Thanksgiving Break; Don't stop. Get it, get it.

Oh, Thanksgiving Break. For those of us on the semester system, it's just a tease to the end of our first few months of school.

A week interlude for many that is chalk full of opportunity to finish projects or to get a head start on final papers and studying. Yet, the number of students that actually take this opportunity to take procrastination by the horns and wrestle it into submission is very small. Many students come back several pounds heavier and a week behind schedule.

However, there is an one way the average student can make a difference. One avenue of persistence that doesn't involve hours of working on paper or reading over hundreds of note cards.

That's right. You guessed it; working out!

Holiday breaks are stuffed full of family, food, and free time. Many students use this free time to hang out with one of our common companions; vegetation. No, vegetables and plant life in general are not our enemies. The activity of no activity is the favorite companion of students looking to do all their work at the last minute.

One response to lethargy might be "Why yes, I would love to watch Band Of Brothers and all seasons of Seinfeld today," to which alternative and more productive avenues are open.

For those that are so inclined to physical activity, and even those not, the holiday breaks offer a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of so much free time. Getting out and enjoying the outdoors despite the weather or even hitting up a gym or a home workout is a great way to stay motivated.

Many students may cringe at the thought of continuing the 'gerbil wheel' routine when allowed some time to kick back and enjoy friends and family. Even die hard gym rats and outdoorsy types will fall victim to a comfy lazy-boy and a beer before they log in a workout.

Yet, there are those that will keep at it, whether by sheer will or because a team or group they belong to never takes a break.

Either way, it's almost easier, during holidays, to find time to get in some serious calorie burning activities. For those so inclined to be outdoors there are some great ways to get in some physical activity while enjoying the scenery. A neighborhood or park run is the perhaps the most obvious first choice, but running stairs at a local high school or stadium can both increase the workout potential and decrease its duration. Other options include jump rope (high calorie burning exercise), calisthenics (sit-ups, push-ups, body squats, pull-ups...) and weight-lifting if you have a gym or some heavy objects at home (seriously, if it's heavy and manageable, it works!).

When it comes to being productive, college students and others alike, often, are not the most efficient at time management. Still, staying physically active over breaks offers the same mental escape from work and studies but with the added benefit of burning off the six buttered rolls the one had during dinner.

Keep healthy, keep active, but most importantly, keep at it.