In Your Post-Thanksgiving Stupor, Resolve to Start Exercising

"May your stuffing be tasty, May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious, And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!" -- Anonymous

THANKSGIVING POSTMORTEM: It's four days after one of the most bountiful (read: calorie-outrageous) feasts of the year. How are you feeling? If you're like most people, you ate until your eyes rolled back into your head and your brain became numb and, in an acute insulin-induced stupor, you slunked into your favorite La-Z-Boy and slipped slowly into worthlessness for four hours.

So here you sit, wincing, staring blankly at the ceiling, rubbing your belly and feeling out of shape. To add insult to injury, just four days ago, you snorked down enough calories to feed Bolivia for a week. The hope of burning off those calories with exercise is dimming as fast as the daylight hours are. The weather is colder, the holidays are here and it gets dark around -- noon!

Despite how things feel, now is not the time to become fatalistic. It's time to pick yourself up and do everything you can to stay in shape. Don't wait for tomorrow or next week or your birthday or the new year. When it comes to exercise, those times never come.

Over the next five weeks -- from now until the Jan. 1 -- I suggest that you dedicate at least four hours a week (more if you're fit) to your body. You'll feel infinitely better around the holidays, and you'll emerge from them happier, healthier - and lighter, and that will give you momentum heading into the new year. What you do over the next five weeks will set the tone for 2007 and boost your chances of achieving your New Year's resolutions.

Here are four tips to help you get back into the fitness swing and build your momentum over the holidays -- so that you can run, rather than waddle, into the new year.

Simply start

Of course, it's tough to put your body in motion when your energy levels are low, so I recommend that when you're feeling lethargic, you lace up your shoes and start with a five minutes of easy walking or another aerobic activity (which you should do to warm up for any type of exercise anyway).

Then, stop and assess how you're feeling - inside and out. This is called the "Five Minute Rule." Is your body revved and ready to go or are your muscles already feeling fatigued? Are you more alert and waking up or do you feel like you're going to pass out?

If you're genuinely dragging and seriously still exhausted, head home and get back in bed. You probably need some rest and relaxation.

But, if I'm guessing correctly, the fact that you started moving will get you pumped enough to keep going with the quality workout you determined you were too tired to take on. Oftentimes, our minds tell us we're tired when our bodies are actually eager to go.

Put fitness first

At this time of year, you probably have a million things going on from the moment you wake up, but your day will probably get even busier as the minutes pass. So set your alarm clock for an hour or even 30 minutes earlier and squeeze in an exercise session then.

Research shows that people who workout in the morning are actually more likely to stick with their exercise long-term than people who plan to be active at other times of day. On top of that, the sense of accomplishment you'll get from the moment your day begins will give you the confidence to conquer even more throughout your day -- meaning you could potentially be extra productive on the days you get that a.m. exercise; hence, actually saving you time.

I know it's dark and cold outside now, but solider on. Either do your workouts indoors, dress to beat the weather or take up swimming for the next five weeks! Why not?

Recruit your relatives

Over the holidays, none of us is particularly motivated to exercise. It's probably because we're all sitting around in insulin-induced stupors! The key is to get active with your spouse, partner, kids -- and all of your visiting relatives. It's not only a great way to deal with the "lack of time" excuse but an excellent way to stay motivated while boosting everybody's fitness.

Research shows that people who exercise together may stick with it longer than people who go it alone. Besides, what could be more romantic than going on a hike with your significant other, enjoying breathtaking views as you traverse the trails at sunset? And what could be more fun than throwing around a ball with your kids, taking a family bike ride in the park or heading out with your baby in a jogging stroller? Another great idea is to take walks before and after big meals; this helps moderate appetite and aid digestion.

Bottom line: Explore exercise as part of the holiday family experience and see how enriching it is for everyone -- mind, body, and soul

Seek support

Want to know one of the single best excuse-busters on the planet? Other people. Seriously, immediately start surrounding yourself with individuals who will support you in your quest to stay fit over the holidays.

All you need to do is tell your friends, family, co-workers, training buddies or other fitness professionals (like a personal trainer, if you decide to go that route) that you want to get in better shape and make exercise a priority in your life now. You don't want to wait for the new year. Then ask if they'd be willing to call you on your excuses whenever you try to wiggle out of your commitment.

Anytime you're about to back out of a workout, call one of these people to discuss why. You might just find that the mere thought of telling someone else your excuse is enough to make you see how invalid it is in the first place and you'll get moving without even telling your supporter(s) you were going to bail.

I hope that by putting some or all of these strategies into play, you will look and feel better over the holidays. Remember, this is a magical time of year. You want to feel energized and radiant so that you can enjoy the holidays fully and spend more quality time with family and eat foods you love and actually be motivated enough to get out there and engage in charitable acts.

The key is to really take the time for yourself and your health. It will help you get through the holidays with more grace and gusto -- and send you soaring into the new year.