A gymbunny, I will be

It begun as a challenge. Deep in my eating disorder, I subsisted on an apple, or a carrot a day along with a dinner of a steamed fish. Understandably, I found myself gasping for a breath a mere 5mins. Two months into running, the 5.30pm runs had become routine and I started eating normally again.

Breezing through 4.8km, six days a week with ease, I remember being in a zone. Step after step into the gravel path and before I knew it, I was at the end of the running route. The evening begun no special than the one before, I hid my water bottle deep in scrubs and away from the lifting legs of the dogs that walked the route. I ran.

Close to the end, I noticed an elderly couple sitting on one of the benches that lined the trail. Thinking nothing of them, I made my way past them. As I jogged past them, I heard the man exclaim loudly in mandarin "Look at her legs, they are so UGLY! All the scars!"  In a second, I realised that he was talking about me. At the tender age of 16, I also had atopic ezema which flared up in the humid Singapore heat, being allegic to grass exacerbated the skin condition.

I remember my tears falling down my cheeks uncontrollably as I ran past them pretending that I did not understand a word of what they said. It is one thing to have an insecurity, it is another to have it pointed out to you in full view of everyone and their grandmother. I went home that evening and sobbed my eyes out. Sadly, all it took was one comment from an (im)perfect stranger for me to fall deeper into my condition and away from the one thing that kept me healthy.

I do not recall running outdoors ever since.

14 years later, here I am recounting this because, I need to get to the bottom of why running or any sort of race/outdoor activity scares me so much. It is amazing how powerful the mind is and what it can do.

Missed my favourite class on Saturday because, I was hurting from Thursday’s class still and, it was squat week. Gah! It seems my scale might have been on the fritz. The 1kg is back and, it is not going away. (more…)

For those in the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, weight loss, a better body, do you ever virtualise what you want to do when you reach your goal? I do, constantly and it keeps me motivated.

My list not in order of merit nor preference

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Let’s admit, it is not possible to be 100% 24/7. At some point, your will gives way to something greater than itself, usually in the form of demonic carbs – delectable cakes, lip smackingly good yellow rice with curry, Ibu Oka Babi Guling. I’m just sayin’

After a really good run of being consistent save for my birthday fiasco and a couple of other choice sabotages, I was set for the gorgeous blue crystal islands of Gili Trawangan. Made the choice to not eat 100% so, I’d try my darnest to do protein but, I was not going to worry my pretty head over it.

Came back from the isles, two shades darker and stayed true to tradition by falling ill so no gym for more than a week. Regardless of where I go, I always run a fever and flu on my first couple days or my last day. What a way to spoil things! On Monday, I had noticed that my skirts were looser but wasn’t sure if it was a figment of my imagination from staying in my swimmers for the last week.

Stayed away from the gym, I weighed in today at home and, the scale registered a loss – 1.8kg to be exact from my last gym weigh in. Definitely a 1.5kg loss because, 0.3kg is a decent flactuation. I hope my scale is not on the fritz! That said, I am not sure how I feel about losing weight when I am doing jack-all and eating crap. Yes, I am aware that it means that my body is much better at metabolising stuff but why does the results come only after I stop trying. Not a great reward for sticking to the plan, I tell you.

To cut to the chase, I’m back, bitch!

Weighed in today with a disappointing 1.2kg weight gain from Saturday AM. The weekend ALWAYS kills my weight loss. It is not possible to even "rest" from the mental strain of calorie/protein counting over the weekend.

I’d admit that I was not great over the weekend but, I was not bad either. For dinner today, I spied on fried wantons. Typically, I would have an iron clad resistance because good = weight loss but honestly, I don’t feel it justifies my sacrifice anymore.

In the end, I had two along with my steamed tofu and minced meat. This is exactly what I mean not bad. When I do cheat, it is not over deep fried chicken, tons of white bread or even fizzy cola, I have two measly fried wantons AND pair it with my extremely clean meat because I can’t afford to go uber indulgent. If I so much as smell it, I feel it on me.

Tuesday is my rest day but, I will hit the gym instead for some interval running or a BP class. Do women NEVER lose weight during that time of the month? It could be a reason but, I rather not use it as an excuse.

Bali is happening in two weeks and, I’d like to hit goal by then.

I constantly think about my rewards when I am at goal. One of the many "quirky" rewards I joke about is heading to my old (well, technically I am still a member) gym – California Fitness during PEAK hour, straight to the meathead section, load up the bar with weight after weight and proceed bench/squat/ deadlift some ridunklous weight!! My friend, M is in it too because, she’ll need to loan me her buff hubs who will spot me so I don’t smash my head/face in.

It is so funny, I definitely am looking forward to it. Silly what motivates us, isn’t it? While shopping with the girls the other day, I chanced upon a skirt I’d love to use when I’m a skinny fit minny. Hopefully with legs that appear like they can squat double my body weight (since I’m day dreaming visualising)

WIthout a puppy paunch, please?

Weighloss has been somewhat lack lustre this month due to unmentionable carb sabotage. That said, I am determined to get to my second mini-goal save for my durian debarcle this evening. 22g of carbs! REALLY!

E threw the gauntlet down, he wants me to make goal by the end of the month. If I manage to get there, I am allowed to skip the burpee portion of the work out. 

If you are at my gym, you will know that burpees = pain where the sun does not shine. To be given a free pass to skip it, is better than striking the lotto! Right now, I am about 2kg (4.4lbs) to go and it is definitely possible to reach this goal by 30 June! I’ll be re-starting the extra activity day either with skipping or class at CF (I’ve yet to decide)

Stay tuned!

Lately, I am been feeling frustrated at my effort at gym. On occasion, I feel as if I have regressed in terms of how much I have done and how much I can do. At today’s sesh, I had tremendous difficulty lifting a weight that I accomplished with relative ease three weeks prior. Even though I have been out of gym action two weeks in a row and had a new manicure in tow, I was still in disbelief at how tough it was.

Immediately, my head went to the "excuses, excuses, excuses" bin. Oh, it could be my manicure, it HAS to be my loss of muscle with being in HK coupled with being ill. As it turned out, it was my gloves. E had the experience to get me to attempt it without gloves. It was hindering me from getting a decent grip. For the love of whey, I could not lift the weight without having it slip through my palms past my gorgeous gel nails!

It saved me from a potentially demoralising situation. Absolutely detest how the mind works, so quick to put one’s self down. On Thursday, D2 encouraged me to beat my previous burpee record even by one and I did. My mind needs to learn not to give up as easily and push even though I don’t want to.

No more excuses. I want to push my weight loss out the window by working out harder and eating my absolute best!

Last Sunday, I celebrated the big 30! Quite honestly, a birthday that I have been dreading for all eternity. It signifies the end of my wild youth. No longer can I use age as a pre-cursory for detailing all my mistakes and all things incredibly daft.

In the same light, it was that dread that pushed me to do something about my weight. My goal was to drop 2 dress sizes by my birthday.  Being completely ill during my vacation eliminated the ability for me to work out while not eating clean. Surprisingly, I still lost weight though it might have well been muscle mass.

That said, I have fallen short of my goal. Accomplishing 1.5 sizes only thus far.

12 weeks is a decent time to access weight loss so, this week I am giving it my absolute all because, I have to make up for the last 10 days of illness and it’ll be a great indicator and motivator.

Wish me luck!

My goal reward if once I reach my goal, will be a TREK hybrid bicycle for pottering about.

Took a drive west and made it to Singapore’s only Nike Factory Outlet 

While it is not sprawling in comparison to the other Nike factory outlets I have been to (California, Perth etc), it is a substantial space for this city.

An awesome range of Nike products from clothes to footwear at truly outlet prices. During a sale, an average Nike dri fit sports bra will cost $35 (RP: $50) but, at the outlet, it goes for $28. There was a couple of items that are still in the regular sports stores that are available at the outlet for a great discount so, definitely stop by if you are in the area. 

 I left with a single item seeing how my HK trip is looming close and I need to keep my eye on my purse strings.

Nike Factory Outlet (Singapore)

West Coast Plaza

#01-63/66

Opening Hours: 11am -9pm

Tel: 6514 3125