Sign Up!

I heard fellow adventurer Narissa is doing very well! Keep it up Narissa! You are now inspiring me to... EXERCISE!

I signed up for a gym membership near the office and it's now time to do "something". And also I'm wondering whether it will help push my current weight loss progress.

While I have been dancing for a year now and enjoying it very much, it's time to tone up and just learn to love this body some more!

A Different Focus

I've been focusing on weight loss and measurements that there's one factor of success which I've not included.

When I started my adventure, my body fat percentage was 55%! And now after 8 months in, my body fat percentage is 37.5%. A reduction of 17.5%. Now while that still does not fall in the healthy range (about 20 to 25%) just yet, it is still progress!

Go to Bed Fat and Wake Up Thin!

Maybe I should make a movie of myself too!

"

Lose 3 stone in 12 weeks! Here's the proof!

Film about a woman who is unhappy with being obese, and realises that she has to do something about her weight before she goes on holiday with her husband.

She goes on the Howards Way 'Very Low Calorie Diet' (VLCD) and succeeds in losing over 3 stone in just 12 weeks.

This film is based on a true story of Emma Wood, who kept a daily blog about her experiences here...

www.watchingemmasweight.blogspot.com

T"

I am only human...

Everything in my life is interconnected. If I'm feeling down, physiologically it shows. Yesterday's dance class was a total posture nightmare. All I could do was keep slumping my shoulders and having the tendency to look down... Joel kept poking my back to make sure it was up but not long after, it was slumped all over again. Needless to say, I left my class feeling frustrated.

Last night, I read that eating sugar actually slows down your metabolism. No wonder this adventure does not allow eating sugar! The funny thing is, knowing is one thing and doing is another. I was tempted and I succumbed to Rahayu's offering of home made brownies not made with sugar but with apple sauce! Who am I kidding? It's still sugar! I only had one piece but still...

There's so much more going on in my life and other people have reminded me how hard I have been on myself in all aspects and angles. Thank you for the reminder! I need a kick in the butt! And also tatooed on my body that I am only human and things can't be perfect all the time. Trust and have faith out there that everything is meant to be the way it's meant to be...

An Elephant Never Forgets

When I was big (maybe like an elephant?), I never forget how big I am. Now that I am smaller, I forget how big I used to be and I don't appreciate how small I've become. I'm no longer an elephant, perhaps that is why there is the memory loss? 

I had an interesting conversation with Ley Hian this evening about work and my life and I can relate it to this adventure. For the past 4 months in 2010, my life has been action, action, action. At work there's certainly a lot of action - some exciting, some a bit dramatic and some just that need to be done. In my spare time - there's clarinet, dance, singing, Toastmasters and loving being in my room. In relationships - there's building it with my parents, my friends, my colleagues, my Toastmasters and so on. In health - there's the adventure! In her eyes, she sees me do so much and achieve so much in such a short span of time. Isn't it about time I stop judging myself and appreciate my life and my accomplishments thus far?

It's not about a question of vanity, pride or ego. It's all about acknowledging that WE have achieved so much and that if we don't take the time to appreciate ourselves, who will do it? No matter how much someone else says it, how great you are, how good you've been doing, etc, if we don't appreciate ourselves, all their words will never ever be enough. It takes ourselves to fill our hearts and that love tank that we possess and to keep on replenishing who we are and how capable we are in achieving our dreams.

I am no longer an elephant so I do have slightly short term memory but this entry is going to help me remind me of how far I have come and that I appreciate myself for not giving up despite the weight going down slower than before. Who can really say, "hey, I lost 34kg in 8 months!"? Apart from some other adventurers, I DEFINITELY CAN!

They Think You're HOT!

When a guy friend tells you that other guys now think you're HOT, it makes you think - that forbidden food is just not worth eating!

*hold on to that thought*

Lunch Box-ing

On Thursday and Saturday I was conducting a workshop at UBD and with Kae Wen and Genevieve we headed to Jalan Jerudong for lunch. I brought my lunch with me to make sure I ate the right quantities and also that it's cooked in the healthiest way possible.

At both instances, I told the waitress I didn't want to order any food because I was on a special diet. And the response I get is - they just leave me alone! Previously I would be more inclined to order from the menu because most restaurants I know would not allow outside food in and I've even seen signs of that in restaurants. I realized that if this restaurant really respects you as a customer, they would allow you to modify the menu and with me pushing it a little bit, I tell them I'm on a special diet - and I am! Of course, it would be ideal to go to the restaurant with friends who actually order from the menu out of respect for the restaurant!

As an adventurer, this really matters to me because it makes me feel that I am in absolute control of myself. I choose what I want to eat and when I eat it. This really matters to me because previously, if I see food I will just want eat it and eat it all! But now, being more conscious, I am not afraid to tell someone that I am just choosing to watch what I eat and bask in the success I've had so far as a result of making empowering choices!

Re-Visiting Yoga

In one of my previous entries dated Mar 22, '10 entitled "Itchy Feet", I've done two of the 5 things stated there:

2. Dancing the night away - when's the next party again?

I went to a dance party the other night and I must say I danced the night from 9pm to midnight. My feet started to ache at about 11pm and I tried to push the pain away and just keep moving! Joel was a fantastic partner to dance with! He led me through some dances which I have not yet touched in class and we did the basics. He was also very patient with me because I was not at all a very graceful partner and I physically injured him with my feet and also with my elbow and hands! 

3. Re-starting yoga in April

I kept this commitment and re-started yoga on 2 April. I joined my mom's restorative yoga class which is mostly made up of ladies in their 50s and 60s. My mom has been doing restorative yoga for almost 2 years now (man, time flies!) and she has been really consistent! I'm proud of you Mummy!

I think my last yoga class was about a year ago so I had wondered how my body would handle it and even more so, now with all the weight loss. The stretching hurt a lot! My muscles were so tight and all I could do was just keep imagining the muscles lengthening and telling myself that it's good for me. Honestly, I need to do more stretching when it comes to dancing! I stayed focused. The aching after the class, I expected and I didn't really mind. I knew my muscles were working.

What I found in amazement was how much easier it was doing yoga minus 30+ kg off the physical frame. Even though I had not stretched in awhile, what I savoured was being put into positions in which I could not do before because of how some extra flesh was in the way. It was exhilarating and I celebrated silently inside. I also found amusing how with less flesh that your body can't be used as padding anymore. There was one move which required you to balance on your bum squeezing in your tummy muscles while lifting your legs in front of you, so you basically look like a V. Normally my bum would cushion me sitting like that, but this time, all I could feel was the bone and it was not comfortable! However, that is just something minor. 

What matters is that, I truly appreciate the chance to engage in physical activity with ease and with enjoyment!

Dare to Live

It was one of those moments where I let my thoughts flow and I came up with this piece but I am sure it's a combination of what I have heard in the past all caught in the subconscious of my mind just wanting to be heard again and to serve as a reminder to all of us that there is a life to be lived fully...

Dare to reach the brightest, biggest and most beautiful star without fear of the distance

Dare to venture into the darkness of the unknown without fear of the results

Dare to speak passionately and impeccably without fear of others judging you

Dare to see the horizon of the possibilities that lay before your very eyes without fear of the obstacles that may come your way

Dare to reconnect and renew friendships and relationships without fear of rejection

Dare to love with all your heart without fear of it breaking

Dare to live a life full of meaning, a treasure trove of memories and an eternity of magic!

Hey Skinny!

It was my second week of yoga and I was waiting for the session to start. I lay down on the mat, just breathing with my eyes shut and I was about to drift off to sleep when Aunty May suddenly said, "Hey Skinny!" Without thinking, I opened my eyes and I said, "Yes?"

Aunty May said, "Wah so good! You actually responded!"

At that moment, I was like "Wow! I actually responded to her statement!" 

Why is this simple remark and response so important? It is because all this time, my self-talk has been telling me that I'm still big, there are still some parts that could do with some shrinking and that I would not describe myself as slim, let alone skinny. 

There are actually many facets of how I can take this realization but I will share only one, the negative self-talk has to stop! I have done really well so far, and I am constantly reminded by my wonderful friends how far I have come. Outwardly, I am taking steps in loving myself through being more mindful about the food I eat and how much I eat but this has not matched with what is going internally - namely my thoughts and the conversation that goes on inside my head that I have with myself. I am beginning to now see how my negative internal self-talk of late is affecting me on this adventure so far.

This is a GREAT realization for me! And you are here to witness it!

Each day, I choose to affirm and believe one positive statement about myself.

I am...

This affirmation has helped me OWNED who I am being. It serves as a good reminder for me. No matter how "fast" or how "slow" your progress is (it's all a matter of perspective...), I hope it will keep you focused on your weight loss adventures!

I am healthy in body, mind and spirit. I look terrific and feel terrific. I become more attractive every day - on every level: emotional, spiritual and physical. I am a shining example to others.

 

Permanent Weight Loss ~ Rapid Results Program

http://www.adventuresinweightloss.com
This is the official website of Adventures in Weight Loss. I recall browsing through this site looking for more information to help me make a decision whether I should pursue it or not. I love the before and after pictures! They are totally inspirational! They are everyday people like you and I who were all out for a healthier life and in the process look and feel great about themselves! If you would like to create and shape your life to the way you want it to be, this is it!

The Fashion Show

I have a confession to make. Most nights in my room as an intermission from what I am doing or getting myself geared up to do something, I have been trying on clothes! It's my own mini fashion show for me and me only. I try several outfits on and look at myself in the mirror! It's not a case of vanity. More of a case of admiration and appreciation that I can fit into these beautiful outfits - some new and some from my past. I still amaze myself each time when I think I can't wear something or carry it off, it looks good on me!

I bought 2 more dresses today from Betty's shop - Cinnabar in Kiulap. I just need to figure out what to wear it with and when to wear it!

When Hunger Strikes!

I have been feeling exceptionally hungry lately and I can't figure out why. And I don't think I've been handling it too well. I look for snacking opportunities. I feel like Nigella Lawson looking at my fridge late at night figuring what I could eat. I've been doing my best to remind myself of how far I've come and for me to keep on going. I must say... whatever it is I'm going through, my resolve is not as strong as it used to be.

Progress to date

Current Weight: 86kg 

Total Weight Loss: 33.1kg

I'm almost at the weight when I was in university which was 10 years ago! I bought 4 new dresses during my weekend trip in KK. I am getting compliments on my appearance from people I never expected compliments from. How can these not be factors of motivation to keep on going?! 

Come on Zana! Only 16.9kg left to 70kg! YOU CAN DO IT!

Adventures In Weightloss

http://adventuresweightloss.blogspot.com
Would you like to know more about the adventure I chose to embark on? This website would have more details and contacts of the consultants located in Kuching and Brunei for you to pose more of your questions to!