Balancing Act

It's the great Monday deluge. Traffic is humongous. Many are stranded. I'm thankful I arrived home a lot earlier than I expected.

I thought I'm going to camp out at the office. The view from the office showed bumper to bumper traffic. The cars are not moving on both sides, going north and going south. I checked again after a few minutes and thought traffic eased up. I decided to go down and head home.

My husband cannot pick me up because he was also stranded somewhere. The car was stuck in the middle of EDSA for more than an hour already. It's pointless to wait for him.

The traffic was at a standstill again when I went down. Throngs of people preferred to walk. I did not dilly-dally. I walked without grumbling. I prepared myself to walk all the way from our office to the MRT station. Just a wild guess, maybe that would be about 3.5 kilometers. I can hack that even if I was a bit exhausted already from several meetings. Good that I trusted my instincts.

I walked in my heels for more than 500 meters I believe! But see, my feet did not complain. I walked and walked until there was a lull in traffic. There was a portion where vehicles can freely pass. I boarded a passenger jeep. Luckily the stop was very near the MRT station. It was a breeze going up the stairs.

The MRT was jampacked that I did not have to hold the railing while I was standing amidst fellow passengers. I was able to balance myself! Haha.

Taking off in my station, I thought it best to just board an FX instead of a cab. For sure, the taxi bay is lined up with people wanting to go home. I was pretty sure taxis tonight were rare because they were stranded somewhere.

I was really thankful I was able to ride an FX easily. I was home after almost two hours. Most of the status in Facebook and Twitter talk about being stranded and being stuck in traffic for hours already.

Ha! I was thinking if I was not as physically fit as I am today, I might not have survived the long walk, the balancing act at the MRT, walking some more to get an FX and still having the energy to blog about this.

Thank you for my cardio exercises as well as my strength trainings. Thank you to body balance and yoga as well.

It pays to exercise. It helps build my endurance. This validates the fact that exercising regularly should be a lifestyle.

Gym Etiquettes

I appreciate the badge you see on the left side of this post. :) Now on to other news.....

I generally do not mind about other people's quirks and attitudes. I normally go with the saying "to each his own". I am not in the habit of talking about people except when you're a super celebrity.

But I love to watch people. On rare times they affect me, a lot of times not really. But I do notice some people need to practice some etiquette especially at the gym. Just common courtesy and sensitivity to your gym mates will be highly appreciated.

1. Please follow the rules. If the gym management posted an advisory not to leave your toiletries and change clothes at the shower room, then don't. Please let others use the shower first. Moderate your greed. Haha.

Emotional and Mental Benefits of Exercise To Me

I headed to the gym right after office. I psyched myself up since last night that I will finish my work on time today so I can leave on time. I also told myself whatever happens I will attend my gym session tonight.

And so I did. I am really happy about it. I am maximizing my time. I don't want to stay long at the gym since I need to balance my work, personal time and my mommy duties. I did the stair stepper. I joined body combat for 30 great minutes and proceeded to do weights. I feel so refreshed after an hour of working out.

There's some new task I needed to do at the office which I do not welcome. But suddenly it came to me that I should instead welcome the challenge and treat this as another great experience which will be beneficial for me. It's an added knowledge after all. Something I can use in my next career plans.

Why am I talking about that? I am just trying to correlate the sudden clarity of thought with working out.

Reaping the Benefits of Exercising and Proper Dieting

I feel so guilty not being able to attend my gym sessions for more than a week. I have been so busy and even if I have a window when I can sneak an hour or so to the gym, I choose to just go straight home, enjoy time with my daughter, rest and then sleep. It's not that I am tired but since it's really been hectic, I want to use whatever time after work with my family rather than going somewhere else.

Today I resolved to work out and I did! I feel so good! Ha! Great feeling. I missed the gym.

But you know what? Even if I have been absent from the gym for a few days, I still feel energetic. I mean I noticed I don't tire easily considering the amount of work I have. I am reaping the benefits of exercising and dieting.

Walk!

I have been really busy at work going around different locations the past days to touch base with teams from different branches. I prefer to go home than go somewhere else, even the gym, so I can rest and spend time with my daughter. I'm still adjusting to the new role I have, the work load and the new organization I am in. I'll be back to my regular gym program. Give me one more week.

I was able to finally go to the gym tonight. It was a pretty good workout. I skipped body combat and did my own exercises instead. I did my mat exercises, the stair stepper and free weights. I feel so recharged!

I was a bit worried I might have increased a pound because I have not been to the gym for three days. Add to that I have dipped into Cheez Curls and Pringles for the past two nights. Maybe you can call me paranoid.

I weighed in tonight before I started my exercise. I am very satisfied with the results! My BMI is still within the healthy range at 22. My fat mass is already at 27.2%! I am now only .2% away from my desired fat mass and 5 pounds away from my desired total weight.

Listen To Your Body

I went to the gym last Thursday but it was as if I just forced myself. I had a hard time doing all my workouts even if they were my routine. I felt like stopping in the middle of every workout. Of course I did not but I did lessen the number of repetitions and minutes from the usual.

I felt very sleepy. I did not feel like doing the stair stepper but I did. I just felt so tired after and not recharged as I normally feel after every exercise. Thursday for me was not a rewarding gym day. Forcing myself is different from challenging myself.

Why Did I Decide to Lose Weight? Why??

The top one question I get with my weight management program is if I have taken anything to make me lose weight. I posted about it a few entries ago. I did not take anything. I did it naturally, diet and exercise.

The top two question would be why I decided to do away with my excess pounds. If I may describe the look in their faces when they ask this question, it's like they can't understand why I have to do it. It's seems as though they would like to understand why I went through all those sacrifices in my diet and exercises. It's like asking me is it all worth it with matching crossed eyebrows and matter-of-fact tone of voice.

It has been asked to me several times and always I am left dumbfounded for a while.

Stair Stepper

I recently discovered the joy of using the stair stepper equipment. I used to only look at the few people using it. I wondered then how they can stand using it. It seems really boring. Just stepping your feet on the stepper for a certain number of minutes. I thought there was not much movement. I thought this equipment are for lazy people.

I have to admit though it seems like this one is nice to use like one probably feels suspended and floating while using it. I cannot remember what made me try it though. I did try maybe a month or so ago. I keep on going down the first time I used it. I cannot control the stepper.

I managed the effort level so I can step continuously going up. I was amazed at the number of calories I burned in just 15 minutes with effort level 4. It's better than treadmill. The reading says I burned 80 kilo calories. It also registered I climbed 42 floors. Imagine that.

Leftovers

Here is what I had for lunch yesterday - spinach fettuccine with garlic shrimp. The pasta is leftover from the other day's dinner as well as the shrimp. My husband did not take his supper at home and my daughter opted to just have the shrimp with the rice hence a bit of an excess.

I cannot just let them get wasted so I thought of making myself another pasta dish. Minced a few cloves of garlic, dumped them all in extra virgin olive oil - smells good when sizzling - and then threw in the shrimps (which I shelled first) - smells even better. Toss them all in the pasta. I have saved money, avoided feeling guilty by throwing food and have eaten healthy (which is actually my goal everyday but I fail at times).

Household Chores and Calories

I am in the last leg of my cooking as I post this. I am cooking our food for tomorrow! Yes, I still have the energy after a very tiring day. I usually do this so that my daughter will have lunch that is prepared from home and not cafeteria food. She can bring it in the morning as she goes to school.

One of the benefits I am experiencing from my regular exercise is the high energy level I have even after a full day. I also dropped by the gym and attended a body pump class plus a few minutes of treadmill. In the same way I do not get lazy anymore doing some household chores.

Honestly, I have never "loved" household chores as I do the past months. Number one, it makes me feel like I am literally running the house the way I like it. It makes me feel more of a mother of the house. No arguments there, that is how I feel if I do some household chores. I make quality time for lost time inside the house. I am a checklist nut too. I love writing off my to-do-list and that includes what I need and want to do inside the house.

Getting More Flexible

I was a bit tired yesterday but I still proceeded to the gym. I had second thoughts of attending Body Balance since the room seemed full already. Also, I wanted a high-impact exercise since I want to burn more calories. But I joined because I was telling myself I need to relax.

I am so glad I did. Number one, it did relax me. I love the stretching really more than anything. I love the flexibility Body Balance teaches me. I also feel good and proud of myself that I was able to do the bow pose.

I cannot do this pose when I was starting to join Dynamic Flow and Body Balance classes. I attribute my flexibility to consistent exercises and the fact that I lose weight considerably hence not much fats anymore which allows me now from moving smoothly.

Complacency Has No Room

I went to the gym today not to workout as I cannot (and don't want since it's the time of the month) but to while away the time waiting for my appointment in the nearby office. I thought of weighing in. Great! 1 lb less versus last week - a pound or 2 a week. :) But my fat free mass was retained.

Honestly I was getting conscious of my eating the past days because I have not disciplined myself from eating chips and a few spoonfuls of white rice with corned beef and lean pork. I also had white pasta in creamy sauce during the get together with my high school friends.

I tend to have a huge appetite whenever my monthly visitor is nearing. I even had my longganisa and half cup of garlic rice one morning at one of those fast food chains. I haven't done this in a looong while. I have to say I can't consume a plateful of rice now. I don't know if it's psychological or my body has adapted to the a-few spoons-of-rice-only habit. But still I know I am eating a little more than I used to the past months.

Muscle and Fat

I weighed in last week to find out that I retained my weight from three weeks ago. Hmmmm...I didn't quite like it. But my fat mass decreased by 1.4 lbs. That should be good. According to the trainers and from reading a lot of health and fitness articles, I know that I should be watching my fat mass and not just my total weight. It could be that one is losing weight but retaining fat. Muscles are not formed/maintained or the muscles are lost for some reasons I'm going to post in succeeding entries. This defeats the purpose of keeping a lean figure and a healthier body.

On the other hand, one could increase or retain weight compared to a couple of weeks but with a lower fat mass which means muscles are being formed and the fats are going away. Muscles are heavier but occupies smaller space hence one looks lean and firm but could be heavier. Whereas one looks flabby if fats are retained.

One clear indication that you are going in the right direction in terms of weight management is your measurement. Just check if your skirt or pants are getting all lose in spite of having the same weight. If they feel like they got bigger and you're shrinking wearing them, right on. Muscles are forming and the fats melted, to oblivion hopefully.

Body Balance

It's a good thing I attended body balance yesterday. I had second thoughts because the room was quite full already when I came in. The only vacant space was in the front row near the left side of the stage. I have to say I get conscious when I am in front especially in this kind of class because I am not confident with my moves.

Surprisingly I was not as conscious. I was confident of what I was doing. I just went for it. Like my motto for the past weeks now, JUST DO IT. I want to believe my self-confidence comes from the way my body is now. I have the right weight. It was easier for me to do the moves. I feel so light.

BODYBALANCE™ is the Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates workout that builds flexibility and strength and leaves you feeling centered and calm. Controlled breathing, concentration and a carefully structured series of stretches, moves and poses to music create a holistic workout that brings the body into a state of harmony and balance.

Increase Your Metabolism

One of my concerns, specially when I was starting with my weight management, is how to increase my metabolism. I have no scientific basis but I just knew then I have a very slow metabolism. I work five days a week but mostly my time is spent at the office, sitting on my chair or sitting on a meeting for hours on end. Not much physical activity, right? But my officemates are able to manage their weight even if we have almost the same activities. I don't know what they do at home but I sure gain weight faster than they do.

Since I got serious with my weight management I've been checking how to increase my metabolism. I need about 1,250 calories a day and anything beyond that I should burn. So far I have a constant weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs a week which should indicate my metabolism is working well compared before. Thanks to regular exercise and consistent managing of my food intake.

Gym Fatigue? I Just Do It.

I guess this happens to everyone, even to those we call gym rats. Too much of anything will tire us. Boredom strikes when some activities are part of our routine.

I still go to the gym regularly, like five times a week. I just noticed I give some effort to do all the work outs I need to do unlike the past weeks and months that merely thinking about them excites me. They make me want to go to the gym right away.

Is this boredom or complacency? I am so close to my weight goal that a little voice tells me to take it easy now. I can pass some of the exercises I do or decrease the number of repetitions. I followed the voice twice already. But today I went back to my regular treadmill time and running time. I stick to the number of reps for my weights.

My Diet Staples

I shared a few entries ago that I feel guilty whenever I eat. It feels like I'm getting back the pounds I have already lost. It's psychological most definitely. I have that fear of gaining weight whenever I eat no matter how small the amount is. I was even worried I might be developing an eating disorder.

Husband's words calmed me down, "you are managing your weight and not trying to kill yourself. So it's alright to eat." My daughter on the other hand will tell me to watch what I am eating so I won't bug her if I have gained weight or what.

I keep on reading success stories on proper weight management and I realized I am not alone in this kind of feeling. I was able to manage this feeling like what I have mentioned before by following the proper guidelines on the right kinds of food to eat side by side exercising.

I would like to share with you what mostly constitutes my daily meal or at least several days in a week.

I Chased the Sun

I have a lot to be thankful for today but the top three would be: 1) I was able to join my very first run - Chase the Sun, Neutrogena Run, 2) I was able to attend my church duties after, 3) Hubby and daughter were able to accompany me in my run. They served as my official photographers. :)

Yes, I did it! I am so happy. I am still waiting for the results of my running time but looking at the watch at the finish line, I guess I did almost 45 minutes for a 3km run. That's slow I know. I walked when I reached 2km, slowed down and run again when I was almost half of the 2km course. I also made two short stops to drink water. But I am so happy I finished it.

I do better in the treadmill. I can make more than 4km in 30 minutes. Maybe not as fast as your average runner but that's an achievement for me at this point when I am only starting to run. Who knew I will be running in the first place?

No, I Did Not Take Anything

I am quite proud of my efforts in managing my weight. From February of this year up to this month of May, I already lost a lot of unwanted pounds, 2-digits, baby. I still need to lose some more to achieve my desired weight. My body fat decreased considerably. What I am so happy about also is that my BMI is just a hair's strand away from being normal. Yes! I'm jumping for joy! :)))

People do notice how I am getting slimmer. Modesty aside, I am flattered by their compliments. People who knew me when I was still very slim tell me that I am back, my body is back to how it used to be, slim and curvy. I am getting there, friends. Not still as slim as I used to be but getting there.

The thing is a lot also wonder what I did or have been doing. One even asked me pointblank what I took. Is there a slimming pill that I can share? NONE. NADA. Because I have always been wary of taking anything even if it means I will lose the fats in just a couple of weeks. I am afraid of the side effects they could bring. No way. I could have taken them years ago when my friends where all drinking this and that pill. But I am scared.

To Eat or Not to Eat?

One of the things that really bother me as I go through my weight management program is whether I should eat or not? Well, let me rephrase that - it's more like I feel guilty when I eat. It worries me that I will be gaining back the pounds and the body fat I lost everytime I eat. Yes, paranoid even if I eat moderately now compared to how I eat before.

My daughter told me once (oh well, several times), "Mom it's not like you will gain weight overnight." She's right. I just need to hear that. I read once that it will take 3,500 calories to gain a pound. That also calms me down. :)

I read a lot about weight management and working out. These are the things I learned and am now practicing. 

1. Skipping meals will not make you lose weight because the body consumes the muscles when hungry and stores the fat. The best is to eat less more often, about 6 small meals a day.

Crunch, Pump, Run

I am grateful, thankful that I'm consistently implementing my weight management plans. I've been dieting religiously and working out four to five times a week. I have been feeling the results. I want to jump for joy when I weighed in almost two weeks ago.  I am right on track of losing one to two pounds a week. I get commendations for it. I am really motivated doing my exercises. Three activities I added in my gym sessions.

One is doing the reverse crunch. Boy, this is hard, at least for me. I have been doing this for two weeks now. I can manage doing up to 30 by this time, 4 sets with sit-ups in between.

I recently included body pump in my gym activities. Wow! That really stretched me.  From Les Mills Global, "body pump is the fastest way to shape up and lose body fat. It’s a toning and conditioning class with weights and is for just about everybody who wants to add strength training into their aerobic workout".

And another milestone, for nearly three weeks now, I've been doing interval walking/running in the treadmill.

Feeling Light

I was feeling lighter the past days. Most of my house clothes seemed to feel bigger on me compared to the past weeks. Some shirts look like they're hanging on my shoulders. I somehow know the diet and consecutive back to back work outs are working.

I weighed in when I got to the gym today. I almost jump for joy when the body analyzer printed my weight.  I lost five pounds in the past two weeks. :)))) I am so near my desired weight for the month. It's been a month and three weeks and I have lost a total of eight pounds already. Just about right.

Buff Women

And by buff here I mean having good muscle tone.

I attended a body balance class today after my cardio and weights. I like all the instructress so far but this one we had today sort of inspires me. She has a very cool, soft voice. It was so effortless when she gave instructions for the next poses. Most of all, I like her body contour. I like how buff she is but not too muscular. She still looks like a woman with very toned muscles on her arms, torso and legs.

Curves for Women

Disclaimer: 2.9.10. This post, as obviously stated in the content, relays the author's experience as a first time visitor of Curves located at BGC, Philippines. It does not aim to recommend this business for franchising or for your personal fitness program.

I received an email last week inviting me (along with a number of bloggers majority of which are also my friends) to visit and experience the newly opened Curves, a fitness center exclusively for women. It will be held on a Saturday so I am free. Also, at this point I am very much into physical fitness that was why I immediately replied and confirmed my attendance. I was particularly interested to know if there will be something new and exciting they will offer.

I know Curves is from the U.S. but I am not familiar with the kind of service they give. I did not even know they have a branch here in our country. I was very glad I proceeded to Curves last Saturday.

On Dieting

"Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but they can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate cake." - Author Unknown

That quote above is talking about me I suppose. Just how hard is it to diet? For someone like me who loves food, it takes tons of discipline and will power to manage my food intake. I am a rice person and I love chocolate cakes. I cannot resist them once they are in front of me.

Like I always say working out at the gym is no problem with me. I make time for it, squeeze it in my schedule whenever tasks get tight. But it's the dieting that hampers my weight loss program plus the fact that I can't control eating during PMS.

I was able to shed off some pounds last January. I was really happy about it. I was still short from my target weight but I can adjust for February. It's only a matter of three pounds. February came and it seems I gained two pounds. Ha! But I am determined to still achieve my weight goal for this month.

Jogging

My husband and I have always wanted to jog together with our daughter. There was never a concrete plan so it did not push through. But this year I have included this as one of my goals - a physical fitness activity involving the family.

I got the commitment of my husband and daughter two weeks ago. We were supposed to jog on January 23 but it was my aunt's birthday celebration so we forewent the plan. But last Saturday, all things were set, mindset included.

I was glad to note that hubby and daughter even woke up an hour ahead of me. I was so sleepy but I decided to go for it. Half asleep, I reminded myself of one of my mantras this year - MAKING THINGS HAPPEN. I got up and prepared myself.

We were at the UP Diliman grounds at half past six in the morning. There were so many joggers. The air was so fresh and really cool. I like the smell of grass and trees and green plants in the morning.

The atmosphere was really very ideal for brisk walking, jogging or running. I can't cope with my husband and daughter when they run so they have to wait for me and just do brisk walking so I won't left behind.