What I learned today.

What I learned today:
1) hormones and a full moon does not a good match make!
2) a simple "you rock" can boost a persons confidence
3) wait a few minutes after shaving armpits to apply deodorant
4) never take a trainer up on a challenge
5) I am stronger than I think I am

Pretty good huh?  They're all true!  :) 

I want to talk a little bit about #4 though.

I'm fortunate to have the wisdom and knowledge of a young man named Jaime to guide me through my workouts.  Tonight we got on the subject of nutrition, calories (or the correct amount of calories), etc.   That there was so much information out there that I was confused.  He shared a few tips with me that made sense to me, so I wanted to pass them on to you.

 (Please keep in mind he's a trainer, not a nutritionist.   I value his information and I've heard or read up on some of it before).

1) Eat your biggest of meal of the day in the morning.  Start your day with protein, fruit, and simple carbohydrates (potatoes).  Why?  Your body has the majority of the day to work off the calories.
2) Your body starts shutting down  (metabolism) around 8pm at night.  So anything consumed after 8 pm tends to go right to fat or doesn't get digested/broken down completely.  (Especially those carbs).
3) When you eat your biggest meal in the morning, supplement with 3-4 small meals during the day - focusing on fruits, vegetables and proteins.  Leave those carbs (specifically the complex - bread) after 3 in the afternoon.
4) Weights (lifting) are important to metabolism.  For every pound of muscle mass increased, your metabolism burns an extra 50 calories per hour, while doing absolutely nothing but sitting. Yay.
5) Calories expended, used, should equal the amount consumed.  This one was tough to wrap my head around.   He stated that if we consume 1200 calories, we should work out or use up 1200 calories per day.  For most of us, that isn't even an option.  I am a very active person and burn between 300-500 calories per day through exercise.  I need to research this one further.
6) The key to burning calories is increased heart rate and muscle mass coupled with proper diet (eat simple carbs) and focus on protein, fruits and vegetables.
7) Most people stall out their metabolism by not eating enough food, and certainly not the right food (high complex carbs, sugars, and fat).

All good information.  I'm anxious to learn more.  As I do, I will share it with you.

Namaste'

Sherry