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Here we are the day before America's annual tradition of stuffing our faces and saying our thanks in between breaths.

I've had some clients tell me this week that they are anxious of going home because they know they will indulge a little. Which is understandable seeing how the average person consumes up to 4,500 calories at a typical thanksgiving meal! Let's put it into perspective: average active adult should intake around 2,000 calories per day and 3,500 calories is the equivalent of a pound. YIKES!

Here are 4 strategies to FIGHT the FEAR

First off, Indulge (a LITTLE!)

If your grandmother's stuffing or your aunt's pie is something that you dream about. Get a small helping and savor every single bite. You don't have to eat the whole pie to please the cook.

Secondly, Plan AHEAD

Before you get to your destination, think about what may tempt you: is it mindless snacking? inactive family members that might persuade you to skip your workouts? will your destination have any healthy food options?...create a barrier or a solution to these temptations. Catching yourself ahead of time will help you avoid giving in to these temptations.

Third Thing, Be ACTIVE

Grab some friends and family and get outside! This weather has been so nice (minus the downpour last night) and this is a perfect year to get out the door. Don't sit around and talk. WALK and TALK! Take the dog, the kids, the whole gang and make it FUN! Go a new route, find some local trails, bring a frisbee, make it a challenge trying to jog uphills and walk the flats.

Lastly, Express GRATITUDE

When we are self-absorbed, i.e. when things that make us anxious, we avoid reaching out to others. Make it a PRIORITY to tell those around you how much they mean to you. What are you thankful for this year? What has gone right? Who has helped you become the person you are today?

In summary, have a small piece of deliciousness, think ahead, be active, and GIVE THANKS!

Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for sharing your time reading my thoughts. I am thankful for YOU!

(And of course, my Moose pictured right)

Spontaneity as defined by Webster as: an act proceeding from natural feeling or native tendency without external constraint

Six days prior to Denver, I had no idea what I was doing the weekend of October 8th, 2011.

Looking into my calendar, I realized all my weekends were booked with weddings, showers, football, all the typical fall rituals without any room for random happenstance.

So I went on halfmarathons.net and kayak.com searching down the line until I found a fun, new place to run with cheap airfare. I called up my younger sister, Jean, and she was able to join me. Six days later we were in Denver!

The sub 40 degree, rainy weather didn't stop us from having a great 24 hours together. We had never flown any where just the two of us. It was so special and we had enjoyed every minute of it!

18,000 others ran the Rock n Roll Half Marathon Race with me through the streets of downtown at 5200 feet above sea level. The altitude affected only my breathing rate the last several miles. I was proud of my 1:44 finish and making it into the top 600 finishers overall (Top 250 of the 9,000 females).

Planning can consume us if we aren't careful. I challenge you to GO out and do something spontaneous today!

Aside from utilizing my passion for fitness to design and lead creative, customized workouts for each of my clients, my second favorite thing about my work is learning from others.

My clients are wonderfully unique and tremendously talented.

Burney and Meredith spent some time living in Italy and while abroad they started cooking. Currentely, they live here in Buckhead with their college friend, Eleni, and I have been training them over the last 2 months, with an emphasis on muscle tone. We just started a bootcamp in their neighborhood with 10 awesome girls so I am excited to keep working with them!

After a hard workout in their backyard last week, they invited me in for dinner.

The skills they acquired in Italy, were greatly appreciated!!

I had two helpings of their turkey-stuffed red and yellow peppers topped with marinara sauce accompanied with local grown sauteed green beans!

I am extremely blessed with a career that allows me to teach people that can teach me something in return.

I challenge you to treat your work day as an opportunity to give to others what they need from your field of expertise, but always leave room for the opportunity to learn something from them.

"God is our refuge and strength. An ever present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Even though their was much hesitation regarding the word of God at the 9/11 Memorial, President Obama read Psalm 46. This is a great reminder that our physical strength and power over this world is very limited. We must rely on the ultimate strength that comes from something much bigger than ourselves.

Sunday proved to be a physical challenge for me and 500 other Atlantans as we ran 3.1 miles at midday around Chastain Park. I started out with an extremely fast pace striding by a man holding a flag.

We were running for victory. United we encouraged one another to press on to the finish.

I was the fourth female across the finish line. I gave it all I had. It was hilly. It was hot, but we all perservered to finish victoriously.

What motivates you to push beyond your limits? Have you challenged yourself today? If not, what are you waiting for?! Get out there and GO!