For many years now I have talked at my seminars and workshops about how, when it comes to the way the majority of people work out, most of us become so caught up in the harder-faster-heavier-is-better way, that at one point we completely lose sight of what we’re actually trying to achieve – a happier, healthier life.

It reminds me of a story my father used to tell about an American investment banker who, on a visit to a small coastal village in Mexico, happened upon a small boat with just one fisherman aboard.

Inside the tiny boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The banker commented on the quality of the fisherman’s catch and asked him how long it took to pull the fish from the water.

 
The fisherman replied, "Oh, not very long at all."

The banker then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?" 

The fisherman said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family."

The banker then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife Juanita, then we stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos… I have a very full and busy life."

The banker jeered, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and, with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you could have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor; and eventually open your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. Of course, at that point you would need to leave this village and move to Mexico City, and then from there to Los Angeles and eventually New York City. But there you would run your ever-expanding enterprise to its greatest heights."

The fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

The banker replied, "About 15 to 20 years."

 
"Then what?" asked the fisherman.

The banker laughed and said, “Ah, my good man, that's the best part of all! When the time is right you would announce an IPO, sell your company stock to the public, and become very, very, rich. You would make millions!"  

"Millions... and then?"

The banker said, "Then you would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

Until next time, hasta La vista, baby.

Dianne Orwig, CPT, CFC, CYFI
Founder and Creator of the Living Fit Online Program
For more information visit www.lovelivingfit.com

Here is a great question from one of my clients in Billings, Montana. 

Q: I need your help. I have a group of friends who like to get together once a month for dinner. This month we're meeting on a Thursday night at one of my favorite Chinese Restaurants. I've been following your plan for a while and I'm not sure what I can order that will allow me to stick with my new healthy lifestyle while still enjoying time with my friends. 

A: The thing I like most about your question is that you suspect you can do both - have fun and stay fit. Well, guess what, you can! The key, of course, is being prepared and putting a plan in place that allows for both. The first thing to remember is, as with all restaurant food, Chinese cuisine can contain a lot of hidden fat, so here's what I would suggest:
 

First, whenever I know I will be dining out, I make sure to eat an approved meal (a small portion of protein and carbohydrate) as close to the time I'll be leaving as possible. That way, by the time I get to the restaurant, place my order, and finally receive my food, I am not so off-the-charts hungry that I decide to toss my plan under the table.

 
Second, when ordering at a Chinese restaurant, I usually get the appetizer portion of teriyaki chicken - the kind they serve on a skewer. I will typically order two to get the proper amount of chicken, a bowl of rice, and some steamed vegetables. When my food arrives, I dump the rice in a plate, put the veggies on top, cut the chicken up, and mix it all together. This actually makes a very nice, very tasty meal!

Eating out is always tricky, but rather than avoid it all together, here are a few more Restaurant Rules for you to try:
 
Restaurant Rule #1: Decide well in advance EXACTLY what you will order and stick to it. I prepare by arming myself with the correct language, deciding precisely what I will say when my friends tell me to, "Relax and have some dessert." When ordering, I make sure to use phrases that begin with "I want such and such..." or "I would really like this or that..." as opposed to "I can't have this or I shouldn't have that..." You will rarely get an argument from anyone when you're using words like "want" and "like" when placing your order and you might find that using these words actually lessens your feelings of sacrifice and deprivation.

Restaurant Rule #2: As soon as you sit down, order a huge glass of either unsweetened tea or water - play a game with yourself that you will not take a bite of anything or order a "real" drink until that first glass is gone.

Restaurant Rule #3: Use the one bite rule. Pick the slowest, most talkative person in the group and watch them eat. Then, make it a rule to take only one bite of food for every two bites they take. I have found this really slows down my eating and, as a bonus, it has made me a much better listener - my #1 New Year's Resolution for 2009!

Dianne Orwig, CPT, CFC, CYFI
Founder and Creator of the Living Fit Online Program
For more information visit www.lovelivingfit.com

A Funny Little Fat Cell Fantasy

As I make my way to the elliptical... is it possible? Can I hear the soft whisper of a conversation coming from behind me? I know who it is... it's those nasty fat cells who have been making themselves at home on my backside for the past few years... and they're scared, really scared.

As I switch on the elliptical machine, I hear one of them say to the other, "Do you hear that beep? She's getting on that darned thing again... what's the deal?"

The other fat cell responds, "If she keeps this up, we're in real trouble. I'm tellin' you buddy, I thought I was losin' ya yesterday... you were fadin' brother."

"You don't look so hot yourself..." the other says, "Look, we just have to stick with our plan... we gotta hang in there for as long as we can... She'll break soon, she always does."

"Yeah," the fattest cell chimes in, "I really thought we had her yesterday when she got on the scale and...no drop, not even a half a pound!"

"Yeah, that was great! Weird, though, that usually sends her running for the donuts... but she just stepped off the scale with that look on her face and said, 'Soon... you mark my words. You fat cells are history this time, cuz I'm not giving up.'"

"That kinda scares me when she acts like that... you know, all calm and cool like she really means it."

In comes the Sergeant at Arms... "Okay troops, listen up - you're all in real trouble... I just came from upstairs... talked to the Mind and it sounds like this is it... she not backing down this time - you guys might as well pack your bags... looks like you're all outa here."

And, as my sad little fat cells pack their bags for the trip out, I hear one of them say, "Sheese, remember the good 'ol days when we used to get Pop Tarts for breakfast and cocktails EVERY night!"

"Yeah, and what the heck happened to all those great excuses she used to use... 'The meeting went too long... it's raining... I've got cramps... I have to get a pedicure...'"

"What the heck got into her, anyway?"

"I don't know, man... I think it has something to do with that stupid Living Fit program..."

Dianne Orwig, CPT, CFC, CYFI, is founder and creator of LivingFit Online. For more information on fitness and nutrition go to www.lovelivingfit.com.

Take advantage of our special "Get Fit This Summer" program and receive the full 16-week LivngFit Online transformation program, plus lots of great bonuses, visit http://www.lovelivingfit.com/The_LFO_Special.html.