Fitness Blog #11

I'm sure you can't believe your eyes but yes, the fitness aspect of this blog is still alive and striving! hehe. Early last month, Aileen and I went though a blood profile test, just to find out if there's anything wrong with our bodies. I turned 30 last year and I think it's just about time I start checking my internal issues (as in literally), especially that I am overly overweight.

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Fitness Blog #10

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Fitness Blog # 9

3KG. 

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Fitness Blog #8

GUILTY. GUILTY AS CHARGED. My attempt to fitness has become my journey to fatness. I AM GUILTY BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT. Even more guilty than Hubert Webb. Haha kidding, that was totally out of line and irrelevant.

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Fitness Blog #7

Ok. I Admit it. The fitness part in my blog has gone nowhere. It's been mostly food, I might as well strike-out the fitness part. It's been more than a year since I started this blog (wow can u believe it?!) and I've lost 0 pounds. Nada, None, Zilch.

So anyway, here I am again trying..... Read on

Last June 28, we joined this 12-week weight loss challenge (wlcsg.blogspot.com) sponsored by Herbalife (which I eventually found out during the 1st meeting). Basically, how it works is everyone chips in $30. Every week for 12 weeks there is a weigh-in and the challenge is based on fat percentage loss, to be fair to everyone. If u gain weight, you pay $2. At the end of 12 weeks, the top3 men and women who've lost the most body fat percentage take the pot money!! Not bad eh?!

So anyway, today (July 19), is supposed to be the 3rd weekly weigh-in but I couldn't make it because I had to help my cousin wrap her wedding giveaways (her wedding is a few days from now). Please disregard the date of this post, it will actually show the date that you created the post and not when you posted it.

Anyway, I'm quite happy with my progress so far. Slow but better than none. Every week, they teach us some lessons about weight management and healthy eating thru videos and lectures (and of course push their herbalife products on the side).

Here is my progress so far:

June 28, 2009 - 122.9kg (270lbs); 36.9% Body Fat
July 5, 2009 - 121.3 (266lbs); 36.5% Body Fat
July 12, 2009 - 120.8 (265lbs); 36.5% Body Fat
July 19, 2009 - Absent

Yes I know I'm so damn heavy!! But not bad, 5 lbs in 3 weeks. If I keep it up for 12 weeks, I should lose at least 20lbs. Basically, I eat one brown rice meal a day (lunch only with veggies and tofu) then I eat tuna in olive oil with 3 hi-fibre crackers for dinner. I'm trying my best to cut down on snacking by replacing it with almonds or yogurt. Plus, I have been trying to go to the gym at least 2x a week doing at least 1hr of cardio (at least 700 calories burned).

Darn, why is it so hard to lose weight??!! :P Read more on "Fitness Blog #7"!

Updates/Fitness Blog #6

Image taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenscakes/666055510/

Today, March 21st, marks my second year of living/working here in Singapore! Wow, how time flies! I guess the days just pass when you're really busy and preoccupied. 2 years, 3 jobs and 10 kg later (Ugh!) has really taught me so much in life. I've been to new places, met many faces and overcame (and still overcoming) different challenges.

Next month, I will be applying for permanent residency and hopefully it gets approved. Aileen, my cousin and flatmate, just got hers approved recently, congratulations cuz!!! Singapore is really an ideal place to live in. I can truly, honestly say this is my second home. Of course, the Philippines will always be the place I return to but I can realistically see myself living here for another 5 or 10 years.

Anyway, now that I mentioned it, I am really determined to get back in shape. I know I've said this many many times since I started this blog but I really hope to keep my word this time. Today, I'll be going to the gym for the 4th time this week. Zach has really pushed me to lose weight not for anything else but really for my own benefit. He's been helping me do weight-training at the gym and he is one tough trainer! I'm also very proud to say I can now run for 13 minutes straight on the treadmill. The last time I mentioned on my blog, I was only able to run 8 minutes. Plus, lately I've been sticking to 1 rice meal a day (lunch) and the rest of the day I would eat fruits, yogurt or a very light meal without the carbs.

Aileen's wedding is just around the corner (July to be exact) and I'd like to look good on that special occassion as it would also be sort of a reunion for our relatives, especially for those who are living abroad.

I saw this Banana Republic Suit (notice how there are 2 pockets on one side, love it! hehe) and I'm planning to have one custom made in Bangkok when I go on April 10. My aunt who recently went there said she had one made for my Uncle for only S$200. That includes the suit, pants and long-sleeved shirt. Now is that cheap or what.?! Though I want mine single breasted with just 1 or 2 buttons. Double-breasted looks kind of fatherly haha.

So wish me luck guys! I do know it takes more than just luck because losing weight and getting fit really takes a lot of determination and hard work.

P.S. By the way, regarding my "Jaded" post, everything is ok now. To my friends, thanks for being there.

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Fitness Blog #5

Someone commented in my blog asking what's happened to the last "F" for "Fitness"? I wanted to bitch slap her and say "Mind your own effing business!". Then I realized I have really taken the "fitness" aspect of this blog for granted. Zach also told me why do I bother paying hundreds of dollars a month for my gym membership when I'm not using it. Darn it, I didn't have an answer to that.

I read this article that Oprah wrote on how & why did she allow herself to gain back 40lbs when she was in tiptop form just 4 years ago. It really comforts me to know that even one of the richest people in the world has the same insistent problem as mine. Weight Problem. I always tell myself, if I were rich I probably wouldn't be fat because I could hire my own chef, have my fat sucked out, have my own personal trainer, etc etc etc. But I guess even Oprah finds it difficult. And like Oprah, I also gained back 40lbs (18.18kg) in the past 3 years.

So staying true to what I wrote in my 2009 resolutions, I will try my darndest best to keep fit this year. After some prodding from my cousin Aileen, I bought a new mountain bike. Just a cheap one but it works. In the past 4 days that I've had it, I've already biked 15kms twice. One time even up and downhill. And I've also gone to the gym twice last week. Ha! Now who's the man?! hehehe.

Credits to http://www.flickr.com/photos/goatsfoot/2519275714/

Singapore has got to be the most biker-friendly country in the world. There are bike-parking terminals in all MRT stations and some towns even promote sharing of sidewalks for pedestrians and bikers. That's besides the fact that road conditions here are perfect with no single pothole in sight. Plus, there are mountain biking trails and park connectors everywhere. I love it!

So biking is our new hobby! Aileen & Bill's wedding is coming up real soon, in 5 months actually, and that's another good reason for all of us to look our best. So please allow me some headstart before I start documenting my weight and pictures again, hehe. God I hope it works out this time. Please pray for me! :P Read more on "Fitness Blog #5"!

Fitness Blog #4

OK. I admit it. I have seriously taken for granted how hard it is to keep a food blog and lose weight. So now I am officially taking off Fitness. Hehe. Kidding.

Much to my regret, I gained 1.1kg.
F%#&!!!!
I am at fault. I know. I have been careless lately. Plus the fact that I went on a short holiday. Not to be disheartened because I have still been going to the gym regulary. At least 2-3 times a week. I have to go more often. But I have started doing weights as well. So who knows maybe the 1.1kg are muscles?!! :P hehe

Also, I am still cutting down on white carbs especially rice. I still take my wheat sandwich to work.


Speaking about gym, (I just really have to say this) don't you just hate stinky smelly gym-goers??! I mean, yes of course, in one way or the other some, if not most people, will emit some kind of smell because IT IS a gym, for crying out loud. But some people (and I think you know who these people are) are just offensively smelly. Their smell will hit you like a punch. Upper cut right on the nose. I mean really, from 10 feet away you could smell them. Atrocious.

The first time I got here in Singapore, this is the one thing that surprised me. The city looks very clean and green but the smell, I dont think so. Everyday, during my 3-hour long journey to and fro work, the smell of "these specific people" are just really an obstacle. A lot of times it would just make me mad. I mean c'mon, its impossible they dont smell themselves right?? besides, isn't it common sense that if you don't regulary take a shower and not use deodorant then of course you will stink!?

No wonder they recently came out with a "week-long" deodorant. NO kidding. They claim this wipe-on deodorant will last a week. Yuck.

Starting Weight as of June 30 - 121 kg
Weight as of July 9 - 119.2 kg
Weight as of July 16 - 118.5 k
Weight as of August 12 - 119.6 kg

"No Pain, No Gain"

Read more on "Fitness Blog #4"!

Fitness Blog #3 - Update

So I finally went for the finger prick today to check my blood sugar level....

YEEYYYY!!! I passed with flying colors! My blood sugar level is 5.3mmol/l

I did some research on the net and I found out that Blood Glucose (sugar) Levels should be within these limits:

Before Breakfast (or after overnight fast of 10 hours - water only) : lower than 7mmol/l
2 hours after meals : lower than 11 mmol/l
Randomly, at any time : below 11 mmol/l

Thank God! I was really relieved. Like I said, I was quite confident I'm not diabetic but of course the fear still kicked in while I was waiting at the clinic.

Chocopologie by Knipschildt
Cost: $2,600 per pound

The doctor also said it's good that I started going to the gym and watching my diet. She even shared with me a diet plan she calls "Food Exchange". Whereby you could exchange certain foods for others. For instance, if you'd like a small bar of chocolate, then you can trade it with your starch or carbohydrates. She even said Chocolate (especially, Dark) is relatively healthier than Rice because chocolates have flavonoids (which is good for the heart) while rice is just calories & empty carbs. But of course, it depends. If you have a lot of physical activity, carbs are ok because they give you the energy. But if you eat a lot of carbs and remain sedentary, your sugar level will spike and the excess calories, as we all know, will make you fat.

She also advised me not to get into the diet fad bandwagon. You can always eat anything - the key is moderation.

And there goes another $30.. thank god for medical claims.. the perks of having a job, no matter how much you can hate it. Now where can I get a hold of that chocopologie?? :P Read more on "Fitness Blog #3 - Update"!

Fitness Blog #3

I have had the flu for 5 days now so I haven't had the strength to go to the gym. Over the weekend, (after I whipped that uber-delicious lasagna) I had fever, sore throat & body ache (can you imagine?!) for 2 days. Because I had a deadline, I still went to work on Monday & Tuesday. But I took leave today because I really need some rest. More so, I don't think its a good idea to spread the flu at work.

Yesterday, I saw the doctor to get an MC chit (here in singapore, you have to get a medical certificate even if you're just 1 day sick - sorry but i think that's crap. In Manila, you only need an MC if you're sick for more than 3 days). So while I was at the doctor, I might as well ask her why my flu is taking so long and it doesn't seem to get any better. Well, of course I had to exaggerate so she would give me my pass from work. It did get better coz I didn't have fever anymore but my nose was still really clogged. So she said flu normally lasts 7-10 days (whew!). Then she started asking me questions (in a funny accent, not the normal singapohlean accent, I think she grew up in the US) about my medical history. Then she gave me this scary thought that, just to be on the safe side, I go through a blood sugar test just to make sure I'm not having symptoms for diabetes. WTF!!!!???

Since I just had my lunch that time, I asked if I could come back tomorrow to have that prick on my finger to test my sugar. Honestly, I'm not scared that I'm diabetic. Because for the past 3 or 4 weeks I have stoppped eating rice, snacks & what have you. I eat a lot of veggies, wheat and multi grain. My blood sugar MAY be elevated but I don't think Im diabetic (Of course, I have to convince myself).

So wish me luck guys. Hope this turns out well. And I hope it's just a really terrible flu.

Oh and by the way, despite my lack of attendance at the gym, I still lost weight hehe.. Just a few grams though. But weight loss is still weight loss.


Starting Weight as of June 30 - 121 kg
Weight as of July 9 - 119.2 kg
Weight as of July 16 - 118.5 kg

"No Pain, No Gain" Read more on "Fitness Blog #3"!

Fitness Blog #2

So it's been 10 days since I started this fitness blog. Last week, I was able to visit the gym 4 times. This week, I've already gone once. There's this fat burner pill that I took called Lipo 6X advanced formula. It was so advanced that it gave me insomnia. I don't think I'll ever take it again. I was seriously pissed the next day going to work tired and lethargic. I've always had problems with these pills, there was a time before I took Hydroxycut and I had the same insomnia problems. I think there's too much caffeine in these pills. If I'm not mistaken, around 1000mg per pop.


Starting Weight as of June 30 - 121 kg
Weight as of July 9 - 119.2 kg

1.8 kilos (3.96 lbs) is not so bad but not good. Maybe because I ate so much when mom was around hehe.. but its better than not losing any at all. Slowly but surely. My target is to lose at least 13.6 kg (30lbs) by December. Just in time for the holiday feast hehehe.

"No Pain, No Gain" Read more on "Fitness Blog #2"!

Fitness Blog #1

Biggest Loser has got to be one of the most inspiring reality shows on the telly. I remember I loved to watch this show so much while lying on the couch with a bag of chips... hehehe. But kidding aside, if you've seen this show it's just amazing how the horizontally-challenged people transform to almost-model like beings.

So what better way to channel this inspiration but to create my own "biggest loser" challenge. My weight has always been the biggest tribulation in my life. I don't think I ever remember being thin, as in "normal" thin. As far as my memory can recall, I have always been "horizontally-challenged". Or to put it bluntly - Fat, Obese, "Baboy", "Tabachoy" or however you want to call it.

The biggest setback of being fat is being judged by the way you look. People would immediately label you as a "pig" with no self-control, irresponsible, couch-potato, lazy, boring, etc etc etc. I have heard it all. Some (or a lot of) people tend to forget that beneath the layers upon layers of fat is a human being - just like any other person with feelings, intellect & the need to belong. But you can't blame them. The painful fact is that this world is superficial. We are judged by the way we look. Be it in the workplace, school, etc.

I am doing this challenge now more for my health and for myself - not for anyone else. I am pushing into my 30's and sooner or later I know I'll get sick if I continue with this sedentary lifestyle. More so that diabetes, heart disease & cancer runs in our family. Most of my family is fat, being fat is actually in our genes, but this is not an excuse to remain fat your whole life. It only means you have to exert twice or even thrice the effort.

So enough of the melodrama. Let's get down to business :)

For the past week and a half I have tried to avoid eating rice. For breakfast, I have skim or low-fat milk with whole grain bran cereal. For lunch, I bring a whole-grain sandwich to work & buy fruit. For dinner, I just eat at home - maybe another sandwich, yogurt & oatmeal cookies for a snack (the low fat one, c'mon give me a break I need a treat or else I'll end up binging hehe). In this way, I save money AND cut down on the food intake.


Last night was my first gym session. 4o mins of cardio & around 20 mins of weights. As the days progress, I will have to do more cardio and do more weight-training. Every week from here on, I will document my weight. Every month, I will post new mug shots.

So brace yourself coz posted below are my BEFORE pics hehehe. Please be aware that the pictures are graphic and for those with weak stomachs, kindly turn away from the monitor. hehehe

Don't tell me I didn't warn you!! :P

Front View - Full Body

Side View - Full Body

Close-up - Face (I don't seem so happy.. :P)

STARTING WEIGHT: 121 kg

Official Start Date: June 30, 2008

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My Nth Attempt to Fitness at California Fitness

Today I enrolled at California Fitness with my friends Rye & Zach. I was actually a member at Gold's Gym and Fitness First in the Philippines so might as well try a different club. After a year and 3 months and a staggering 10-kilo weight gain here in Singapore, I decided to join a fitness club. And also to fulfill the purpose of the last "F" in this blog - my lifelong struggle for Fitness.

2 years ago I managed to lose 54lbs (24.5 kilos) in a span of 2 years. The first 24 lbs in the first year at Fitness First then the last 30 lbs at Golds Gym during the second year. I can seriously say these were the best days of my life since I felt so f*%king goodlooking hahaha... Honestly, people would be so shocked to see me and wouldn't even recognize me if I were sitting beside them. I felt healthy, full of energy and just beaming with confidence.

Gone were those days.. Sigh... So before I gain back all the weight I've lost I finally decided to do something about it. Hopefully, by putting myself to shame and posting it on the net, I would take this challenge seriously.

We got a very good deal at $53 a month for a 2-year membership. The trick in dealing with those uber pushy sales consultants is to tell them "this is my budget, take it or leave it". But I guess it did help that there were 3 of us signing up. Seriously, all those membership fees, processing fees and bullcrap fees are just, well, bullcrap. Don't fall for that trap. When they tell you it's the last day of their promo, tell them you weren't born yesterday. haha. Just kidding. Though I really admire their determination. Can you just imagine how hard it is for them to put on that act.

So here's to food blogging and fitness.. Goodluck to me.. Ugh Read more on "My Nth Attempt to Fitness at California Fitness"!

PROLOGUE

I've always wanted to write a blog but just couldn't find the right time to do so. Food has always picqued my interest and the glutton in me points to writing a food blog. But I didn't want a regular food blog - I wanted a food blog with a twist.

Since watching movies & traveling are my second bestest faves next to food, I figured why not mix all three favorites in one collective blog. I can almost hear some people say what does film have to do with food, but the reason behind it is I want to blog on something that I would normally do for leisure. Like in my case, I would usually eat out before catching a flick.

Finally, the crazy idea of throwing in my documented weight-loss while gorging on endless food would definitely add in that twist. Thus the name, Food, Film and Flight.. plus Fitness.

But wait! There's another twist. Since healthy eating = Fitness, I will try to feature healthy food that's not necessarily fat or carb-free, but food that is the healthiest choice on the menu. Who knows, I might throw in a calorie-laden cheesecake every now and then (or maybe even more often haha).

I am based in Singapore, therefore most of the food I will feature will start from here. Naturally, as my bank account will allow me, I will blog more food as I travel along the way.

So here's a toast to my stomach and to the 4 F's! Like what Chef Wolfgang Puck says, "Live, Love & Eat"

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