Since I have a feeling it might be a little difficult to feel motivated to work out on Thanksgiving without a race calling my name, I decided to preemptively plan a workout and share it on the blog to keep myself accountable. I really do love beginning Thanksgiving on an active note since it makes me feel more energetic throughout the day so I made sure to put together a workout that would be easy enough for anyone in our family to do together in our driveway!
Thanksgiving Day At Home Workout
This workout requires no equipment but works the whole body in this format: Core, lower body, upper body, cardio burst, repeat!
By spending only 60 seconds on each exercise, I have a feeling this workout will pass by quickly so I’m planning to do it two times through for a 32-minute at home workout but even one round would be a great way to move your body if you’re looking for a short Thanksgiving workout you can complete in less than 20 minutes!
Thanksgiving Workouts
Looking for more workouts you can do at home over the holidays? Here are a few of my personal favorites that either require NO equipment or only require a set of dumbbells:
Upper Body Plyometric Workout
A great burn for your upper body, this workout pairs upper body strength exercises with plyo bursts for a combination of strength and sweaty cardio!
At Home Dumbbell Workout
This workout is a full-body strength workout that will hit all of your major muscle groups.
No Equipment Needed Quiet Workout
If you are traveling and staying in a hotel, this is a great option as it is a very quiet workout with no jumping or loud exercise movements.
Bodyweight Lower Body Workout
Looking for a lower body burner? This workout is the one for you!
Collection of At Home Workouts
If you’re looking for a roundup of home workouts all in one place, this blog post includes a bunch of my favorites!
And, as always, you may find a TON of workouts pinned on my PBF Workouts Pinterest Board! And HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope this year’s Thanksgiving meal is your yummiest one yet!
Thanksgiving Survey
I wanted to have a little fun before signing off today and thought the Thanksgiving survey Janae posted on her blog yesterday would keep with the theme of today’s post and also be a festive way for us to close things out today!
Feel free to play along in the comments section!
- Favorite Thanksgiving food item?
My mom’s stuffing!
- What is one of your favorite Thanksgiving memories?
A ridiculous Thanksgiving night bar crawl with Ryan, Leslie, Ross, Terry and Daniel. I still laugh thinking about that night!
- Do you go to a movie on Thanksgiving?
Nope.
- Any Thanksgiving foods that you do not like?
Green bean casserole. Barf.
- How do you feel about stores interrupting Thanksgiving now by starting their sales on Thanksgiving Day?
I say keep the stores closed on Thanksgiving! Let everyone enjoy the day with loved ones. Shopping can commence on Black Friday.
- Do you hit up the sales on Thursday/Black Friday or do you avoid them like the plague?
I’ve done both! I personally prefer online shopping on Black Friday… All the sales, none of the chaos!
- Do you typically run a race on Thanksgiving or go on a run on your own or take the day off?
We typically run in a local Turkey Trot (5K or 10K) but this year we’re taking a pass and will be doing a short workout at home!
- Do you prefer a big get together for the holiday or to keep it small?
Growing up, our family Thanksgivings typically just included our family of four and I loved it. After I started dating Ryan, my Thanksgivings became much bigger with lots of people gathered at my mother-in-law’s house and I adore that as well. I say the more the merrier!
- What is your food assignment for this year? Are you in charge of the whole thing or are you going out to eat?
My task growing up was the cranberry sauce. When we hosted Friendsgiving, I took care of everything but the turkey (that was Ryan and Ross’ job) but this year I’m really looking forward to spending the day cooking family favorites with my mom!
- What time do you typically eat Thanksgiving dinner?
My family usually eats dinner around 7 p.m. When we do Thanksgiving in Sarasota with Ryan’s family, they do a Thanksgiving lunch and we eat around 1 p.m. and then dig into the leftovers at dinnertime!
Question of the Day
- Choose a few of the above questions to answer!
- Do you typically workout on Thanksgiving?
Valerie says
Hi Julie. Run your own 5K, name it something fun and do it every Thanksgiving. 🙂 My husband and I run the “Freeman 5k” every January after we could not find a 5k to run in the snow. This January will mark the 4th annual Freeman 5k. We make our own puffy paint shirts and have chocolate medals at the end. And we always place first or second
🙂
Laura ~ RYG says
I’m just laughing so hard at your “green bean casserole” barf comment. I was asked to bring the G.B.C. Ha. Never made before!!!
Anyhow, we do the family shuffle, run to my in-laws at noon to eat and my mom’s by 4, so stressful. We can never just relax because of all the pressure and I always wonder if we are the only ones to go through this! Or do people just alternate holidays?
Melissa @ girlchasingpavement says
I am 100% with you on the green bean casserole. Gross, gross, gross. It is a phenomenon that I can’t quite understand. My favorite is sweet potato casserole. It is an excuse to eat dessert at dinner… 🙂
Cate says
Hahahaha! That is my exact reaction. So gross and I want to barf when I think about it! My brother loves it and his birthday is the day after Thanksgiving, so we will likely have it on the table just for him. YUCK! 🙂
julia@yogawinehappiness.com says
That is an awesome workout that I will definitely be trying tomorrow morning! I used to always do a Turkey Trot with my brother, but now my husband and I host Thanksgiving for his family, so I need to do something quick before the chaos begins!
Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says
When I was little I got burnt from the green bean casserole dish and I have never touched it since ha.
Anna says
I totally agree with you about not shopping on Thanksgiving. It’s also so sad for employees who have to be at work rather than be with their families. We try to get everything done ahead of time so there are no last minute trips to the grocery store, either. I’ve been really happy to see that a lot of stores here in Boulder are closed on Thanksgiving… as they should be in my opinion. Happy T-giving, Julie!
Maureen says
I’m not so thankful that you put burpees into this workout. HA HA
This year I am in charge of all the sides, while my dad is making the turkey.
Happy Thanksgiving to your family!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
My moms stuffing is the best too!! I’ve done turkey trots in the past, but this year will be an at home workout and / or run!
Katrina says
I can’t believe you don’t like green bean casserole!! 😀 It has to be one of my favorites (after stuffing and sweet potatoes!) Maybe you just haven’t found a great recipe yet… They’re out there. I promise 😉 And great idea pre-scheduling a workout! Happy Holidays!! 🙂
Allison says
Always, I run a turkey trot on Thanksgiving day! And this year, for the first time, my oldest (age 9) is joining me! He has been my running buddy for the past couple months and he is ready to go! I am so excited, I’m sure this will be my favorite one yet!
Elisabeth says
My favorite thanksgiving foods are the turkey and coleslaw (which I’m always responsible for making at thanksgiving and Christmas). I have gone out shopping on Black Friday twice – I won’t do it again. I’m all about Internet shopping myself. I also am very much against stores opening on thanksgiving for Black Friday shopping!
Sara @ Oats & Rows says
My absolute favorite Thanksgiving side is stuffing! I have no self control when I see it come Thanksgiving day. Usually, my family would do Thanksgiving in Virginia Beach with my dad’s side of the family but it has since changed. This year, they are coming to me in Charlotte! Happy Thanksgiving, Julie!
Heather says
Not a fan of the green bean casserole?! hahaha! so funny!
My favorite dish is stuffing or corn casserole. So yummy!
Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!! 🙂
Esther says
My mom’s stuffing is my favorite Thanksgiving food. We usually do a Turkey Trot on T-Day morning, but we aren’t this year because…I’m 39 weeks and 5 days pregnant! Neither my family nor my in-laws are local, so we did a big joint family Thanksgiving in October this year. If I’m still not in labor tomorrow, my husband and I will probably just pick up some prepared food from the grocery store or Bob Evans. I’m sad to not be with my family tomorrow, but I can’t really think of a better reason 🙂
Jan K says
Happy Thanksgiving Julie & family! My sister & I took over Thanksgiving several years ago. I do homemade cranberry apple relish, a green bean dish with fresh mushrooms & goat cheese & Giada’s Mascarpone toffee bars. So good! I love to get together with family, but inevitably wind up in the kitchen most of the time.
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
I’m running a turkey trot this year but will be trying your workout another time! My favorite dish is turkey or my grain free pumpkin pie, least favorite is green beans like you 🙂
c cohen says
You can run your own race. With or without the stroller. I usually do my own run and don’t have to bother with any registration or time schedule. Try it.
Katie sB says
This yearwe are getting together with friends and I’m making the pies. I made a pumpkin pie and a chocolate pie today. Tomorrow morning I’m going to work out by swimming laps while my husband watches are new born baby. Can’t wait to see our friends!
Tanya says
The Mooresville turkey trot is really fun and I’m pretty sure they allow strollers. I helped start the race 4 years ago and it benefits the local Christian Mission. I know it’s probably too late for this year but maybe next year we can do it together.
Julie says
Thanks for letting me know!!
Chelsea says
I have always hated the cranberry sauce and I have never been a fan of the green bean casserole either. This year my plans changed due to weather so I’m making a meal for our family of 4!
Jen@Jpabstfitness says
Right there with you on the green bean casserole- so disgusting! I’m doing green beans with bacon and sliced almonds this year and if anyone complains…they can make the casserole for their own meal 😉 Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Shannon says
We used to always do Thanksgiving with just my family of 4 because my parents making the feast their selves. But now we spend the actual Thanksgiving Day with my in-laws & family–There’s 27 of us!!!
Ruth says
You should host a Virtual 5K and then everyone can participate with you! I think that would be awesome, do up Bib printouts and everyone can send in pictures of their way of doing the race. Maybe not for Thanksgiving, but lots of other times, maybe New Years!
Jenn @ Mark My Miles! says
I am actually holding a group for those who didn’t get to run the turkey trot this year. It’s the Turkey Trot Redo : )
http://wp.me/p4qhBF-qK