…I find myself two steps back.
In simple words, I’ve gained a few pounds - “few” meaning seven (more + than - 2) fugly pounds.
I haven’t gone to the gym the whole month of May. The daily rains have become a wonderful excuse to stay home and work on my virtual farm instead of running. Just as I’ve planned to get back to my gym routine, house repairs began at home so I’d have to stay and watch the workers instead.
Haaaay…
This is the only reason I’m happy my kids start school in two weeks - being able to go back to the gym again. I actually look forward to seeing my gym buddies, though I know I’d get some ghastly looks and stabbing remarks (”Ang taaabaaaaa mo!!!!”).
But never mind. I’ve been there. And I’m sure I’ll be able to go back and conquer these seven fugly founds pounds. Baah. 
Photo of recalled Hydroxycut products (Click photo to read the FDA warning)
Early this month, the Food and Drugs Authority Administration (FDA) of the US recalled Hydroxycut products distributed by Iovate Health Sciences Inc. from the market and issued the warning that consumers must immediately stop using the diet pill.
The recall was done in the light of recent reports of adverse effects after using Hydroxycut-
The 23 reports of adverse effects include liver damage, elevated liver enzymes (which indicates potential liver damage) and liver damage requiring a transplant. A 19-year-old man died after using Hydroxycut. ( Source: WebMD. Read the article to see complete list of recalled Hyroxycut products. )
This is a reminder to all of us who want to lose weight that diet pills are really not the answer.
Hydroxycut claims to be a herbal supplement with fat-burning properties. We get the notion that herbal supplements, being plant-derivatives, are safe. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s out! *insert plurk banana dance here*
Women’s Health-Philippines Magazine’s May 2009 issue is out. And yours truly is featured in it. *blush*
Nope, that's not me. LOL
It’s quite timely, because seeing how relatively slim I was when the photos were shot in early March makes me want to lose weight again.
Before-after pics
Yes. Sadly, I’ve gained weight this summer! Darn it!
Blame it on the summer heat - it’s too hot to go to the gym or anywhere else. Blame it on household issues - I’ve only got one maid right now so I just can’t leave anytime. Blame it on the long Baguio vacation my family and I had - it was a blissful eat-sleep-lagalag break. Blame it on the summer heat talaga - there’s always ice cream in the freezer!
Blame it on… Read the rest of this entry »
Today I just realized that, two years ago, I would never have imagined myself running 5 kilometers. Back then, just going up a flight of stairs made me dizzy. My health was in such a bad shape.
So, I ran my first 5k race. And the official results are out. My official time is 32:12:89. Considering this is my first race, I am happy with my result. Next year, I am definitely joining the run again. And I will break 30.
Senator Pia Cayetano, herself a runner/triathlete, is an inspiring image! She is beautiful and healthy, a politician and a mother at the same time. She inspires me to keep running and being fit.
And the exhilaration that comes with running is a different high! It’s runner’s high, as they call it. It really does feel good. Running is something I know I will enjoy doing.
I think I’ve found my sport. 
Here are more photos from the event -
Read the rest of this entry »
On Sunday, March 29th, my alarm clock went off at 4:45 AM to wake me up… and hub …and iPatch …and VGood …and Nate.
My first race was going to be a family affair! 
We arrived at SM Mall of Asia just in time to see the crowd of runners getting thicker. last year, 2,000 runners joined the run. This year, I think there were more participants.
At around 6 AM, Senator Pia Cayetano got on the megaphone for the opening remarks. She then led the 5k and 10k racers at the starting line.
I started out great. The cool sea-salty morning breeze from Manila Bay made me feel great! I felt energetic. I felt I could conquer the world! Este, this 5k pala. Woohoo!!!
Read the rest of this entry »
I registered for the Pinay in Action All-Women Run last Saturday at Maxiworks-Bonifacio High Street. I got my race packet, which included a pretty pink tee and my race number -
So I guess this is for real, huh? I’m doing the 5k run - my first ever!
I’ve started running 5ks on the treadmill, and a few rounds at the village. I hope I am fit enough so at least I don’t finish last on Sunday.
For moral support, my whole family is going to wake up early, and go with me to MOA to cheer and take photos. *Awwwww!* I asked hubby if he wanted to join the race too, but he wasn’t up to it.
Wish me luck!
I saw the poster on the Bulletin Board at the gym last Friday.
I have been wanting to join a run lately, if just to test how far/fast I can go. Too bad I missed Takbo Para sa Kalikasan.
Though I run on the treadmill and occassionally go to U.P. to jog, I have never really done a run - as in a race. If ever, this is going to be my first. Any one of my girl friends want to run with me?
Here are the details:
DATE: March 29, 2009 (Sunday)
TIME: 6 a.m.
VENUE: SM Mall Of Asia
CONTACT IN CASE OF MORE QUERIES:
0927-4045187 / 0917-8554489 or pinayinaction@gmail.com
WEBSITE: www.pinayinaction.com
PRE-REGISTRATION SITE WITH RACE PACKETS will be held at Maxiworks Bonifacio High Street, and Maxiworks Rockwell.
PRE-REGISTRATION FEE: - Php 250.00
RACE DAY REGISTRATION FEE: (5a.m.) - Php 350.00
It’s an all-women run with 5k, 10k, and 1.6k routes. Men are also invited to register as long as they do so along with a woman. Visit the Pinay In Action website for more details.
Sige na, let’s go! Let’s run for the empowerment of women.
So you read here that interval sprint training has helped me lose 5 pounds in 6 weeks. So, you want to get started on the program?
Here’s a simple interval sprint training plan on the treadmill for beginners:
1. 5-10 minutes of warmup with moderate speed (about level 5-6)
2. 20 minutes of interval sprints. Increase the speed to high (level 10-11) and run (all-out!) for 15 seconds. Decrease speed to moderate (will feel like a brisk walk) to recover for 60 seconds. Repeat intervals over the 20-minute period.
3. Decrease speed to cooldown pace, about level 4-5. Allow yourself to recover and cool down for 5-10 minutes.
Reminders:
1. Wear proper shoe attire. Running shoes absorb shock more effectively so they’re a good choice for sprint training.
2. As in all forms of exercise, always do stretching exercises prior to workout.
3. Have water at your side, so you don’t interrupt yourself. You will get thirsty!
3. You will definitely be breathless during the sprints. That is the whole point. But if you feel chest pain, extreme difficulty in breathing, or pain in any other part of your body, stop. Get off the treadmill. It is probably wiser to see your doctor first.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to push yourself. If you know you can do it, and you do not have any medical conditions that should prevent you, go ahead and RUN. SPRINT TO FITNESS!
THAT is how I lost five fabulous pounds!
I first read about interval training on Women’s Health. The idea is to do more work (HIGH INTESITY) in less time (FAST SPEED).
Instead of walking the treadmill with moderate speed ( at 6, 7, or 8 km/h ) for 45 minutes, I now do 30-second all-out sprints (at 10-11 km/h) with one-minute rest periods in between FOR 20 MINUTES. I start with 5 minutes warmup and end with 5 minutes cooldown. Total time on treadmill is about 30 minutes.
I started doing this workout 3 times a week since early January, after coming back from my 1-month hiatus from the gym.
What are the benefits of doing interval sprints? Read the rest of this entry »
This post has been on draft mode for three weeks. hehe… Anyway, here it is. Since the false alarm, I have not felt anything that would disprove that it was indeed a false alarm. Whew.
~~~
Last week Three weeks ago, a false alarm went off that jolted me awake. I’m just too happy it was a false alarm.
Before anyone of you go speculating - NO, it wasn’t a pregnancy test!
End of October, I availed of the free annual physical examination at a medical clinic chain located in a major mall. The APE was part of my credit card’s benefits, a tie-up of sorts with the clinic. I had my urine and blood checked. Pap smear, chest x-ray, and an ECG done.
It was only last week three weeks ago that I had time to get the results. I wasn’t a bit worried, so I took my time getting them.
As expected, everything was okay. Except for the ECG results. It said I had “left anterior hemiblock… poor r-wave progression.” I still did not know what those meant, but the way they sounded were enough to raise my alarm.
I texted a classmate-MD, who said there may be some blocked arteries in the heart. Great. That’s very nice. When I got home, I couldn’t wait to google the terms up. But that did not bring any comfort either. The first thing I read about the findings is that they are the most usual sign found in those with myocardial infarction (MI). In English, MI is heart attack. Read the rest of this entry »
