Thanksgiving Survival Tips

You've been working so hard in the gym and at the dinner table. Don't let Thanksgiving set you back! Or else...

Listed below are 10 tips to help you get through the next few days without me:

1. Exercise the day before.

2. Eat a healthy breakfast. Don't skip a meal to "save" for your Thanksgiving feast. You'll end up over eating. Skipping meals will even slow down your metabolism.

3. Head out to the "Turkey Trot". If you don't want to deal with the crowd, have your own Turkey Trot: hop on an elliptical for 30-45 minutes of intervals or go for a jog on the Katy Trail (That's my plan.) Do your cardio first thing in the morning to boost your metabolism and "EPOC" for the rest of the day.

4. Don't go for seconds. I know, I know, it's just so yummy. I get it, trust me. But having that second serving won't satisfy your taste buds anymore than the first serving. Sit for about 15 minutes, drink a glass of water and then see if you still want seconds ;)

5. Drink water throughout the day. Drinking water increases your metabolism.

6. Follow a 2 SMALL bite rule for the dessert platter. There will be lots of choices and you'll want a little of all of it. Get a small serving of a few desserts, take a couple SMALL bites then try the next treat.

7. If you have a big Thanksgiving feast for lunch, head out for a family walk after the dishes are put away before the Cowboy game. Or play some active games with the kids. If you don't have time before the game, go during halftime or after...whenever, just get moving.

8. Share your leftovers. Eating leftovers until they're gone is not a good idea. You wouldn't eat a feast like that on an ordinary day now would you? Get rid of leftovers -- send them to someone you know might need a good meal.

9. Limit alcohol consumption. Plan on 1-2 drinks for the day. Remember, alcohol slows down your metabolism!

10. Choose your indulgences. Don't torture yourself, you can have your favorites! But do it wisely. You will just need to make a few sacrifices (limit butter and gravy, pass on the rolls...etc) to justify your favorite indulgences.

Bonus tip: Exercise on Friday! (Shopping does not count.)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

I'M THANKFUL FOR ALL OF YOU!

For my ladies

The new craze in salons are "gel nails". I had them applied back in October and loved them! Gel nails literally last 2-3 weeks without chipping. Sounds perfect right?

Wrong!

Should have known this was too good to be true. One of my clients, who also had the gel nails applied, recently broke the news to me: UV-A ray exposure! After the gel is applied, you REPEATEDLY place your hands DIRECTLY under a UV nail dryer. THIS INCREASES YOUR CHANCE OF GETTING SKIN CANCER! And not to mention may age the skin on your hands, giving you wrinkles, age spots and loss of elasticity. I also noticed my nails were very thin and brittle after removing the gels :(

So here's what you can do:

-stick to the old routine of a polish change, no UV dryer

-if you want to get the gel nails applied, only do it every now and then

-BEFORE gels are applied and AFTER your hands have been washed and massaged apply chemical free sunscreen on your hands; then let the manicurist touch up your nail bed, giving the sunscreen time to absorb into your skin.

PS. Today, The Dr. Oz show mentioned UV rays used in salons. Dr. Oz agrees. Avoid the UV dryer!

CooperPT Mentorship

The Cooper Institute has a new course for professional fitness trainers. The CooperPT Mentorship teaches the "Cooper Training System - built on extensive scientific research and 20 years of trainer-client experience at the world-renowned Cooper Aerobics Center." If you are a professional fitness trainer wanting to learn more from the best :) then visit the WEBSITE or contact Carla Sottovia at the Cooper Fitness Center.

Don't forget your ipod!

Not in the mood for a workout? Feeling a little "heavy" on the treadmill? Well...according to my client S.W., listening to music while exercising increases your output by 15%. He shared this information with me after hearing it on the radio. I agreed instantly but confirmed it a couple days later while I ran on the treadmill with my ipod. I was doing a set of lackadaisical intervals (I was feeling "heavy" that day) but when my song (Rihanna, Only Girl in the World <--haha!) came on, I suddenly felt like sprinting. So I did!

Vamp up your cardio session or weightlifting routine with some music -- you'll be a lot more effective!