Five Great Reasons to Exercise on Thanksgiving Day

Contributed by Beth Kenas, Abington YMCA Group Exercise Director

It’s so easy to get swept up in the excitement of Thanksgiving Day preparations, and to decide that exercise can wait.  In fact, you can probably convince yourself (and be correct) that the cooking, the cleaning and other chores are exercise enough for the day or you may decide to relax before all the relatives and friends come over to enjoy sumptuous feast.

So why would you try to squeeze in some time for physical fitness on top of all of that? 

Well, there really are some great reasons to exercise on Thanksgiving before the big meal.  Here’s why I do it, and why I think you’ll benefit from it, also.

1.   It’s a chance to try something new

I usually exercise early in the morning, so I can be finished with my workout before I go to work.   On Thanksgiving, I can sleep late and still have time to exercise, without the pressure of having to be at my desk at a particular time.  That adds a luxury to my exercise routine that I don’t usually have.   Are you usually a night-time exerciser?  Why not do it on Thanksgiving in the morning, when you’re not tired from working all day? 

2.   It’s a great family activity

You’re probably home at the same time, all in the same place for a change.  Take the opportunity for a family walk, or a family run.  Try rollerblading, or go for a bike ride.  Let the younger ones choose the route, while the older ones watch for traffic, or assign the college kids to hold the water bottles.  Make it a family tradition, and brag about it over Thanksgiving dinner.  You can invite anyone you like to join you next year!

3.   It’s a great stress reliever

If you exercise, you’ll get your endorphins flowing, and that will let you handle whatever stress might occur.  That argument about politics that your family has every year during dinner?   There’s no need to participate or to even pay attention if you’re feeling the serenity that comes with an exercise high.  The green beans got a little soggy?  Who cares?

4.   Celebrate your blessings

Sometimes we forget how much we have to be thankful for.  Celebrate your ability to move, and to breathe cold air, and to see and hear what’s around you.  Not moving as fast or as far as you used to?  Celebrate the experience and the wisdom you’ve gained since then, while you do what you can now.

5.   Be part of a great cause

Look in the newspaper or in the mail or at your local YMCA for a Thanksgiving Day fitness event.  When you participate in a local walk or a run organized by a community agency, you’re supporting your community and the people who live there with you.  You’ll see people you haven’t seen in a long time, and you’ll probably meet some new people, too.  You’ll feel good about being part of something larger than yourself.

If you’d like some ideas about how you can make exercise a part of your Thanksgiving celebration, contact Beth Kenas at the Abington YMCA 215-884-9622, ext. 1840.