A Morning Jog

Today is the first time in my life that I actually went jogging in the early hours of the morning. A friend and I went to the jogging track behind my place to do some running, since both of us had to start training for the upcoming Standard Chartered Marathon in December.

It is not an easy feat waking up so early in the morning, especially since I am not a morning person. I already have a problem waking up on time for work, and many a times, my mum had to keep bugging me to wake up.

So I almost could not wake up this morning, but I had already promised my friend, hence I had to wake up. Furthermore, he specially catered to my timing since I had to start work at a fixed time, so the least I could do was to wake up early to jog for half an hour or so.

One round the track is four hundred and twenty metres. In order to run 2.4 kilometres, it would be six rounds round the track. I surprised myself by actually being able to run two and a half rounds (equivalent to one kilometre), before having had to walk. Then I walked the next few rounds before running the final lap.

What is surprising is that I did not even feel tired after that! Seems like an early morning jog does wonders to one's system - I felt so energetic and alert instead of tired and lethargic for the rest of the day. It could have been due to the fresh air!

My friend and I are thinking of jogging on a regular basis from now on. Hopefully I can keep this up and actually slim down for once!

My First Jog

I have not run in years. In fact, I have never run unless forced by my teachers during Physical Exercise lessons back in school. Other than that, I do not make it a point to jog or run around the neighbourhood.

For some reason, when I was in my early twenties, I told myself I should start jogging around the neighbourhood. But the lazy procrastinator that I am, I never did do that, and so, all the way until now, so many years later, I still have not found the motivation or inclination to run, reason being I really hate running. I prefer other forms of sports like tennis and cycling, but not running.

However, ever since I have been putting on weight last year and have been finding it hard to shed no matter how little I eat or how much I walk, I thought I better do something drastic before it is too late.

Just when I thought how to go about doing it, a friend I was meeting for dinner last night suggested meeting earlier for a job. Turns out that she, too, will be running for the Standard Chartered Marathon and been wanting to train up her running. Since I have company, I decided to have a jog too. Just as well she stays near me, so we can meet up more often to go jogging!

So we jogged from the train station to the park opposite, all the way to near East Coast, before making a turn and going for dinner. Put it this way, she was jogging throughout whereas I had to start walking halfway through as could not job anymore. We had a good dinner, then walked all the way back home. I was perspiring like mad by the time I reached home.

Initially I thought I would be so tired that I would just crash out, but surprisingly I was full of energy that I could even stay up a bit. I was actually more energetic than the other days when I did not exercise.

Maybe I should start jogging more often from now on, and see if I can finally lose weight for once!

Ten Ways To Stay In The Pink

I came across this article sent out by my Human Resource department. Pretty good tips actually!

Most of the things mentioned are pretty common sensical, but there are a couple which have been tried and tested by myself. For instance, ever since I stop fretting over things and just let myself go, stop being so emotional, I find myself to be in a better overall state of mind.

Also, ever since I started being more extroverted and talking to more people, getting used to just chatting up a storm, I find myself in a better and happier disposition. All these contributed to being in a better mental and physical state. I notice I hardly get sick ever since, as compared to in the past!

So these tips really do work! Although if we are to follow all ten ways religiously, does it mean we will never get sick again?

Another Night At The Gym

I kept meaning to update this but kept dragging on. Anyway, I went for another gym session last week, this time at another fitness centre. Since I had the two-week trial membership, which had since expired, I went to try out the facilities.

First up was the exercise bike. I wanted the treadmill actually but all were full. I set the bike to Uphill, Random, 20 Minutes, then started paddling. Just as well the big television screen was in front of me, so I could watch Channel News Asia while sweating out at the same time. It helps to keep the mind focused, as before I knew it, twenty minutes was over, I had paddled six kilometres uphill, and burnt one hundred and sixty-five calories! Not a bad feat!

The next machine I tried was something to exercise my arms. Apparently I was doing it the wrong way, as a trainer went by and showed me the proper way to use it. This machine let me sit on the seat, with the chest rest, then pull two handles using the biceps. I wanted to try hundred, but could only manage fifty!

After that, I wandered around the gym, looking for another interesting machine, when I met the same trainer, who then showed me how to use some other machines. So I started working out my arms, legs, and abs. By the end of the short session, my arms and thighs were aching!

I wanted to stay in the gym for a couple of hours at least, but after an hour or so, I was too sore to do anything else, so decided to quit while ahead and go home whilst I could still move about. At least I get to know more of the various workout machines, so perhaps if I ever have my own gym one of these days, I can practise in it!

A Night At The Gym

Contrary to what a lot of people think, I have stepped into a gym before. I used to be with a couple of guys who spent their time working out, so occasionally I would go to the gym with them to try my hand at the machines available, although I am never a fan of gym workouts.

Due to the two week gym membership which just expired, we went for a trial session with a personal trainer, who took our body profiles, including our height, weight, muscle mass and body fat. Somehow I have shrunk two centimetres (as if I am not short enough already), but lost another half a kilogram from the last time I measured.

My muscle mass is low, body fat high, although not as high as last year already, so it seems like the slimming treatments do work to a certain extent. Thus, the trainer said that I should build up my muscle mass and lose more body fat to have a flatter tummy and more toned legs and arms. He should build up more muscle mass to make his body more proportionate and well-toned, with six packs! :-D

So we started on our routine. First, it was a session on a machine that will help build our chest muscles. We used our hands to clutch at the sides, then used chest muscles (not shoulders or arms) to pull the edges towards us. We had to do that fifteen times! If you think it is easy, think again. Using chest muscles is much more difficult than shoulders, as we had to keep our shoulders and arms constant, and not move them.

Next, we had to lift weights. We were placed in front of a mirror with our backs facing the mirror, then lift weights with our elbows remaining constant on the mirror. This exercises the upper and lower arms. It is much easier lifting the elbows instead of having them fixed at the mirror! Again, we had to lift up the weights fifteen times.

Our third exercise involved our leg muscles. We had to lie on our backs, suspend our legs on a big exercise ball, then bend our knees and balance our feet at the edge of the ball WITHOUT the ball moving. Again, if our leg muscles are not strong enough, the ball will move, then it will be hard to balance.

Next, we had to suspend ourselves standing up on another machine, placing our arms at the side handles. Then we had to push our arms down and life our lower bodies up, while bending our knees at the same time. This cannot be achieved if one do not have strong arm and chest muscles. Needless to say, I almost could not do it.

Our last exercise was sitting down on a mat, pulling the handles at the side of a wall. It is something like rowing a boat, except the legs have to remain straight and we had to pull the ropes and arch our bodies back, without moving other parts of the body.

All in all, it was a useful, albeit very intense, session. From there, I finally realise exactly just how unfit I really am. These gym tips are useful for us, as we can use them to practice our own gym routines at the gym at his place. At least with an exercise partner there is more motivation to keep fit!

Body Stretch!

In just a week, I have gone to a series of Yoga lessons. We signed up for a beginner's Yoga after we received our two weeks trial gym membership, so the first session was on Gentle Yoga. It was gentle indeed. The studio was cooling, and the exercises were not too intense. At least I could still stretch and bend a little.

The exercises involved stretching of the arms and legs, as well as the back. There was one part where we had to lie on our backs, lift up our hips, and stretch our legs to a forty-five degree angle. It may sound easy, but actually it needs lots of balance and coordination with our hip and back muscles.

And if the muscles there are almost non-existent or not in much use, it will be hard to stay at a forty-five degree angle, as the whole body would either start vibrating or the legs would fall back to the mat. Same goes for the part where we had to put our palms on the mat and push our body up from the back.

The instructor was patient though. He really made sure that everyone was doing the right stretching and exercises. The first session was good, as in we got to know which part of the body to stretch. There was soothing music in the background, so at the end of the session, I felt really calm and relaxed, that I was even able to exercise a bit on the exercise bike and treadmill for a while.

We then booked another session a few days later, this time two Yoga sessions back to back. The first was a Hot Yoga class, where there was more intense stretching in a room with a temperature of thirty-seven degree celsius. Needless to say, most of us were perspiring within ten minutes into the class.

The next was a Hatha Yoga (I think), where the movements were faster and more routine, then the last twenty minutes were spent lying down on the mat, closing our eyes and just relaxing. The instructor was speaking to us in a soothing voice, letting us think of peace and tranquility.

I tried doing Yoga on my bed during the weekend, but somehow it was not as comfortable as doing it on a mat. Thus, I went to buy a Yoga mat yesterday. It just so happens that my company's gallery is selling Yoga mats, and I am entitled to a staff discount, so I bought it at a much lower price as compared to those selling at sports stores. So now I can practice Yoga at home, and hopefully lose more weight!

Another Pushy Marketeer

I received a call from a fitness centre, saying I am eligible for a two-week membership pass to use the facilities and any of the courses. I could bring along a friend and he / she would have the same priviledges. So we went to check out the offer last night.

I must say, the fitness centre itself has very good facilities and the decorations are very zen-like, just as if we were stepping into a discotheque. The lights are dimmed and bright at alternate intervals, and certain angles are flickering, which cause my eyes to flicker too. The overall effect is too glaring for my liking.

We went to explore the premises, looked through the machines, sat on the massage chair (which was so comfortable that I was so reluctant to get up), then the "real thing" began. We were sat down and the consultant talked to us about fitness packages and courses, and their promotional rates.

We spent about two hours in the centre, trying to push the consultant and trainer away into telling us to sign up for packages. We kept saying we had budget and time constraint, yet they kept lowering the prices and trying to convince us that we only needed an hour or so per week.

In the end I got really irritated, and the poor guy was trying to fend off more pushiness from the consultant in question. But at least we did get a two-week free membership to the centre, so we will be going back this weekend to try out the Yoga class. Not to mention free gifts of a hand mirror and water bottle each.

Even though I considered it quite a waste of time, the offers and promotions are pretty good actually. But if I am to sign up for a gym membership, I really do not know if I can be committed enough to attend on a regular basis. I rather do other kinds of exercises which I like, like tennis for instance!

A Year Of Fitness

So my youngest brother has finally been called up to serve the country. And he is going to a place where not many of his batch are being posted to. Let's just hope he can be more sensible when he comes out.

I finally have a goal for the year, and that is to be fit! That may not be anything great to many people, but it is something to me, due to my history of illness and proness to diseases, as well as my laziness and disinclination to exercise or embark in any physical sports (except for a few).

So I was thinking, since I have been singing so much, why not take a break and do something to improve my body before doing more voice training? Afterall, if I am physically healthier, my vocal cords and stamina will also be stronger, and my voice can be better perhaps? My slimming sessions will end soon, and besides, I do not want to just depend on the slimming sessions alone.

I have no interest in joining a gym because I do not like sweating away on mundane exercises. I rather do something interesting and enjoyable, yet can lose weight at the same time. Afterall, if I am to exercise, why not do something that I can have fun doing at the same time? Thus, I have signed up for a variety of dance and fitness programmes for the first half of this year.

First up is Adult Ballet. Laugh if you must, but there are many adults taking up ballet, most without any background. The last time I pirouetted was back in 1993, which is a very long time ago. Now I probably have to start all over from the beginning. Ballet helps in improving body physique. I realise I became more bottom heavy when I stopped dancing. Or maybe age plays a part too.

Next is Pilates. My aunt and cousin attended a Pilates class conducted at one of the country clubs, and they were raving about it. I heard about Pilates some years ago, as that is the fitness routine which airline crew has to follow. Apparently, it is more effective than mere sit-ups or other forms of exercises, as it really helps in toning the bottom part of the body, and for someone who have lots of tummy and thigh flabs to get rid of, this is just perfect!

There are also others like Intermediate Salsa (I hope I still remember how to follow and lead!), Tap Dancing, and Yoga. Perhaps people may think it is madness to do both Pilates and Yoga, but they are two totally different routines.

Yoga helps more of the entire body, so the body must be very flexible in order to twist and turn. Besides, yoga also helps in improving relaxation and spiritual well-being, through exercises and meditation, and I need lots and lots of spiritual well-being right now so as not to be too emotionally worked-up again.

So my time is pretty much tied up. Plus with school starting again in February, I hope I have enough energy left to do everything!

Not A Runner ....

The Bull Run on Friday was almost a disaster. We were supposed to assemble and start the run by 5:30pm, but it was raining so heavily that everyone was stuck at the nearest subway. After waiting for a while, we borrowed some umbrellas and made our way to the assembly area.

There was free water and Milo for all the runners. Quite a few of the bigger organisations are involved as well. The rain subsided around 6:15pm, so the organisers decided to proceed as usual. We did our own warm-ups and stretching and the run started at 6:30pm.

I could hardly run as it is. My colleagues were all so far ahead of me! We came from work so still had our makeup intact, and some of my colleagues' eye makeup was smeared due to the rain. Luckily, I had waterproof mascara on so I did not end up looking like a panda, or looking like someone gave me a black eye.

I ran and brisked walk at the same time. I tried not to push myself too hard for fear of having a stitch at my side, so whenever I felt like I could no longer run, I stopped to walk. It was not easy as well, since it was still drizzling, the ground was still wet and puddles were everywhere, the water seeped into my shoes and I had to move around in wet feet.

At least I managed to finish the race in thirty-two minutes, thirty-six seconds. Nothing great since the distance was only 3.2 km, but better than I expected already. I thought I would take an hour or a quarter of an hour just to finish the entire lap.

The goody-bags for the participants are really good. It is a genuine sports bag (the size where one can put a pair of sneakers or a bowling ball in) together with a bottle of mineral water, a bottle of roobois tea, a 2007 table calendar, a back massager in the shape of a bull, a towel and some other stuff. Much better than all those other tacky goody-bags from other events.

Now I am aching, especially around the back of my thighs and calves. The run is fun, but count me out for any marathons next time, especially if the distance is ten kilometres or longer!

Adapting A Healthier Lifestyle

Our slimming consultant advised us to get the book "Fit For Life" so that we can make adjustments to our lifestyle. Since we have not exercised for so long and indulged in good food all these while, the treatments are to help us get rid of all the fats and cellulite and give us a shapelier figure. How we maintain after that is due to our diet, lifestyle and exercise routine.

If possible, I may be getting the book tomorrow. It will be a busy weekend for me. In the morning, I will be going to the law firm as the lawyer I will be working for wishes to speak to me. I have not signed any letter of offer whatsoever, but if I go, they may deem I accept the job. Which means I start work on Tuesday. But in that case, if throughout the week a better offer comes along, will I be playing them out if I suddenly accept the better offer?

On Sunday, my family will be having Japanese food for lunch to celebrate my brother's eighteenth birthday. After which, I will be going down to support the Hair For Hope Charity of the Children's Cancer Foundation. I will also be meeting a teaching friend of mine. At night, I hope to be able to watch "Cabaret".

I have looked through some resources and found more diet plans for us. The very first endorsement is water. Every book and journal preaches about drinking two litres of water everyday. Which is never a problem as I do drink about that amount of water daily.

Apparently, having a sensible diet not only keeps one slim and healthy, it also gives one a clear and beautiful complexion and silky hair. So to be beautiful, one must eat right, but then, this is all common knowledge, only that some people choose to ignore and continue indulging.

The book I looked through recommends the following as a good typical day's diet:

Breakfast - A glass of unsweetened fruit juice, a bowl of unsweetened whole grain cereal, topped with a chopped banana and semi-skimmed milk, two slices of whole wheat toast with a scraping of low-fat spread.

Lunch - Baked potato, fillied with low-fat cottage cheese and plenty of fresh raw salad, one low-fat yoghurt.

Dinner - Grilled or broiled fish or chicken, with boiled brown rice and plenty of steamed vegetables. Fresh fruit salad, topped with natural yoghurt and nuts.

Why do none of the menus mention red meat? And all resources do not recommend eating after eight in the evening. At times, it is hard to adapt healthy eating habits into our current lifestyle. Considering the yuppie way of life, we work until late, and go out and socialise or entertain after working hours. Is it possible to have three balanced meals a day at certain times?

Grooming To Be A Model ....

I have been chosen to be a model! Actually it is nothing to be that happy about, because I am going to be a model for one of the slimming centres here. My mum finally got fed up over her failed attempts at losing weight, so she dragged me along and signed up a slimming package for both of us. There goes my birthday and Christmas gifts for the next two years!

But it is a good thing I went, as I realised I am suddenly overweight. Just ten years ago, I was 44 kg, five years back I went up to 48 kg, and now...... So we will be having intensive slimming treatments by burning away our stubborn fats, especially around my tummy and the cellulite around my thighs. After that, I will be paid cash and vouchers for being their spokesperson.

The consultant guaranteed that by Christmas, my mum will lose her flabs and for me, I will go back to my relatively hourglass figure with a flat tummy, toned thighs and a twenty-three inch waist! And after the amount we spent, the guarantee better be 100% effective!

The treatment seems rather comprehensive. We are given a booklet to fill in our food and drink intake for the day. First thing, we have to start eating a normal three meals daily, instead of just one or two meals and snacks in between. And we are given a menu to follow.

Breakfast

Menu A - 1 slice of wholemeal bread with lean ham and lots of fresh lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber. No mayonaisse, butter, jam or margarine (I cannot even spread anything on my bread?!), 1 piece of fruit or juice, a cup of coffee or tea with no sugar or creamer (how am I going to drink tea with no sugar?!). No Milo, Horlicks or Ovaltine.

Menu B - 1 small bowl of cereal with skimmed milk or 1 cup of lowfat yogurt, 1 piece of fruit (all except longan, lychee, avocado, durian, rambutan and banana), 1 cup of coffee or tea with no sugar and creamer.

Menu C - 1 slice of pandan chiffon cake or 1 nonya cake with green bean paste, 1 cup of skimmed milk or soyabean, 1 piece of fruit

Lunch

Menu A - 1 small bowl of rice, lots of boiled or steamed vegetables (all kinds except potatoes, yam, sweet potato and tapioca), 1 palm size of chicken, fish prawn or beancurd (steamed, baked or boiled). Remove any skin and visible fat.

Menu B - 1 bowl of fish porridge or noodle soup (no fried choices), 1 piece of fruit

Menu C - 1 bowl of seafood soup or fish slice soup or winter melon soup with half a bowl of rice, 1 piece of fruit

Dinner

Menu A - 1 big bowl of salad with a teaspoon of dressing or steamed or boiled vegetables, 2 pieces of fruit

Menu B - 1 small square of beancurd served chilled or steamed with oyster sauce, 2 pieces of fruit or steamed or boiled vegetables

This menu means torture and hunger for me! People who know me know I crave for good food. How can I survive without red meat or chocolates or soft drinks? But since my mum has specially spend so much to "groom" me, I guess the least I can do is to try my best to adapt.

After all, looking good is also being svelt and slim, and it is for my own benefit more than anyone else. I also want to look better for him! And if I can drop a couple of dress sizes and go back to being 44 kg, that is a very good deal indeed.

Improving My Health

I have not been in the best of health lately. I was never worried about my physical condition until these few days. I start to think of how to go about improving my health. I have a history of low-blood pressure and anaemia, and for that, I fear I may not be strong enough to withstand certain things.

I need to be stronger. Being healthier probably cut down a lot more problems as time goes by. My mum and I are starting salsa lessons soon, around the middle of this month. Hopefully that amount of exercise can help to build up my body.

Speaking of which, I may decide to pull out of the performance after all due to bad timing. The performance is not bad timing because it has been scheduled ever since the beginning of the year. It just happens that recent events that took place made it a bad timing for me to take part in the performance.

There will be intensive rehearsals, plus fast vigorous dance steps. I fear I may not be able to cope. Right now, I need to be as healthy as I can, and being more stressed and tired is not going to help me.

Sometimes I wish a human need not have limitations, then we can do anything we like anytime we like no matter when or where. But it is due to all these limitations that certain things have to go. At times we have to sacrifice what is least important. And for me to sacrifice a performance, it must be due to something even more important than that.