a woman obsessed…

And that woman is I… obsessed about losing more weight and keeping fit.

A few years ago, some of my colleagues and friends would discuss endlessly about losing weight and keeping fit. They were talking about their gym sessions, their consultation with their personal trainer, diet pills and blah, blah. They were in their world of their own and I didn’t understand what the big deal is… until now that is.

I have never been fat (just that I am a big and heavy boned girl) and over the years, I have never lost any weight. I’ve gained a bit here and there but sometime between 2005 and 2006, I have gained so much weight - 8kgs to be exact and my Body Mass Index (BMI) was at the verge of going to an unhealthy level. I joined the gym but the endless workout on the treadmill, spinning classes as well as body balance didn’t seem to make any difference on my weight and my size, which continue to increase. I gave up after 9 months of no improvement. I got even heavier in 2006 when my daily meals would consist of much nasi padang (rice with dishes, usually contains coconut milk), mee goreng (fried noodles), prata with egg (local Indian pancake) and the the tarik (foamed milk tea and the milk is not low-fat milk). Pretty scary combination if you ask me.

The turning point was in November last year. I signed up for the Standard Chartered’s 10km run in August - hoping that with a goal in sight, I would start exercising again. However, that didn’t happen until early November 2006 – I panicked because I have not been training since I signed up. Also, I found out that I weigh as heavy as some of my male friends, who are taller than I am. I stopped procrastinating and began scheduling strict running sessions - 3 times a week in the mornings. Also in November, I discovered that I have lost 3kgs. Pondering back, I observed that my daily meals have changed. I have begun to eat a whole lot less of carbohydrates and more protein, of which I have continued to do. In the course of training for the 10km run, I began to shed more weight and slowly, I was able to fit into those clothes, which I could not fit prior to November and my BMI has gone back to normal level. That motivated me further and that was when the obsession began.

Now, I get very determined to do my runs 3 times a week, 40 to 45 minutes each time and would get upset if I do anything less than targetted. I would opt for the healthier meals where possible and eat less carbo. I would do weight training every other day. I research on improving my fitness. I have even set goals for myself in terms of losing more weight, toning up my body and shedding those fats around my abs and stomach. Today, I actually bought Women’s Health Magazine because there is an article on working on your abs and super-healthy new foods. The worse - I would weigh myself almost every day for fear that I may put back those weights that I have lost.

Oh my, what have become of me? I have become one of those people, who I hated a few years ago for their obsession with losing weight and keeping fit. Yikes!! My constant obsession with fitness stuffs may have driven some people up the wall. I have gone insane, I tell you! However, a couple of close friends said to me that it is difficult for someone who has never lost weight to understand what the buzz is about unless they have lost weight themselves. There is a reason why I am obsessed - I am seeing results and I am happy about it, compared to 2005 when all my slogging at the gym resulted to nothing. Obviously now, I have been doing something right! And all these hard work is worth all the while when you feel good at the end of it. Plus, I get compliments from people around me saying how good I look with the weight loss - their words motivate me even more. So, excuse me for being obsessed - it is all for the benefit of yours truly and I am going on living the life of a fitness freak and reap the benefits while I still can. And now, I understand what those fitness freaks were ranting about a few years ago.

So, here's to healthy living and the 21km run for this year’s marathon!!! There is no looking back - just moving forward!

man u 3 - aston villa 0

Literally! Villa lost to Man U again over the weekend - 3 consecutive defeats in a space of 6 weeks. I feel sorry for them. They started the season well but now, they are at the bottom half of the English Premier League. Not even a manager like Martin O’Neil, who has done wonders at Scottish Premier League with Celtic, is making a difference at the club. With the exception of one particular manager, the other Scottish Premier League managers who made the return to English Premier League don’t seem to be able to do that magic. I guess the demands of the English League are much greater than that of the Scottish League.

I also think that it all comes down to money. I mean, look at Chelsea. If not for that Ambromovich (I don’t care if I spell his name wrong) guy injecting the funds, I don’t think Chelsea would have won their last two Premiership titles. It takes a whole lot of financial & management support for a club to win trophies with quality players. Quality players means having the money to get the good players in the market or having the time, money and resources to create quality players from the youth of the country. Also, when a club with injuries, they would still have quality in their reserve /youth squad to replace the injured players. Not many clubs have this luxury.

I was reading the newspapers on Sunday and I found that the media are already putting down Man U – stating that they should not be too confident to win the league this season. It even stated the statistics of when Man U has failed to win the league after being on top of the table at this period of the season. What the media has failed to state is the statistics where a club has stayed on top position at this point of the season and went on to win the league. Aaah, the media – what they wouldn’t do to give negative publicity for their news to sell. Not every one of us is Kevin Keegan who, in the 1995-1996, succumbed to the mind games of Sir Alex and the media and cost them the League title (I swear I could still remember his rant - “I’d love it, I’d love it if we beat them!”) Say what you want, Mr Mass Media but Man U will win the League this season! We will see who will be crying at the end of season!

snooze interrupted..

For every women, there comes a time when your biological clock will start to tick. Mine started ticking too at one point but I have put it on permanent snooze since my late twenties. Okay, I know that that is not scientifically possible but it is something that I manage on my own. It is not that difficult but sometimes, the snooze does go off and I have to put it back to permanent snooze real quick. I can't turn off the clock permanently - it is built-in, a function that you cannot tick off the option when you buy the package - it is a compulsary option. There is a also a bug which causes the snooze to trigger even it is not meddled with. We women are stuck with the wrong end of the bargain, if you ask me.

Recently, the snooze button went off and set off my biological clock ticking again when Mister D & his family were back here for a couple of weeks. I don’t really like children that much – only because I don’t know to engage them. In the past, kids would look at me and start to cry, which put me off children even more. That was until Mister D came into my life. I have never connected with a kid before until Mister D.

Since I last saw him in January 2006, where he would use sign language to tell us when he wanted something, he has now become this chatterbox. I spent quite a bit of time while he was here but the snooze button of my biological clock really went off that night when I sent him & his family off to the airport. It was what Mister D did that trigger off the snooze button.

He got all excited when he saw me at the door and started jumping around, which was so touching because that was the first time I have seen a little person got all excited when they saw me. We engaged in funny conversations - Mister D is so comical. I went through a book of transportation with him – he likes vehicles so much. I carried him after his parents and I had some coffee - he was so happy that he didn’t have to walk. He wanted to sit next to me in the taxi on the way to the airport. And finally what made the clock went ticking like crazy was when he fell asleep while in my arms. I have never had a child come close to me like that before.

It got me thinking – I like the feeling of another tiny human being who wants to be close to you and your attention. Although I enjoy Mister D’s companion, I can’t help thinking that night about having my own Mister D. Bugger! Then, as quickly as the snooze button went off, I quickly put it back on permanent snooze. And it better stay that way for a while. The ticking clock and ‘faulty’ snooze button is not something I want to deal with on a regular basis - something which I have to live with.

Who could resist a cutie & funny little kid like Mister D? He is so irresistable!

2006 - looking back...

Looking back at 2006, it has been a great year for yours truly. Here are a few things that made it great in descending order:

7. A Trip To Dubai In January During The Shopping Festival
A good few days away from work and had some retail theraphy. I hit the malls on some days and bagged some great deals that I have no regrets of.

6. Holiday In China In August
I had a fabulous time in Beijing, Hangzhou & Shanghai with Kevin & Ger. Moments I will cherish for a very long time from now.

5. A New Job In July
I found a new job after hunting for one for a very long time and after having been in my old job for six years. It was a refreshing change and it is also nice to get a good raise.

4. Taking Part In 10k Run In Standard Chartered Marathon In December
It was totally spontaneous because I thought I had to do it as I have been procrastinating about taking part since 2005. I am glad I did, even if it was only for 10km.

3. Changing My Daily Diet & Establishing A Regular Exercise Regime
In recent months, I have minimised carbohydrate intake (which I used to take a lot of) and turned to other alternatives as well as reducing the quantity of food that I eat.

Training for the 10km run prior to the Standard Chartered marathon has also motivated me to establish a regular exercise regime as I am seeing the benefits. I used to dread doing exercise but I enjoy it now.

2. Shedding Some Weight
With a change in my diet and regular exercise, I have managed to shed some excess weight, which I have gained much of since 2005. Since August, I have lost 6 kilograms. I am now within my ideal weight range. I have not felt so good in a long while and the satisfaction of being able to fit in those trousers and skirts, which I have not been able to wear for over a year now, is just priceless!

1. A Complete 360-Degree Change In My Attitude
For years now, I have quite a negative attitude – complaining and whining about almost everything and sweating all the small stuffs, especially about work. Then, one fine day, I did a 360-degree turn and got rid of that negative me after I realised that the negative side of me has affected the people around me too. It sure feels good not being negative and sweating the small stuffs - dealing with things is so much easier now.

With all the positives in 2006, I am looking forward for an even better year in 2007 and keeping the positive momentum going! I am so ready for what’s coming this year!

another day, another year...

Happy 2007, everyone!