Success: Before and After

Nothing great is ever achieved without a few obstacles.

May '11

May '11

May '11

June '11

June '11

August? :p [Zach, Anna, Me, Joanna]

September '11 :]

October '11

I've already lost a total of 15lbs since August..That's 7.5lbs/month. The secret? positive attitude, exercise, and healthy living. I binge but I make up for it by doubling my gym time. 

I need to lose another 10 :]

I feel so proud of myself :]

FISH!

I loooooooooooveee FISH..I can eat fish from Monday til Sunday and still be a happy camper! 

 Fried Dory with Mango Salsa

Steamed Salmon with Lemonbutter, Garlic, and Cheese

Running

TARGET BEFORE THE BIG DAY: 135 and a toned tummy!

I've recently joined a 10k marathon for October. I am scared and excited at the same time. I'm scared cause this is my very first marathon and already, I'm doing 10k; Excited, cause this is a new experience for me and babycakes and this is actually gonna PUSH me to do beyond what I normally do slash beyond my comfort zone.


Running ain't that new to me though I have never experienced running in a marathon. I used to jog around the quadrangle when I was still training for volleyball varsity in high school, I also run the treadmill at the gym. This We Run Manila 10K is a BIG CHALLENGE for me. Never in my life have I thought of joining events like this cause 1) I'm not a fast runner 2) I [used to] get easily tired 3) I'd rather bike. But I am little by little getting the hang of it. I am really looking forward to running this marathon! 

So my dad accompanied me to A Runner's Circle in Quirino to buy new running shoes. My budget was 3,500 but i ended up doubling it for this, haha! I was unaware of how important running shoes are to a runner [naks!]. Choosing the right shoes is extremely important because it promotes correct bio-mechanics and shock absorption [for an injury free run]. 


I'm about to try it tonight [excited MUCH!]. I hope this indeed is the perfect running shoes for me! Keeping my fingers [and toes] crossed! :]

Update!

I just finished my 20 minute exercise cause I had to reach my quota. This week was horrible, lazy, and disappointing. I had my monthly period so I had an awkward time exercising cause of heavy flow..I know, it sounds like a lazy excuse not to move, very disappointing. Despite this, I pushed myself to try so I still worked my ass off not in the gym but inside my condo to catch up on lost gym time, remember 20 minutes is better than 0 minutes. So instead of working out in the gym, I did level one and two of the 30 Day Shred by THE Jillian Michaels. I did it thrice this week plus 35 minutes running on the treadmill. 20 minutes each of level one and two might sound like an easy peasy thing, it`s not, trust me, the exercise not only concentrates on cardio but also incorporates strengthening exercises alternately..this is effective because the exercises use both small and big muscles all at the same time to burn twice as much calories than in a regular exercise. I actually enjoy every single minute of it, it pushes me to my limit and it`s a different take on my exercise routine. The 30 Day Shred is the perfect exercise for me cause it eliminates body fat while toning parts of the body. Speaking of toning, I have stepped it up a notch and am aiming for a toned tummy a.k.a. baby abs. It might seem funny to you, but I am pushing myself even more. A toned body doesn`t come for free so I am trying to be stricter on food intake and my exercise. But I am seriously seeing huge results on my legs and my waist..I've lost about 4 inches off my waist and dropped 8 lbs which is pretty amazing for me..I won`t stop `til I get the body that I am now aiming for. Nothing can stop me from achieving more than what I can do. I`m strong and I`m capable so there`s no turning back. IF I CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU.

STRONG.

Just cause I'm making myself STRONG.


I went to the gym last Saturday despite my lack of sleep because I have a self-proclaimed weekly gym quota. It was rather odd that only a few people were there, my guess was cause the mall was on sale. I was the rose among the thorns, not that it mattered nor hindered me from doing what I normally do. I feel motivated actually whenever I see guys in the gym (not THAT way). I feel empowered because I`m the only girl running and strengthening with the guys, talk about Girl Power, hahaha. It makes me push myself harder. If guys can do it, why can't I? What's stopping me? Nothing. Yeah, NOTHING. If I, the extremely lazy girl, can do it, SO CAN YOU. 


So anyway, I've neither lost nor gained this week, which is a bit of a bummer. I've computed my weight and I still need to lose about 10 more lbs. I should stop obsessing over weight and instead continue my cardio and strengthening workout, my body's shrinking anyway..I'm thinking of doing it 5x instead of 4 but the 5th would be swimming instead of gym..I think that's a good plan so I wouldn't be stuck in a boring gym routine. I shall try that this coming week and update you as soon as the week ends.


EMPOWER YOUR MIND, STRENGTHEN YOUR BODY.


xx,
Charlotte

Numbers

my back is killing me.

MUST.STICK.TO.THE.GOAL.

15 TO GO.

The Right Way

fitspire.

my motivational print from believe-toachieve.tumblr.com

I'm back :) I have no excuse this time for my absence, I'm just plain lazy.

So anyway, I've been shedding off the lbs that I've gained during my recent US trip plus more. In a span of 3 or 4 weeks, I've lost a total of 7 lbs. which is "healthy" according to my med student friend. My goal is to get rid of at least 20 lbs, I've lost more than 7 already but I feel like I still need to lose 15 more, which ain't that bad. If they can, why can't I? Truth be told, I want to lose at least 5 lbs a week which is unhealthy and unimaginable due to my schedule, blame it on Biggest Loser for that idea (what do you expect? they eat, exercise, and do physical stuff, just that). I hit the gym 4 days a week minimum, and 5 if lucky. So far, I see a BIG LEGIT improvement on my tummy and my legs, a bit on my arms, back, and shoulders (will post a picture soon). I can already stand a 30-second plank which is awsuuumm! What I am doing is physically draining but I cannot use that as an excuse because of the intensity of how I badly want to change my sort of unhealthy lifestyle. I am getting used to my new routine of gym after work but then again, it is physically draining.


My guy friend told me not to overdo this new health addiction and my gym time because I look better with a bit of chunk, and I do believe him, but what I want to achieve is a fit and toned body, not too muscular and not the skinny kind which is, sad to say, a bit gross and unhealthy. That picture of the girl above is absolutely dreamy, not to thin and not to chunky, that's what I want, I don't want to be stick thin with bones protruding here and there, I want to have a lean body. I believe in myself, I push myself, because no one is gonna do it for me, and I am my own enemy and my own motivation. 


Things that I have learned: 
1.Portions matter!
2.Stop obsessing over those food/drink diet fads, they work temporarily (been there, done that), opt for something which you can often do, do it the healthy way, then maintain. 
3.When you want something, you just want to PUSH yourself harder and to train not only your body, but also your mind.
4.One step at a time :)

Your body isn't giving up on your brain, so why should your brain give up on your body?
There are no shortcuts to success.

Taking Things Seriously

I have a month left before we fly to the States. I have been preparing my body for this trip just so I could buy lots of clothes, haha! But that`s a different issue.


My super close friends and I have been chatting since yesterday about weight issues and insecurities. I have a lot of those, would you believe? People love me for who I am irregardless of my flaws and insecurities but I just seriously want to live a HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. Actually, I eat healthy, except for the sweet stuff which I find hard to control. That, I`ve got to learn. Cake, Ice Cream, Chocolates, Brownies, Goodbye. I have to stick with natural sugar like those from fruits. Gah, I love fruits!!!! Oh and I can eat pala dark chocolate, which I also love. But I have to be super careful.


As I have previously raved about, I have stopped eating pork and beef since February 28, 2011. Approximately 7 weeks now. It`s fine cause I source my protein needs from Fish and Chicken. What i SERIOUSLY AND STRICTLY GOT TO GET RID OF is WHITE RICE. 


I`m not a fan of rice and I can skip it a week straight or even a month but sometimes, I just can`t help it. I try to eat at least half cup to a cup at most. I limit it to that, beyond that, my mouth can no longer and will strongly refuse to ingest or even take in. I guess I should blame my Asian Roots for this because Rice is a household staple of Asian homes, haha. Thai Jasmine Rice, you are so freaking yummy! GRR. 


Aside from STRICT COMPLIANCE OF NO RICE, I just gotta go back to the gym and do all strenuous activities which I enjoy like Swimming, Biking, and Running. Those listed activities burn a lot of calories and fats. I mean, come on, I can`t lose weight by just refraining myself from eating whatever.

I`ve been browsing Tumblr for inspirational photos [like those posted above, which by the way, i got from wherever, probably Tumblr or Thinspiration Photos] and found A LOT of motivational sites  and photos and tips but I NEED TO MOTIVATE MYSELF FIRST. I need a lot of MOTIVATION AND WILL POWER that will inspire me, where can I buy that? Haha. Anyway, I wanna thank Anna Banana for inspiring me to go back to the gym, Babycake for constantly reminding me of how he loves me and how HOT I am, Barbie for just being there for me and not judging me despite my continous emotional meltdowns [well, sort of]. I am definitely lucky to have such amazing friends who support me in whatever it is that I am doing and who reminds me of how BEAUTIFUL I am. Haha, kilig.  


Lastly, I will do my very best to lose weight and attain my goal of living a healthy lifestyle rather than go for short term goals and do diet shortcuts.


Ciao!

The 7th Week

I am so proud of myself! I am on my 7th week of not consuming Meat [except for poultry cause I just love em chic chic chicken]. Someday, I will bid thee poultry goodbye, just not now. I need to reward myself: Gỏi cuốn, NOW..or tonight..*evil laugh*

Tuna Carbonara

a healthier version of the usual Carbonara [except that the grocery ran out of Soy Cream :| bummer]

Ingredients:

A pack of all purpose cream [healthier if you use Soy version]

A can of mushrooms

Garlic, Minced

1 white Onion, shredded

A can and a half of Tuna

1/2cup water

and my ever trusty McCormick Carbonara Mix

Salt and Pepper

Sautee Onions in Vegetable Oil [I use the Oil from the Tuna to make it tastier]

Add Garlic

Add the Tuna

Now the Mushrooms. Season with Salt and Pepper. Go figure how much.

It will depend on how bland or salty you would want it to taste.

Add water. 

You can actually use 1/4-1 cup depending on the amount of sauce that you will be making.

Now add the cream. Yes the entire packet.

To add flavor, add the McCormick Mix. Half will do.

Stir gently til it boils?

Add noodles if desired.

VOILA!

Homemade Tomato-Basil Sauce

I ate at Cibo with Bie and Bryan last Saturday and got inspired to make my own Pasta Sauce, hence this blog :)


This, probably, is the easiest homemade sauce that I can make with limited materials [pan included] on hand.


Ingredients:
7 Local Tomatoes
Water
Basil
Garlic
Onion
Salt
Pepper
Cayenne Pepper

Boil

Squish

Squish

Add Onions and Garlic

Add the Basil, Salt, and Pepper to taste.

Cayenne Pepper lastly depending on your taste preference. And VOILA!

Pho Hoa Dinner

Babe and I ate dinner last night at my favorite Noodle Soup House: Pho Hoa. It's uberly yummy and affordable, what more could I ask for? BTW, I quit my diet fad. 

add: lemon and bean sprouts

optional: hot chili sauce

Babe's

My noodles

while we were waiting for our noodles to come, i browsed his 2 day old Starbucks planner. Oh BTW, he got his Silver Planner last Wednesday :) I gave him extra stickers, haha [or transfered]

this is too sweet.

sorry, I forgot to rotate. I pasted this the day he got his planner. I`m a huge fan of Alessandra Ambrosio so I told him that "hope this reminds you of me" hahahahaha :)

I left him a note dated Friday: January 07. I`m fond of doodling people`s things, haha

Whole Wheat

I love my Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls for Breakfast 

[I have yet to try Muesli, note: must by later at SNR] 

I recently discovered this while buying my greens for my salad. 

Well actually, I know Molasses from Outback but not this kind. 

I bought this from my local grocery.

A single piece contains 100-115 calories 
which is 30 to 45 more than a regular slice of white bread. 

But I prefer this cause it's fiber rich than a single slice of sugary white bread, haha! 

I pair this with either White Cheese or Tuna. 

Naked::Juice Bar

Naked::Juice Bar 4th Flr Midtown, Robinsons Place Manila

Fresh Fruits :)

My favorite: Burn Baby Burn [Fat burner, banana, pineapple, coconut milk, yogurt] 

This is soooooo yummy and refreshing.

My shake with Sour Cream Tofu Chips :]

This juice bar is awsam. I'm so sick and tired of always drinking coffee and tea so this is a perfect fix for my healthy drink cravings. I love juice cause it's soo refreshing and cooling. I love love love love loveeeet!