It's been a week since I started this Paleo diet. To recap, Paleo diet pretty much cuts out all carbs, dairy and legumes.. so no rice, no noodles.. just meats and lotsa vegetables! So how did it go?
Well, firstly, giving up noodles is a big deal for me.. I mean.. I'm Asian.. how to go without my daily fix of Kolo mee or Laksa? Am I crazy for doing this Paleo diet? I'm not a big rice eater but I love pasta (fear food).. I'm a noodle person. In fact, when I first started training at the gym, I told my PT that there was no way I'm giving up noodles... so dear readers.. what on earth am I doing getting on the Paleo diet track???
Soooo.. after a week of absolutely no noodles and rice.. I've lost another kg!! How awesome is that? That's 2 kgs in about 3 weeks.. a little slow for my liking though.. I wish the weight would just evaporate instantly! hahaha.. but that's the thing.. it's not really a diet cos I'm not cutting down on food intake.. I still eat as much as I use to.. which means.. starting week 2 of the Paleo diet, it's time to cut down on intake. I have given myself another 2 weeks to lose an additional 2 kgs.. Just in time for Chinese New Year.. where I'm sure I'll gain back about half the weight I lost! hahaha
What do I eat each morning now then? Well, I have soup with meat and lotsa bean sprouts.. technically I can even have Laksa without the noodles.. substitute it with bean sprouts, like what my PT does.. but yeah.. coconut cream is just as fattening so I'm avoiding that!
Do I crave for noodles? Sure I do.. I stare at PrincessBling with jealousy each day as she gobbles up her morning noodles and I sit pitifully drinking my soup... but the thing is.. I feel so much lighter and less bloated without the noodles sitting in my stomach like a lump of coal.. it's actually so much healthier without the noodles.. and I don't feel as full as well.
How long am I planning to go Paleo? Until I reach my goal weight I suspect.. but I do let myself cheat once in a while :) Who can resist the odd chocolate now and then?? But for now.. no noodles for me. I suspect a big cheating session coming up on Chinese New Year though.. and unfortunately for me, I have not been able to go without beer for a period longer than 4 days so far.. so I still get my carbs from there.
But after Chinese New Year, who knows.. Paleo could be the new way of life :)
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Next Marathon of the Year
I just signed up for my next marathon, which will be held on 5th May 2013. This time, the marathon will be held in Kota Kinabalu.. which excites me because I've never been to KK before. This marathon is called BORNEO INTERNATIONAL MARATHON - THE BEAUTIFUL RUN and I will be participating in the 10km women's run.
Typical rules apply, and you'll get a finisher medal if you manage to complete the run before 2 hours, and at the rate I'm going.. I'm going to try finish it just a little after 1 hour.. hopefully I can do it with Sean's help.
This marathon will be different because PrincessBling will be running with me.. this being her very first marathon.. think she caught the bug after hearing me talk about my running escapades! Let's hope she doesn't set her expectations too high.. cos 10km is pretty far..
I'm excited for this run because of the training that I will do.. I'm excited to see how much better I can run it in this time.. (anything less than 1 hour 40 minutes is an achievement cos I beat my previous time!).
Now KK is a beautiful place (so I've heard) with great beaches and seafood! I'm in for the seafood! haha.. not too fond of snorkeling and stuff like that because:
Well, let's hope my training does well and I reach my goal.. then it's off to the next marathon and who knows.. maybe I'll be completing my very first 21km (half marathon) goal by the end of this year!
Exciting....
Typical rules apply, and you'll get a finisher medal if you manage to complete the run before 2 hours, and at the rate I'm going.. I'm going to try finish it just a little after 1 hour.. hopefully I can do it with Sean's help.
This marathon will be different because PrincessBling will be running with me.. this being her very first marathon.. think she caught the bug after hearing me talk about my running escapades! Let's hope she doesn't set her expectations too high.. cos 10km is pretty far..
I'm excited for this run because of the training that I will do.. I'm excited to see how much better I can run it in this time.. (anything less than 1 hour 40 minutes is an achievement cos I beat my previous time!).
Now KK is a beautiful place (so I've heard) with great beaches and seafood! I'm in for the seafood! haha.. not too fond of snorkeling and stuff like that because:
- Fish bites
- Water is cold
- It's boring....
Well, let's hope my training does well and I reach my goal.. then it's off to the next marathon and who knows.. maybe I'll be completing my very first 21km (half marathon) goal by the end of this year!
Exciting....
Sunday, 20 January 2013
New Goal!
I realized what a boring life I have right now.. it's all revolving around the gym.. I swear! I mean.. I spent the last weekend just going to the gym and sleeping.. gym/sleep.. that's all I did for 2 days! Wow.. I better get a life man!
But to recap what a boring life I have.. I made a new goal at personal training session today. My new goal is to be able to RUN the entire 10km track for my next marathon, which is on 5th May in Kota Kinabalu. Yes.. no more running 1km and walking 9km.. I'm going to be running the entire way, which will pull down my time to just over an hour to finish.. what an awesome goal that is huh? So now my personal trainer is going to give me a list of workouts to do to strengthen my core and hamstrings and to increase my stamina as well. I can't wait!
See, my life is now revolved around gym.. it revolves about me finally taking care of myself.. working out is great.. it gives you adrenaline and endorphins which makes you happy, and when you see the results.. you get even happier.. conclusion.. you can only get happier going to the gym :D
I think I'm going to start with a paleo diet.. for the next 3 weeks before Chinese New Year.. it's time to lose more fat and change the body shape! A paleo diet includes no carbs, no dairy, no legumes... which means it's going to be meat meat meat and lotsa veges for me! No problem since I haven't taken rice in awhile now.. but my greatest challenge would be giving up noodles.. I LOVE noodles, I crave for it when I don't have it for breakfast.. which means I'll have to get it out of my system.
Well, guess I'll check back in a few days to let you know how the paleo diet is working.. I'm already doing it for lunch and dinner.. now to throw breakfast into the mix!
But to recap what a boring life I have.. I made a new goal at personal training session today. My new goal is to be able to RUN the entire 10km track for my next marathon, which is on 5th May in Kota Kinabalu. Yes.. no more running 1km and walking 9km.. I'm going to be running the entire way, which will pull down my time to just over an hour to finish.. what an awesome goal that is huh? So now my personal trainer is going to give me a list of workouts to do to strengthen my core and hamstrings and to increase my stamina as well. I can't wait!
See, my life is now revolved around gym.. it revolves about me finally taking care of myself.. working out is great.. it gives you adrenaline and endorphins which makes you happy, and when you see the results.. you get even happier.. conclusion.. you can only get happier going to the gym :D
I think I'm going to start with a paleo diet.. for the next 3 weeks before Chinese New Year.. it's time to lose more fat and change the body shape! A paleo diet includes no carbs, no dairy, no legumes... which means it's going to be meat meat meat and lotsa veges for me! No problem since I haven't taken rice in awhile now.. but my greatest challenge would be giving up noodles.. I LOVE noodles, I crave for it when I don't have it for breakfast.. which means I'll have to get it out of my system.
Well, guess I'll check back in a few days to let you know how the paleo diet is working.. I'm already doing it for lunch and dinner.. now to throw breakfast into the mix!
Thursday, 17 January 2013
Mid January...
It's mid-January... so how has the progress been so far? Well, since I started training last week, I can already feel myself getting toner.. and I have lost a grand total of 1kg! WOO HOOOOOOOOOO.. I'm well on my way to reach my goal! What's that goal again? Why.. to lose 10kgs by June 2013! At the rate I'm going, it's definitely doable.. don't you think? :)
I feel great after all the workout.. but I'm doing more weight training.. than cardio, so I'm doing cardio on my own during the weekend.. well, there is that dreaded 4 minutes of cardio at the end of every training session, but I don't feel right until I get atleast one hour of cardio a week. I tend to do that on the weekends.
So what else is in store, what's been happening?
Well, Chinese New Year is coming round the corner.. hoping to shed a few more kgs to look good in my red CNY dress that I bought from BCBG in the States. Which means I'm really going to have to watch what I eat for the next 3 weeks. I've pretty much cut out carbs after breakfast, but maybe I should think about cutting carbs out completely for the next 3 weeks. I can't wait for Chinese New Year.. we're having "open house" again and I can't wait to do the entertaining.
We're still facing payroll issues at work, so it looks like a trip to Bintulu at the end of the month for me! Usually I don't mind staying there for a couple of days.. but definitely not longer than 5 days.. I'll absolutely die of boredom.. and probably ending up drowning my sorrows in Hoegaarden!
Nothing much has been happening, it's been a rather quiet month so far.. just focusing on being fit and shedding the weight. So I've got nothing interesting to tell really... unless if you wanna hear all about my gym escapades!
PrincessBling and hubby has jetted off to Singapore for the weekend leaving me alone .. I feel that I'm sticking to my resolution because now.. rather than think "yes! I can go HH in the weekend!".. I'm thinking "when can I make time to go to the gym?" EKKK.. I've become a gym nerd!
Well, AlanHarperIsMyIdol and CryptKeeper.. who knows.. the next time you see me (hopefully in August 2013).. I'll be trim and fit and hopefully showing off a six pack :)
I feel great after all the workout.. but I'm doing more weight training.. than cardio, so I'm doing cardio on my own during the weekend.. well, there is that dreaded 4 minutes of cardio at the end of every training session, but I don't feel right until I get atleast one hour of cardio a week. I tend to do that on the weekends.
So what else is in store, what's been happening?
Well, Chinese New Year is coming round the corner.. hoping to shed a few more kgs to look good in my red CNY dress that I bought from BCBG in the States. Which means I'm really going to have to watch what I eat for the next 3 weeks. I've pretty much cut out carbs after breakfast, but maybe I should think about cutting carbs out completely for the next 3 weeks. I can't wait for Chinese New Year.. we're having "open house" again and I can't wait to do the entertaining.
We're still facing payroll issues at work, so it looks like a trip to Bintulu at the end of the month for me! Usually I don't mind staying there for a couple of days.. but definitely not longer than 5 days.. I'll absolutely die of boredom.. and probably ending up drowning my sorrows in Hoegaarden!
Nothing much has been happening, it's been a rather quiet month so far.. just focusing on being fit and shedding the weight. So I've got nothing interesting to tell really... unless if you wanna hear all about my gym escapades!
PrincessBling and hubby has jetted off to Singapore for the weekend leaving me alone .. I feel that I'm sticking to my resolution because now.. rather than think "yes! I can go HH in the weekend!".. I'm thinking "when can I make time to go to the gym?" EKKK.. I've become a gym nerd!
Well, AlanHarperIsMyIdol and CryptKeeper.. who knows.. the next time you see me (hopefully in August 2013).. I'll be trim and fit and hopefully showing off a six pack :)
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Personal Training - Day 2
Hmm... I getting used to the pain.. I'm getting use to the fact that the mobility in my arms are limited, I'm getting used to the strain in the muscles when I go up and down the stairs.. what I'm not used to is not having my arvo nap! hahaha.. just kidding.. I do like the afternoon siesta, but I should stop making a habit out of it... after all..there's more to life than just sleeping right?
So day 2 of personal training went alright.. we focused more on arms and legs.. which is technically my main target areas at the moment... we did the dreaded lunges.. my worst enemy.. we did bench presses.. I was bench pressing 13kgs.. not bad eh? :P We even did pull ups.. of course I was using a rubber band and he was pushing me up.. but I had to use my own strength to reach the very top.. that was quite fun.
One of the things I'm still getting used to is the fact that I am not doing any sit ups! I like the feeling of pain in the stomach that I usually get the day after doing sit ups.. so now I'm still trying to get used to the fact that everywhere else EXCEPT my stomach is hurting.. maybe I'll get him to incorporate some sit ups in each session.. after all.. don't we all want that six pack??
I'm wondering if I should continue doing cardio on days that I'm not having private lessons.. weights generally burn off more fat (although I just saw an article yesterday that disputed that) but you need cardio to work out the heart and to burn calories as well! So I'm a little torn.. and lazy..
I need to put my perspective in order.. what is it that I'm really going for? Is it health and fitness, is it to lose weight.. WHAT IS IT??? Is this a long term decision, or a short term goal? Is it a change of lifestyle or a fad? Argh.. I can't believe that I'm just such a lazy person... I used to have so much determination.. and now age is catching up to me.
I need to make that decision and stick to it.... think I shall SLEEP ON IT! :)
Seriously.. I bought 20 PT and I'm going to use it all up.. in a bid to lose weight and stay fit. Yes, that's my focus.. lose weight and stay fit.. time to drop the lazy and pick up the active.
Go Go Go Year 2013 is going to be MY year!
So day 2 of personal training went alright.. we focused more on arms and legs.. which is technically my main target areas at the moment... we did the dreaded lunges.. my worst enemy.. we did bench presses.. I was bench pressing 13kgs.. not bad eh? :P We even did pull ups.. of course I was using a rubber band and he was pushing me up.. but I had to use my own strength to reach the very top.. that was quite fun.
One of the things I'm still getting used to is the fact that I am not doing any sit ups! I like the feeling of pain in the stomach that I usually get the day after doing sit ups.. so now I'm still trying to get used to the fact that everywhere else EXCEPT my stomach is hurting.. maybe I'll get him to incorporate some sit ups in each session.. after all.. don't we all want that six pack??
I'm wondering if I should continue doing cardio on days that I'm not having private lessons.. weights generally burn off more fat (although I just saw an article yesterday that disputed that) but you need cardio to work out the heart and to burn calories as well! So I'm a little torn.. and lazy..
I need to put my perspective in order.. what is it that I'm really going for? Is it health and fitness, is it to lose weight.. WHAT IS IT??? Is this a long term decision, or a short term goal? Is it a change of lifestyle or a fad? Argh.. I can't believe that I'm just such a lazy person... I used to have so much determination.. and now age is catching up to me.
I need to make that decision and stick to it.... think I shall SLEEP ON IT! :)
Seriously.. I bought 20 PT and I'm going to use it all up.. in a bid to lose weight and stay fit. Yes, that's my focus.. lose weight and stay fit.. time to drop the lazy and pick up the active.
Go Go Go Year 2013 is going to be MY year!
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Personal Training - Day 1
So I started my new year resolution of losing 10kgs by June 2013 by starting my workout regime with a personal trainer. I warmed up first, going to the gym on Saturday and Sunday.. doing cardio workout.. before plowing into the hardcore stuff...I arranged my training session at 12.30pm lunch time because that's the only time where Sean (my PT) has any availability.. he's that popular!
Here's how it went for the last hour..
1) 4 minutes on the elliptical warming up... hmm.. not bad.. not bad at all..
2) We moved up to the weights room, where I started some resistance training with bands.. first working my upper arm muscle.. then my quad muscle..
3) Then onto some lunges, my ultimate enemy...and bicep training.. 5 reps of 8 each...
4) Then it was onto the floor for upper quad (gluts) training.. and more bicept training.. 5 reps of 8 each..
5) Who wouldn't be half dead after step 4.. but nooo.. keep going.. so next.. we went on the funny machine where I had to swing myself front and back.. only 3 reps because my palms became sore and I couldn't grip anymore..
6) Then we went to this crazy machine where you place your forearm on it.. and pretty much use your lower core muscle to pull your legs up.. first I had to do 10 seconds of holding myself there (manage to cut it down to 5 seconds!) Then pull my legs up 8 times!
7) Then came the killer... 4 minutes on the elliptical.. where you do 20 seconds slow.. then pound it for 10 seconds.. then 20 seconds slow.. and pounding it for 10 seconds..
8) This comes the nice part.. where all I do is lie down and he stretches my muscles for me... AHHHH.. felt so good to have the muscles stretch after a hard workout.
Overall calories burnt? I reckon about 500 Kcals today.. how did it go? I booked myself for another training session for Wednesday 9th January 2013... woohoo I love the pain.. after all, it goes.. NO PAIN... NO GAIN!!!!! And this time, I want to lose the weight healthily.. to make sure that it doesn't come back again even on days where I indulged myself.
As Sean has put it .. it's a lifestyle change.. and I'm ready to change my lifestyle.. to be happy with my body and myself..
I can't feel my arms right now.. and I tripped twice going up the stairs after the session.. but I feel that it'll all be worth it :)
Here's how it went for the last hour..
1) 4 minutes on the elliptical warming up... hmm.. not bad.. not bad at all..
2) We moved up to the weights room, where I started some resistance training with bands.. first working my upper arm muscle.. then my quad muscle..
3) Then onto some lunges, my ultimate enemy...and bicep training.. 5 reps of 8 each...
4) Then it was onto the floor for upper quad (gluts) training.. and more bicept training.. 5 reps of 8 each..
5) Who wouldn't be half dead after step 4.. but nooo.. keep going.. so next.. we went on the funny machine where I had to swing myself front and back.. only 3 reps because my palms became sore and I couldn't grip anymore..
6) Then we went to this crazy machine where you place your forearm on it.. and pretty much use your lower core muscle to pull your legs up.. first I had to do 10 seconds of holding myself there (manage to cut it down to 5 seconds!) Then pull my legs up 8 times!
7) Then came the killer... 4 minutes on the elliptical.. where you do 20 seconds slow.. then pound it for 10 seconds.. then 20 seconds slow.. and pounding it for 10 seconds..
8) This comes the nice part.. where all I do is lie down and he stretches my muscles for me... AHHHH.. felt so good to have the muscles stretch after a hard workout.
Overall calories burnt? I reckon about 500 Kcals today.. how did it go? I booked myself for another training session for Wednesday 9th January 2013... woohoo I love the pain.. after all, it goes.. NO PAIN... NO GAIN!!!!! And this time, I want to lose the weight healthily.. to make sure that it doesn't come back again even on days where I indulged myself.
As Sean has put it .. it's a lifestyle change.. and I'm ready to change my lifestyle.. to be happy with my body and myself..
I can't feel my arms right now.. and I tripped twice going up the stairs after the session.. but I feel that it'll all be worth it :)
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Happy New Year 2013!
Should all acquaintance be forgot and never brought to light..
Hmm... at least I think that's what the lyrics says.. haha.. I'm not to sure but that's what I've been singing all this time! So yes.. the year 2012 has come to an end.. Mayan calendar was wrong and we're all still alive! Woohoo!!!! So how did I spend NYE? Well, I ate at the Sarawak Club, and I partied at Aaron's place.. hahaha.. this is how it went..
One group of friends were partying at Sarawak Club where we had purchased 2 tables (20 tickets) so we went there for a meal. The theme was 'The Great Gatsby'.. for those that don't know, it's an American book that is set in the 1920's.. GREEEAAAATTTTT.. what sort of theme is that? At least make it more clear and defined.. but after some research.. it's discovered that 1920's mean lotsa feathers and fascinators and pearls Oh My! Ohhhh.. no problem.. so after rummaging through my closet, I found a tube top from Guess that I love, and my new Coast skirt that I got recently in Singapore... another rummage through Jo's closet unveiled a pretty cool headpiece.. put that together with false lashes and some pearls and I was ready to P-A-R-T-Y!
I don't know if I looked vintage enough.. I think the head piece finished off the look for me. This is me standing with my Aussie nephews and Valery. All dress to the nines.. or should I say.. twenties! Tee Hee Hee.. okay, corny jokes aside.. they looked like real time mafia.. with a hat and suspenders.. thought that they looked pretty cool.
PrincessBling wore here 'flapper' dress which sooooo suited the era.. thank goodness she had somewhere to finally wear it to! She looked gorgeous in it.
Finally, here's a picture of my gang in Sarawak Club.. from left to right, that's Koko, Mie Mie, Lee Kiat, me, Sean Chin, PrincessBling, Mary Anne, Phoebe, Valery, Rivea and Simon. This folks, is the HH gang. Thank goodness I wasn't too drunk yet when this photo was taken! hahah Folks will clearly remember that by the same time in 2011, I was dancing on the stage.
Anyway, it was a fun night.. food was okay.. though kudos to them for serving lobster and oysters.. they had a lucky draw with 10 winners, and I am proud to say that my table won 2 prizes.. Simon won a dinner for 10 at Sarawak Club Hornbill Restaurant worth RM300.00, and I.. (yes.. wasn't my ticket, but I went up via proxy) managed to get myself a free bottle of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc wine. It was funny, because you had to pop a balloon to win a prize (AFTER your ticket number has been called).. and I was the last one called.. so what are the odds of me getting a balloon? 0 to none! After 3 miserable tries, Donna Wee finally said 'why don't you go closer?' and I took that oppurtunity to walk right up to the balloon.. and POP that damn thing! hahaha
We left at around 11pm, went home to change for Aaron's casual house/pool party.. we got there about 15 minutes to spare (none of us knew the way, luckily we didn't get lost!) and there was such a cute Golden Retriever in the compound (neighbour's dog I think) that was so friendly... albeit a little smelly. Okay.. VERY smelly.. we rushed into the house.. prepped ourselves with drinks, and ushered in the New Year with shouts of Hooray and Hugs! Thus.. the end of 2012..
Watched a few people set off fireworks, but it was raining.. and of course it's nothing like those you see in Sydney and Melbourne.. or even in Taiwan and Dubai.. no.. these were set of from people's backyards.. not sponsored for by the Government.. hahaha.. which is too bad.. would have love to see a fireworks show. Finally got home at around 2am.. all happy and ready to pass out.
New Year Resolution:
1. Lose 10kgs by June, 20kgs by December
2. Cut down on drinking.. only go HH once a week
3. Be nicer to nieces and nephews...
And last but not least.....
4. Live life to the fullest and stop dwelling in the past.. things happened for a reason.. learn from that and grow from it. Walk towards the light, do not cower in the shadows. Live!
Hmm... at least I think that's what the lyrics says.. haha.. I'm not to sure but that's what I've been singing all this time! So yes.. the year 2012 has come to an end.. Mayan calendar was wrong and we're all still alive! Woohoo!!!! So how did I spend NYE? Well, I ate at the Sarawak Club, and I partied at Aaron's place.. hahaha.. this is how it went..
One group of friends were partying at Sarawak Club where we had purchased 2 tables (20 tickets) so we went there for a meal. The theme was 'The Great Gatsby'.. for those that don't know, it's an American book that is set in the 1920's.. GREEEAAAATTTTT.. what sort of theme is that? At least make it more clear and defined.. but after some research.. it's discovered that 1920's mean lotsa feathers and fascinators and pearls Oh My! Ohhhh.. no problem.. so after rummaging through my closet, I found a tube top from Guess that I love, and my new Coast skirt that I got recently in Singapore... another rummage through Jo's closet unveiled a pretty cool headpiece.. put that together with false lashes and some pearls and I was ready to P-A-R-T-Y!
Anyway, it was a fun night.. food was okay.. though kudos to them for serving lobster and oysters.. they had a lucky draw with 10 winners, and I am proud to say that my table won 2 prizes.. Simon won a dinner for 10 at Sarawak Club Hornbill Restaurant worth RM300.00, and I.. (yes.. wasn't my ticket, but I went up via proxy) managed to get myself a free bottle of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc wine. It was funny, because you had to pop a balloon to win a prize (AFTER your ticket number has been called).. and I was the last one called.. so what are the odds of me getting a balloon? 0 to none! After 3 miserable tries, Donna Wee finally said 'why don't you go closer?' and I took that oppurtunity to walk right up to the balloon.. and POP that damn thing! hahaha
We left at around 11pm, went home to change for Aaron's casual house/pool party.. we got there about 15 minutes to spare (none of us knew the way, luckily we didn't get lost!) and there was such a cute Golden Retriever in the compound (neighbour's dog I think) that was so friendly... albeit a little smelly. Okay.. VERY smelly.. we rushed into the house.. prepped ourselves with drinks, and ushered in the New Year with shouts of Hooray and Hugs! Thus.. the end of 2012..
Watched a few people set off fireworks, but it was raining.. and of course it's nothing like those you see in Sydney and Melbourne.. or even in Taiwan and Dubai.. no.. these were set of from people's backyards.. not sponsored for by the Government.. hahaha.. which is too bad.. would have love to see a fireworks show. Finally got home at around 2am.. all happy and ready to pass out.
New Year Resolution:
1. Lose 10kgs by June, 20kgs by December
2. Cut down on drinking.. only go HH once a week
3. Be nicer to nieces and nephews...
And last but not least.....
4. Live life to the fullest and stop dwelling in the past.. things happened for a reason.. learn from that and grow from it. Walk towards the light, do not cower in the shadows. Live!
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