the weekend and food

Well .. first weekend having to face unhealthy food and it was not easy.
I went for Indian on friday, however was VERY happy with myself because although I did get the butter chicken I ate slowly and realized I was actually filling up. I put my fork down between bites and actually listened to my stomach (highly recommend this technique). When I did this I realized I was full where as in the past I would never let restaurant food go to waste. I gave my leftovers to Corrie because I wasn't going to take them home, but she wanted them so again I was proud of this decision. I also realized that this is a life style not a diet, so I would feel I was depriving myself if I didn't get the butter chicken and I just had to modify how much I ate of it.

I went to my friend Mark and Ashley's on Saturday night and Mark who is a personal trainer did some fitness tests on me. I wasn't even able to do a full proper push up .. eek. He analyzed things I would have to work on to become more fit. Did you know a healthy fit person can do 30 proper push-ups a minute (eek!).

I learned something very interesting ... he explained that I should still be focusing on building muscle as well. He said it will take about a month to gain 1 pound of muscle (I was shocked it took that long) .. but once I have that one pound of muscle I will burn more fat by doing nothing. In other words he basically said you could eat whole wack more calories a day (if chosen) by just having this extra pound of muslce .. thus having muscle does not make you "heavier'' because it in turn allows you to burn more fat (weight).

He explained that at the gym I should try as much as possible to use the free weights vs. the weight machines to see more results. I stated well ... I find the machines easier.. and he responded with "well since when did something easy get the best results" .. and I thought about it and it's very true. University and teacher's college weren't easy .. but it got me my job .... relationships aren't easy .. but the result is a lifelong partner and love .... working-out and eating healthy isn't easy .. but it gets you a longer and healthier life.

Moral of the story ... the harder you work (at anything) the better the results. This simple advice from Mark really opened my eyes.