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It’s Christmas at our house (the “Y”) and boy, oh, boy, is the door wide open! — to paraphrase a popular song.

Monday, Christmas Eve was very entertaining from a customer service desk point of view. Hundreds of members and day-pass non members descended on the facilities to work out, sweat out and do extra exercising in anticipation of the Christmas feast.

I don’t know if it is a mental thing but people seem to think that if they work out more prior to eating it will “just be alright to eat that extra helpin’ of mashed potatoes.”

According to the YMCA Fitness Guru, Ms. Six Pak Abs, “the work out-pig out-work out routine is not just a theory but a fact.”

“It’s simply the mind telling the body that it can eat more because the thermal body furnace can burn the calories instead of storing them.” And that’s a fact!

The Holiday camp at the “Y” started on Monday with a fun filled day of scheduled events.

We played board games and took part in the Shoe Box slide, Bean Bag balance races. I lost.

We played kickball (Elves vs Reindeers) and Elves won!

Tuesday, Christmas day was spent with family and friends. Hope your day was as good as mine.

A special gift this year under the tree for me, socks and underwear, socks black, underwear in different colors, how daring!

Wednesday the “Y” opened up at 5 a.m. as usual, except today the crowds were waiting for Gina to open the doors as, just like Wal-Mart , we also have the after Christmas rush.

Ours is not to return or exchange gifts but to get those extra pounds off after the holiday feast.

Another interesting thing is the places represented by folks using the “Y” facilities.

I have talked to folks from Germany, England, Sweden, Canada, France, China and various states from Wyoming to Maine and Colorado to Ohio. Everyone is happy to be here in the sun and surf of Marco Island.

Holiday camp continued in full swing with a full line up of things to do. Games and activities included Dodge ball, Potato Races, a scavenger hunt, basketball and a movie.

Thursday, the mad rush to the fitness center, pool and gym aerobics continued but the Holiday campers went to the Naples Zoo to enjoy the day and see the animals.

Today, I expect the rush to the “Y” to continue with our wonderful local members and guests from other places to drop by.

Holiday camp continues with a pancake breakfast scheduled in the morning, then the world famous Holiday Carnival begins with a line up of events that include swimming, skating, Pac man tag, football and baking holiday cookies.

After today I can skip my workout for Saturday.

Well , next week is a short week again with the ‘Y” Holiday camp open till 1 p.m. on Monday, New Year’s Eve, the pool closes at 2 p.m. and the “Y” closes at 3 p.m.

New Year’s day we will be closed and starting Wednesday, Jan. 2, normal hours will resume (5 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Adult Co-ed Volleyball games are scheduled for 7 and 8 p.m.

Don’t forget to check out the “Y” website at www.marcoislandymca.org for the latest information.

Also, Flag Football registration is ongoing. Sign up today.

Well, please excuse me as I am going to go have some turkey and stuffing with gravy and Cranberry sauce, or maybe turkey sandwiches or maybe turkey a la King or just stuffing.

That’s all we eat at the house between Christmas and New Year’s. Can get a little boring but I love turkey! Happy New Year to all!