Thanksgiving is looming, and with it the annual risk for you to end the meal as stuffed as the traditional turkey. Some years ago, I put together a calorie count that could represent calories consumed during a not too atypical day-long holiday blowout. It included a small breakfast, tasting as food was prepared and served, the main meal, and evening snacking on leftovers.

I admit I went to the high end of possibilities by including six pieces of fudge, a handful of nuts, a couple of glasses of wine, 10 crackers with cheese, two pieces of pie, a breakfast of an egg and two pieces of buttered toast PLUS the traditional holiday meal.

The resulting calorie count was a whopping 8000 calories. When you consider that 3,500 excess calories generates a pound of fat, that a 140 pound woman needs only 1700 calories to maintain body weight and a 150 pound man needs approximately 2100 calories a day to maintain his, then it's no mystery why the average person gains weight so easily during the holidays.

One of the best things you can do to counter this excess is to get some exercise before the big meal. In addition to stimulating your metabolism, you'll get some valuable reduction of the stress that often rears its ugly head when extended families gather or unexpressed expectations are not met.

Life is full of choices. This one is up to you!!