Six-pack Abs

Six-pack Abs

Ok, so... I've never had these! And I've never really aspired for six-pack abs. I suppose I know myself too well. I know that there is no way I was going to do 100 reps of the needed ab workout just so I can have ripped abs. I have better things to do! LOL!

However, a toned body is a different story. I've never really gotten to that level of fitness either. But I aim to, one of these days.

I borrowed BIL's PX90 before. I had heard of awesome results with this fitness program. I tried it but did not really stick with it. In the beginning, I was hoping that this was something DH and I could do together. A friend of mine did with her hubby and it was a great experience for them both. In my case, DH did not want to join me. Yes, I know he does not need to lose weight. His problem is the opposite of mine. He needs to bulk up!

After I give birth, I think I will go back to using Jillian Michaels' 30-day shred. It worked for me when I was trying to lose weight for our Hawaiian vacation last year. The thing was that when we got back from Hawaii, I did not go back to my exercise routine! LOL!

This time around, since the wedding will not be until several months after I give birth, I am hoping to finally get some toned muscles by then. Woohoo!

Did You Get Your Shot?

Did You Get Your Shot?

Can you believe that it's almost the end of October?! Whew! The past several months have just flown by.
The past couple of weeks have definitely been colder. It's been wet and foggy. It's a sure sign that summer is long gone. Hello winter!
With winter comes the flu season. I have heard a lot of objections to vaccinations lately. They're entitled to their opinions.
As for us, we've gotten our flu shots already. Having someone is the family who has healthcare industry jobs, it is really necessary that we protect ourselves. DH is very conscientious about taking a shower soon after he gets home from work to cleanse himself of any of the germs from work. Still, the risk is there. And we have to be protected.
We will also all need to get out DTaP booster shots before the baby arrives to make sure that the baby is protected. There has been an increase in whooping cough incidents here in CA. In fact, there have been infant deaths. Since the baby will be too young to get the shots, the doctors want everyone who lives with the baby immunized to protect the baby. Makes sense doesn't it?

Jaime Oliver: Teach Every Child About Food

Jaime Oliver: Teach Every Child About Food

I am inspired by this. I admire his enthusiasm and I sincerely hope his project takes off successfully.
We home cook most of our meals. I've been trying to cook using healthier methods like baking and roasting and cutting back on the frying. I'm trying to introduce more vegetables into our table. But I want to learn more. I want to learn more simple and healthy yet delicious dishes that I can cook up for my family. A friend of mine said that she just got Jaime Oliver's new cookbook at Costco. Will have to check that out and see if his recipes do indeed pass our palates.

I Told Him So...

I Told Him So...

A little over a year ago, DH found some good deals on treadmills at Costco. He decided to buy one. I warned him that it might sit unused in the garage and would be a waste. He swore he would use it.

He did. He ran on the treadmill religously for the first month or so. After work, he would go straight to the treadmill and run. Even I used it occasionally.

Fast forward to 2009...

There sits the treadmill, unused and collecting dust in our garage.

I hate to tell DH this but... I told you so!!

I did the Zumba!

I did the Zumba!

I mentioned here last week that I was going to give the Zumba class at my gym a try. Well, last Wednesday evening, I braved it and went to the class.

I arrived a little early but did not see anyone on the class floor. I decided to wait by warming up at the elliptical machine. What a warm up, huh? LOL! It was just about 5 minutes, then I saw some ladies coming in for the class.

There were only about a dozen or so of us there. The instructor reminded us that we should not compare ourselves to the others in class. She said that our bodies move differently from each other. The class was an exercise class and not a dance class so precision in movement was not the goal, rather, just move our bodies to the music and have fun basically.

I had fun. It did not seem like an hour had passed, which is a good sign, right? The way she set up the class, the music was not one continuous mix of latin dance music. You know how in aerobics classes, the music seem like one continuous loop? In this class, we started and ended different sets that had different steps too. Some were faster using salsa-like steps. Another was a slower dance with more rumba-like steps. It was a nice mix.

If there was something I'd like to get better, it's the way the instructor conducted the class. She did not seem prepared that day. As she was teaching us the steps for the dances, she would stop and start and stop again, as if trying to remember her choreography. It just did not seem professional, kwim?

Anyway, I like the class enough that I'm willing to overlook that. Too bad that the class is only offered on Wednesday evenings. So, now you know where to find me on Wednesday evenings. Hope I can continue this even once school starts for the kids again.

Photohunt: Self

Photohunt: Self

I cannot believe I am actually posting this photo here. LOL! I find it totally unflattering BUT it is me right now. I am sooo not happy with how I look. I need to lose weight but can't seem to find the motivation to do so. I just don't feel very attractive, kwim? And it's hard to feel good about oneself when I can't seem to squeeze myself into a lot of my clothes right now. UGH!

I need to get my b*tt to the gym. I know myself that once I get back into an exercise regimen, I'll start to feel better about myself. I can probably start with 30 minutes on the treadmill or the ellipticals then do some strength training for another 30 minutes. The gym I go to offers yoga and pilates too which I've been wanting to try. I want to observe the class first and talk to the instructor. I don't want to look like a fool, kwim?

Anyway, I hope that the next time I post a self-portrait, it would be healthier, slimmer me.

Sickies be gone!

Sickies be gone!

This has been a terrible winter season as far as health concerns go. Ugh!
Is it because we now have 2 kiddos in school so they come in contact with more children?
Is it because there are more of us now so the virus takes it sweet time going around?

Seriously, just when I thought everyone's in the clear, something starts up again. It must be something in the air. And because it was too cold to open up the windows, that yucky air just stays in. Time for air purifiers, perhaps?

Right now, DD3 seems to have something that's irritating her eyes. Seems like conjunctivitis but it only stays a day or two. Disappears then comes back. Ugh! Been giving her eye drops that clear those up. Hope they clear up completely as DD3 gets irritable because of them.

A review post: Yoga DVD

A review post: Yoga DVD

I received this yoga dvd in the mail last week. I've always been interested in yoga. It's been said to be very good exercise for the body. I've attended one or two sessions at my gym and they were soooo hard! LOL! And rather intimidating. Everyone seems to be able to do the poses while I'm at the very back, sweating and almost losing my balance and stuff. I know these people might have been like me at when they were starting but it's just really embarrassing to be at that point in a roomful of people who look like they know what they're doing. I have not mustered the courage to get back since then.

Admittedly, I was a little dubious about this yoga dvd. After all, I've tried out a lot of other exercise videos and even a pilates DVD but I end up giving up because I just could not follow or keep up.

This video, however, has given me hope! LOL! It is a very nice DVD that has the beginner in mind. I like that it has pose guides to help you make sure that you are doing the poses correctly. I also like that there are 6 different routines that vary in level and time length. There is level A for those who are absolutely new to yoga. And there is level B that you can graduate to once you feel you're ready to move on to a more challenging routine. In each level, you can choose from 3 different routine times: 30 minutes, 45 minutes and 60 minutes. I think that is awesome because for a mom like me, I really have no set schedule. One day might be a busy day and I can only have 30 minutes to do this. On another lazier day, I might have a whole hour to myself. At least, I can have that choice with this video.

When I first tried the routines, my daughters were "doing" it with me. They looked so cute. But I've decided not to do it with them anymore. Aside from the physical effects yoga can give, it's really supposed to help calm you and give you peace. Well, I can't get to that step when I've got girls constantly asking, "Are we done yet, Mommy?""Can we play after this?""You're hitting me!""No, I'm not!" You get the picture.

I'm hoping that I'll be able to do this regularly 'coz I really need to get back in shape.

A Post on Digestive Issues

A Post on Digestive Issues

Lately, the nutrition trend seems to be taking care of your digestive track. New yogurt lines are now boasting of being fortified with active good bacteria that help one's digestion. I suppose they're similar to colon cleanser that are for sale in diet and nutritional stores.
Then the other day, I saw a TV spot for Yakult, again, emphasizing the benefits of drinking it for good digestive health. I was at the grocery store yesterday and I found 2 other Yakult-like products.
I don't know if it's just me or is there a sudden influx of such products.
Yakult has been around since forever, at least in the Philippines where I was born and raised. and I assume in other Asian countries too. I don't know if they've been here in the US a while or if this is a new market for them.
Anyway, all I can say is Yakult works for me. *wink*

Life insurance post

Life insurance post

Both DH and I have term life insurance at the moment. I admit, I know nothing about life insurance. I didn't even know there were different kinds of life insurance. It was DH who did the research. We got several term life insurance quotes from different companies and got what he thought was the best one. After all, he was the one who was insistent we each got one. I suppose it's the sense of responsibility in him, being the head of the household. I'm actually glad that we had gotten the insurance a few years ago. The younger you are, the less premium you're charged. I know of a family whose father tried to get insurance but kept getting denied because he was already at risk for high blood pressure when he was applying for it. Even if he wanted to, he could not get any insurance. Tsk...tsk...tsk...