Dear Diary: August 2011

November 2008

December 2009

March 2009

February 2009

Oooops these are “blast from the past” photos! I called it quits! Good bye 40+ lbs! And it’s been 1 year and 4 months after getting in shape again. So I say, good job to myself! Haha!

How I did it? I have 5 pointers below. BUT first, here’s my disclaimer --- the following worked for me (my own ways, no personal trainer) and I don’t guarantee that you’ll get the same outcome. If you want to achieve accurate results, better have your own fitness instructor and follow a weight loss program.

1. Two Ds – Discipline and Determination! I can describe the first D as blocking 2 hours daily on my calendar for cardio and exercise. I did 4-5 times a week work-out, non-stop. I said no to fatty foods and started healthy diet (3 meals a day with snacks) with control. I did calorie count to ensure I don’t take far more than I burn each day. I kept myself determined to lose those unwanted fats; it was a constant effort! From browsing facebook pages of my body blessed friends to fantasizing myself on a 2-pc swimsuit under the sun (ohhh, this was a big time dream on my to-do list). I even pulled out couple of old jeans and XS-sized dresses, hung them on my bedroom where I can see them first thing in the morning; displayed cut outs of my fave celebrities (Anne’s --- Curtis and Hathaway), pasted them on my planner and pinned some on my work station --- I needed those to remind me of my goal.

2. Hard work! Regular exercise. 5km run – 3 to 4 times a week; gym work out 2 times a week – I went to Slimmers Trafalgar since it’s the nearest to our office. I tried boxing – it was a hell of experience! Intense workout really but I thought it’s not fit for me. I could not push myself to the limits because I have MVP.

3. Take the right diet. I tried all sorts of yo-yo diet, no rice diet, after 6, and believe it, I went vegan for 2 months! But no, they just didn’t work for me. And no matter how I cut my food intake, I just don’t see any results. So my advice is for you to take 3 meals in a day with snacks in between. But of course, since the goal is to lose weight, monitor calorie content and be wise in choosing meals. It pays to read what’s at the back label – nutrition guide/content! J In my case, I used to eat a lot – super! Extra rice, fast foods, sweets, junk foods, almost everything! So I needed to correct my diet, for a month, I took Nestle cereals + low fat milk and nothing else! YESSS! I can eat as much but just cereals. After my body adjusted to small amount of food intake, I went back to the normal, 3 meals with snacks. Discipline in food is also a MUST! Eat with moderation and control. Remind yourself of the calorie count! It was Christmas time when I was on my first month and it was so damn hard! What I did, I cooked for Noche Buena and New Year’s eve. I could smell food during the preparations and so I lost the appetite to eat! Resist temptation and learn to say NO. Remember that the most forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest!

4. Set reasonable goals and keep track! I wrote down my target weight loss, FAT and BMI % improvements set at the beginning of each week. I used to weigh myself every chance I get, at home and in the office (clinic). I got addicted to watching my weight and fat % J. But at least you have bathroom weighing scale at home so you can track your progress and be honest with yourself! Read truthfully how the numbers appear on the scale and work on it! Write down the figures every time you weigh, you’ll be proud of your progress!

5. Reward yourself! If it’s your special day, eat whatever and as much as you want! Savor your cheat day but hey, don’t make excuses, your officemate’s birthday is not a valid cheat day, you have how many officemates?!!!

And so, I was able to cross out that "2-pc swimsuit under the sun"!

I have all the bragging rights now!!! LOL