Yoga and Fab Abs

This week, I ditched my weights for a combination of yoga and skipping rope. I only have 15-20 minutes everyday to exercise so I always try to do the challenging ones. I also do the fast cardio by doing a fast skipping rope cycle.

Let me share with you my favorite yoga poses which I got from self.com. These are my favorites because I can feel my ab muscles tightening and I can hardly breathe doing these yoga poses.

LOW BOAT
Lie faceup with legs together, toes pointed, arms extended toward feet, palms facing each other and shoulder-width apart. Engage abs, and lift shoulders and feet, creating a boat shape with your body (as shown). Hold for 5 counts. Bring right knee to chest, grasping knee with both hands. Release right knee. Switch, grasping left knee; release left knee and hold boat position for another 5 counts for 1 rep. Do 10 reps.

PLANK CROSS
Start in plank position with wrists directly beneath shoulders. Engage abs as you bring left knee to right elbow (as shown). Hold for 3 counts. Return to plank. Repeat on opposite side for 1 rep. Do 10 reps.

THREE-LEG DOWN DOG
Start in Down Dog, hands and feet on floor, butt raised; extend right leg up, forming a straight line from wrist to ankle (as shown), to start. Shift into plank, bringing right knee toward forehead. Kick right leg back up to return to start for 1 rep. Do 10 reps; switch sides and repeat.

This yoga teacher, Ms Mandy Ingber is Jennifer Aniston's yoga teacher! No wonder Jen has got flat and fabulous abs!

Back at 55

It took me over a week to lose the weight I gained during my reckless weekend eating spree. I feel so happy and victorious!

Yes, I am back at 55kgs again.

It may look so easy but believe me, I worked so hard. I am not like other people who are blessed with a great metabolism. Mine needs prodding, cajoling, and above all hard work.

I learned that I could indulge once in a while. But I should not go overboard especially with junk food. Some of you may say that life is too short to be too uptight about these things. But I say, life is short so why make it even shorter by eating unhealthy food?

Honestly, I have come to love eating fruits for snacks. I actually crave for it. And my body responds so well to it. I don't have afternoon slumps like I used to have before.

My body is still not perfect. I still have a lot of bumps here and there but what I am proud of is that I am getting stronger. I have a lot of energy and I could tackle house chores non stop without panting like an old hen.

I was talking to another mom yesterday. She mentioned that she goes to the gym. She looks really good and I love how toned her legs were. But I am not jealous that she has time for gym. I am not cut out for gym. I learned that a long time ago.

Gym time just eats too much of my time. Before I could start working out at the gym, I have already spent about almost an hour - shower, getting dressed, going to the gym, etc. It does not suit me, especially that I don't have a lot of time in my hands.

So what I do is that I just exercise at home. If you have a space good enough to do skipping rope, then you're fine. My home gym equipment aren't too fancy either. I only have the following:

1) Mat
2) Skipping rope
3) A pair of weights (5lbs each)

And I don't have to wear fancy gym clothes too. I just wear my comfortable (even tattered) clothes and I am good to go.

I really think that staying healthy doesn't need expensive gym membership. We can be as healthy as we can in the comforts of our home.

Next post, I will write about a short but effective exercise routine that I do at home.

Blogging Investment

I finally succumb to hubby's persuasion that I buy a Macbook Air. I thought long and hard about it, just like I did with the model planes as well.

My new toy. My new blogging buddy. My new best friend.

To be honest, I did not want to spend money on a new laptop. Like I always said, my Compaq laptop is still working albeit unreliable. And hubby still has his Macbook Pro which he isn't using much because he has an office-issued laptop.

For the past couple of days now, I have been borrowing hubby's macbook because the compaq seems to be saying "I want to retire now". LOL!

Hubby does not mind that I borrow his macbook but I am the type who is not comfortable saving my files or what-nots in other people's laptop. Yes, even hubby's. I know. I am weird that way. Hahaha!!!

I sold my iPad2 (which I haven't been using as much) so I could buy this new baby. I asked hubby to cover the difference. LOL!

But you know what, the minute I decided to buy this macbook air, it seems like the heavens above heard my prayers and sent me more work. I am so happy. I can pay hubby the difference now. Or maybe not. LOL!

As for my new best buddy, I am really pleased so far. Everything works fast. And if given a choice between an iPad3 (coming soon) and a macbook air, I will choose the macbook air. It can do so much more than the iPad and functionality wise, it's more useful to me.

So yeah, that's my justification for spending this much on a computer. LOL!

Switch styles everyday

It is raining glasses on Zenni Optical right now. They're running a promotion on a limited time - Buy 2 Pairs and Get 1 Pair Free!

A family that wear glasses together can go so far. Hahaha! I just made that up. But well, a family that does everything together will definitely have a lot of fun together. At least that's our family's motto.

If it so happens that I am not broke right now, I would definitely shop and take advantage of the promotion right now! Where else can you get a prescription eyeglasses that's good-looking and below ten bucks?

What I like about Zenni Optical is that they have the most affordable eyeglasses and their selection is quite varied and extensive. You can also order your bifocal or progressive eyeglasses from them.

Look at these eyeglasses from them:

A $6.95 prescription eyeglasses. Absolutely easy on the pocket and I like it that's simple and nice.

If color blocking is still your thing, then this eyeglasses is for you. I can buy this and have it tinted. Hmm...that is an idea.

I like the cool vibe of this one. It is definitely one of my favorite style.

Isn't this stylish? Functionality and style work hand in hand.

This one spells quirky and fun. It may not be my style but it is nice to know that every possible style can be found in their website.

I think this one is hard to beat. For only $9.95, it is a real steal.

Go check out their website now and find the glasses that's perfect for you. Don't go too crazy though. LOL!

Moment that counts

”The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.” — Richard Bach

This is a picture of me taken during lunch time today. We had a lovely moment and just like Richard Bach said, I paid for it by enjoying the moment.

I posted this photo in my Facebook page and my cousin commented that I really have lost weight. People who haven't seen me for a while are really amazed with my weight loss.

So I dug up my old photos and checked some of my "heaviest".

Here's one I found taken circa 2008. We were in Penang, Malaysia for a short R & R. Notice that I am wearing Reading glasses for women. Yup! I did wear it for a while for my astigmatism.

I think I was around 76kgs at this time. Okay, if that is not clear enough for comparison with my current, how about this one?

I was so huge back then! And thank God, with proper diet and exercise I have lost weight.

People have been quick to congratulate me with my "success" but I told them, it's not over yet. The hardest battle is yet upon me and it is how to maintain my current weight.

Join me here as I update you guys with my struggles and share my tips on how to fight the bulge.

Getting back on track

Is it possible to gain over 1kg in just two days? YES!

I learned that over the weekend. I was so confident that I won't gain any weight. But who was I kidding? I really indulged and I ate junk food non stop - chips, peanut coated with sugar, a little cake and pizza. Junk food overload!

When I weighed myself last Monday morning, I was surprised, shocked even, to find out I gained 1.2kgs in just two days. So from 55kgs, I ballooned to 56.2kgs. Arggg! My eating-spree has wreck havoc on my weighing scale!

Of course, I have no one to blame but myself. But I am not going to wallow in self-pity and disappointment. I am going to address the problem right away.

I have a hunch that the reason I got sick over the weekend was because I treated my body badly. Stuffing myself with unhealthy food. So Monday morning, I went to the grocery and bought loads of fresh fruits, veggies and fish.

This was my afternoon snacks yesterday - nuts and fruits.

No, I did not eat all of this. I shared this with my son.

I weighed this morning and I have lost 0.2kg so that makes me still 56.kg. Sigh. But on the brighter side, all this makes me extra motivated again to work out and stick to my diet.

The mind is a powerful thing. If you can conceive it, you can achieve it. So I am imagining myself to be lean and healthy and with killer abs like this:

Picture from self.com

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Beach Happy

There is something about the beach that makes everyone happy! I am happy to be in the beach today!

I was supposed to go shopping for a mini backpack purse with my friend today but two days ago she cancelled.

Blessing in disguise! I wouldn't be here in the beach if the shopping pushed thru.

Anyway, that's a happy me by our room terrace..

I love it that our room is overlooking the ocean!

It is so pretty, right?

If there is one thing I shall complain, it's that, I cannot seem to refuse the food. I have been eating almost non-stop today. It's really bad and I acknowledge that. But on the other hand, I do need a break right?

I promise to get back on the swing of things when I get back home tomorrow night. And besides, I am still 55kgs when I woke up today. *Cheeky grin*

Movie: One Day

It was a holiday here yesterday. Well, at least for my husband. But our son still had school so hubby and I got to do things we normally couldn't do with our 5-year old kid around.

We had a late breakfast in a coffee shop and stayed there to use the free internet for downloading apps. LOL! Afterwards we went home and watched a couple of movies.

The first one we watched was by Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. The movie was called "One Day".

I do think Jim Sturgess is a very handsome man. I fell in love with him. LOL!

I am a sucker for romance-drama kind of movie with witty and funny lines. This one was right in my alley. I laughed and cried and oh, did I tell you I fell in love?

I am not going to tell you the whole story, so if you're interested grab a copy. LOL!

But what I am going to tell you is that, when you love someone and you can't imagine yourself living without that person, then don't let the person get away.

Life is too short to live on regrets and what ifs. Let's cherish our relationships. Let's cultivate it. Let's work on it.

50% in 5 years

Our mutual fund that has been locked for five years will reach maturity this year, August to be exact.

We invested in Sunlife Mutual Fund five years ago during EJ's first birthday. We thought that it's a good investment for EJ's college fund. And we may be right.

I emailed our agent the other day to ask for our Fund Value. I actually receive a daily update but I want to find it out from our agent herself. She gave me the current Fund Value which tallies with the update I receive daily.

Without divulging specifics, (coz I know there are bashers and insecure lurkers here who are just waiting on a chance to pounce on me) our money has earned almost 50% interest over the five-year period. That's like 10% interest earned every year! That's a lot compared to regular deposit and even time deposit.

There was a time, year 2009 when the stocks went down. Our Sunlife Mutual Fund also went down then. I was a little scared but I shouldn't have. If we added an investment that year, we would have earned more now. That was a lost opportunity.

Anyway, I emailed our agent and told her we're going to re-invest the money. We will meet with her this April to sort things out. I am now thinking, should we invest more in Mutual Fund or use the money to travel? Hahaha. Just kidding. I know my answer.

If you want to invest your extra money, I suggest you invest it in a mutual fund. If you know me personally, let me know and I can refer you to my agent.

Have a productive Monday, everyone! Stay happy and positive!

YES!

I had a gut feeling that today is the day I achieve my goal.

I slept late than usual last night, around 11pm. Usually I am in dreamland already by 8:30pm. But last night, we had dinner outside and only came home past 8pm. So I gave my stomach enough time to digest my dinner first before I went to bed.

Despite sleeping late, I still managed to wake up at 5AM. I guess my body clock is already set to this early morning call.

I immediately went to weigh myself. Guess what?!

I am now 55kgs! Hurray for me! Yes! I am really ecstatic.

From 68kgs (or was it 69kgs) I am now 13kgs (or maybe 14kgs) lighter after six months of eating well and exercising regularly. I don't want to lose any more weight. But it doesn't mean I am going stop exercising. In fact, I want to be as fit and strong as I could be.

My waistline is now 27 inches. I think I could still make it to 26 inches. I will try. But what's important for me right now is that I eat healthy and exercise regularly.

If I may be allowed to impart something here, it's that eating healthy small meals 5x a day really helped my metabolism and of course the regular exercises too.

I am in a celebratory mode. Hmmm.. shall I celebrate by eating? Nah! I may go buy myself a new pair of shoes as a reward.

Woooohooooooo!!!

Hello February!

I am always excited about beginnings. I love that it's uncertain, mysterious but also full of new promises and hope. Gotta love that, right?

Today, I weighed myself and I am 55.4kgs. I have gained 0.1 since last week and I blame the wreckless eating last weekend. I should have known better.

This month, my aim is to reach 55kgs and maintain it until the end of the month. I know I said I could do it easily but that was me being a braggart. Sometimes, I don't think what I say or write. So forgive me.

On a happy note, my abs is looking fine! It's really getting firm everyday. I am proud of that.

Let me share something I found at HealthDiaries.Com. This is just a list, so if you want to read more, please visit their website. So here are the 7 foods you should have in your home if you want a flat/firm stomach, because they burn your stomach fat:
1) Oatmeal
2) Raw Veggies
3) Lean Meat
4) Whole Grains
5) Eggs
6) Olive Oil
7) Nuts

I should buy oatmeal tomorrow because the one I have in my cupboard is already expired. LOL! As for the rest of the list, I do have a stock of it already.

Let's all be healthy this February!