A month ago, I decided to get myself back into working out. I've decided that "working out" is not enough, and to really get serious about my diet and exercising in order to reach my goal of losing the flabby stomach.
I know that I'm not fat or need to lose a lot of weight. I just want to get into shape and get a flat stomach. People see that I have a small frame, and think I'm "skinny". I am skinny compared a lot of people since more than 25% of the US population is overweight now, but no way am I in shape. Most of the time, my stomach fat hides well under my clothing and people don't notice.
I had always liked physical outdoor activities like hiking and swimming, but I was never consistent in doing it all the time. I think college was when I noticed my stomach fat, but I used school and my part-time job as a "reason" not to be active. After graduating college, I was still never really serious about getting in shape. Being lazy and scared made me not pursue it seriously. I gave myself excuses for not exercising like being busy or that my stomach isn't that bad. Also, I was scared. I loved food too much and I wasn't ready to give up the joy of eating. I didn't want to give up delicious foods, snacks, and of course my favorite, which are desserts. I knew that getting into shape required serious dieting--eating what I use to think as "rabbit food" (blah foods) and consistent exercising.
However, I think I'm finally ready to give it a shot, and slowly incorporate a healthier diet and exercise into myself lifestyle. In a way, I think it's torture not being able to eat foods that I want, but they say no pain, no gain. No one said it would be easy.
Things I'm doing to help with diet & exercise:
-Being aware of the foods I'm eating and their calories
-Eating only three meals a day (sometimes snacks in between), which for me means cutting out my "midnight snack" meal.
-Drinking more water and green tea, and less coffee.
-Eating oatmeal, which I wouldn't have done before, but apple cinnamon flavored oatmeal I can do.
-Eating less rice (which is hard being Chinese)
-Watching the portion control, especially with snacks that I sometimes let myself eat
-Joined Dailymile in order to keep track of my workouts (Joining a group that exercises motivates me to exercise more)
-Working out at least 4 times a week. (My friend says that thinking of exercise as part of a job will force yourself to do it more)
-Watching "Lose It With Jillian" for inspiration.
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Are you a food restricter or permitter quiz.
8.04.2010
7.25.2010
Night fall
I find night fall being very interesting. It seems that things change so much from day to night. It's lively, yet also quiet, and mysterious.
On one end of the spectrum, night gives a city its livelihood and brings fun into people's lives with activities such as dinner, club, bars, karaoke. Some people can't wait for happy hour where they can relax, relieve some stress, and where the fun happens. Music, dancing, food, and alcohol awaits you. People drop the hustle and bustle mood and let loose. Have you ever noticed that people tend to sit and talk longer during dinner than they would if they had lunch together?
Night also brings tranquility that daytime doesn't. It's when the sky is dark, and the moon and stars are out. Some people may choose to go night fishing, take a stroll on the beach, or driving up the mountain to see the city lights. Others are asleep. Have you ever looked up at the starry night sky..........and just wonder?
For me, night is when my mind is the most clear, and also when I am able to write the best. It's when everyone is asleep and all I can hear is myself typing and the cars passing along the boulevard. All my thoughts seem to come together more as I'm free from distractions and noise.
(Night also seems to be the time when the roaches and geckos in my house come out)
On one end of the spectrum, night gives a city its livelihood and brings fun into people's lives with activities such as dinner, club, bars, karaoke. Some people can't wait for happy hour where they can relax, relieve some stress, and where the fun happens. Music, dancing, food, and alcohol awaits you. People drop the hustle and bustle mood and let loose. Have you ever noticed that people tend to sit and talk longer during dinner than they would if they had lunch together?
Night also brings tranquility that daytime doesn't. It's when the sky is dark, and the moon and stars are out. Some people may choose to go night fishing, take a stroll on the beach, or driving up the mountain to see the city lights. Others are asleep. Have you ever looked up at the starry night sky..........and just wonder?
For me, night is when my mind is the most clear, and also when I am able to write the best. It's when everyone is asleep and all I can hear is myself typing and the cars passing along the boulevard. All my thoughts seem to come together more as I'm free from distractions and noise.
(Night also seems to be the time when the roaches and geckos in my house come out)
7.12.2010
Dear future husband,
The old me would have had this long list for you to fulfill before I actually consider you to be my future husband. However, although I still do keep a mental list in my mind, I've realized that only some of them are the important qualities that you need to be my future husband.
I don't ask that you are tall, handsome, rich, educated, or successful. I do ask though that you are taller than me, decent-looking, have a steady job, and strive to be better in the future. I don't ask that you put me as solely #1 in your life in relation to work, family, etc, but for you to at least make me feel special in your life.
I'm pretty friendly once you get to know me, but I'm not quite the social butterfly in large groups of people I don't know. I'm an introverted person, so I hope that you would be more extroverted than I am and bring me out of my shell. I would love to enjoy and experience life, so I hope you like to travel and try different things in the future. People say I'm strong and independent, but in actuality I want a shoulder to lean on too and I'm a closet hopeless romantic. I love sunsets, walks on the beach, stargazing, and I sometimes get teary in happy endings of chick flicks. I would love to receive flowers to feel special just like any other female, but please don't get me roses. At least, not common color roses. After all, I am supposed to be special in your life, so I would expect the flowers to be special as well. Perhaps blue roses or hydrangeas?
I have a major weakness for desserts and scarves, so I hope that you can deal with that. :) For some odd reason, I seem to think I can never have too many scarves....when really I live in Hawaii and can't possibly use them all. And while I'm sort of on the topic, future husband, you better have some fashion sense--or I guess I will have to teach you. I mean, after all, I was a fashion major in college, so my other half would have to have some fashion knowledge.
What do I have to offer you may think? Hmm... well, I don't know to cook too well, but I can if I want to. Maybe it's the Chinese in me. A little bit of this and little bit of that and the dish seems to turn out well. I am fine with doing dishes and laundry, but you'd need to take out the trash. I'm also a good bookeeper (....like I said, I'm Chinese) and I can give good massages.
I hope not having kids won't be a deal breaker for you. I'm still not sure how I feel about kids yet. They've never seemed to have phased me. Sometimes I wonder if growing up as an only child had anything to do with it.
So that's me in a nutshell for you, future husband. Overall, I think the most important thing is that we have a special connection and that I can feel like I'm special and important when I'm with you.
Your future wife,
AW
P.S. I would like at least a 1 carat engagement ring. I currently work in a jewelry store, so you can definitely get a discount. Also, it wouldn't be right for me to work in a jewelry store and have people see that I wear less than a 1 carat, right? :)
I don't ask that you are tall, handsome, rich, educated, or successful. I do ask though that you are taller than me, decent-looking, have a steady job, and strive to be better in the future. I don't ask that you put me as solely #1 in your life in relation to work, family, etc, but for you to at least make me feel special in your life.
I'm pretty friendly once you get to know me, but I'm not quite the social butterfly in large groups of people I don't know. I'm an introverted person, so I hope that you would be more extroverted than I am and bring me out of my shell. I would love to enjoy and experience life, so I hope you like to travel and try different things in the future. People say I'm strong and independent, but in actuality I want a shoulder to lean on too and I'm a closet hopeless romantic. I love sunsets, walks on the beach, stargazing, and I sometimes get teary in happy endings of chick flicks. I would love to receive flowers to feel special just like any other female, but please don't get me roses. At least, not common color roses. After all, I am supposed to be special in your life, so I would expect the flowers to be special as well. Perhaps blue roses or hydrangeas?
I have a major weakness for desserts and scarves, so I hope that you can deal with that. :) For some odd reason, I seem to think I can never have too many scarves....when really I live in Hawaii and can't possibly use them all. And while I'm sort of on the topic, future husband, you better have some fashion sense--or I guess I will have to teach you. I mean, after all, I was a fashion major in college, so my other half would have to have some fashion knowledge.
What do I have to offer you may think? Hmm... well, I don't know to cook too well, but I can if I want to. Maybe it's the Chinese in me. A little bit of this and little bit of that and the dish seems to turn out well. I am fine with doing dishes and laundry, but you'd need to take out the trash. I'm also a good bookeeper (....like I said, I'm Chinese) and I can give good massages.
I hope not having kids won't be a deal breaker for you. I'm still not sure how I feel about kids yet. They've never seemed to have phased me. Sometimes I wonder if growing up as an only child had anything to do with it.
So that's me in a nutshell for you, future husband. Overall, I think the most important thing is that we have a special connection and that I can feel like I'm special and important when I'm with you.
Your future wife,
AW
P.S. I would like at least a 1 carat engagement ring. I currently work in a jewelry store, so you can definitely get a discount. Also, it wouldn't be right for me to work in a jewelry store and have people see that I wear less than a 1 carat, right? :)
7.03.2010
21 days...
They say that it takes 21 days to form a habit. Well, I am deciding to continue my New Year's resolution of exercising. A while back, I bought an elliptical and was excited about it. Then, the excitement only lasted a month and half or so and wore out. I stopped exercising and was focusing on other stuff. Now, I'm going to try to start exercising again. My goal is to exercise for at least 30 minutes for four times a week, which only equates to 2 hours/week, but it's a start.
I also have a ongoing bet for this. The Chinese in me gives me more motivation to do this as I don't want to lose the money (though it's not much). Also, it's to prove to myself that I can do it if I put my mind to it.
I also have a ongoing bet for this. The Chinese in me gives me more motivation to do this as I don't want to lose the money (though it's not much). Also, it's to prove to myself that I can do it if I put my mind to it.
6.21.2010
Your actions, your attitude...............Your life
"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it."
I've thought about the above quote a lot lately, especially when I see people around me being the way I was a few months ago. I can tell that they're unhappy, miserable, and that something in their life isn't going the way they'd like it to be. I've been in the same situation so I wonder if these people are actually doing anything about their situation. I'm not actually close to some of these people, but a lot of the times I see their Facebook statuses are depressing, complaining, or always about this one thing they haven't obtained which he or she feels like it's only thing important in their life. You know what? It's not.
It took me a while to get myself out of my own rut. I finally decided to take real action when I realized I sort of caused my own unhappiness. I wasn't where I wanted to be and I realized it was because it was my own damn fault--no one else's. No one is going to live your life except you. People will empathize your situation, but in the end, you're the only one who will be miserable because you will have to deal with the situation you're in.
Of course, things aren't always in our control. We can try to change something, but it's not always up to us. The important thing though, is trying, and still having a positive attitude when things don't turn out the way we want it to be. Falling down is okay; people just need to learn how to pick themselves up.
I've thought about the above quote a lot lately, especially when I see people around me being the way I was a few months ago. I can tell that they're unhappy, miserable, and that something in their life isn't going the way they'd like it to be. I've been in the same situation so I wonder if these people are actually doing anything about their situation. I'm not actually close to some of these people, but a lot of the times I see their Facebook statuses are depressing, complaining, or always about this one thing they haven't obtained which he or she feels like it's only thing important in their life. You know what? It's not.
It took me a while to get myself out of my own rut. I finally decided to take real action when I realized I sort of caused my own unhappiness. I wasn't where I wanted to be and I realized it was because it was my own damn fault--no one else's. No one is going to live your life except you. People will empathize your situation, but in the end, you're the only one who will be miserable because you will have to deal with the situation you're in.
Of course, things aren't always in our control. We can try to change something, but it's not always up to us. The important thing though, is trying, and still having a positive attitude when things don't turn out the way we want it to be. Falling down is okay; people just need to learn how to pick themselves up.
5.31.2010
Thank you, TIME mag
I saw this article earlier this week from TIME magazine about the 50 worst inventions. I was so glad that TIME had wrote this article. For the longest time, I've shuddered at the sight of people wearing crocs and dumb shutter shades. Some may argue that crocs are comfortable. Sure they are, but do they have to be so ridiculously ugly? Those things should be left at home. As for the shutter shades, it's ugly and serve no purpose whatsoever. End of story. I'm glad a reputable source thinks it's a total fashion faux pas as well.
5.21.2010
Saying "no"....
Darn. It looks as if I've been slacking off once again in posting two blogs a month. Guess I'll have to cram another one in some time next week.
To help or not to help is the question. It's been something I've been struggling for a while, both at work and outside of work.
Previously, reps at work would ask me to do things that were not part of my duty that I would have to go out of my way to do or would often ask me to re-send things to them because they were too unorganized or busy to keep track of things I sent them. Before, I would be frustrated, but would shut my mouth and help them. Later, I realized, the more I did this, the more they would not do things and their own and instead take advantage of my help. I got fed up, especially when I was already busy to begin with that later learned to say "no" sometimes, and stand up for myself.
Outside of work though, is another story. I find it hard to say "no" to some people, especially when a friend is asking for help. Why? Well, for one, I like helping others because it helps me too. It helps me validate my existence and makes me feel useful that I'm able to help someone else. Another reason is that I believe friendships are a two-way street. One day my friend might need help, but another day it might be me. I want my friends to be able to go to me for help, and for them to know that they can count on me, and also know that they will do the same if I needed help.
However, one downfall about being there to help others is that it detracts me away from my time. Sometimes I have things that I want to get done, but instead I find myself caught in a dilemma of whether I should help a friend or do something that I wanted to get done. *sigh* What to do?
To help or not to help is the question. It's been something I've been struggling for a while, both at work and outside of work.
Previously, reps at work would ask me to do things that were not part of my duty that I would have to go out of my way to do or would often ask me to re-send things to them because they were too unorganized or busy to keep track of things I sent them. Before, I would be frustrated, but would shut my mouth and help them. Later, I realized, the more I did this, the more they would not do things and their own and instead take advantage of my help. I got fed up, especially when I was already busy to begin with that later learned to say "no" sometimes, and stand up for myself.
Outside of work though, is another story. I find it hard to say "no" to some people, especially when a friend is asking for help. Why? Well, for one, I like helping others because it helps me too. It helps me validate my existence and makes me feel useful that I'm able to help someone else. Another reason is that I believe friendships are a two-way street. One day my friend might need help, but another day it might be me. I want my friends to be able to go to me for help, and for them to know that they can count on me, and also know that they will do the same if I needed help.
However, one downfall about being there to help others is that it detracts me away from my time. Sometimes I have things that I want to get done, but instead I find myself caught in a dilemma of whether I should help a friend or do something that I wanted to get done. *sigh* What to do?
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