowing
  • 29 minutes of walking at 3.5 m.p.h.
  • 16 minutes of football
  • 25 minutes of resistance weight training
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4 helpings of stuffing (760 calories)

  • 1 hour and 15 minutes of running
  • 2 hours and 25 minutes of skiing
  • 1 hour and 44 minutes of rowing
  • 2 hours and 25 minutes of walking at 3.5 m.p.h.
  • 1 hour and 18 minutes of football
  • 2 hours and 5 minutes of resistance weight training
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5 helpings of green-bean casserole (375 calories)

  • 37 minutes of running
  • 1 hour and 11 minutes of skiing
  • 52 minutes of rowing
  • 1 hour and 11 minutes of walking at 3.5 m.p.h.
  • 38 minutes of football
  • 1 hour of resistance weight training