Remember when the Griswold’s went on their first family vacation to Walley World and when they got there, they heard this:

Remember how disappointed the Griswold’s were after driving all that way only to find the amusement park was closed? That’s how I feel when the gym is closed for holidays like, I don’t know…THANKSGIVING!

Here are a few things you might do to fit in a workout on Thanksgiving if:

• Your gym is closed, too
• There’s no gym at Cousin Eddie’s
• You’re trapped in a hotel with a gym smaller than your broom closet
• You want to overdose on carbs
• You want to fit in your clothes the next day

From what I understand there are all sorts of Turkey Trots going on all over the globe so if you are someone that believes “fun” and “run” belong in the same sentence, you might join the other turkeys for a wobble. If you missed the registration deadline, simply draw a starting line on your driveway with sidewalk chalk and run around your neighborhood for awhile and you’ll know you’re done when you cross back over that line when you return home. The best part about that is it’s free!

Last month, when the Mair’s went on their annual California Vacation my friend Sheila asked me for ideas for hotel room workouts. Here’s what I suggested (just be sure to check with your doctor and your roommate before starting any workout program…who knows, they just might want to join you):

Full Body Workout
5 sets of 10 reps

1A Prisoner squats (hands laced behind your head)
1B Push ups (Options: traditional push ups on the floor or feet on the bed hands on the floor)
1C Step ups onto a sturdy chair or coffee table (10 reps on each side)
1D Single arm rows (grab a small suitcase and load it with items like a phone book or a Bible for added weight. A purse or a briefcase works well, too)
1E Mountain climbers (10 reps each side)

Lower Body Workout
4 sets of 12 reps

1A Squats holding a light suitcase or phone book (like you’d hold a plate to your chest)
1B Reverse lunges (with Valslides)

2A Bulgarian split squats (back leg on the coffee table, front leg on the floor)
2B Towel hops (fold towel in half jump over the towel and repeat without stopping for 30-45 seconds)

3A Glute bridges (lay on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor push your glutes off the floor, squeeze, repeat. You can also do these with your feet on the coffee table)
3B Single leg deadlifts (using body-weight only or grab a suitcase for more weight)

4 Jumping jacks for 30 seconds

Upper Body Workout
4 sets of 12 reps

1A Push ups (see variations above)
1B Dips with hands on the coffee table and feet on the floor (you can also put your feet on the sofa)

2A Single arm rows (see weight options above or use a Valband)
2B Overhead press (grab a suitcase and lift overhead)

3A Overhead tricep presses (with a suitcase or phone book)
3B Single arm shoulder presses with a purse or briefcase

Full Body Workout
50-100 reps of 6 exercises (rest for 10 seconds when your form breaks)

1A Push ups
1B Squats (add resistance using a Valband)
1C Bent over rows
1D Single arm shoulder presses
1E Reverse lunges
1F Glute Bridges

Other Cardio Moves
Air jump rope
Butt kicks
High knees
Burpees
Jumping jacks
Run stairwells

The same types of workouts can be applied if you’re doing a workout at home or at your Cousin Eddie’s. Load plastic or canvas bags of potatoes or apples (before they are baked or mashed) and use them as weights if you don’t have access to gym equipment. I’d skip putting your feet on the coffee table because in my experience, not all hostesses appreciate that very much.

Now, I really must go tell MizFit she was the winner of the Valkit for Travel and to see when the Griswold’s and the gym go on their Christmas Vacation!