Hump Day

The heat makes me exhausted! I have chugged liters of water, and still... I feel tired and famished. This week, I haven't done any workouts and exercises other than walking to the market and hopping on to the elliptical machine every now and then.


Third day of my week-long salad project, and I am still having the usual combinations - lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I still like how it taste like, but to make today's salad a little interesting, I also cooked some Cheese and Bell Pepper Sticks to add a little texture. Well, some salads do include cheese and bell pepper, and because I normally eat these sticks with aioli dip, I figured I'd just add it to my salad so I won't have to prepare another dip... I can just use the salad dressing and still eat my veggies. It was good, by the way. :)

What's not that good though, was the dressing. It says "Caesar" on the label, but it doesn't taste like the last Caesar salad dressing I bought. Good thing this came in little packs, so once I consumed all of it, I can go back to the old brand I bought - but that would mean going to the Sidcor Weekend Market to buy it. Sounds like a good plan, as I do want to continue eating salads after this project is over, but will not concentrate on these usual ingredients... I am now browsing through all our magazines to collect salad recipes. Thankfully, one news program featured a salad recipe and I will go ahead and prepare it tomorrow.

Yesterday, I had two temptations: lunch time, I saw a bowl of Binagoongang Baboy (pork with fermented shrimp paste) on the table, but I was happy to get past through the temptation because I cooked squids for my own lunch. Dinnertime, brother cooked Pinapaitan (an Ilocano dish made up of innards and seasoned with cow's bile) and hearing them slurp the piping hot broth nearly drove me crazy. Still, I was able to set the temptation aside because brother was kind and thoughtful enough to cook some fish for me.

The salad pictured above was my breakfast and lunch. Upon waking up, I took the initiative to do the laundry because it's Maundy Thursday tomorrow and although we weren't strict with Catholic traditions, I respect the occasion. I decided to finish all tasks today (which was why I blogged late), so that from tomorrow 'til Saturday, we can spend time joining some activities (like processions, etc) if there is one. Sister is thinking of going to Quiapo Church tomorrow, and should I decide to come with her, at least I have done everything before I go out. Just an hour ago, brother steamed some cupcakes (we don't have an oven so we steam our cupcakes) and I had the pleasure to eat two. For dinner, I will go ahead and eat rice, because I don't know... it might be a psychological thing, but I feel dizzy and my head hurts a little, and some say it might be because I haven't eaten rice yet. Well, since I haven't spend all my allowed calories, I think I do deserve a little rice indulgence, too. :)

Last night, I received a phone call from an ex-boyfriend (the one from Dumaguete). After the usual hi, hello, how are you thingies, he sort of asked me on a date should he travel here in Manila. Well, that's still an uncertainty, but what made me laugh hard was when he told me, "You should be sexy then, okay?" Actually, that was just a joke, because we've known each other since 2001, and since then, weight has been our biggest hurdle. He would often scold me (even after the breakup) whenever I tell him I am trying to lose weight (yeah, I always fail), so he just wanted to motivate me... sort of. Well, he did say, if I hit my target weight on my birthday next year, he will gladly sponsor me a round trip ticket to Dumaguete with 2 days accommodation at any hotel I choose. Sounds like a good motivation. 

Spring Means New Life. Hello, Monday!

It's a very hot summer here in the Philippines, but I like to believe that the country still goes through all many seasons, even if there are basically just two main seasons. For instance, it can get very cold during December 'til January, and it feels spring come February. Though very short of a period as summer comes in March, it is still a month to celebrate many things.

those aren't leaves.... but flowers. trees blossoming every february. awesome!

10 Things I Love About Spring:

1. It's synonymous to having a new life... or turning over a new leaf.
2. Life is just full of positivity.
3. Renewed spirits.
4. Everything just feels so light.
5. Pastel colors!
6. Letting go of negative vibes and embracing changes.
7. Fiery sunsets.
8. Flowers all over.
9. Exercising is much easier.
10. It makes you anticipate for summer. :)

- * - * - * - 

Like I said, it is summer now... and temp is just way too hot today. Weekend, there were rains (with lightning and thunder), so today was a total opposite scenario. It gives me headaches, and after this post, I will take a time off to cool down before I hop on the elliptical machine. New week, new things to say hello to:


Hello, Instagram!
Hahahaha... finally. Yesterday, sister and I went to the mall to pay the Internet bill, and I also took the time to buy a new memory card for my phone. While having early dinner / last pig-out (for a while) at Ristorante Bigoli, I used their free WiFi to download some apps from the Google Play Store. First choice is Instagram (I think this is the reason why I wanted to own an Android phone), then sister requested I install Fruit Ninja (a game), too. The WiFi signal was quite weak, but I was able to do the things I "needed" to know... another plus point for this phone. :)

I only have two pictures on my Instagram page, I admit I still have to buy a router so I can fully use this app... even if I can login on Instagram using my netbook, I can't upload any pictures.


Hello, Salad Days!
I like to say I like salads, but because I never really got used to eating it, it is something I need to work on. Don't get me wrong.... I love having lettuce on my sandwiches, and I order salads every now and then, but it is not something that comes natural - like rice. Before, we bought some greens at the Sidcor weekend market, and didn't get to eat much of it. This week, my sister is going for detox (I don't know what program she's going for)... and because it's already the Holy Week for us Catholics, we are encouraged to give up something. For me, I am going to give up meat (pork, chicken, goat, and beef - including processed meats) this week, and will go for salads for dinner... giving up rice for dinner, too.

Yesterday, part of my bonding time with sister is buying stuff at the supermarket, too. Most of the fruits are hers (but we share the lemon and the papaya), the veggies are all mine. I also bought some packs of prepared salad dressings as I still don't know how to make my own dressing and vinaigrette, but I made sure I bought the small packs, so I can use less of it.

For lunch today, I had fried tofu and a bowl of salad consisting of lettuce (I looooooove romaine, by the way, cucumbers (minus the seeds), and a little caesar salad dressing a tablespoon of grated cheddar cheese. I loved it...and I think this is a great avenue for me to appreciate salad totally.

This week, I am saying hello to file burning, too! Time to secure copies of precious photo files! And one last hello to tomatoes... I just planted the seeds, hopefully they grow... because our next door neighbor has this one tomato plant and it has a fruit now! Wow! :)



Hello, Monday!

Baguio City Trip, Day 2

I was ready to sleep by 11:30pm, but my phone rang. It was my dear friend DeeJay who shared stories about the Fun Run activities he has done. He told me he's joining a Fun Run this March and would like me to join, too. He's aiming for 21K (as he successfully finished 10K on his last run), but he said he would be happy if I could join even if I'd run the 5K. That means I have to start training.


I called it a night at 1am, and because I was lacking sleep the last few days, I only turned off the alarm at 6am and went back to bed. I regret not taking a peek out of my window - I missed a great sunrise view, which Iris and Jen managed to capture.

Anyway, our day started at 8:30am when we had breakfast at the hotel. by 9:30am, we were already at SM City Baguio for the Ceremonial Tree Planting. SM City Baguio through SM Cares is currently doing the "Green Road to 50,000 Trees" and marked the planting of 30,000th tree a milestone in their three year period project. This was the main purpose of us traveling to Baguio City, and I was very blessed to be asked to attend this. I wasn't actually the one invited...but the the one who got invited couldn't attend and planned to pass this to my cousin Marge, who passed it to me.


Celebrities present at the event were Cosplay Sisters - Alodia and Ashley Gosiengfiao, Ms. Earth (Air) Stefany Stefanowitz, and Sam Concepcion. After the tree planting, there were a few minutes break and seeing my chance, I asked the Gosiengfiao sisters for a photo-op.


One funny, but nice blessing came after...I admit my camera's shutter is proving to be difficult to use. Iris was asking us to hold for more pictures, when Ms. Earth (Air) came to us, asking Iris for one more picture because she wanted to join in. Somehow in that particular instance, I felt I was a celebrity. Hahahaha.


The program was short, but fun filled. Right after, we all went to Good Shepherd Convent to buy pasalubong, and while waiting for our companions, Iris, Jen, and I went back to Session Road to find this particular signage. Jen spotted this the night before and we found "Taiyaki" funny. We wanted to buy some, but there were a lot of orders and we were rushing, so we could only imagine how it taste like.

It was 9pm when I finally reached home. It was indeed a very short trip, but very memorable. It was a pleasure spending time with Iris and Jen... and even if I used up all my 1000 pesos pocket money for this trip (I bought quite a lot of goodies to take home), I am considering this one of the most memorable trips I've had.

- * - * - * -

Going back to DeeJay's invitation to do the Fun Run...

I am now set to prepare for it, and will go to the gym tomorrow to learn the basics of using the treadmill. Of course, I'd still do the things I have to do for Monday (using the dumbbells). Wish me luck!

Shopping at Sidcor Weekend Market

Making a very quick post to share this:


This morning, the whole family went to Sidcor Weekend Market (Centris, Quezon City). We don't have any particular reason why... we just thought about it and went there.

Mom bought most of the veggies, because she packs lunch at work. Brother bought the lettuce and the salad dressing, while I bought the watermelon, green beans, cucumber and the foccacia bread. The bread I bought because I set myself to do at least one recipe per week and unfortunately it's been a while since I last tested a recipe. The green beans were thinner than the usual green beans we have here, and I bought these because I want to just steam them and maybe add some garlic sauce to go with it.

I wasn't able to go to the gym today to inquire about my membership, but I am happy to say that my brother is now going to accompany me. Gym is a big transition for me and I feel such a baby to ask him to be with me, but then, I just wanted to get myself familiarized with the gym stuff with someone rather than be totally alone.

K is going to be here in a few months... I need to get myself ready.

I'm Ready!

Hello, hello!

Today is the last day of January and it meant I wasted a whole full month again. I won't mind the negative stuff for now, and be thankful that tomorrow's a new month, a time to start yet again. It now sounds funny that I always start again...but I am giving myself some credit for still hanging on, for still wanting to try again, for not completely giving up. I know, it will be difficult to start again, but I don't want to have any regrets again.

Goals are still the same - lose 5lbs by the end of the month and strictly follow the schedules, but of course, given some circumstances, I know I can't do everything as I have to do other things, too. I plan to devote Mondays and Thursdays for toning the arms (means I will use the dumbbells), tone the legs and buns every Tuesdays and Fridays, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays, I will work on my back area. Time management will be the most difficult to do as I work, blog, and watch a movie a day, too, but I am already making a schedule that would allow me to do everything I need to do.

Tomorrow's Friday, meaning it's Legs and Buns day.  I will start the day doing a morning walk and jog at Colinas Verdes, do Hip Hop Abs, 8 Minute Legs workout (which I saw on YouTube), and the exercise I share here sometime back.

As for the diet, no drastic change, but I will continue eating fish and vegetables for now as I still don't feel like eating beef and pork after attending the events last weekend. I feel thankful that guests were served a whole lot of meat dishes during the wedding and the baptism receptions that I got tired eating meat dishes. I ate Hawaiian Pizza last Tuesday, but I immediately threw it up because my tummy can't seem to handle it. No matter how I tried not to throw it up, I can't control my body. I see that as a positive thing - because I don't have to force myself to eat healthy, my body is craving for healthy food. Since I got home, I am always eating fish and veggies, and I am eating less rice, too. I don't know what my weight is, I will find out tomorrow.

So yes, I am ready! No need to beg February to be nice to me... I will make sure I make this month count.

Before I sign out, let me just share this:


Very nice, eh?

My mom came home today with a copy of Becky Crocker "Cookbook for Women," and although most of the recipes  I can't cook because ingredients aren't readily available here in the Philippines, but what I liked about are the pages devoted to healthy eating and healthy living. I will read the pages before I sleep tonight, and try to share it here. Thank you mom, for buying this one.

See you all tomorrow!

A Fresh Start

Yes. I think all of us deserve a fresh start, and it is something that I am doing just now. I still am struggling taking that first step as I tend to just don't care about many things ("so what if I am fat" that sort of thing), but even if I have a lot of superficial reasons why I want to lose weight, main reason for me doing this is for my health. The time I was in La Union, I had a conversation with my diabetic aunt and she told me that one of my cousins is already having elevated blood sugar. He's still not diabetic, but they're monitoring his activities and food intake to prevent himself having the disease that seems too rule our family. This cousin of mine is very fit - he plays basketball when he has the chance, he's not fat at all, but I guess it has something to do with genetics and food he's eating. This conversation frightened and worried me a bit because I am obese with very minimal to no fitness program (since I stumbled a block) and is eating more than the usual. I am a very good candidate for diabetes, and I seriously don't want that. When I started losing weight last year, I told myself I will eat what I want to eat, but will minimize my portion. If I don't work and eventually get diabetes, that means I would have to give up a lot of food, and that would be depressing. :)

Like what I have said, I do have a lot of superficial reasons why I am starting again. I already mentioned that two of my cousins are getting married early next year (one in January, one in February). Another reason is this possibility of my friend K traveling to the Philippines mid next year, and even if he's one person who doesn't really care if I am thin or fat, I just want to have this sense of change in my body when we go on a holiday again. It's been two years since he last traveled here, I don't want him to see that nothing has changed in the last two years despite my attempts.


As for motivation, I finally found the dress! When I started this blog, I have wanted to share this dress. Inspired by a tradition in the TV Series "The Biggest Loser," I wanted to wear this dress when I hit my goal weight of 150lbs. I am not sure if that would fit me when I reach that weight, but I really want to wear this dress! This is my sister's, actually. She wore this maybe two or three times, then she didn't care much about the dress anymore (maybe because it shows quite a lot of breast meat). When she wore this the first time I have loved the dress, even complimented my sister looking so pretty wearing it. The picture on the right was taken by our late father. I don't know how much I weigh that time, and I also can't tell if I am the same size or I am fatter or thinner now. Anyway, I kept the dress now, and will take it out on Christmas next year. I will do my everything to make sure I will wear that dress when we celebrate Christmas 2013.



Yesterday, I weighed myself. Reading came out at 212lbs., which meant I gained 2 more pounds after my last trip. However, readings are quite inaccurate, as when I weighed myself this morning it read 210lbs. Now I don't know what my actual weight is, so let's just put it at 211lbs. :) I also measured myself, but I won't share the digits as I am still in denial of what I found out. I will just share them in months to come. :)

I might be starting again, but there won't be much changes in the routines as it was actually effective in helping me lose weight. I have now listed a schedule (which I think I have shared a few months ago) to distribute exercise routines, as I surely can't do it all at once. Gym is still something I hope to try, but maybe I will just do that come next year, to change up things.

Re-reading The Beck Diet Solution, I came across Day 4 lesson, "Give yourself a credit." Most of the money I have saved in my "credit account" has used up, and the remaining amount I kept in a "piggy bank." I don't intend to use it anymore (will consider it my own treasure) and will have a new one. :) What am I saving up for? A Mt. Pulag trip once I reach my goal weight. It has been a dream of mine and I figured it would be a very awesome gift for myself for all the work I did. That credit account will also be used to give myself rewards every time I lose 10lbs. These rewards aren't lavish and definitely not food related, but because I have already vowed not to shop for clothes, footwear, and bags 'til I reach 180lbs. (but allow me to buy myself a dress for Christmas), giving myself rewards for every 10lbs lost will be a great confidence and morale boost.

Right now, there is one thing that I am very fond of - nail polish. I am restricting myself to buy new bottles of nail polish as I still haven't used the nearly 10 bottles of nail polish I bought recently, so I will use this as some sort of reward as well. Every Sunday, I will post my 10 goals for the coming week, and if I do everything, I will reward myself with a bottle of nail polish. Just a bottle, because I only get to share my NOTW on my other blog every Saturdays, so no need to buy multiple bottles. It's a win-win situation, really... as if I want to feed my other blog with nail polish related posts, I have to do my goals for the week. If I missed one thing, no nail polish for me, and that would make my other blog sad. :)

Monday and Tuesday this week I used to contemplate - talking to myself and feed my mind the things I need to do. I know it sounds a little shallow, that all I have to do for this new beginning is to take the first step, but I don't want to reach a halt anymore, and with that I figured I gotta prepare my mental and emotional state as well. It is actually working - taking pictures of my motivations, writing my thoughts, re-reading my blog - so tomorrow I will take my first step. No actual amount of weight to lose this month (as it's 10 more days 'til the month ends); I just want to get going and see the changes as I go. Of course, I will update the weight come December 1.



Oh, just for fun...the other day I posted a picture of the 10 shirts/blouses I bought from not-so-distant past that I haven't worn yet. Well, I tried them on and about 7 still fits me because the fabric is stretchable, but no way will I wear these in my current body frame because it just hugged my body and shows every bulge and curves I have. I took these pictures above for a before-and-after post, coming by the first day of 2013.

Here's to a brand new start!