We've all heard the impressive statistic: The average American puts on seven pounds during the holiday season. But Thanksgiving is late this year, which means not only are there fewer shopping days, but there are fewer gaining days, too.

Talk about holiday stress.

So, as a public service, the Herald turned to two semipro eaters, one of whom was known as ``The Stomach'' and ``Pasta Boy'' in his New Jersey high school; the other, a man about town who eats out most nights.

The two have never met, but their basic message was almost identical: To pack in the holiday treats, you gotta train.

In the same way that an athlete planning to run a marathon starts with shorter distances and builds up to 26.2 miles, so too should the amateur pig properly prepare for the big day.

``It's very dangerous to eat a lot of food if you haven't gotten in shape,'' the bon vivant explained.

``And,'' he added darkly, ``it's not only dangerous, but it's a missed opportunity - you can only eat what your stomach holds.''

At the time of our conversation (Thanksgiving minus two) he was tucking into a morning snack of pumpkin pie and vanilla ice cream. When a witness made some snarky remark, the expert replied he was ``stretching my stomach muscles.''

His training regimen requires him to start overindulging the day after Labor Day, as he puts away his swimsuit for the year. ``I add an afternoon snack here,'' he said, ``a fourth meal there.''

With time, a midnight snack is tossed into the plan, breakfast is enlarged, a daily brunch is enjoyed.

Sometimes, he admitted, he gets full, but like a runner with a cramp, he works through the pain. ``You just keep going,'' he said modestly.

Asked what advice he'd give those who haven't warmed up for Thanksgiving, yet want to kick off their weight gain with a two- or three-pound jump today, he said: ``Don't panic, and don't turn down food. If your stomach is full, there's always the esophagus.''

His coaching was so good I couldn't imagine there was anything left to say. Until I talked to ``The Stomach,'' that is.

``The rookie mistake is not eating breakfast,'' he began, ``or skipping lunch. People think, `Oh, I won't eat the day before and then I'll be able to eat a lot on Thanksgiving,' but it's a big mistake.

``I'm not a doctor, but I think the stomach will actually contract and you'll end up not being able to stuff yourself as much as you want. You need to maintain the elasticity by eating regular meals leading up to the feast.''

The more ``supple'' your stomach, he added, the better to really ``pack it in.''

He also advised against so-called ``empty chewing.'' You don't want to waste time and space with raw carrots or red pepper slices, he said. If you must eat a vegetable, it should be creamed or candied.

``And don't drink water, especially not carbonated water.''

And that post-feast stroll? Time to break out the Segway.