Published: November 26, 2009 08:46 pm         

Feel the burn: Family Y conducts Thanksgiving workout session

TERRE HAUTE — While many people slept on cold a Thanksgiving morning, others were getting ready for the annual Turkey Burn – the Terre Haute Family Y’s annual Thanksgiving Day fitness program.

“I don’t want to break my momentum,” said Kim Cooper of Terre Haute, one of a couple of dozen people taking part in the Thursday’s Turkey Burn. The annual program allows daily exercisers to keep working out, even on a holiday, she said.

Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., dance music played and fitness instructors shouted encouragement to sweating fitness enthusiasts in different exercise classes.

In one room, about a dozen women did Zumba. In another, a group did “step mix” and toning. The Y’s weight room was also open for a few people lifting weights or using other exercise equipment.

“People do it because they are committed to fitness,” said Kennetha Jordan, program director at the Family Y. “The Turkey Burn is fabulous!”

Admission to the Turkey Burn, now in its fourth year, is free with the donation of a non perishable food item, Jordan said. All the food collected Thursday morning will go to the Light House Mission or Catholic Charities.

“It makes you think about what you’re going to shove in your mouth later today,” Cooper said smiling after a tough Zumba workout. Once you’ve worked this hard to burn calories, you think twice before eating more. On the other hand, “I’m not going to starve,” she said laughing.

The Turkey Burn started at 8 a.m. with cycling, step mix and weight training. Then came Zumba at 8:45 followed by toning, “core work,” stretching and, finally, cool down.

People take part in the Turkey Burn for different reasons.

“I eat two pounds of mashed potatoes [on Thanksgiving], no kidding,” said Rachel Williams, after the biking exercise class. The Turkey Burn is also great because it has a variety of classes in a short amount of time “so you don’t get bored,” she said. “I love it. I really do.”

This year’s Turkey Burn had the biggest turnout yet, Jordan said. More and more people are committed to good health and fitness so they are willing to exercise no matter what day it is, she said.

“Before I fix that big feast, I’m going to boogie,” said Evelyn Helton of Terre Haute after the Zumba class. A first timer at the Turkey Burn, Helton said she highly recommends it to anyone. “Be thankful you can get up and move. … If you can get up and move, you should get up and move.”



Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.