Back away from the Halloween candy and hit the gym.  Seriously - get your Kit-Kat-stuffed self to the gym and beat the hordes of slugs that plan to show up January 1, brimming with optimism about their New Year's resolutions.  Find your favorite spin bike, figure out whether you like the front or back of the class, learn to use the controls on the treadmill...no pressure, no crowds, calm instructors.  Whether you need to reduce some posterior padding or blow off kid/husband/job/life-induced steam, area gyms offer many options to get your endorphins coursing.  Fitness First (www.fitnessfirstclubs.com), with zillions of locations right around here, is only $35 a month and offers traditional equipment as well as spin classes, body pump, yoga, pilates, even "yogalates" for those who can't decide!  The Bethesda YMCA (www.ymca.org) offers a fantastic indoor swimming pool along with the gym, and Washington Sport Club (www.mysportsclubs.com) was just voted "Best Gym" by Washington Post Express.  And the new Bethesda Equinox (www.equinox.com) is about as luxurious as gyms get...you will be so pampered you won't even know you're working out!

Local theaters offer some great entertainment this month.  Adventure Theater (www.adventuretheater.org), located in Glen Echo Park, is running The Happy Elf starting November 12 (with music and lyrics by Harry Connick, Jr.), and then launches Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on November 19.  For every family with elementary-aged kids, Imagination Stage will please with its offering Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells beginning November 24.  Yes, we know, but it really is very funny.  (www.imaginationstage.org)

If you're of the - ahem - "mature" demographic, you will be thrilled to hear that Strathmore (www.strathmore.org) is tossing two treats your way this month: first, folk legend Judy Collins performs on November 4.  On November 13, Kris Kristofferson (now who in the world can resist singing along with "Me and Bobby McGee?") plays a solo show.

'Tis the season to start agonizing over gifts for the holidays!  There are many local holiday bazaars but the big mac daddy in this area is the Junior League of Washington's A Capital Collection of Holiday Shops (www.jlw.org).  This huge event brings together more than 60 merchants peddling unique gifts, and benefits literacy in DC, so you will feel quite philanthropic as you open your wallet.  This event takes place the weekend of November 19 at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel, located at Connecticut Avenue NW and Woodley Road.  You'll feel fantastic for having gotten a jump on your shopping, and the festive atmosphere never fails to spark a childlike excitement about the holidays.

On November 25 (yep, that's Thanksgiving Day), it is guaranteed you will be searching for a little fresh air.  Take the whole family out for the Y MCA's annual Turkey Chase (www.turkeychase.com).  Whether your little one wants to join the Tot Trot and chase a giant turkey mascot (which just sounds hilarious), your family wants to enjoy a two-mile fun run/walk or you want to conquer the 5K, it's a great morning of outdoor fun before you belly up to the bird.