Life Lessons from Dieting and Exercising

A lot of my friends were surprised when they learned that I was on a diet, "Seryoso ka ba?", they would say. Because they all know how I love food, and the more sinful, the better. Chips, chocolates, cakes, ice cream, crispy pata, sisig, steak (you get the drift), I love! But the past few days, I counted calories -- and even targetted a lower calorie intake than what was recommended. I also paid attention to what I ate, no sweets, nothing fried and no sugar (oh did I mention that my favorite coffee was anything with caramel or mint?). As much as possible I only had oatmeal for breakfast and salads for lunch and dinner. There would be exceptions like lunch meetings, but I would definitely eat within my allowed calorie intake. The biggest challenges were: a lunch treat of an officemate at North Park, my regular lunch out with my good friends at Pancake House, and a birthday celebration of a lunch mate where there was a Turtle Pie and a Mango Cream Cake. How did I cope? I ate steamed broccoli, two pieces siomai and one piece squid at North Park but only had banana for dinner, had the Fiesta Taco Salad at Pancake House, and had one bite each of the cakes and brought the rest home to E.

When they learned that I go biking and go to the gym, they said "Ikaw? e pumunta lang sa kabilang building kailangan mag-car pa!" It's true, I'm really lazy. But I do bike and even gamely biked some hilly streets (which was hell, by the way). And I go to the gym as often as I can and time myself, making sure I spend at least 45 minutes for a cardio workout. This morning, I made it 60 minutes.

I didn't really know that I had it in me, the will power, the discipline, the determination... but I know now!

Blast from the Past

Because I've been spending a lot of time online, I've gotten into contact with my grade school, high school and college friends. How cool is that? I went to different elementary and high schools, and so the grade school friends I've come in contact with, I haven't seen in more than 25 years. Strangely enough, most of them look the same. And as I come into contact with them, I remember everything so clearly in grade school and high school, all the good things (and the bad).

The wonders of technology! To whoever thought of Friendster, Facebook, Multiply and other networking sites, a big thanks to you!

Ambush!

(Photos stolen from Doc FC's Multiply site)

E and I woke up to a text message from AC, "Are you home? Let's go biking!". Before we could answer his text, he and wife DocFC were already outside our house! After a quick breakfast, we headed to the Filinvest Alabang area to try it out. We were joined by E's officemate BSA. For the beginner like me, the hills of Alabang were really challenging. The only thing that got me going was the thought that at least I will be able to burn calories from the ride. It was also a good place to see new things --- posh subdivisions with the fitting Palms Country Club. Maybe next time the Bike Club could try this out!

The ride ended with a delicious lunch at Leslie's, the popular bulalo place. And again, I ended up counting calories and mostly eating the vegetables of the bulalo except the potatoes and corn, but succumbing to a small piece of beef. Also had some of the pinaputok na pla-pla but totally eliminated rice. Buti na lang they didn't order sisig or worse, crispy pata!

Meet My New Best Friend

Took this photo using my cellphone while I was on the stationary bike in the gym. Talk about multi-tasking:-)

Last Day of Classes

I've just ended my 14th term of teaching!

Yup, those writings on the board are journal entries!

Distractions

If I were to log my hours in front of the computer now on Blogger, Facebook, Multiply, Friendster, Yahoo Mail and other sites, and get paid for it, I would probably earn more than what my day job pays. Unfortunately, I don't get paid, but it keeps my mind off eating...

Customer Service at Texas Roadhouse Grill

Things are a bit different for E and I now. You all know how we love to eat out, but because of the diet I'm so trying hard to follow, it's a bit difficult. But E says we should still be able to go out, ang corny naman kung hindi na. We had relatives come over for lunch at our house and E cooked his Baked Chicken and Spaghetti. Of course I didn't eat any of it and just had a salad and I know I made a very big sacrifice. By dinner time, I was starving. We were at the Fort and originally planned to go to Pancake House. When we passed Texas Roadhouse, I suggested that we try this place because we have not tried dining there and they have a selection of salads.

Turns out it was a bad choice for us. After waiting for more than 30 minutes for our orders, my usually calm and patient husband asked the manager what was taking the order so long. It turns out there was a mix-up of some sort and they would be able to serve us in a few minutes. Too bad for the restaurant, E said that we were leaving and would just pay for the drinks.

While talking to the manager, our food arrived. The manager insisted that we still dine there and try the food and everything would be on them, in other words, they will not be charging us anything. Being so hungry by that time, I started to eat my salad, but E refused to touch his Pork Steak.

It wasn't really a good experience, unfortunately, it was our first time to eat there. Although I would have to commend the manager for being graceful and apologetic about it, and even offering a free dish the next time we visit (if we do visit again). We'll see if the place deserves a second chance. But maybe when we decide to try it again, we shouldn't go there when we are very hungry.

Found the Perfect Hoodie!

Found this at the U.P. Shopping Center for P650.

FitFlops are Here!

I first read about FitFlops from one of my most favorite websites: the Bath and Body Works website (www.bbw.com) and got very curious. My college barkada had a few exchanges about it on email, one of my barkada even got one and the more I got curious.

Saw it at Recreational Outdoor Exchange (R.O.X., at Bonifacio High Street) and decided to at least try it. I'm desperate after all...

Another Day in UP

At Chocolate Kiss, after the intense workout (photo stolen from Doc Faye's multiply site)

Our tired but happy faces after the ride.

Yesterday I spent the whole day in UP. I started the day with a lecture in a seminar for financial analysts. It' the same seminar where I was a speaker a year ago (read about last year's seminar here), and this year's talk was very stimulating. There were a lot of questions and interaction among the participants, and for that alone I think I did a good job of bringing up the most relevant issues. I'm just glad that I was able to impart helpful inputs for them to do their job well.

After the lecture, The Bike Club (PZ, JZ, SC with kids An and Ai, E and I), with two new members, Doc Faye and her husband AC met up for biking. Doc Faye and AC were far more experienced bikers than we were and so they were able to share some tips to me, the amateur biker. Doc Faye, being a doctor was very helpful, especially by telling us when the cardio exercise is sufficient. Just learned that I would have to at least double my usual routine, and was able to do that yesterday, thanks to my new drill sergeant, Doc Faye :-).

After biking, Doc Faye suggested snacks at Chocolate Kiss, and everyone agreed! I was a good girl and had the chopped vegetable salad, while the rest had mostly main entrees and also dessert!

Oh Goody!

Just paid my nutritionist a visit and she said that a Goolai salad pack would not be over 200 calories even with the fruit vinaigrette dressing. That means that I can even eat 3 or 4 packs a day and I wouldn't go over my allowed daily calorie intake. Of course I'll only have two, and can even have a piece of bread to go with it. This isn't so bad after all!

* Goolai salad packs are available in selected Rustan's supermarkets.

Things To Do Before I'm 50

1. Watch the Opening or Closing Ceremonies of the Olympics.
2. Watch a World Cup Game.
3. Be a Doctor of Business Administration.
4. Help more young people finish their studies.
5. Visit the following places:
a. Florence, Italy
b. Amalfi Coast, Italy
c. Venice, Italy
d. Australia
e. Spain
f. Greece
g. Boston, USA
h. Las Vegas, USA
i. San Francisco, USA
6. Go back to Lourdes and Paris, France.

High School Life

Of my High School Barkada, two are already based abroad. LC is based in Zurich while LCN is based in San Francisco. Four of us still see each other regulary, although by regular, I really mean maybe twice, or if we are really lucky, thrice a year. But nothing really changes between us, when we see each other, it's like we are transported back to one of the happiest periods in our lives. When our two friends from abroad come home for a visit, we would definitely spend time together.

Last week, the four of us, Doc FC, JU, JC and I met up with our husbands for Doc FC's birthday treat (Thanks, FC!) . We went to Dencio's and had good old Filipino favorites of sisig, lechon kawali,inihaw na buntot ng tuna and sinigang. It was a special time to be with my good friends of almost 25 years. We've indeed come a long way from being high school students, but it's always good to know that we have remained the same simple people with simple joys --- and that is spending time with good friends.

Am I Crazy or What?

My company just announced a "The Biggest Loser" competition of sorts. There will be competing teams of 10 members each and the team that registers the most weight loss in 80 days will be declared the winner. And guess who signed up for it?

I figured that to do it with a team would be fun because we will be able to help each other. But really challenging as well, I wouldn't want to be the one dragging the whole team down right?

So yes, I think I'm crazy to join, and even crazier to announce it to all of you, but by doing these, I am left with no other choice but to lose weight right? My goal is to lose at least 1 pound per 5 days because 16 pounds of the team goal has already been alloted to me. Hope all of you can help me by giving tips and cheering me on!

Retirement

How do I know if I'm ready for it?

According to this checklist:
6 Ways to Tell If You're Financially Ready to Retire
my score is 5/6.

Will definitely be working on that 1/6.

Barkada Reunion Part 6

This day's main event was to go to Salcedo Market to buy our food for the day. We planned to spend the whole day at JV and DV's posh and spacious condo unit in Makati. (Parang outing, pero sa Makati condo ang venue). I wasn't able to join the "marketing" because I had a class up to 12nn, but when I got to the condo unit, there was so much food on the buffet table and the dining table. I can only remember the following: beef salpicao, a special kind of adobo, barbecue, 2 kinds of paella, 2 kinds of lasagna, grilled tilapia, bacalao, ginataang "escargots" , laing, and a number of other dishes that escape my mind now. (Girls, feel free to add to the list!). I had to go back to the buffet table a number of times, haha! On my way to the party, I passed by Powerplant to buy chips and dessert. I bought Sugarhouse's Cashew Toffee Cake which was featured here. And it was good!

We spent the day just chilling, watching DVD's and of course, non-stop eating and chika.

We all had dinner together, more of the food from lunch plus steamed siomai, squidballs and bagnet. And then some singing on the Magic Sing, until the husbands said that it's time for their Boys' Night Out. Us girls couldn't agree more, it was after all time for us to talk about THEM! The girls decided to stay in the condo(are we getting old???) , looking over pictures of the past 20(!) years and sharing stories.

I loved spending the day with my dear friends. It was the last day we were seeing DL who will be leaving for New York with her husband on Tuesday. And so, this is the last of the Barkada Reunion Series, but definitely not the last of spending time with my dear friends!