Thanksgiving For Your Body!

This Thanksgiving instead of fretting about calories and unsightly bulges, why not instead shift your focus to all of the positive things your body can do. Even though it might not be perfect, your body has been with you through thick and thin (literally!) and never gives up on you. So before you complain that it won’t fit into your favorite pair of jeans, give your body a "shout out!" of gratitude.

Thanks to your amazing metabolism! Whether you use will power or go hog wild on Thanksgiving Day your trusty body will break down a huge array of foods and transform all of it to energy that you can use for thinking, running, washing the dishes or watching football.    

Thanks to your muscles! Without muscles you couldn’t hug your mother or kiss the top of a baby’s head. Muscles help you turn all of your love into action. And the stronger you are, the more love you can give!

Thanks to your 5 senses! What would Thanksgiving be without the smell of pumpkin pie in the oven? Of course your taste buds are working hard all day, but so are your eyes and ears as they take in the smiles and laughter of your family and friends. In fact, all of your senses contribute to making Thanksgiving a warm, wonderful day.

Thanks to your brain! Your brain allows you to remember all of the Thanksgiving traditions of the past and to look forward to all of the holidays to come. It also reminds you to take the pumpkin pie out of the oven, so that the smoke detector doesn’t go off.

Thanks to your nervous system! Because it allows you to feel all of those hugs and kisses coming your way. It also keeps you from burning your hand on the hot oven.

So when you are counting your blessings this holiday season don’t forget to thank your body. Not coincidently, did you know that when you are thankful for something you are more likely to take care of it and treat it well?

Heather Robinson is the Manager and Fitness Director at Get In Shape for Women in Corte Madera and Mill Valley. Heather specializes in helping real women achieve full body transformations through an integrated fitness, nutrition and wellness coaching program.