Damn the Cholesterol!

For the past one year, I am abashed to admit that I lead an extremely sedentary lifestyle.

First, I shifted office; the new office is relatively far off from True Yoga.
Second, my yoga buddy, C left me, and the company.
Lastly, I was promoted to head the Asia team and hence, took on more responsibilities, and I started having late night meetings at least twice a week.

For the several reasons above, I got bigger, literally in my seat.
Lunch time to me is a “waste of time”, on most occasions, I have doggy bag lunch and work at my desk.

And so when it was the time of the year for my medical checkup, I shuddered. I was eager to know my physical conditions, and yet, I was afraid to know the truth. Nevertheless, I went ahead with the most expensive package, that comprises extensive health assessments.

Results came back. As what the title suggested, everything was great, except for my cholesterol. It was borderline high.

Now, that it triggered an alarm in me.

I am determined to lower my cholesterol level to the acceptable range, and decided to steer myself back on the track to exercise, and careful diet. I abstained from my favorite food such as beef, and seafood despite to Kevin’s selfish objection. Well, I was also told that the cholesterol level was affected not just due to food intake, but also the lifestyle I led. For the past one year, I led an extremely stressful lifestyle, lack of rest, full of anxiety… Now, I decided to take everything lightly and take time to smell the roses.

So if you heard that I am not working, let me tell you, it is not an excuse to skive off.

I am just smelling the roses.

Time

Scientists affirmed that ‘Time’ is a non-matter.

I beg to differ.

To me, Time IS a matter.

Time change and we with time. Although Time doesn’t take up space and has no mass, still, the traces that Time has left behind are visibly lucid, especially on the wrinkled faces of my parents, the grey hair on Kevin’s head and the big beer belly spotted on the most handsome guy back in my secondary school (ASS) days.

I get a tad emotional and sensitive lately about Time because for two consecutive days, I brushed shoulders with two of the very gorgeous schoolmates back in ASS. I was even stunned when they sauntered past me and I have to hold on to my astonishment and hurriedly take another peep to confirm they are the ones. And yes, given their age, their pretty faces may still be noticeable but these pretty faces ballooned and so do their bodies.

I don’t know why, very often, ‘weight’ is always the residue of Time.

A few months ago, I bumped into a supposedly hunky ex-classmate at the supermarket towing two kids and his wife, and guess what Time has installed for him? Time, left him a big beer tummy, a bald patch on his head and additional 15kg on his body. He was only 29 years old.

I looked at Kevin and heaved a sigh of relief, turned to the sky and thanked God that Kevin is still in good shape and have substantial hair on top.

So Time is pitiless on everyone of us, Time is callous even to the most good looking people in the world.

I hate Time.

To fight time, I hit True Yoga on average about 3 to 4 times a week, I try to eat like a bird, but to no avail to losing substantial weight.
And perhaps 5 years later, I will hit the aesthetic clinic more often then I visit the gym for some Botox fix.

I must fight Time.

My Gym Bag

As I have been working out religiously during lunch break, it is inevitable that I lug a huge gym bag. Any some of the country pumpkins in my office told me there was this joke in the office about me. I asked one of them what it is all about. I am pretty calm because I know I made no fashion mistakes all these while and is extremely sure that I haven't do anything foolish. And guess what? They said my bag is bigger than me.

What so funny? Is that even a joke? I smiled, briefly. I wonder if they know they are talking about a Prada bag that cost more than a small Chanel and its too big for anything except for gym class.

Yoga Lesson

Yoga is something which I deemed not-so efficacious in losing weight, and to me, it is almost as stultify as golf. “How can one sweat it all out with just stretching?!” I always thought to myself.
So even with free offers for the past few years, I was neither moved (by the offer) nor motivated (to lose weight by practicing Yoga). However, due to the expanding waistline ever since I came back from my Taiwan and Paris trip, I guess it’s time to move a little of my stiff body.

One of my colleagues recommended ‘lunch-time workout’ and I thought, “Why not?”

So I went ahead to book a session of Sivananda Yoga, which is another form of Hatha Yoga which consists of a series of 12 basic poses: Headstand, Shoulderstand, Plow, Fish, Seated Forward Bend, Cobra, Locust, Bow, Half Spinal Twist, Crow, Standing Forward Bend and Triangle.

There weren’t many students (about 8) in the studio for obvious reason, i.e. lunch time and I thought, “WTH, I will be sticking up like a sore thumb since I am the only one without experience!” True enough, I was extremely laggard in class; even the old aunty in front of me looks like a pro. I did many moves that were beyond me and my imagination (that I can achieve them!) and it is almost 10 times harsher than the aerobic class which I previously attended.

What I couldn’t imagine myself doing was the headstand. “Crazy” is the word I nearly blurt out when I saw the instructor demonstrating in front of me, unsupported. He encouraged me to try and I made known to him this is my first time and NO THANKS for trying it. I gave him the excuse that I had low blood pressure, but he assured that I will only feel a tinge of giddiness after that. Not given a choice to say ‘no’, I plucked up my courage to do it with the help of my instructor and with support.

It feels good, to be upside down.

Yoga appears to me as an exercise less strenuous, however in actual fact, it emphasized a lot on postures, flexibility and concentration. And I have none of the mentioned. Overall, it was an interesting learning experience for me, except for the part whereby the brazen old aunty in front of me farted continuously and loudly.

I left the studio knowing that I will be immobile tomorrow.

So what happened?

So what happened when your colleagues bring you around for French food and other exotic food during lunch?

You get fat. And that's me.

I feel fat!

6/7th February 2009

No cake.
No lavish and calorie-laden, fat-riddled, sodium-swaddled, sugar-spiked dining.
This year, we did not helicopter over, “Where to go?”, “What to eat?”.

Cause we have 2 other people “celebrating” or rather “contributing” to my birthday ang bao.

What can 4 people do when they meet?

Mahjong, without a doubt.

On 7th Feb, I played MJ for almost the entire day and ended with some simple maid-cooked dinner. And that’s it.

How uninteresting? The most mundane birthday in my entire 20 something years. (See, me being very heedful and sensitive about numbers now.)

However, on the eve, my neighbouring family and we went on an excursion to the Night Safari. It was our 2nd time there and theirs first. I recalled that the first time Kevin and I went there was during one of my birthdays, about 5 years ago.

The aim of the trip was not to celebrate my day, but to let both kids (Ziv and Trisha) bond since both Daddies already have reasonable amount of bonding time daily and I repeat, “DAILY”.

Nothing much has changed or improved noticeably, or perhaps the tiger is 5 years older now and the elephant has gained a tonne. Well, there are more money-spinning eateries and alfresco dinning along the main entrance. And the tickets to the safari are unbelievable costly with the fact that the numbers of animals one can actually see in the dimly lit vicinity is somehow limited and the varieties of animals pale in comparison with the Mandai Zoo, even travelling on the tram cost $10 per person and for about 20 to 30 minutes. And by the way, it was free back then.
To make our tickets worth, we bought the 2 in 1 package that includes entrance to the Zoo (within a month) and a family of 3 including an 18-month kid cost $80. Not mentioning about being hard sell for your own picture taken on the tram that costs $20, easily, an innocent excursion can fritter away $100 from your already tight wallet.

Never mind about the moolah, let’s move on.

I remembered vividly that we did not managed to catch the animal show 5 years ago and that day, I came with a mission. That is, to catch the animals show by hook or by crook. When we reached there about 830pm, the show was full and hence we went on the tram first. The tram ride was interesting, not because of the animals, the commentator on the tram but my neighbour. He was exaggerated his fear of the animals that would suddenly went berserk, escaped from the boundaries and attacked him. He went on narrating what he would do if such thing happened and so on. His humour is indeed entertaining during the boring tram ride. All animals seemed to turn away from us, perhaps they have seen many of us tourist and immune to us. During the tram ride something hilarious happened, the mischievous elephant blew water on us and luckily we weren’t drench. Kevin blocked the water for me and Ziv.

The animals show was pretty interesting for first time viewer like us, however, a revisit to the show is definitely not recommended. The animals appearing on the show were not big, fierce animals, mainly those monkey-like, furry animals which I have no idea what they are called.
The trip ended with an over-priced 2-scope ice-cream cone from Bens and Jerry’s costing $9.50.

Verdict for the Night Safari?

Visit it once and there is no need for a revisit. Just in case your foreign friend asks you how is it, you can at least reply to him/her.

Some pictures taken…
Even picture taking is a chore, because the lighting is just so dim!

The Boy’s Diet

Taking a blogging break from mind boggling work. Its best to think about the boy when there is too much work to do. Or when the stress level is up to the neck.

These days, Ziv has been getting increasingly adventurous with food, and sometimes, overly adventurous. He is starting to ditch his uninteresting porridge for... things that you never thought a 1 year old will have...

There you go...
1. Chocolates (especially those Soniri chocos)
2. Mooncakes (From Da Chong Guo to those from Sze Chuan Court, you name it, he tasted it!)
3. French Fries
4. Pancakes
5. Waffles
6. Brownies
7. Strawberries
8. Yogurt
9. Cakes (assorted range from with cream and without cream)
10. Ice Lemon Tea (thanks to Kevin)
11. Burgers
12. Muffins/ Cupcakes (is becoming his breakfast)
13. Chawamushi
14. Egg sushi
15. Potato Chips

and the list goes on... Sometimes I wonder where is the discipline?
I think its time to set some rules especially he refused to let me brush his teeth now.

Weighty Issues

Does weight really matters to a woman?

I think so.

Recently, there have been numerous news reports or rather slamming on incredibly skinny runway models, banning them from catwalk. Personally, I don’t see anything wrong. Apparently, models SHOULD be thin, cause slimmer women looks better on all apparels, be it chunky sleeves, bubble dress, latter-day grunge layers (which so happened to be the current fashion trend). The models still look excellent and slim effortlessly on those clothes that will typically look fat on a woman who has an acceptable weight. With that kind of pictures running on the magazines and television programmes, which women on earth will think that they are thin ENOUGH?

I weigh myself twice a day religiously, just to make sure I stay within the underweight range. It seems that in today’s world, not only runway models are dying to strive for an underweight or unhealthy look, gals around me are also trying to attain that.

Or at least majority of my friends. They try all means and ways to be thin or to stay thin… even that would mean stuffing medicines or rigorous exercises. They fluster and flare over their slightest change in weight. I admit, I am just like one of them. I turn green in envy when I see slimmer women, my face burn red in anger when I see a 0.2kg gain in weight.

But I am lazier, I don’t exercise, I don’t take medication unnecessary.

Every time when I feel like eating ice-cream or devour that deliciously looking mud pie, I contemplate.

“That’s extra calories, gal.”
“Do you want to sabotage your diet, just for a mud pie?”
“Stay away from that evil looking mud pie!!”
“You’ll regret!”

Those words keep on repeating itself like a loud speaker in my mind.

Sometimes, I curb my craving and move on. However, most of the time, I will just buy the mud pie and eat a few spoonful and pass it on to others. (I pity the others)

And of course, there are several times where my mouth refuses to give in to my brain. I just eat and eat and eat… but I feel culpable after that hearty meal or sinful desserts. Recently, I find myself really lack of disciplines, one day it was steamboat (with lots of desserts), the other day it was ribs and beef, the other day it was curry… Hmph!!

It’s time I should really impose some self-control, as I have gained alittle, which I don’t even dare to think about.

Many people told me that I am skinny and one of my friends even go to the extent by saying that I looked anorexic. I mean, who cares? I don’t care. I just want to be thin and slim.

I know it is unhealthy and many people vehemently against the idea of me going on a diet, despite of my underweight frame. But somehow, being a stubborn gal, I know what I am doing and know what my limit is.

Sexy still, Jessica Alba spotted losing some weight

Victoria Beckham still look gorgeous to me

I just want to let those who care about me know this,

I know I am underweight, but I also know that I look better on clothes when I’m underweight.

I know I am underweight, and I will not lose any further.

I know I am underweight, but it is better than being overweight.

I know I am underweight, and trust me, I still eat snacks and chicken chops twice a week.

Don’t worry, I am not anorexic. I am just thin.

Another thing, ask ten guys, do they prefer a chubby woman or a slim woman? I bet 8 of them will opt for a slimmer woman.

This is life and this is reality.

Do i look fat?

Whenever I feel bored @ work, blogging comes to my mind. Maybe I have no passion for blogging; it only comes in “handy” when I am bored to tears. Throughout these few months or rather since May, I have been trying to shed off as much kilos as possible and it is no way that I am obese, I simply want to shed off some flab and that’s all. And now, people say I look/am anorexic. Imagine this situation…

“You look chubby.”, “You need to tone your flabby arms!”, “Yikes, your thigh!”, “I think you need to go on a diet.” Does anyone ever say this to you? Does that ring your bell?

I have heard plenty of such comments before the diet and I find that I can’t turn a deaf ear to those hurting (and supposedly, unintentional) comments. Those “motivating comments” provokes me to go on a strict diet regime, despite being in the healthy BMI range. I can’t help it but to think, this world is realistic, to be a traffic stopper, you definitely have to be pencil-thin, and being fat, chubby or having puppy fat, as a matter of fact, is a deadly offend and it is definitely a FLAW that is visible to all. Unlike some other flaws, which you can simply bury them behind makeup, fictitious facade, or in the cupboard at home. Being fat or chubby, one has no way to hide or run, and yes, don’t be so naïve to think black color clothing helps, cause you can’t wear black all year round, can you?

Given a choice of a slim lady and a chubby lady, most guys will undoubtedly choose the former. It is natural, even if the chubby lady is dressed in designer labels, with style, it probably doesn't matters.

Now, after my not-so starvation diet, I am still not pencil-thin (yet) but I am pole thin (perhaps). Anyway, yes, I am underweight now with a 17.4 (BMI) and the same people gave me other extreme comments. That makes me wonder, what is enough? I am always either too thick or too anorexic looking to them.

Sigh… I intend to carry on my diet regime irregardless of what-so-ever or who-so-ever, perhaps to 17 (BMI). I don’t even know if I am addicted to dieting or am I heading to join Nicole Richie’s club (I love her!). Or even maybe, vanity has gotten into me.

Conclusion? I may have taken too seriously about thin-skinned criticisms, or perhaps, when you want to make any causal remarks, think about the impact of your remarks; it could actually hurt the person more than you think. Or worst still, you may even forget about making such irresponsible remarks.

Maybe I should go back in time, to recap a child expression, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, (but words can never hurt me)”. It’s cute, isn’t it? It’s so brave to have said that.

If you are reading this, tell yourself, beauty is in the eye of the beholder who thinks you are slim. kekeke.... cheers!