Column: Another Turkey Day

Every Thanksgiving I write a column that few of you read. However, if by chance you do read this and you feel like controlling your eating habits this Thanksgiving, try a little exercise. Put your turkey in the oven, and while everyone is still asleep, go out for a long walk. Exercise during the holidays will help to lower your stress level and slow down nervous eating.

I won't tell you not to eat too much. Besides, you won't read this if I do. However, eating light, getting plenty of rest and putting in a little exercise time will help you through the Thanksgiving holiday.

It's a fact that everywhere you turn you are hit with food ads and most of your extra time is spent in the kitchen cooking or in the grocery store. You overbuy "just in case, and overeat "just because." Instead, eat slow. It takes 30 minutes for your stomach to register full. If you eat quickly and too much, you're still filling that stomach when it has reached and exceeded the full mark.

Stay busy and that's not hard to do with a house full of kids, parents and friends. Staying busy keeps your stress level low and the more stress, the more you'll eat. If you lose control now, it will take you three weeks to recover, and by that time it's Christmas and you get to go through it again!

Try laughing. Do you remember how to laugh? You'll need humor to go along with the 5,000 calories you'll consume on Thanksgiving. Don't tell me you won't find a place to put all those calories. It happens.

Finally, keep these points in mind. Turkey is low in fat and calories. There are relatives and friends to help with the dishes. And there are lots of leftovers. Now enjoy your day and forget you read this.

Jerry Vance is certified by the American Council on Exercise and teaches fitness at the Carson City Community Center and for the American Lung Association.