Chip Thrills

I've always been a fan of chips.  I remember years ago, when my mom and I would go grocery shopping, we would always bring home 3-4 big bags of those imported chips (Lay's, Doritos, Ruffles). More than sweets, mas ma-chips talaga ako.  I'd finish maybe half the bag and save the best for last  - my flavor-filled fingers! So tasty! LOL.

Since I've been going on a diet technically since Liam, I have tried hard to cut this off my diet.  The last time I had chips was Cheetos Jalapenos (yum!) last April 1 ;) I've found a yummy and healthy (or healthier) alternative, though! Something crunchy but not as salty with only 150 calories per pack!

Why it's awesome: 150 calories per pack (as mentioned), made with whole wheat (as you can see), no added MSG (as they claim) and yummy white cheddar cheese flavor! <3 It's flavor is light and tasty, not walang lasa like some of the chips in Healthy Options, hehe.  And only P7.50 per pack ;)

Also, in the hopes of living a more healthy lifestyle, I have also successfully cut out milk tea from my diet! I used to have a "2 glasses per month" rule which I have now dropped.  It's been over a month since my last milk tea <3 So happy! 

Now thinking, what's the next thing to be removed from my diet? 

Fitspo?

I've been following a lot of fitness/fitspo (just recently learned about this term.  Short cut for fitness + inspiration = fitsopration) accounts on Instagram and seeing before/after shots just really motivate me so well to reach my goal! An example of what I see on those accounts:

Although sugar is really the least of my problems, since I've already cut this from my diet since October of last year.  So if you want inspiration to stay fit (or become fit) and eat healthy, follow these accounts for daily reminders ;) j_foreverfit, fitspooration, healthyfitsporation.  Medyo natuwa ako eh, kaya ang dami.  The photos posted by these users balance out all the #foodporn posts from friends, haha!

Speaking of fitness, I went out yesterday and bought myself an.. tadadada.. elliptical machine! I figured that for running, the roads will always be there.  But on days when I just want to sweat it out and do some cardio without leaving the house, an elliptical would be perfect.  I asked my husband if I should get one and he told me to go ahead and gift myself with one ;) So that was my go signal.  Will post a photo of it when it arrives on Monday.  So excited! In addition to being able to do cardio in the comforts of my own home, I am also looking forward to my mother getting on the machine.  She says she will, so let's see.  But I won't hold my breath ;)  

On dieting, it's Day 6 tomorrow of - NO: rice, soda, pork, beef + having carbs only for breakfast.  I weighed myself this morning and found that I had not really dropped any significant weight yet.  Which is strange.  Maybe I gained muscle from the free weights? Or maybe it's just too early to be expecting results.  Will weigh self again after exactly a week since I started (Monday next week).  Until then, #tiisganda haha!  

Project WW!

WW = Wedding Weight.

To be completely honest, here are the figures: (in smaller font, so as not to shock anyone too much, haha)

Heaviest pregnancy weight: 198 lbs.
Current weight: 155 lbs.
Wedding weight: 130 lbs.

Pounds lost: 43 lbs.
Pounds to go: 25 lbs.

Can I do it? I can do it!

Due date for losing 15 lbs.: May 2
Due date for the other 8 lbs. (or more): June 1

How I intend to accomplish this?
- workout 5x a week (run, go on the elliptical, do weights, yoga at home, squats, push ups, lunges, take care of baby..haha)
- diet diet diet (no sweets, no rice, no carbs after breakfast, no soda, no chips or anything junk, no fast food, no pork, no beef)
- lots of water, veggies, fruits, fish and chicken

I've been 'dieting' since I can remember but I've never been THIS determined.  And I say dieting with ' ' because it's never been really consistent, haha.  Probably because I didn't have the right motivation then.  Before, it was so I could wear a bikini without having to be avoid sitting down (because the flabby tummy would appear).  I don't really imagine myself, a mother and wife to be wearing a bikini anymore (plus, don't want the world to see all the stretch marks haha) I just want to be fit and at a healthy weight.  I promise, I will not make the pregnancy/baby my excuse for all the fat I've accumulated.

I started with Day 1 today and here's what I ate/did:

8am - oatmeal, a slice of cheese
1230pm - fish with some sauce made with egg, a piece of chicken adobo (breast part), Coke Zero (hehe), about 10 pcs of Cheetos.  I've been seeing the bag of Cheetos on the breakfast table and I thought to myself, "Might as well finish this on Day 1 so that I won't have to see it again!" hahaha.  Weak moment right there.
4:30pm - another slice of cheese
7:00pm - 2 frozen bananas with milk

Did 3 reps of lunges, squats and leg lifts.  30 minutes yoga video and push ups (honestly, I can barely do a set of 10, my arms are so weak.  But I gotta start somewhere, right?).  Running tomorrow morning.

Save for the Cheetos and Coke Zero... Not bad, it's 11:30 PM and I feel somewhat hungry but not to the point of not being able to sleep (I think).  I guess I should hit the sack soon before hungry turns into starving!

Summer '13

The most awaited time of the year!!! ...fine, next time Christmas, hah! As a teacher, one of the nicest benefits is having April off...especially now that I have Liam, this really is something welcomed with open arms.  What to do this April?

1.  Lose at least 10 pounds.
Seriously.  I have to be able to fit into my pre-pregnancy casual clothes by May so that I won't have to buy new ones! The plan? Yoga + squats + lunges + running/gym-ing when I get the chance and of course, DIETING!!! I've already lost about 40 pounds from my pregnancy so another 10-15 should be doable.  Fight!

2.  UBE (Ultimate Bonding Experience) with Liam! 
Since yaya will be on (permanent) vacation, I expect to have a lot of time with Liam <3 Which explains "running/gym-ing when I get the chance".  The past months that I have spent training for the marathon, I admit I counted on yaya too much.  This time, running will take a back seat and Liam will be #1, I promise.

3.  Liam's first airplane ride
Will be visiting my 90-year-old grandma in Cebu on the 13th so she can also see Liam.  It'll be Liam's first airplane ride so please help me pray it goes well.  It will also be our little family's first out of town trip.

4.  Read books!
...at least at night and while Liam is napping, hehe.  The books I plan to read/finish reading are:

• Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
• Why We Run by Robin Harvie
• Mere Christianity by CS Lewis

I will end there because I don't want to bite off more than I can chew!

**

I guess that's it.  My workload for the school year is not yet final but if what's being planned (by my bosses) pushes through, then I'm going to have a crazy busy school year ahead! So far, Ive already got the following on my plate: Faculty Club secretary, CLE teacher, CLUB moderator.  There are 2 more things that have yet to be finalized :p So for now, hush hush muna.  

How about you? What's going to keep you busy this April? :)

So, thank you SY 2012-2013! As for next school year, will worry about that in a month's time.  For now, partayyyy!!! .. NOT! Yaya-mode, actually <3 

And So I Run

I saw two friends I haven't seen in a while and was so surprised to see them so skinny. This of course inspired me to stick to my diet and fitness plan until I see significant changes. This week I have been having only 3 spoonfuls of rice every dinner. Worked out only Monday, though. I weighed myself yesterday and scale says I lost about 4 pounds so hooray for me! :-)

On running, I was texting CA awhile ago, thinking I should really seriously go back to running again. I am 100% registering for the Adidas KOTR run which is on the 30th of September so I have to prepare for it! I texted CA in line with this, asking him if he could help me train. Of course he's up to it. I'm his favorite student, I think. Haha!

So we set a date, August 1. My plan is to run 5kms in the gym on Monday, rest Tuesday and run with CA on Wednesday. So help me God :p

On Going Back to Running...

It's been almost a year since THIS.  Where am I now? Well, first of all, I realized that although my blog states that I'm "on the run", I haven't been doing any! I know I have the best excuse ever, but enough is enough! It has been 11 months since my last REAL run around the Greenhills area (where I normally run).  Although I have the the best excuse to gain weight and lie low on running, it's still no reason to be unfit and chubchub now that baby is out! So. because having goals work with me and motivate me well, here's my realistic timeline for going back to running and getting back in shape:

My ThINSPIRATION

This was taken May 2010.  Hopefully by May 2012, I'll be back to this!