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.