Feeling stuffed like a turkey? If your family is anything like mine, this Thanksgiving holiday you ate. A lot. Then went to the other side of the family and ate some more. Some of you are probably still eating the leftovers.

The average Thanksgiving meal contains 3,000 calories and 229 grams of fat. According to Dr. Cedric Bryant, American Council on Exercise's chief exercise physiologist, the average American will consume 4,500 calories in total Thanksgiving Day.

Add to that how a good Thanksgiving meal always seems to make you sleepy, thanks in part to the turkey's tryptophan and all the carbohydrates in the meal.

All those calories are hard to burn off when you are sleeping on the couch. So, in order to stop you from looking like Santa by the time Christmas gets here, we have compiled a list of eight ways to get active during the weeks ahead.

This list makes use of some of Piedmont's coolest and often overlooked spots and things to do. This is not a diet or an exercise plan, and we do not guarantee you will get results, but if you try some of the things on this list you will get to experience Piedmont in a whole new way, and you might look a little less like the jolly old elf. Let's get started!

1. Travel the Trail

The Chief Ladiga Trail is Alabama's first extended rails-to-trails project. It wanders 33 miles through the countryside of Calhoun and Cleburne counties and it connects the municipalities of Piedmont, Jacksonville, Weaver and Anniston. It is also the home to the Chief Ladiga Half Marathon. The annual event, now in its sixth year, challenges local residents to go 13.1 miles. The half marathon starts at Jacksonville's Community Center's entrance to the trail and ends at Piedmont's Welcome Center. Runners are put into different age groups, from 11 and younger to 70 and older. You don't have to be a professional runner; anyone willing to try is welcome to come. And if you don't make it, they have a vehicle to help you make it the rest of the way.

The half marathon is Saturday and runners can park their vehicles at Piedmont's Welcome Center and get a ride to the starting point. Piedmont Journal readers can still sign in for the early bird fee of $20 if they mention the Piedmont Journal and sign up by Wednesday by 5 p.m. To sign up or for more information call: (256) 435-8115.2.

2. Terrapin Creek

Just outside our backdoor we have the perfect stream to float in, fish in, paddle in, or just sit by the water and pass the time. Terrapin Creek comes down from the Talladega National Forest, through Calhoun and Cherokee County, before emptying into the Coosa River. While the fishing isn't bad in some of the lower reaches, paddling a canoe or kayak is the best bet to burn the calories. The eight-mile run down Terrapin will take you about four or five hours to complete. The Terrapin Outdoor Center will rent you a canoe of Kayak if you don't have one handy but you'll have to call ahead and make reservations. They can be reached at 256-447-6666.

3. Veterans Memorial Park

Located on Memorial Drive, Veterans Memorial Park is a great place to get out in the open and shed some calories. You'll find a walking track, a basketball court, and a playground for the little ones. A game of basketball sheds more calories than running, and a walk comes in last of the three but the park sure is a nice place to take a walk.

4. Pinhoti Trail

This 111-mile trek takes you through the Talladega National Forest and to the Georgia line. In fact, if 250 miles just isn't enough for you the trail was officially connected to the Appalachian Trail in 2008 so you could take it another 2,178 miles all the way to Maine. For the local route, you can find an entrance to Pinhoti about nine miles northeast of Piedmont on U.S. Highway 278.

5. Clyde H. Pike Civic Center

With swimming in the summer, tennis courts, a basketball court, a walking track and a gym, you can't beat the civic center for a place to get some exercise. There are dues, but for what you get you'll get your moneys worth. The civic center is located at 500 Mill Street. You can contact them at 256-447-3367.

6. Curves

Okay, so this one isn't free either, and it's for women only, but it is a great place to get rid of all that dressing with gravy. With 30-minute workouts and plenty of aerobic exercise, Curves knows how to burn the calories. Curves of Piedmont is located at 105 East Ladiga street, and can be reached at 256-447-1453.

7. Sports Complex

If you're young enough, the sports complex can be a great place to join a team and stay off the couch. There is soccer, football, baseball and softball. If you're into sports in Piedmont this is the place to be. The complex is located at 5960 Old Piedmont Gadsden Highway and can be reached at 256-447-0073.

8. Piedmont Kung Fu

If you're into Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies, you're going to love this place. You'll have to start at the bottom if you've never had a lesson, but many think that learning a martial art is good for the body and the mind. They're located at 202 Memorial Drive and can be reached at 256-792-9289.