Weekend Catch Up

This past weekend I was home alone! The wife and kid went to Jacksonville Florida and celebrated Grandma Clark’s birthday. I wish I could have gone, however I had to take the End Of Course and FAA exams. Once that was complete, it was a guys weekend!

Saturday evening I went to the Ice Flyers hockey game. The Pensacola Ice Flyers lost to the Louisiana Ice Gators 4 to 0. It was a really good time, and I got to see a couple of fights. I think Em would have a good time, and I want to go back for our next date.

After the game I went to McGuire’s Irish Pub and Steakhouse. If you haven’t been, be careful with the restrooms. And that’s all I can say. I had a Pensacola Bay Brewery Oktoberfest brew and the best hamburger I have ever had. I highly recommend you give the restaurant a try.

On our way in, my friend and I passed a couple of guys outside who had had a little too much to drink. AN hour and a half later when we walked out, they were still there. It turns out that the designated driver had been drinking and was unable to really even walk. We had a quick conversation and found out the young guys were airmen from base. We instructed them to call a cab and head back or to a hotel if they had a room for the night. After a few minutes we headed to the car and got ready to leave. I didn’t have a good feeling about the situation and as we were pulling out of the parking lot the two guys were speaking to another guy, who was obviously drunk.

At this point I had already identified myself to the Airmen and instructed them to call a cab. Since that was happening I backed the car up and parked again. We got out and headed to the group. Without hesitation we separated the new guy from the two original guys and found out he was not with them at all. While we got him to leave I also told the the guys to call a cab now, while I was watching, or let me call the cab and send them to base. This got their attention and they called for a cab. Once the cab arrived I spoke with the driver and we got the boys back to base safely.

Sunday I slept in until about 10 and then got up and went for 3.51 mile run. It was the best I had felt in long while and I completed the run in 29 minutes. I think it had something to do with the classical music I was listened too. Kept me calm and in control, and the rhythm allowed me to control my breathing. If you have never run to classical music, I suggest trying it.

After running I took care of a few surprises for my wife, studied for my first flight tomorrow, and the took care of some chores. I finished by watching a movie with the sound turned up and the lights off. It was a great end to the weekend and I am glad I was able to have some time to myself to reset after a tough two weeks.

 

Today is day 36 of the 365 day challenge.
Is is Day 17 of the 30 day push-up challenge. Today is 75 push-ups and sit-ups.

Keep up the good work. Tomorrow I have a low calorie, protein packed snack to share with you.

Why a Cheat Meal

Sticking with the food theme from yesterday, I want to talk about having a cheat meal once a week.

Cheat meals are based on one important fact, and that is the amount of leptin hormone your body will produce.

You ask what Leptin is and why it matters? Well, Leptin is the hormone that helps regulate the amount of body fat humans carry. The higher the body fat, the higher Leptin levels, the lower the body fat, the lower Leptin levels. During prolonged periods of dieting, Leptin levels decrease. In the first week studies show it could drop to half the original level. As Leptin drops, so does the level of liver glycogen. This lowers the level of other hormones such as Testosterone, Estrogen, T3, and Growth Hormone. This also raises Cortisol levels (stress hormone- makes you fat). A low leptin level will also stop fat burning and do the complete opposite- store the fat!

The body will fight to get fat! By eating a large carbohydrate “cheat meal” this process is reversed and leptin levels rise because of the rise in carbohydrates and insulin caused from the large feeding. This sets Leptin levels back up high and lets the body keep dieting on lower calories. This makes it more effective for burning fat than when it had lower Leptin Levels. It will also be highly beneficial to take this meal in after a vigorous workout. This will help muscle growth and inter muscular glycogen retention, and leave less room to store fat. Blood sugar is low after a workout and so the body has less room to store fat.

I recommend 1 cheat meal a week. Make sure it is a single meal, and not the whole day.

Today is 33 of the 365, and for the 30 days of situps and pushups, it is Day 13. The number is 70. Have fun and stay strong!