I've always been conscious about my weight and I think it stems from my Secondary School days when I reached an all-time high of 49 kg. Despite the fact that I was active (more active than I am now), had badminton training 2 times a week and did a whole lot of physical training, including weights and uphill sprints, I just couldn't lose weight.
Truth it, it wasn't that depressing then. Not until I was categorised overweight in Sec 2. The thought of joining the school's Health & Fitness (HAF) club was actually embarrassing. I think that potential embarrassment motivated me to lose 2 kg but I remained 47 kg until I entered Junior College.
I did some calculations and my BMI (Body Mass Index) remained in the acceptable range but I also know I couldn't afford to weigh the way I did for my height.
Throughout my 2 years in JC, I managed to shred another kg. Nothing to my proud of but my weight loss journey has been more about maintaining a healthy weight rather than losing weight per se. Of course, I never really knew the healthy ways to attaining my ideal weight. Instead I crashed diet after diet and worked out like mad only to end up with bruised knees and an injured ankle.
May 2013, I fell terribly ill during my examinations period. I battled a constantly high fever (38.6°) for 2 weeks while traveling to and fro school for 3 papers. I couldn't sleep well, coughed endlessly and all I wanted to do by the time I got home was curl in bed and fall asleep. (Which I did, most of the time.) During my recovery period, I found that I had lost some 2 kg, bringing me down to 44 kg. I was strangely delighted because I never imagined being 44 kg.
But I figured it was probably all water mass and I easily put back the weight I lost during my 24 days in UK. I was fine with being 46 kg but my helper kept going: Mei, you fat already every single day! How can I not be depressed? )':
Then again, I was 20. And at 20, I've learned better than to remain depressed so I did some digging and found SHAPE magazine. It should've rung a bell in my head since I did my first SHAPE run when I was... 18?
Thank God for SHAPE magazine. It provided me with all the tips I could use to maintaining a healthy weight.
Some people ask me why I haven't been running because I used to run almost every day in an attempt to lose weight fast. I'd accomplish 3 km (or more) every evening and while it did leave me feeling refreshed, my ankles and knees always suffered. Ever since injuring my ankle in Secondary School, it perpetually hurts when I run and sometimes it just dislocates on it's own (but also moves back into position on its own). I can't wear high heels because the pressure applied on my ankle just makes the pain unbearable. (I'm intending to see a physician for this.)
So don't ask me why I haven't been running.
Instead, I found perfect workout routines through SHAPE magazine. ;-)
I don't do the same workout every day. That's just a no-no and besides varying your workout through the week keeps boredom at bay.
#1. TAKE A SEAT
I found this workout in the November 2013 edition and its perfect for people like me, who spend hours watching Korean dramas without even moving an inch.
#2. MIND AND BODY
This 10-minute workout I found in the May 2013 edition and I'd say its my favourite workout routine thus far. It's a combination of yoga and tai-chi and pilates and I can really feel my muscles working.
In April 2014's edition, I found this simple exercise and I love it:
Definitely can't turn down anything that would strengthen my core and make me look nicer in cropped tops, haha!
In the latest edition, I found yet another simple workout:
You'd think it's nothing difficult but wow I could really feel the stretch.
#3. CARDIO
What I also found in the August 2013 edition is a lifestyle blogger Fay Hokulani and she shares a lot of health + fitness + beauty tips. Probably gonna be one of my frequented sites from now on.
I'm going to link you to a post I found because I don't want to rip off her images. Here you will find a workout routine she devised, which helps shape the body. I might actually try this one 'cuz it seems really fun, haha!
All these exercises are done at home and I so happen to have dumbbells so next time anyone asks me why I don't run anymore, I'm going to refer them to this post. And if you're wondering, I'm a healthy 45 kg now and I've no intention of losing weight. My only goal in life is to live healthy and be happy. :-)
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Apart from exercising, anyone will tell you food plays a major role in deciding how healthy you're living.
My family has a medical history of high blood pressure and diabetes. My father also had high cholesterol so for a long time now, my mom does not cook with salt. She uses low-salt soy sauce and sometimes she doesn't use soy sauce at all. I'm pretty used to the taste so whenever we eat out, we always complain about MSG and salt. (It gives me a headache.)
I also cut down on my sugar intake. For example, I used to add condensed milk to my milo every morning but now I don't anymore. In fact, my daily cup of milo is really 2 teaspoons of milo powder + 3/4 a cup of hot water. Still tastes fantastic, trust me. I also try not to take carbonated drinks as well. I usually opt for green tea if possible but if they don't, my next alternative is lemon tea. I sort of stopped drinking carbonated drinks because one day SJ told me that there's a substance in those drinks that is added to the detergent you use to clean your toilet. Are you turned off, yet?
I make up for my fruits with a lot of vegetables. I especially love my greens - broccoli, spinach and kang kong are my favourites (no kidding). And I love my meat. As much as I hate chicken breast meat, my helper makes everything taste amazing so I don't complain. On another note: we don't eat pork because not only is my helper Muslim, my mom used to tell me pork contributes to body odour which I used to suffer from. In fact, I don't usually eat any other meat but chicken and fish.
Oh, also drink lots of water! (Is this common sense yet?)
Other than that, I also take the stairs despite the convenience of the lift (unless we're carrying lots of stuff). I mean, before the lift, we always climbed the stairs anyway. I read we should try to clock 10, 000 steps every day. If impossible, aim for 6, 000!
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