FITNESS PROFILE
Mavro believes meditation beats marination

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Chef George Mavrothalassitis relies on yoga and riding a stationary bicycle to keep his blood pressure down and keep him on top of a busy career. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Age: 59

Profession: Chef/owner of Chef Mavro restaurant

Height: 5-feet-7

Weight: 165 pounds, was 170

Target weight: 160

Workout habits: "For 13 years, I ran nearly every morning, but I had a soccer injury four months ago and had to quit. Now I ride a stationary bicycle for 20 minutes a day and do yoga as often as possible."

When and why I started working out: "When business got so intense that I was thinking about killing my administrative assistant, my wife, Donna, suggested yoga for stress release. I've been doing yoga for two years now."

What I eat: "I eat everything and anything. I refuse any food restrictions. To me, eating is what my life is all about. I avoid anything that is not delicious."

My biggest motivator: "I ran to train for the Great Aloha Run. I do the stationary bicycle to combat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and too much sugar."

My biggest roadblock to fitness: "Lack of time."

What saves my sanity: "Fishing when I go on vacation and yoga for relaxation, meditation and balance. It helps me look at myself from the outside. I was too much marinating in my problems. Yoga gave me a new perspective. I learned not to take things personally."

My next challenge: "To avoid learning to play golf. I have enough challenges in my life without golf."

Advice for those in the same boat: "Starting yoga with Rick Bernstein was the best decision I have made in the last five years."