Health Nut - Keep Moving

Photo credit: keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

I am quite unfortunate when it comes to being active the whole day. My work is a desk-job kind of thing so I only get to enjoy walking or other strenuous activities when I have to go to other buildings in the compound. So, burning calories is quite difficult to achieve. However, studies show that even the slightest movement or activity can trigger calorie-burning action. For example, using the stairs instead of the lift, running or sprinting towards the restroom or walking to another room where your colleagues are instead of calling them. These are little things which can also add up on your weight loss goals.

Keep moving! If you cannot do an hour stretch of intensive exercise due to lack of time, try squeezing 10-20 minutes of running, brisk-walking, jogging, aerobics or any exercise routine that you do. Try to include 2-3 minutes of sprint as intervals and you'll be surprised to know that these little things will add up to something in the long run.

Thinner Thighs

Isn't this a common dream of the other half of the female population who are born with fuller figure? I dream of having thin thighs too but in a healthier vision of "thin." I think I must term it aptly as "toner thighs."

I used to be very thin before hitting mid-30's. I could fit in a size 0 or 1 jeans even after delivery. I was that skinny but things changed in my body. I got rounder and flabby. My thighs grew like big logs and I didn't know why and how. I just knew that one day, I could not fit into any of my normal jeans. I had to buy a bigger size now.

However, don't despair if you're in the same boat as I am. There are ways to slim and trim your flabby thighs but you have to commit to a regular exercise and proper eating habits.

1. Run or go for regular walks
Endurance sports build certain muscle fibers which does not bulk up. It makes your legs toner and firmer. Start your regular walk and then progress into jogging later on as you build up your endurance.

2. Do squats
If you are seated most of the time in the office, take a breather and stand. Use the back of your chair as support and do squats or side lifts. I normally do this in the office without a care.

3. Engage in Pilates
These workouts are designed to stretch and tone the muscles minus the bulky part.  However, doing Pilates alone cannot make your thighs slim. Combine this with other cardio routines and proper nutrition.

4. Weight Training
Adding this routine to your workout will help tone and firm your thighs especially if you concentrate on the leg areas. Body fat is burned during exercise and adding weight training to your exercise can speed up the fat-burning process and will help in making your thighs leaner and more shapely.

5. Eat properly
Remove junk food in your eating equation and replace them with healthier options like fruits, vegetables and lean meat. Minimize the intake of sodium and drink more water to eliminate water retention.

6. Climb the stairs
Use the stairs often than the elevator if you can. Lightly running up and down the stairs help burn out fats and will make your thighs firmer and leaner.

My Karate's a Bust

Remember my conviction to do karate despite of my age and health issues? Well, 1 month later, I still don’t know the steps. I’m still getting very dizzy with the movements and my very young karatekas are already in yellow belt while I still cannot master the fundamental steps – not one! And this is without any exaggeration.

So, much as to my family and friends’ dismay (including mine), I am withdrawing from the class. I don’t feel any regrets joining because it made me more flexible because of the stretches. I also have a new found great respect for the martial art. However, I have realized that my arms and legs (forget the mind!) coordination are way too bad. It struck me that I am not the sporty kind. I knew that then but this experience has cemented that fact.

I’ll just go back to jogging which I really enjoy but I am keeping my "Gi."

Half An Hour Run

I ran for half an hour today. I didn't want to go more than that since my knees would give up. I still have plenty of weight to lose so I am taking it slowly but surely.

I put the treadmill on level 2 incline to give my run more oomph and substance. I wore an elastic band around my waist to encourage sweating specially on my waist area which is my main problem. After the half an hour run, I ate a meatloaf sandwich and downed 2 full glasses of water to re-hydrate myself.

A lot of people can do an hour stretch of running but I cannot subject myself to that. I have read in the web that if you run right away without building your stamina, you will only get injuries. Also, I have checked the web for the best weight loss supplements available in the market to aid my weight loss; apart from drinking green tea. I am also taking omega 3 fatty acid as a supplement to help my joints and heart.

I still have a long way to go. Like I always tell everybody, I don't mind the slow, steady pace as long as I get to my goal the healthy and proper way.

The Case of the Failing Weight Loss

If Benjamin Button has his case, I have mine. And no, I am not going through a weird stage of physiological changes but my weight loss plan is gravely affected. I am beginning to realize why my plan to lose weight is not moving an inch because I lack the determination. Classic example is today. Last night, I set my alarm clock to 6 a.m. so I could run on the park. I did wake up and washed my face and brushed my teeth and set my running shoes. Then I sat on the bed and told myself I'd just have another minute. Next thing I knew it, I was deep asleep again. So I ended up "jogging" in my dreams.

I seem to lack focus on that goal. I can't figure out why. I keep envisioning myself slim and trim but my will does the opposite. I keep munching junk food, sleep late, sit a lot in front of the laptop, barely lifts a finger to exercise except for few jumping jack sessions everyday. As for my running, the once regular activity I do has become a sideline only when I have the time.

Seriously, this is not the way to lose weight. I am losing track here. Somebody better snap me out of this! And that somebody is ME!!!

Babies and Mommies Around

I haven't seen much of mommies jogging lately with their little tots and babies on their baby jogger city mini at the nearby park. The recent weather freak show here has kept most of us at home. For the past few weeks, we had thunderstorms, hail, sand storm and lately, fog. I was not able to run around much too.

I honestly miss seeing the mommies and babies I usually see in the morning. Now that the weather has turned to a bit hot and humid, I don't think I will be seeing much of them for a long time.

I have a secret

Gotcha!!! Aren't we all curious about unlocking secrets and finding out the truth. Well, I just thought of getting your attention so you'll pass this article along and that will drive traffic to my site. Clever eh? hehehe.

Ok, let's get the ball rolling, shall we? I have been desperately trying to lose weight for the past __ years. I was typically skinny during my younger years. I could eat a pint of ice cream everyday and I wouldn't get fat. I tried different kinds of multi-vitamins to boost my appetite but I remained in the ectomorph side. Now, I am trying so hard to reverse my physical state. I have been jogging like crazy, eating properly now, not skipping any meals, avoiding sweets and white bread, taking the stairs instead of the lift. You name it!

So, do you want to know the 3 fat burning tricks you can do to hasten your weight loss? Read on...

After exercising, we tend to have a very hefty appetite. Sometimes we gorge on unnecessary snack to "treat" ourselves for a job well done. Well, I am guilty of that sometimes. Most days, I can control myself but leave a brownie lying on the table, I may just find myself nibbling on that too...I know... What a shame? hahahaha. When we work out, our bodies release a hunger-boosting hormone called ghrelin. It is meant to control our bodies from losing too much too quick. So, to avoid this:

1. Snack first, Sweat later
This doesn't mean, right-after-you-eat kind of thing. Give yourself at least half an hour to digest the food you have taken or an hour if you must. According to Liz Vaccariello, the editor-in-chief of Prevention, "exercising on an empty stomach lowers blood sugar, which can increase your appetite..." Try a pre-workout snack like yogurt or banana instead.

2. Jot down your food intake
Well, I have been doing this for the past 2 years and can actually vouch for the times when my eating pattern is at its worst. I realized that I eat too much when I am upset or stressed out. I cringe at the sight of this entry I had a year ago:
"Date: xx-xx-xxxx
BF: tuna sandwich with double cheese + 1 frapuccino
LU: Rice with chicken topping + choco slice + choco shake
DI: Lasagna + diet cola"

Shiver me timbers!!! When you look at that entry and you're trying so hard to lose weight, would you still want to eat? I have already corrected that bad pattern. Now, I know better.

3. Drinks lots of H2O (okay, that's water for you in lay term)
Studies show that people who drink plenty of water have decreased their calorie intake by 200 in a day. Liz also tipped this: researchers in Germany found that drinking "ice" water a day can raise your metabolism. Well, if that is the case, then I will drink an entire ice bucket for that!

(source: Liz Vaccariello, Prevention as taken from Shine Yahoo)