Before and After

Soooo good to see my blue shirt is no longer bulging with fats!!! Haha!

Sorry. There's a lot of me going on there. Hehe.

I have been slowing down with my diet for the past two weeks. My EQ had been decreasing when it comes to resisting food lately. I am so sorry, Laarni. :( Sheeesh. I just missed food sooooo much lately. But I promise to make it up this September.

Looks like I am going back to gym to try out Zumba this September. So, my hopes are up! I will work double time to reach at least 3/4 of my goal by November.

I happened to browse my old Profile Pictures in Facebook the other day, and seeing how big my face was, I  can't believe my face was THAT round and big! With double to triple chin! Haha! And looking where I am right now, I feel so happy that I reached this stage. And I am even more motivated to keep this going to see how will I be when I lose 36 pounds more.

Dropping My Size by Two Notches

There are two things that happens during the month of July. It rains with water and it rains with SALE!!! Mid-year sales! Even if I don't want to spend much money due to my impending trip to Cebu, I dragged myself to Makati and readied myself to scout for a good haul of bargains. To add, I somehow need new sets of clothes because some of my tops and bottoms don't fit well already.

I went to Forever 21, my favorite store, to look for a shorts for my Cebu trip. I got a nice pair but they aren't on sale, but since I love it much, I still got it. And to my surprise, I am already a size 14 from size 18! Ahhhh it feels soooo good. I also tried a size 12 in Marks and Spencers and I only need *this much* to zip it! Haha! Aja, Aja!!! And to bring more happiness, I got the boyfriends blazer I've been wanting to buy since its release at Bayo! I thought no size will fit me because I saw the Medium size before and looks like its too small so I didn't attempt to ask for Large anymore. Luckily, a Large size was on the rack, so I tried it, and to my utter disbelief, it fits!!! Ahhh I literally felt like I was in heaven. Haha!

To finish my shopping, I also bought a pretty pair of floral sandals.. :) Ahh I still want to buy more but I have to limit myself. Next time.. :)

I'll work my way till I get size 12, then size 10, then size 8. Haha! :))

July: My Birthday Month

Q: What could be the worst thing that can happen on your birthday month?

A: To be on a strict diet during your birthday month.

Gah. It has been really my problem recently on how I can celebrate my birthday while on a diet. Moreover, its my 25th birthday and I've already decided ages ago that I will not let it pass without celebrating it. I am celebrating it per group so that means more Cheat Days. O_o

On the day of my birthday, I planned a trip in Cebu. Just to experience celebrating my birthday in a place I am not familiar with and having only one friend with me at that time -- a semi-adventure if I may call it. Something different for my quarter life. And since this is somehow a vacation, food tripping is a must. What is Cebu without tasting its famous roasted suckling pig? or eating at Larsians? or trying their SuTuKil?

After Cebu, I will treat my family in an eat-all-you can lunch at Cafe d' Asie, Bellevue (I got a good deal at Ensogo last March). Then, a couple more celebrations with my friends. A big G-O-O-D-L-U-C-K to me!

Buti na lang, Laarni is preparing me for this battle. We're back in Phase 1 this week. I am also trying to exercise everyday, doing Hip Hop Abs as well. We'll be doing yoga at Barre3 as well for two days (excited on this one!).

I will still do my very very very best to not abuse eating during these times because I know I will be at the losing end here. And surely, babawi ako after all those eating are done. :)

Diet Update: After 11 weeks, I have lost 30 lbs already.. :)

Two Months and Counting

It's been eight weeks already and I am still in this La Chrono Geno Nutrition diet by Dr. Claude Chauchard. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G I haven't given up yet. Haha! Most people have been asking me, "How am I feeling?". Hmmmm.. I would say I feel sad yet happy. Sad because I haven't been eating much the foods I like at any amount and time I want. Happy, or better yet, exhilarated because I am uber satisfied with the results. :) The weight lost is one thing but most importantly it taught me a lifestyle of wellness. Something I wouldn't get in quick diet fixes.

There's a way in La Chrono Geno Nutrition to make my weight lost faster, apply Phase 1 and Phase 2 alternately for two weeks each. And I am currently doing it because I want to lose more come my birthday on July. :)

To give an update, I already lost a total of 24 lbs, 4 inches less in my waist, 3.5 inches off my hips, and minus 3 inches in my thigh. Happy! :) All for two months. I've been receiving good feedbacks as well and that makes me work even harder and dedicate myself more to the path of wellness.

When my Ate and I rode the tricycle, she told me, "Aba, pumapayat ka na ata ah. Di na tayo ganon kasikip." Hahaha!

Best of all so far, I got free shirt (not tee type shirt, just the traditional tshirt) when we went to 2ne1 concert. And I have no choice as to what size they will give me. Apparently, they gave me a MEDIUM! Surprisingly, it fits! It was a bit fitted talaga pero pwede na rin. I guess the sizing of the shirt is relatively bigger than the usual, but still, its a Medium! Haha!

And I better get my cash and plastic cards ready cause I can feel my pants getting loose! Yay, yay, yay! This will be one of the most exciting part of losing weight, I get a change of wardrobe! Haha..

Dancing Away with kPop

All of my friends know that I am infected by the Korean Wave or the Hallyu Wave. I don't deny that fact whatever other people say. Even if its jologs as others think of it. I don't care at all. And I don't even understand why others think of kpop fans as baduy, jologs, yucky, eeww, the list never ends. Other people are avid fans of Western bands/artists, and they don't say it's jologs. So what's the difference with the Korean (and Asian) artists? It just so happens that we have different tastes and preferences.Walang pakialamanan dba. And FYI, before being a star in Korea, they undergo YEARSSSSS of training. So, they are really capable of what they do. They became an artist not only because of their looks but because of their talent and hardwork.

Anyway, I am not here to put a debate on that topic. I just want to share my exercise habits while on this diet. So how is it related to Kpop? Well, I am not a fan of doing rigorous exercises. I am too lazy for that. I do like dancing, though. And I just soooo love how the Korean bands choreograph their dances. Their dance steps are so different from what I see in the West and in the Philippines.

So, isn't it a good idea to make use of what I really like, kPop, in exercising? That way, I will be more willing and engaged in exercising and best of all, I am having fun! I cannot do their dance steps well but it's enough for me that I can groove to their rhythm and I am sweating (and that's what's important, right?)!

If I am not jogging with my officemates after work, I usually pop in our player a DVD of my favorite Korean band, Super Junior, and dance and sweat as long as I can. ;)

It would be better if you do things wholeheartedly than halfheartedly. So, I suggest find a way how you can incorporate your likes in exercising. In that way, you won't feel forced or pushed doing it. Just my two cents.

Here is a video of Super Junior, dancing, Bonamana. I tell you, it's great. Haha! Check out 3:45-4:00, that's my favorite! :)

Cheat Weekend with the Gentle Giants

May 14-15, 2011
Donsol, Sorsogon

(almost an hour and a half car ride from Legazpi)

Our company brought us to Donsol, Sorsogon over the weekend to swim with the gentle giants, or famously known as whale sharks or "butanding". Spotting a butanding after typhoon was really hard so we are very thankful that we chanced upon them. Seeing and swimming with them feels soooo surreal! It was an indescribable beauty when I was swimming on top of those big-gray-with-white-spots creatures of the sea. ♥

As I am in this trip, I had a ceasefire with my diet. Travelling is not as happy without enjoying the local delicacies. It's my unwritten rule that whenever I travel, I do food tripping. So, I really did not care about not following my meal plan for the weekend. Although I (with the help of the watchful eyes of our dietitian, Laarni) kept eating in little moderation just to be sure that I am not getting out of track. It's not really bad to have your Cheat Days once in a while. It will help you to satiate those cravings and will rid of the feeling of deprivation.

I ate rice in every meal I had, from breakfast to dinner, though I kept it at 1 cup of rice only per meal. I ate all the ulam except the fats. And to put cherry on top, I had exotic flavors of ice cream (which I am not allowed to eat in my diet)!

Ice cream just after breakfast at 1st Colonial Grill Express, Legazpi.
Sili: the spunk of chili is just right. the spiciness does not linger in your mouth. two-thumbs up!
Malunggay: it's like chewing raw malunggay leaves! not that good.
Tinutong (Roasted Rice): super love it!

Breakfast at 1st Colonial Grill Express, Legazpi.
Garlic Rice, Egg, Daing (Abo), with Tomato and Atsara.

Lunch at Amor Restaurant, Donsol.
Rice, Inihaw na liempo, Grilled Talakitok, Pagui (Stingray) sa Gata, Shrimps, and Watermelon.

Breakfast at Vitton Beach Resort, Donsol.
Rice, Daing (Abo), Scrambled Eggs, Tocino, Corned Beef with Potato, Salad, and HOTDOGS!!!

I don't regret eating the foods I ate over the weekend. My tummy was exceptionally happy those times, and I am positive that I can lose the two pounds I gained. Don't deprive yourself, have fun once in a while. ;) Have your Cheat Day once in a while! :) Just don't abuse it.

Super thank you to Anxa for this wonderful experience! :) Nomu Nomu Nomu Kamsahamnida! ^^

P.S. I was looking foward to uber hot dishes of Bicol, however, the "hotness" I was anticipating is still not that hot for me. I guess they didn't gave it all out since we have foreigners in our lot.

P.P.S. I will never fly via Zest Air. They're the worst carrier. Our flight back to MNL was delayed for five hours! Why? The plane is still in Bacolod! The route? Bacolod-Manila-Legazpi! Oh c'mon! Their Airbus is even old enough that needs a lot of repair! No armrest on my seat. There are flies inside the plane! And.. I had the most shaky touchdown of my life! Good thing I didn't pay a cent for this flight. Oh I forgot to mention that they did compensate the five-hour delay through a merienda of so-so pancit canton and lukewarm softdrinks which I wasn't able to avail since they already gave the rest to the airport terminal staff since we're too late to claim them. They just changed the name but still Zest Air is Asian Spirit.

Dieting isn't just about Losing Weight

I am over with Phase 1 of Chauchard's Diet. And dear I was extremely happy with the results after two weeks (Phase 1 is for two weeks only). I lost a total of 11 lbs (5 kg)! I am more determined to continue this diet seeing and feeling the results!

I am now at Phase 2 and currently on my fourth week. I am breaking a new record for myself having been able to reach fourth week in dieting which is definitely a big surprise to me.

Aside from shedding off some weight, I have learned a lot in this diet.

1. Discipline. I mentioned in my previous blog that this is what I am lacking during the numerous attempts I had in dieting before. And this time, I finally got it. I don't know how but I was able to restraint myself from pigging out. I still have the urges to eat from time to time of course (that will take some time to fully rid in my system) but I am focusing hard not to touch any food. Mind over matter. Thankfully, I am succesful with it most of the time although I cannot avoid having free luncheons or eating out with friends so I admit I have my Cheat Days. Inspite of this, I still limit what I eat and don't totally abuse my cheat day.

I even wake up earlier just to eat my breakfast! I really don't eat breakfast so this is something new to me that I learned since breakfast is such an important meal.

2. Increase in EQ (in relation to Discipline). Food is something I don't say NO to. How can I resist those sumptuously smelling dishes and lusciously smelling desserts? But in this diet, I've learned saying NO even to the most delicious ube of Good Shepherd. I felt really tortured when my parents went home from Baguio bringing a bottle of Good Shepherd Ube and lots of strawberries and I can't eat it right then and then! And that same night, my sister brought home a chocolate cake. Aaarrgh! I was just on my second week of the diet then. But thanks to discipline and motivation, I said NO to them.

3. Cooking. Growing up with my Mom who does all the cooking along with a helper, I never really had much chance to cook real food myself. Well, I do cook hotdogs, instant noodles, canned goods, etc. with our microwave, if that counts. Before I started with this diet, I was already trying to cook little by little. But while on this diet, I am obliged to cook more often and prepare my own food to be sure that the diet specifications are being followed. I am now enjoying cooking simple dishes and experimenting on the taste of the spices! :)

It's only my mom (and sometimes my dad) who goes on grocery. Now that I have my own meal plan, I try to buy my own meats and other required food and it's sooo much fun doing the grocery! I am now learning how much a ground pork costs per kilo, the price of this and that, and which supermarket sells cheaper.

4. Saving. I just thought it would be better if I have rewards for myself whenever I was able to follow my meal plan to boost my motivation. So, I thought of a great idea to save! Whenever I am a "good girl" I bank PhP 20 per day on my malnourished piggy bank. By November, my piggy bank will be hefty fat just in time for my Land of the Morning Calm getaway. Haha! More budget for shoooopppinggg!

Its been reaaaaallllyyyy long since I finally able to seriously put my mind on dieting. Apart from losing weight, I am really happy with the lessons I am learning in the process. I can say that I have really come a long way already on my eating habits. Hear it from someone who have been 220 lbs before, can eat more than a platter of rice in a meal, eats two Breadtalk breads right after lunch and eats around five to eight times a day (or even more if I sleep later). If I can do this diet, the more any of you can do it if you just put your mind on it. It's never too late. :)

Losing Weight the Dr. Chauchard's Way

Losing weight is an unfathomable feat for me. I can't even remember how many times I attempted but to no avail. Eating is something innate in me, I suppose? Whenever I see food on our table (or even it's just on the ref) I eat it whenever I feel like eating, even during the weee hours of the night. I love munching. I am a BIG and FREQUENT eater (as opposed to the small but frequent eater). And that's not a good combination, right? There were times that I was able to shed a few pounds by dieting, going to the gym or just because my mind is too preoccupied doing something else that I can't think of eating, or for whatever reason I have. But after a week or two, I'll go back to my usual eating habits. Just two weeks. I always have plausible excuses to my failed attempts. Period.

I am working in a company that sells weight loss programs in France. What are the odds, right? For three and a half years, I have full access to it but I haven't tried it myself. Not that I don't believe in our products but I am just too lazy to translate everything from French to English, or I am just making another excuse because I do not have the discipline at all. And the recipes are not "Filipinized" = harder.

One of our French coaches will be launched in the international market = ENGLISH! Whats even greater, our CEO, Fabrice Boutain, offered to help me. He arranged a meeting for me with our French coach, Dr. Claude Chauchard. Whoah! Just my luck! Before the meeting, I thought it will just be a casual meeting, explaining this and that. But I am wrong. Well he really explained how his program works. But along with that, Laarni, our in-house dietitian was assigned to closely monitor me, prepare my meal plans, and report everything to Dr. Chauchard and Fabrice. Ha! I quote Dr. Chauchard, "You have the system (the program), the assistance (Laarni).. What we need from you is, Motivation."

Motivation is actually one of the key components in losing weight. Without this, you'll never be successful in your goal. In my case, I always have the motivation but I never had the discipline to make it work. But now I have Laarni on my side to watch what I eat. Pressure is coming into me, since this was offered to me at no costs at all (Yes, you heard it right. Well except for the meals I will be eating, all the consultations, the program, and the assistance are all free of charge! What a great offer, right?! And Chauchard is a big time doctor in France!). But then I realized that this must be the time and opportunity I am waiting for. So, why not grab it? I have nothing to lose in this case, anyway. Maybe the pressure is all I need to get back in shape and eventually discipline myself in the process. So, I want to make it work. I want to make IT happen.

Timing and sequence are essential in the La Chrono Geno Nutrition (Chauchard's) diet. See what I mean here:

Timing:

• I can only eat four times a day -- breakfast, lunch, 4pm snack and dinner. 

Sequence:

• I have to eat ALL the rice (or any starch) first. Without any ulam. Although I can put soup or any sauce  for it to at least have a taste. Then, you eat ALL the meat followed by ALL the vegetables. Only then, you can drink water. 
• Fruits and desserts should only be eaten between 4-5pm.

I never eat rice alone unless its fried rice and the like. That's enough for a big change to me. Moreover, the in between meals munchings I do are scrapped. But hey, no pain, no gain!

I started with the diet two weeks ago. It was not an easy thing for me to do but I want to prove myself that I can do it so I took this diet seriously. The meal plan is actually filling in the stomach, its a normal meal where I can still eat rice and meat. Hooray for that! I admit that I have the cravings to eat in between the required meal times. But I am so proud of myself that I was able to say no.to them about 90-95% of the time. Not bad for my first week. I am really happy with the results after Week 1, SEVEN shining POUNDS OFF my body! I even exceeded my quota of 4.4 lbs (2kg)! 

I am really thankful to our CEO for extending this opportunity to me, to Laarni who's been really helpful everyday, and to Dr. Chauchard's ingenious program. I want to make the big change happen. In this way, I can fully express my sincerity in thanking them. 

Cheers to a healthier life! 

A peek in my diet journal. Just a list of what I eat for the day to monitor.