Fitfriday: My Fitness Journey

Hello all!

So recently, I have started getting back into working out. I have been on a 5 month hiatus, and getting back on track is always the hardest part.
A couple of years ago, i hit my highest weight of 140lbs. I ate all sorts of unhealthy food, and I never did anything active, let alone stepped my foot inside the gym.

One day, I looked at an old photo of mine: I was eating at Elephant Bar with a couple of friends. There were fried foods on the table, and I was holding a cocktail (I think it was a long island). My belly was bulging out, and I can barely see my chin. I was smiling, yet I know I wasn't happy. I have gotten too comfortable with everything that I have completely let myself go. My heart slowly broke with that image stuck in my head. I got home and decided that I can look and feel BETTER about myself.

I changed my lifestyle because:

1. I realized that if ever there's a zombie apocalype, I'd be the first one to die because I can't run for my life. I remembered when Jeff was trying to push me to be healthier. We would use the fitness center in the university and try to run on the track. I would make excuses (i have asthma, i have bad lung etc) and not do it. I was short of breath without finishing a lap. I hated it.

2. I feel empowered when I know that i can make a CHANGE in my life. Yes, you can and you will. I joined a local gym in Dec 2011. I kid you not, i didn't go to that gym for 3 months after signing up. Haha. It took me awhile to take the first step, but I was glad I did.

3. Progress keeps me going. Most of the time, I take photos of myself after a work out. I made an instagram that was fitness-related to keep track of how I was doing w/ my fitness journey. Although I have taken maybe thousands of photos of myself in workout clothes, my progress wasn't all about looks. I felt stronger and healthier. For the past 2 years, I have done three 5K races (it's not that many) and a half marathon. That is something that I will never do back in 2011. I have been able to lift heavier weights and I can lift my patients easier. ;)

4. I feel more productive. I play videogames, and had I not change my lifestyle, I would fall into the stereotypical image of a "gamer". People who play videogames can also be fit. They don't just sit around and eat left-over pizza all day and sleep. Ever since I started working out, I had more energy to do things. I go hiking on summers, and I go snowboarding during the winter.

5. I must say, fitting nicely in to clothes I see at the store really does make me feel a little better about myself. Honestly. And with that, I can probably say that I have developed a higher level of confidence in myself.

6. It's actually pretty addicting. I don't know if it's the progress, the challenge or the feeling it gives you, but working-out and being healthier (relatively) is something to look forward to every day. I find myself getting more veggies whenever I go the to grocery store as opposed to potato chips without even thinking about it. Subconsciously, I think I make better food choices nowadays.


Although I have lost weight and eventually gained some back again, I still feel better about myself and my body now. Throughout the past years that I have changed my lifestyle, I think I had a better understanding of how my body works and what works for me. I have learned to love myself more. Truly, in the end, that is all that matters.

FitFriday: Summer Vegetable Quinoa and Baked Herbed Chicken

Meal prep mondays.

Today I was feeling a little adventurous in the kitchen. I decided to make something yummy and healthy! :) 

SUMMER QUINOA SALAD

Ingredients:

*Vegetables (I used tomato, red and green bell peppers, zucchini)

*Mango (because I LOVE this fruit)

*Cilantro

*2 lemons

*salt and pepper

*Organic Quinoa

In a 400 degree oven, I roasted the veggies for 25 minutes.

Then i chopped them in cubes, along with the mango (chopped in cubes as well) and combined them with cooked quinoa ( Boil 1 part quinoa, 2 parts water).

I added salt, pepper and lemon to taste! 

Then, Voila! My version of Summer Quinoa Salad :)

 The crunch and tang of the mangoes perfectly balances with the saltiness and softness of the vegetables. 

Then i figures, i need some kind of protein with this salad, so i decided to make some meal with chicken in it.

BAKED GARLIC HERBED CHICKEN

Ingredients:

*McCormick Grill Mates: Garlic, Herb and Wine Marinade

*Lemon

*Chicken Breasts (2-3lbs)

Mix the marinade as directed in the back of the package and add some lemon juice.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 40 minutes. 

Put them together in tupperwares, and there you go! Meal for a week!

 So you don't get tired of food like brocolli, chicken and rice combo. 

STAY HEALTHY! 

FitFriday: Get Hydrated!

Whenever I don't feel good, Jeff always tells me "drink water". When my stomach or head aches, he tells me the same thing "drink water". When I feel tired from a run, he says "drink water".

 It feels like for anything, water is the cure. 

Water has so many benefits, I feel like I need to talk about it more often. 

But really, drinking water has helped me in so many ways. 

Why is drinking water so important?

• Our body is composed of 60-70% water. We need water to function properly.
• Drinking water aids in digestion and also prevents constipation.
• At work, we give fluids to patients to detox them. Water flushes out toxins from our body and gets rid of our body waste in the form of sweat or urine.
• Promotes healthy skin. 
• It has helped me lose weight. How? It reduces hunger and makes you feel fuller, increases metabolism, removes fat by-products and has ZERO calories! 
• Improves your overall mood. Trust me.
• Lastly, it's free or cheaper than any other drinks (lattes, sodas, juice) 

So DRINK your water. I recommend buying the 1 gallon Camelbak bottle. I bring it EVERYWHERE and has helped me stay hydrated. It's currently $9.25 at Amazon. It's worth your money!

Manly?

This is what weight lifting does to you. :) 

Don't be fooled ladies! Muscles burn more calories.