Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means packing your plate to the brim with the essentials, and then going back for seconds. And then thirds. When it’s all said and done, you’re good and satisfied and in need of a way to reduce bloating.
- We’re sick of feeling stuffed on, and after, Thanksgiving, so we recruited an expert to provide some easy, accessible workouts that can help reduce bloating.
Don’t get us wrong — the holidays are a time for rest and relaxation. That doesn’t mean you need to feel stuffed and sluggish for the next few days. Here’s how you can reduce bloating, gas, and the inflammation that comes with the territory on Thanksgiving.
Workouts To Reduce Bloating After Thanksgiving
“Sometimes people are tempted to exercise more intensely after a big meal,” Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro tells BarBend. “This can make gastrointestinal distress worse. “I definitely recommend against intense exercise.”
Hey, that works for us. So if a high-intensity workout is off the table, what can you do to reduce bloating and improve digestion after your Thanksgiving feast?
- “Walking would be the ideal form of exercise,” says Fundaro. “It’s rhythmic, but gentle, so it doesn’t cause a lot of mechanical stress on the intestines.”
[Related: Best Post-Workout Supplements]
Fundaro also cited research from 2020 showing that walking can mediate some of the symptoms associated with irritable bowl syndrome (IBS). (1) However, if you don’t want to lug it to the gym, lack for a treadmill, and the weather outside is oh-so-frightful, what do you do?
- “There’s weaker evidence in favor of yoga for gastrointestinal distress, but that research has focused more on IBS,” Fundaro adds.
Walking or gentle yoga are your best bets to reduce bloating. Try going for a 20-minute walk, ideally with loved ones, after Thanksgiving dinner and again the next morning. If you’re partial to yoga, try working through this basic flow courtesy of social media yoga guru Adriene Mishler:
[Related: Best Pre-Workout Supplements]
Just remember to heed Fundaro’s words and not get sucked into thinking that the harder you train, the better you’ll feel. If you’re in need of other holiday fitness resources, BarBend has you covered:
More Holiday Fitness Content on BarBend
- 6 Training Methods to Stay on Track During the Holidays
- 5 Travel Workouts To Help You Stay Fit on the Go
- The Holiday Diet Survival Guide for Strength Athletes
References
- Hamaguchi T, Tayama J, Suzuki M, Nakaya N, Takizawa H, Koizumi K, Amano Y, Kanazawa M, Fukudo S. The effects of locomotor activity on gastrointestinal symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome among younger people: An observational study. PLoS One. 2020 May 29;15(5):e0234089. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234089. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2020 Dec 17;15(12):e0244465. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244465. PMID: 32470098; PMCID: PMC7259724.
Featured Image: @baranq / Shutterstock
