Thanksgiving in Acadiana Without Losing Your Progress

Thanksgiving in Acadiana is not one meal. It's the turkey AND the gumbo, the cornbread dressing AND the rice dressing, boudin balls on the counter and a turkey frying in the yard. The Saints are on TV, the LSU talk never stops, and I love every bit of it. So let's talk about how to enjoy all of it without losing the progress you've worked so hard for.

My number one holiday rule is protein first. Protein is the first thing to get squeezed out during the holidays, and for women, especially in perimenopause and beyond, that matters. Women are not small men. As we age we need MORE protein to hold onto muscle, bone and metabolism. Start the day with eggs or Greek yogurt instead of "saving up," fill your plate with turkey first, and then add the dressing and sweet potatoes. Leftover turkey means Friday breakfast is handled.

Don't skip the weights this week. Lifting is what keeps your muscle, strength and metabolism working for you, and endless cardio won't do that job. Twenty minutes beats zero. Put your workout on the calendar like an appointment before the house fills up, and take a walk after the big meal.

If you trip on one step, you don't throw yourself down the whole flight of stairs. One big meal isn't ruined progress, so get back to your next normal meal and your next workout. If you start over in January, you start from scratch. If you keep going in November, you keep your momentum. And remember Joan, who didn't start lifting until she was 70. It's never too late. Start where you are.

I'm a full-time teacher, so most of the year I train clients before school, after school and on weekends. But Thanksgiving week, Nov 23–27, I have open daytime sessions. I taught myself to play tennis, so believe me, you can learn something new at any age, lifting included. Book your free consult at trainwithamanda.com. Spots are limited. Let's GET IT!