DENVER — Ahhh, Thanksgiving Day.  A relaxing time for family, friends, food … and fitness?

Working out on this day of feasting and football?  “Absolutely.  I mean the reason why we work out at Thanksgiving is so we can enjoy Thanksgiving day and dinner.” Said Scott St. John, owner of Pearl Street Fitness in Denver.

Usually when folks think about conditioning their bodies for the big meal that means wearing loose fitting clothes for the coming cornucopia of calories.

At Pearl Street Fitness, they say you can have your turkey, and mashed potatoes and gravy, and pumpkin pie, and eat it, too. “What happens is when you get your metabolism burning the way we do here.  What it does is helps you process your food quicker.”

About 60 folks flocked to Pearl Street Fitness Thursday morning.

Instead of basting birds, they’re buffing their bodies. “I’m doing it just to keep healthy, that’s all, just keep healthy keep active.  No, I’m not even eating turkey today,” said one pumped up patron.  Some are working out, “…So I can have fun later. So I don’t feel guilty on what I’m going to binge out on later. But more specifically, just to stay in shape and to just keep active the whole time.”

Whether you’re eating turkey, tofu turkey, or no turkey at all, the benefits of a major workout will help prevent the post Thanksgiving dinner blues.

Regardless if the Detroit Lions win Thursday or not.