A gymbunny, I will be

I had wanted to start this earlier in the year but, somehow could not get my will together. Christmas weekend is the realisation I needed for me to get this off the ground. Well informed of the inefficiencies of running as a method of cardio for weight loss, I still want to do this running programme because, I want to sign up, complete a 5K run before my 31st and kick ass while I am at it. Never been much of a sports person (shell shocking, I know!) Wally told me about the Couch to 5K running program which she started out with when she wanted to start training for the LA Marathon, and my aspirations are much lower. All I want to do is complete the 5K with a respectable time and without injury (which if you look at my running form, might be quite a challenge) I am a lazy runner which is compounded by the fact that I like to dream when I run and, I lose concentration of form, occasionally fall off the treadmill even or just trip on a rock.

Being the tech geek – I searched for an iPhone app which would help me with my goal. It comes with stretches to follow, you start your playlist, run the app and off you go! I brought along the Nike+ device because, I wanted to see if I can record the running information (stride, distance, speed) but of course, it didn’t work after lying dormant for abit and I was too sleepy to troubleshoot at 7.30am. Back to the C25K app, it runs for 9 weeks and by the end of 9 weeks, you should be able to run 30mins without stopping and effectively 5K. Sounds good to me!

Come Jan, I will be doing this and my regular "mad" gym with EJ. Interested in finding out the progress? Stay tuned!

W1D1 of C25K – It was easier than I had anticipated which amazes me because, I have come so far after working out for 6-7 months (I haven’t been to the gym in more than a month but I will be back in a couple days!) i remember doing a running programme similar to this, it was painful almost. At the end of 30mins with 10mins warm up/cooldown, I did 3K which is um, not great but not horrible either.

Talk is cheap. Isn’t it? I have been yammering about wanting to start a running programme and, doing zilcho about it. Decided to haul ass to my favourite running track with the cutest companion – Chutney, my 2 year old silky + jack russell terrier mix. I forgot to bring my Nike+ though so I couldn’t track how fast I was running or how much. Well,  I still had fun heading out though. Plus, it was my first time running with Chutney on an actual trail so, I spent most of the run trying to stop him from running into people. I never knew how many people are actually afraid of dogs. Irrationally afraid. Chutney is a squirt and yet, I found myself more than once holding myself back when they literally cower in fear. I mean, seriously. Do they see how small he is?

I wanted to do the entire stretch of the track but, I started late and I was afraid that it would get dark before I reached the end so I went half way and turned back. Now, I want to actually start my C25K programme.

June & July were not exactly smooth months in terms of work out with three vacation intermissions. It steals the momentum which I live on, I must admit.. Weight loss did still happen much to my surprise but, it has not been as productive as I presume it would have been if I had not strayed.

EJ crack their evil heads and come up with a challenging workout so, the routines (irony!) are hardly um, routine. July’s workout was made of the devil, it left me with aching and had me miss another session because, I simply could not get out of bed. Given that I have been working out consistently for the last 4 months, that says alot!

August’s routine seems compartively easier and since, I aced my Deutsch exams , I can now work out on Wednesdays too!

Enough of the foreplay

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Spent the weekend in Penang. Mother goose is HUGE on shopping so, invariably aside the food places..all I saw of Penang were the insides of malls. Specifically, two malls. The cheap asian in me only loves outlet shopping. All others, I could care less about. Three days, two malls and one sad panda (me). Had no choice but to take the opportunity to add a couple staples to my wardrobe. Found a gorgeous (i.e: cheap!) faux bustier top for work that was a size smaller than their biggest size. This is fitting into an ASIAN size, BIG deal for me! Walked into Forever 21 and fit into a regular L size t-shirt and a couple of L tops. It was a touch snug but, I could fit in it without someone yelling “GET A SIZE BIGGER, YO!” I walked away with nothing because, I did not like it.

Another revelation, not purchasing something with the sole reason that I disliked it even though I can a) fit into it and b) afford it. It will take me awhile to wrap my head around that one

Not me, image from Google Images

June was a particularly challenging month for me. For reasons unknown. Though if I could venture a guess I would say, birthday celebrations. A lot of festivities go on when one turns a decade. Discouraged, I skipped the weigh in and statistics update for June but I picked up the slack this month albeit a little early. I’ll do the measurement section over the weekend.

With hope that my scale is not nearing the end of it’s digital life, I weighed in with a 12kg total weight loss since March 16, 2009. That is a lovely 26.4lbs for the metric challenged folks!

Wow.

MONDAY

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On Sunday, I rushed over to W’s place so Marie & I could get some rays. Well, I wanted to get some swimming done because it has been a fair while since, I have gotten my toes wet. Wish I could have lazed around for more but I had to scoot for my next appointment. Busy weekends, what an irony.

I forgot how much I loved the water, swam the 12 laps before lazing about. Okay, so I lazed midway through my laps but I could have done it non stop. Next week! Maybe, M & W will be up to it again if not, I might head to my favourite East Coast condo for a swim instead. Absolutely have to remember to pack breakfast and a post work out snack cos’ being supremely hungry was a B%$^H

1. Hike  Make hiking a regular weekend activity.I love hiking, I live in a city so it is much welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle when I find myself on a trail. What I want is to be able to do the tougher trails without getting winded as easily

2. Cycle Cycle and love it. Cycled across San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. Loved it!

3. Tattoo Get the tattoo I’ve always wanted. The tattoo I want is in script and the most ideal place is the side of my torso or in between my back and, I’d have to be absolutely lithe to do it there.

4. Wear Wear a white bikini and look absolutely fabulous. Self explanatory, it will take a while to get there but, one step at a time!

5. Dive As a child, I loved the water. Pursuing my Open Water PADI is something I’ve always wanted to do but never had the opportunity to.

6. Use Finally use the gorgeous and hefty blue horn necklace I was given for my 28th birthday

7. Learn Be fluent in another language

8. Skate Learn to inline skate. Or at least try.

9. Dance Take a proper dance class. I’d like to be able to dance proper. Like wedding dance, type of proper.

10. Climb Rock climb. Or at least try. Tried the Border X Via Ferrata course, it was the single most terrifying and satisfying experience ever.

11. Ride A wake, that is. Wake boarding sounds like it would be insanely exciting. Sign me up!

MONDAY

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