nuff said.

Damn it..it's just getting harder!

I AM STRUGGLING TO GET OUT FROM THIS MESS.
I just got busier with work every other day I don't have the time to blog about my progress(which isn't much). It has been 3-4 weeks now I've lost about 2.5 pounds ONLY. Having MIGRAINE is just an issue that has been making me skip my exercise routine. It visits me too frequently, I had to name it, MAGGIE. I HATE YOU MAGGIE! MAGGIE is an annoying bitch that comes over and doesn't know it's time to leave, even if you've hinted that you have something else to do. Caffox,Painkiller,Panadol doesn't scare MAGGIE away.So the best thing to get rid of her is for me to go to sleep.(or bang my head on concrete or something- i wonder)

Damn you scientist, when are you going to come up with the cure?! I need some kind of miracle! Help me GOD. Help me be healthy for ME,and the people around me!Ok,I may sound unfair to other complicated situations(cancer etc), but this is my issue. I feel sorry for my husband to see me in pain most of the days. Who in the world enjoy being around a sick person everyday right?( probably doctors) I didn't ask for it.It's just the way it is.I always pray for his never ending patience and affection in dealing with this, and fortunately he has a wonderful heart. Let'll be forever.

Some of the day, I'm all fired up to wakeup and hop on the thread mill or do the P90X workout, but due to the frequent visit from the uninvited guest, my body just couldn't sync with my brain.I know what I want to achieve, but it kept getting harder...I can't fight it, so I decided to do this on a pace that will not harm my health even if it takes me the entire year to complete my mission.No rush as long as I'm heading there. And I've heard that MIGRAINS do go away when we are in a better shape. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Let's Jog!

Aleysha has been requesting to visit Opah(granny) since forever, so went back to my in laws that Saturday morning. Didn't get a chance to work out at home since we had to leave early in the morning, so I went jogging with my husband and his siblings at Metropolian Park Kepong right after we've sent Aleysha to her Opah. The park has a 3.65 kilo rubber jogging track and the view was awesome!! The serenity of the lake, the environment was just heavenly. Too bad some morons dump some kind of oily substance in the water! Idiots! Didn't bring a camera along, but found a picture is from the net somewhere;credits to the owner.

This is a picture of the track, see how it goes downhill and uphill. Awesome! Next time, I'm going to take more pictures around here to share.

I own a thread mill at home so it's been quite a while now since I ever jogged in a park. (Clarifying; this post made me sound like this is my time going to a park) Haha! I was just impressed by the crowds; Malaysians now are more aware of their health being! What a good sign and motivation! I was still suffering from yesterday's post-workout soreness, but I told myself that I'm just going to do whatever my body can take! So I warmed up, and went for it! Woot Woot! Went there the five of us and I was the last to arrive back!! Hahaha,well at least, I didn't need an ambulance to carry me home! I'm still alive and I finished the entire pain enduring 3.65 kilo track!Yeay! clap clap clap! Painful, but it was a good run, power walks, and stroll. There's a campaign claming that a person should walk 10,000 steps a day = 8 Km for a healthier life. WARRRRGGHHHH! COME ON MAN, GIVE ME A BREAK! I'M NEW AT THIS!! but I shall make this my mission too. Go iena Go!

Nonetheless, this is probably the best picture to described how I looked like after that short 3.65 km. Seriously, I was dying but feeling satisfied.I wonder how I would look like after 8km haha!

TIPS
As always...sharing is caring.

There are a few things I've learn about jogging, whether on a thread mill or outdoor:

1. The best time to jog is in the morning.This is because early in the morning, the air is fresh and the oxygen content in the air is high. When you jog in the mornings and gasp for breath your lungs are filled with oxygen which is needed to burn off calories.

2. Start warming up first and start slow.

3. H2O!H2O!H2O! Bring fruit juice/sports drink just incase you're almost "dying"!

4. Jog slow 2 minutes, fast 2 minutes and alternating this pattern to reach the right heart rate and burn more. Seriously, it does.

5.Find a Mantra. Picking a short phase that you play over and over in your head while running can help you stay focused and centered. It can be your inner motivation when you need it most. Finding a mantra isn't hard. Pick one that fits your running style and personality, such as: “Easy does it” or “Harder, faster, stronger” or “Never give up”. Listening to upbeat songs from your iPod helps too. Music does wonders!

6. Pat yourself on the back when you're done, for that extra motivation.

Above all, I keep pushing, telling myself that I REALLY want to be slimmer and healthier and exercising is the only way!NO PAIN,NO GAIN.

Ouch..Ouch..Ouch all the way.

Ok, insanity has just begun. Muscle sore!! Worked out yesterday focusing on my back and leg doing all intense lunges and my o my, today I feel like I was beaten up by a gang or something. A little discourage by the pain, I fought back and went up the treadmill to just walk. However, since the muscle pain made me move like a robot, stiffly arranging small step one after another, I decided to work on my upper body instead. I focused on my shoulder and arms, lifting light weights and doing chair dips. Got 30 min out of the 1 hour total workout vid because my daughter was screaming her lungs out, screaming for me.(She's at a not-a-big-fan-of-daddy phase). Well, this is one of the reason it's hard for me to focus on me, but I guess I'll just have to make things work. Wake up earlier..pFftTTtt!

I bet I'm going to really feel the pain all over after this. Let's hope for a less "painless" day tomorrow!


Tips: Post workout muscle soreness is "good pain" and this pain can be reduced by drinking black tea or green tea. Antioxidants and Catechins found in them are wonders to human health.

Boost That Slow Metabolic Rate of Yours and Burn More!

Ok, I've notice that as I age, even by JUST looking at yummy-tempting food, it can go down straight to my hips! hehe! I think you know what I mean. There are many metabolic boosters pills out there that we can consume, but why not save that extra cash and do it naturally. Plus, you'll save yourselves from the possibilities of consuming harmful chemicals. I've just learned that there are natural ways to increase the metabolic rates. All you have to do is:

1. Eat 6 small meals a day
Don't let your stomach scream for food! always be munching something healthy to fuel up all day. I love raw carrots.

2. Eat enough protein
Chicken, meat, fish, eggs are a good source but try to mix with some plant protein is found in beans (esp. soy beans), lentils, nuts, quorn and seeds. Plant protein is said to be healthier as it has low fat content. Add more spice to it too; cayenne is believed to help burn fat. Kalau duduk Malaysia, pegi mamak, makan kuah dhall tu mcm sup ok gak! hehe!

3. Vary the exercise routine
When you use the same muscle groups repeatedly doing the same exercise, the body adjusts and burns fewer calories. So, surprise the body and engage in different activities and utilize different muscle groups. Your body will reward you with a better metabolic rate.Oh, and drink cold water or black coffee before you exercise and feel the difference!

4. Sleep well/enough
Lack of sleep affects your metabolism and changes the hormone which affects the appetite regulation. When I'm stressed, I crave for chocolates. Boink! So,I guess I need my beauty sleep bad!

I've just learned this and so far, it's serving me well. In fact, I have more energy to play with my daughter!

The day I became more terrified of diabetes.

Woke up early this morning and head straight to the gym. I had 15 more minutes to complete but the phone rang. It was my mama and she sounded sad. She calmly told me that my uncle passed away. He's 65, been hospitalized for about a month now for diabetes. He had a bad wound on his leg and it looked like he's going to loose it anyways. His organs just stops functioning and that was it. Even though I am not that close to him, I still respect the man like my father and of what he has accomplished in life. But I'm upset that he has no control over his appetite and this led him to having diabetes. Well,frankly he's ignorant.He just eats anything he love without even thinking about his health.I FREAKED OUT when I think of sugars. This is scary.Inalillahi waina ilaihi rajiun. May he rest in peace.

EAT.

I hate the word diet! I love food! I love to cook and I enjoy eating! It's one of life's simple pleasures. HOWEVER, in order for well-being, I guess I have to quote back "You are what you eat" You eat healthy, you'll stay healthy.

Being in Malaysia it is quite hard to resist the daily temptation of Nasi Lemak (coconut cream rice), Roti canai (Oily flat bread), teh tarik (condensed milk tea - notice i don't call it tea with milk BUT condense-milk tea? do the ratio).WOHHH Sedap! In fact, I'm already drooling thinking about the steamy,sweet,creamy teh tarik. Cheap(RM1.50), YummMMMY but it's 410 calories per cup.Yea.. that's right. Isn't is cheaper to get fat?! Painful truth. Eating healthy is a little expensive. Well I guess we'll just have to live smart. Paying more money for good health is better than paying the hospital bills later..not to mention baring the pain!

It's normal to have sudden cravings for ice cream, cheesecake, and in my case CHOCOLATE! PORTION CONTROL is key. It's alright to have a sip or two, a bite or two. Don't stop yourself from enjoying the taste you love, but you need to tell yourself that A TASTE IS ALL YOU NEED and then run away! hahaha! Because if you TOTALLY stop from having it all, I'm afraid you'll be stressed out and demotivated to achieve your goal because the cravings beats you.

In order to slim down and being fitter, I choose to cook healthy food at home, choose healthier meals outside and I admit to cheating once a while having a bite of sinful dessert now and then,making sure I burn it off after even if it means mopping the floor. I've collected many healthy recipes and created some of my own too. Maybe when I have the time, I'll post the best tasting "diet" recipe I've cooked!

Day 1

I have to consume a 1200- 1500 calorie diet in order to achieve my goal, and damn it! its hard! This is what I ate today. Workout session (plyometric) 45-60 mins. Jump Jump Jump!

Nutrition:
Breakfast
Whole wheat toast with 1 teaspoon of peanut butter and banana.
1 glass water
1 cup of yogurt

AM snack
Raw carrots and celery, grapes
Spearmint tea-sugarless
2 glasses of water

Lunch
1/4 tandoori chicken
1 cup rice and mix vegetables
1 glass of tea-sugarless

PM snacks
Brown rice drink
2 wheat crackers
1 glass of water

Dinner
Chicken soup (broth)
1 Slice of bread
1 Fruit juice
1 glass of water


I hope it's good enough!