Wednesday, January 2, 2008

You could be a model. It's too bad you're not sexy.


...is the feasting over?

Goodness, have gained pounds around my waist and thighs. Might take time again before I lose these bulges. *sobs* Just look at this ... Grrr



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There's a very simple solution to protruding lower abdomen, actually. So, for girls out there who have developed excesses around the midsection after the holidays, you might be interested to read what advice I am to share.

Simple. Buy a skip rope. It promises a burn rate of 1300 cal/hour. It is an effective cardio work out and is said to be one of the best ways there is to burn fat. Like jumping at a moderate speed (70 to 120 turns/min) for at least 15 mins can burn around 150 to 200 calories. It's better to start with a lil heavy jump rope, though. Then, eventually, you can use the light one just for maintenance.



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They say, if you want to burn fat faster, you can combine jump rope with push up and squat. Or, with run-in-place and squat. Squat is important for girls to get rid of the unwanted fat on the inner thigh. Since, it's impossible to target a specific area where fats are concentrated, cardio work out is the best option. Jump rope is my best bet.

Of course, at first, you can only do about a few jumps or a few seconds jumping. That's just fine. You can do skip rope, squat and run-in-place alternately until your muscles have adjusted or when your stamina has improved. Just do this regularly or at least 3 times a week. But, if you want faster result, then, get serious with it.

Oh, you can also do, skip rope and hoola hoop. That's more like playing, right? There are still more alternatives to burn fat like badminton, walking, running, basketball, aerobic exercises, dancing, etc. You can even opt to go to a gym nearby. Anything, but, of course...all require discipline. So, if you don't have it, then there's no hope for you.

There's another aid that might help -- Spanx. It's more of hiding the bulges when you have to wear tight clothing. Am not sure but if it works like the waist trimmer (a rubberized something that is wrapped around the breadbasket)..maybe it might help. Waist trimmer belt heats midsection and is said to increase blood flow. Best to use when jogging or doing any physical workout.

(Maybe, you might want to try Xenical or Xando. There's another one, Zhen de Zhou.)

However, none of what I have suggested will work without discipline. So, it helps if you control your food intake. Choose healthy snacks and meals. Drink plenty of water and keep moving. Healthy lifestyle is the key to a fit body. *wink*


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I have always been offended by the song that says, 'Everything is beautiful in its own way.' If everything is beautiful, then the word 'beautiful' has no meaning. If everything were purple, there would be no word 'purple' in the language because it would not distinguish one thing from another."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~







Tuesday, January 1, 2008

If you wake up at a different time in a different place, could you wake up as a different person?


Up to the last minute of 2007, everything had been all about FOOD.

After my previous post, there had been sequels of food trip. Each time, I'd said, "after this...I won't eat anymore." Easier uttered as always. Especially, when it's about eminently piquant dishes. Food was something like running after me. They're ubiquitous... unfortunately for me. Hah. Sound like I didn't enjoy. Well, how about those moments of non-stop masticating, huh? Guilt just come after...habitually. A bit too late.

Here's our KR spree...



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Now, you see it...



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...now you don't



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tempting



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hmm yum



...there were still more food frolic after but no snapshots to show. Heh. Meaning...no evidence for me. Just this extra fats around my waist, though. *sobs* More pants are getting harder to put on, which tells me, I badly need to move around and do crunches.

Well, am proud to say that the first thing I did this start of the new year was to workout. About 45 minutes with all the noises outside; I was starting my daily dozen. No, that's not my NY's resolution. Don't have any, actually. I rather call it 'agenda'. Hope to keep up with it the entire year. A call for more discipline.

For NY's Eve, these were what's on my dining table:



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...but they all have to wait until later to be gobbled, so at this moment, they're all sitting inside the fridge.

I am not into traditions and beliefs. Like there has to be a variety of round fruits on the table to make the coming year a prosperous one. I just don't believe that. Just how many people have been doing this yearly? Truth is, prosperity all depends on us. So, nothing round on the table except the plates and bowls...and of course, the yummy pan pizza.

Didn't wear polka dots either. heh. I thought the idea was cute, but I was too scared to stay in my room longer (because of the loud booms) to find a polka dot top (or dress). In fact, I wasn't even dressed to the nines. For what? To sleep after? Nah!

No firecrackers even. Am trying to spare my nose of thick and dark boogers. But, I failed. Thick smoke successfully sneaked inside the house. So, I was like choking while doing the stationary walk.

2:50am of Jan 1: "Life or Something Like That" is what's on Studio 23 (next was Bedazzled a few minutes before I was almost finished writing the blog entry). Nothing good to watch and am not in the mood to do movie marathon. Not now that am the only one awake. I just want to break the silence so I let the TV on.

It's 2008. Although, nothing seems to be different (just there were incessant blasts earlier but now it's just my TV dominating the room), it really is a new year. *shakes myself* How swiftly 2007 went by, isn't it?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Glimpse on the previous year...

January: I was just so controversial the year before and have become more a hot potato. There were rumors left and right. Eventually, started becoming depressive.

Struggles and dilemmas came in battalion and it felt like they're never gonna leave me. In fact, they've become good friends of mine.

February: More pain. Endless crying. More unpleasant news. Almost lost hope. Yet, still tried showing a (forced) smile.

March: Another dilemma -- Should I stay or should I go? Everything was like leaving a crack on the walls of my already bruised heart. What was keeping me? What was there to hold on to?

April: Finally decided and said goodbye.

May: Struggling to move on and forget about the horrible experiences. Had a hard time believing all that happened to me in that rotten place. Twas tough, but it unleashed the resilience I have within.

June: A ray of sunlight. I have started to bounce back. I've learned to fight. But, like a neophyte, I had done things a bit overboard. Was driven by fear and need for self-defense. Later on, learned how to do things the right way.

Once again, acquainted with myself.

July: Good things started saying hello to me and I welcomed each one with both arms wide open. There were still stings left, but I have become stronger by the day.

August: Faith has started to grow back inside me. Started seeing things in a different perspective. Learned new things everyday. Learned more about myself and my strengths everyday.

September: Inch by inch got out of my box. Lesser gloomy days.

October: Learned that things might have changed and things might have improved but it doesn't mean there's not going to be any struggles anymore. Still, I have to get up every morning and go on.

November: Been a lot busier. Was sick every now and then. Almost always stressed, but nothing stopped me from appreciating how GOD granted my heart's desires one by one.

December: Realised how God loves me so much that He lifted me up just when I needed a hand. Just when I was so low and lost; feeling worthless. He has always been with me through all those circumstances. I understood HIM better the previous year. I learned and understood what HIS grace is all about.

While I was dwelling in sadness and disappointments, God was with me. He sent people who, by and by, touched my life. Taught me not to be too critical with myself. Took me a long while before I learned that whatever I do, people are always going to talk and there's just no way I can stop them. Figured out, it's their way of protecting themselves. They mess with another to cover their personal issues, their envy, their own disabilities. Their most effective weapon is their tongues.

The world is a battle ground. Whoever is the fittest survives. If you're weak, it is just not the place for you. The world is not the place for me. Not because I am weak. But, because I refuse to learn the ways of the wicked. I want to remain a child and not become a monster. To be in this world, how can you not act like a beast even for one brief moment?

But I cling to this... The Paradoxical Commandments by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

2008...I will become what I ought to be. Will try to be without fear; in stead, only with faith, hope and love. I have a few things in my list of this year's agenda. I won't promise but I believe with all my heart that I can do them with God's grace.

Like me, I'm sure most of you have felt you have had more pains than comfort the previous year. So, we all thought. But, no. It's only we chose to dwell on the very things that make our life miserable. We gotta throw garbage away. We ought to become better persons each day. Whatever hampers us from becoming what we ought to be should be eliminated. That's the only way to move forward. Learn but never become bitter.

I love 2007 and I will love 2008 more because I am looking forward to what GOD has in store for me.

Happy New Year all.

Current mood: Sleepy but still energized.







Wednesday, December 26, 2007

I got an extra glimpse of the truth today.





A day after Christmas.

Barely noticed Christmas day had passed. Was planning months, weeks and days for Christmas eve but still ended up preparing last minute. Bought groceries a week earlier, but failed to buy stuffs to give as Christmas gifts. Why, it's such a tough task to ravage stores for good buys! Or, is it just me? If I could only just run to mom and ask her to do the buying for me, I could've already been saved from the hassles of Christmas rush.

Recap: 21st, we went to Greenhills to buy more groceries. Hate it that we had to be conscious of the time as we didn't want to get stuck there until rush hour or else, we'd have to stay in line waiting for a cab to bring us home. Boy, Greenhills has no system. Poor people (including us) had to bathe under the late afternoon sun trying to get a ride home. There was no shade or something where passengers waiting could stay. Twas super hot. Tried to cover my face with the French bread Binkie bought from French Baker. Didn't help at all.

22nd. Busy with a lottsa things. Totally no time for shopping.

23rd. Just attended VCF. We did plan to leave home a few hours earlier so we can buy any gift we can find but still ended up leaving around late 4pm. Another sequel of pigging out took place that day after the fellowship. This time we tried Rai Rai Ken. Been longing to try the resto since after Dean blogged a couple of years back(?) about that sumptuous, very spicy ramen she tried with her sweetie. Finally, after the long years wait, craving had to end. Here's our RRK experience...



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Welcome to Rai Rai Ken!
Rai-Rai Ken originally was Lai-Lai Ken.
Since "L" is a Japanese tongue twister, twas replaced with "R".
The phrase still means, "C’mon my house, c’mon!"



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Yakimeshi Platter



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Chicken Teriyaki



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Mixed Sea food Furai



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My favorite Black Gulaman



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Gyoza



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take out


24th. Went to Glorietta. As expected, wasn't able to buy a lot. Just a gift Hippo bought for me (a pair of boots), a few herbal soaps and additional groceries plus lemon grass chicken roll for Noche Buena. So frustrating for me! Found it really a chore to look for presents to give. *sobs*

I took advantage that we were in Glorietta. For lunch, I dragged Hippo and Binkie to Korean BBQ Express. How I missed it! One of my favorite economical food stalls. I was hankering for Itallianis but knowing Hippo...he won't want it there. So, there we headed to KBE.



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Glorietta 4 Food Court



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Grilled Liempo



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Grilled Pork Chop



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Chicken BBQ



Back home, we immediately dialed Pizza Hut and Red Ribbon delivery number (for another boxes of Meat Lovers and Chocolate Cake Roll). Rested for a few minutes and started cooking spaghetti. Mom and Zeke went to bring us more food around 9pm. Gosh! And there's just 3 of us to wipe out all the goodies. Bad timing as am trying to go back to my old strict dieting. Anyway, it's season of food feasts. Just impossible to wink at the variety of food served on the table. tsk tsk tsk. But, I have to force myself to move around and do work out.

Already 12mn. Merry Christmas! Here's what we had...



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Palabok



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Lemon Grass Chicken Roll chopped




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Pork Barbeque




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Cheese Enseymada




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Buco Salad



Grrr...Failed to take snapshots of the spag, pizza, cake and Kare-Kare.

25th -- Christmas Day. Just stayed home the entire day. Watched "The Heartbreak Kid" after lunch. Twas a hilarious flick starring Ben Stiller. It is a remake of the 1972 film of the same title. I like it except some nudity and bed scenes. *whew* We still have a few movies lined up and still collecting for New Year. Anything to share?

Thanks, Lilie for the gift.

Happy holidays to all.








Saturday, December 22, 2007

Am on a seafood diet. When I see food, I eat it.


I never liked greens or garden fresh eatables. Especially, not when I was younger. But, recently, I just started eating veggie salads. Whatever happened to me? But, good for me, isn't it? I remember how mom would make coleslaw and cesar salad way way back then (actually, just a few years before when I was still their freeloader). Never really liked veggies but these two starters/desserts changed my cravings. Now, am proud to say, am making my own version of cesar salad. *big smile*



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last night's goodies


Just a simple one. Nothing grandiose at all. There's just the greens (different leaves haha) and carrot bits, then the dressing, shredded cheese and tuna. No croutons and different colored leaves. hihi



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did I put on too much dressing?


Lately, pigging out has been a hobby. Grrr. Of course, I enjoyed every bite but would make me feel conscience-stricken a while later. *sobs* Why it feels like eating is such a sin. Not because I have turned into a glutton. Just because I gained a few pounds around my waist and down. *whimpers* Worse, I can't even obligate myself to workout. Need to break the masticate habit before I become really sorry.

Just this week alone, I have gobbled up a few slices of pizza. Taking advantage of the palm card from the birthday blowout I prepared for Bentz last Dec 6th. Which reminds me of our (Arie, Vinnie and Cessie's) nightly chow down at Wendy's Makati Ave last year. Took me long months before I had gotten rid of the pounds added. This is the sequel minus the 3 of them and Wendy's. *wails*



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Who would not devour on this tempting,
circle, golden-brown grub? *sigh*



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Just a couple of minutes later



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Another couple of minutes later...



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that stubby thumb looks very familiar...



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this one went into my stommie




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grabbed a slice from the next box



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a few slices of pizza plus baked spag...
whatta combination!



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.sharing my indulgence.



...and before this pizza extravagance, I visited my fave dimsum kiosk in Galleria - Paotsin. *bouncing around* Of course, I had sharksfin Siew Mai, my most loved. *slobbering* I said, am never going to eat rice. In fact, before that visit, I haven't eaten rice for days. But, that Hainanese rice was just too sumptuous to wink at. Oh!!!



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my fave quick-lunch counter


Bought one order for myself plus another stick of crab Siew Mai. Just can't help it. Sure Jeanne and others are already salivating by now and will, like a bat out of hell, head to LKG(?) or what's that other bldg? Grrr... Wherever.



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steamed Sharksfin Siew Mai




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steamed Crab Siew Mai


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this used to be black. just not obvious
but this is violet.


If what I have been doing is not hoggish then how do you call this? -- wiped out even the cheapest pizza around!



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I don't see so many of this.
Actually, just in our area.
So, I dunno where to lead you.




Before that, we had chicken, spaghetti and burger steak from Jollibee (delivered). This is another day, by the way. Gosh, even if I have been eating a lot lately, I still can't eat all these stuffs in one day.



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very home made, right? hmmm
maybe I can do my own.



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this is what they call "supreme"


How will I ever reduce appetite, now?! ...tell me.







✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐

A Love with a promise of permanence.

"...if any hear MY voice and open the door,  I will come into their house and eat with them,  and they will eat with ME." ...

✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐✎✐