Re-starting the 30-Day Shred

I took a 2-day break last weekend from my 30-day shred with Jillian Michaels. I have read that you give your body time to build muscles after working out. So I thought I would take a 2-day break since it was a weekend.

Then, again, I read about reviews for those who are doing the 30-day Shred and I have learned that you have to do it every single day to see results in 30 days. I was like... ugh! Why did I take a break?

Anyways, I re-started last Monday. Today is a Wednesday. So technically, I'm on my third day.

Just to update you, I'm on my less-than-6kgs away from my ideal weight.

Health Services

All around the world, people are suffering from different kinds of diseases and illnesses. These are in communities where there are no available health services and medicines are hard to come by. Most of the countries suffering from curable diseases are from the third world. Whether these illnesses are curable or not makes a little difference since there are no vaccines provided and even some people are used as guinea pigs for new products, medicines or vitamins. So how can we help in making the lives of these needy people more bearable and humane?

A medical assistance program from different organizations and countries are willing to send people and help those in need. If we cannot help them through personal means, we can always help them through financial support that could send doctors, nurses, vaccines, vitamins, first aid kits and medicines. And we can be able to reach out to people in our own little way.

30-Day Shred, Day 3

I did my workout early today. Like at 3:30pm. I put the kids to nap at 3. I used to do it at night after putting my kids to sleep but I found it quite tiring the next day, to exercise at night. I so wanted to sleep straight away but as suggested, one should usually wait 1 - 2 hours after exercise to go to sleep. So I would end up sleeping late like 1:00am. I thought it wasn't healthy to do that so I decided to do it in the afternoons. It's not possible to do in the mornings since I'd be busy with some household chores.

Anyways, today was my 3rd day. My front thighs are still sore. And I still hate push ups. I do follow Anita where she puts her knees on the floor while doing push ups but I find it quite painful to my knees, even with sheep's skin on the floor. (Note to self: get myself an exercise mat soon).

Also, I have replaced my slimming tea to green tea. It works equally the same, giving me frequent trips to the bathroom, minus the tummy pain.

Today, I have a great discovery... to my dismay... will post about it next time. I need to do something about it. For the meantime, am planning to sleep early tonight, at 9:00pm.

Good night, everyone!

30-day Shred, Day 2

Last night was my 2nd day of Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred. I have started using dumbbells as well but I guess they only weighed .5 lbs. It's so light. LOL. Will have to upgrade to a heavier one soon. I probably need to get discount coupons first. This exercise by Jillian Michaels is amazingly intense. I thought I could follow Natalie all the way. But on my second day, I contented myself with following Anita, especially the push ups. I and push ups are not so good friends. I hate doing it. My right shoulder is feeling stiff today after the circuit training last night.

And no, I haven't done Pop Pilates with it. I guess for now, I'll just have to do the 20-minute cardio-abs-strength training with the 30-day shred workout.

Jillian Michaels

My friend Lalaine introduced me (yet again) to another type of exercise and it's called 30-day shred with Jillian Michaels. If you follow the exercises everyday for 20 minutes, you will be "shredded" in 30 days time.

Last night was my first time to get into my exercise routine since we came back from our holiday break in Thailand. The exercises are very intense. Even the warm ups are intense. What I like about this type of exercise is that it includes cardio in between toning certain areas.

There are 3 levels in this 30-day shred program. In each level, there are 3 circuit trainings. Each level lasts for 20 minutes. And so, resting in between is a no-no. Every minute counts. JM said that this 20-minute exercise can be equal to hours and hour of exercise.

I'm gonna do it again tonight... and if I can, will include Pop Pilates too.

But I am not that desperate. Am I?

Hmmm... I guess I am. I am going to attend an engagement ceremony next month. So that would be my motivation to lose weight.

For now, I have to put the kids to sleep so I can do my 2nd day of 30-day shred, level 1.

Thanks to my friend Lalaine (for the free video), who's blogging her 30-day shred at Trying to be Fit.

Tomorrow is Father's Day

In most countries, tomorrow is dedicated to all fathers out there; good or bad, responsible or not, lenient or strict. There are 365 days in a year and we are given a day to tell our Papas how much we appreciate and love them without being called corny or weird. I say this because some of my friends think it’s embarrassing to say “I love you” to your father. There are other ways to show them your love and appreciation other than telling them. We could always give them a hug and a kiss. Buy them things with your own money that they might want like cigars, a really expensive pen or designer ties. Of course, I will not give my father those because I cannot afford it and he does not wear designer ties.

I usually give my Papa tools like screw drivers, hammers and knives because he uses them a lot and he’s quite happy with it. But these are only things and they cannot substitute feelings or words. So for all the daughters, wives, friends, and sisters let us show our men how much we value them and say the three little words that would be more special that all other things we could give them.

Getting Married

I have a sister who is not married yet. She's the only one in the family that is not. And so she thinks that it must be difficult to take from a carefree singleness to the ties of marriage. What she's not sure of is if being married means being dependent to another person or having your freedom snatched from you. Now that you have a partner in everything, she wonders if it is still acceptable for her to have secrets from her man. She also wonders if married life means she has to put up with things she doesn't want. Like watching football and basketball games instead of her favorite Sex and the City episode, have friends all over her living room who talk nothing but cars and Ferrari parts, poker nights and having to consider someone else’s feelings before deciding.

Well, I say, married life has ups and downs. Except when you have a gift of celibacy, you'll definitely end up getting married. Marriage is a hard work. It's not easy. But as a married woman, I have more ups than downs in my married Life.

So Jai, no worries. You'll never know married life until you get there. But hey, you're still young. Enjoy your singleness while you can. Okay?

Being a Mom

Being a mother is very fulfilling but at the same time scary. You become responsible for your own life and several others. I have seen several mothers go through difficult challenges that seem so impossible to overcome. Your children’s problems become your own even after they are married and already having a family. They also know what is best for us though children cannot fully understand about it until such time that we become mothers ourselves. We give our mothers a hard time, we did not know that what we did was wrong until our own children repeat the history and do those things to us. Mothers are also great doctors; they heal us with a kiss, a hug and a touch. It is our mother’s self-proclaimed duty to see to our needs; she sees to it that we are enrolled, important things are bought, we are accompanied to the dentist and bring us to the doctor for our shots, pre-natal exams and even do some colon cleanse reviews.

Most of the time we do not acknowledge our mother’s significance in our lives. It is either we are blind or we are just scared to tell them how we feel. We better tell them now and not wait for anyone else to let them realize their worth. They are loved and they make the world go round.

Promotional Products

Most of the young women I know or heard of cannot wait to have their chance to be introduced to the society or debut. Girls here in the Philippines have their debut party when they reach the age of eighteen. Inside every girl wants a big, flowery and pink (or sky blue) party. For those who can afford to fulfill their girlish fantasies the sky is the limit. These parties are usually planned for months in order for it to be perfect. The debutante chooses the gowns for the most-awaited party, her 18 candles, 18 roses and more importantly, her escort. And promotional products or giveaways are chosen carefully to serve as remembrance for the guests. The best caterers in town are hired to prepare the most sumptuous dinner. The finest decorators are taken into service for the arrangement of the venue. The plants trimmed, pool cleaned and cars polished.

All these and more, if you have the money. But for some who cannot afford, a not-so quite dinner with friends and family will suffice. A simpler but equally memorable celebration.

Missing My Exercise Routine

I've been missing my exercise routine since coming to Thailand for a break. And yes, I've been missing doing it too. I think with two platefuls of kanom jin for almost every dinner, I would have gained weight by now. I am not ready to look at the weighing scale yet. I still wanna enjoy Thai food. :P

We're going back home tomorrow. I want to straight away go back to my exercise routine. Sometimes, I am tempted to look for the best fat burners and see whether I would lose weight fast. Maybe I should just do it? Really, there are so many options outhere. The only thing I need is the courage to try them.

Cassey Found Me

I posted a couple of Pop Pilates videos made by Cassey. Cassey is a Pilates instructor. I did one of her pilates exercises to slim down the body and I can say, it totally rocks. What makes her version of Pilates fun is that she mixes it with upbeat music. And she also encourages those who are following her. There was a portion where I couldn't take it anymore and she said: Don't stop! LOL. As if she knew I couldn't take it anymore.

Now I am still on a trip with my family so I am kinda taking a break. Will definitely add Pop Pilates to my Hip Hop Abs when I go back home.

For now, it's Thai food and beautiful views.

But it's exciting to be connected with Cassey. Will definitely follow her blog too. :D

Pop Pilates

And yes, I have an addition to my weight loss challenge paraphernalia. I downloaded another form of exercise.

Pop Pilates.

By Cassey.

This is one of those pilates exercises that can sculpt your body. And if you have a specific area you're targeting, just choose that kind of pilates exercise.

This video from youtube is a Pop Pilates to slim down the body. It's so hard. So intense. The first time I did it, I sprained my shoulder... not even 5 minutes of doing it. But I tried again last night and kind of finished the full 10 minutes. Of course, it's not perfect yet. I have to bend my knees because somehow, I still couldn't do it with my legs straight.




And so... the weight loss challenge is on....

My Update?

Nothing much.

I took another break last week. So now, I am stuck at 7kgs and 4 cms loss.

Muffin Top

I have a muffin top. Aw... you should know by now. It shows everytime I wear my pair of jeans. That's one of the reasons why I do Hip Hop Abs and use waist trimmer belt. But what is a muffin top? Let me quote from wikipedia.org the exact definition of a muffin top.

"Muffin-top" is a generally pejorative slang term used to describe the phenomenon of overhanging flesh (fat) when it spills over the waistline of pants or skirts in a manner that resembles the top of a muffin spilling over its paper casing.

This generally occurs when:

• a person wears low-rise jeans, hip-hugger pants, and/or midriff-baring tops that are too small.
• a very thin woman becomes pregnant, causing stretching of abdominal skin
• an obese person loses large amounts of abdominal fat.

These days, I tend to google some exercises for core strength and abs. And tonight, I stumbled on an exercise that focuses on a muffin top or love handles. This exercise is just one of those exercises by Cassey. She uses pop pilates and it is so much fun. I kind of used to view pilates as very boring. Of course I know it's effective. I used to do Pilates before getting married and saw how effective it was, coupled with cardio. But Cassey made Pilates a fun exercise.

So here's the Pop Pilates Muffin Top or Love Handles exterminator:



I hope to do this after my Hip Hop Abs session. :D

Exercise Time!

I took a 4-day break from my weight loss program. That means no tea, exercise, waist trimmer and diet for 4 days. We had such an activity-filled weekend so I didn't have time to do those.

And so yesterday, I announced:

Exercise time!!!

To which Samantha replied:

No!!!!! I don't want you to exercise

I asked: Why???

She said:

Because your tummy getting smaller. I want your tummy to be big!

Toinks!

I didn't know that losing weight has both pros and cons, the cons of which includes my girl not liking me to have a small tummy. But anyways, to update you all about my weight loss program...

I have nothing much to update. LOL.

I am still 6 kgs away from my ideal weight.

I could wear my saree again... but it's still too snug. But it's better than not being able to fit into my saree blouse like a few months ago.