Local YMCA's invite you to "work out before you pork out" for free

By Kay Quinn, Healthbeat Reporter

KSDK -- Thanksgiving Day kicks off an entire month of increased access to forbidden foods. But a local organization is hoping to start a new tradition that might help you change that. It could turn out to be the day you start to lose weight.

Nine area YMCA's will open their doors for several hours Thanksgiving morning and they're inviting anyone, even non-members, to work out before they pork out.

"Dieting is one of the hardest things for a woman, I think," says Candice Wood, working out the day before Thanksgiving.

That's why, on the single biggest holiday tied to food, Wood will be in the gym instead of on the couch or in the kitchen.

"You go for that second piece of pie, if you work out in the morning, and not feel so guilty about it later," says Wood, a wife and mother of three.

And surprisingly, she won't be alone. The Mid-County YMCA, at 1900 Urban Drive in Brentwood, started "Work Out Before You Pork Out" last year. And they say the work out room will be buzzing Thanksgiving morning.

"It's an opportunity for people to come in and get a workout in before they go and sit and watch football and eat all day long," says Amy Nichol, child care and family director at the Mid-County YMCA. "And just a way to burn some calories and relieve some of the holiday stress that can come with this time of year."

But Thanksgiving Day is not just for members. Anyone is welcome to use the Mid-County YMCA, or one of eight others, Thanksgiving morning from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., entirely free of charge.

"We just ask if people are willing to make a donation to our Strong Community Campaign to help raise funds for those in our community who can't afford the YMCA," says Nichol.

Workout Before You Pork Out is more than just coming in and doing aerobics. There will actually be classes underway on Thanksgiving morning include two at the pool.

Also on the schedule: tai chi, spinning and sculpting. Wood says she'll be here, along with her husband and three kids.

"You'd beat yourself up the next day if you didn't do it," says Wood, "so you come in, get that workout done, and then enjoy the rest of the day eat whatever you want enjoy those holiday treats."

Here's a list of local YMCA's offering free work outs Thanksgiving morning. You only need to bring a photo ID.

Carondelet Park Rec Plex 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. 314-768-9622
Edward Jones Family YMCA (Maryland Heights) 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 314-439-9622
Four Rivers Area Family YMCA (Washington, MO) 6 p.m. - 8:30 a.m. 636-239-5704
Jefferson County Family YMCA 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. 636-931-9622
Kirkwood Family YMCA 9 a.m. -11:30 a.m. 314-965-9622
South City Family YMCA 7 a.m. -11 a.m. 314-644-3100
Wildwood Family YMCA 8 am - 12 p.m. 636-458-6636
Webster Family YMCA 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 314-962-9622

Other gyms including Club Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness are open to their members until 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

On the heels of Work Out Before You Pork Out, the YMCA also has a Black Friday tradition called "Drop and Shop." Members and non-members can drop off their kids off between 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mid-County Y.  The kids will play games, do arts and crafts and eat pizza while parents go out and get some shopping done. Look for a link to the YMCA on this web page or call 314-962-9450 for details.