Week 2 - Muffin Top Challenge ( My Confession )

As I'm entering the week 2 for muffin top challenge, the challenge itself become tougher. And it's getting tougher to cut the carbs while you're on PMS. The urge to munch and eat a lot is increased. The body is bloating and nothing I feel beside feeling exhausted all the time.

Today,I cheated ( Yes..I confess ). I took so some potato crisps, not the whole portion, just tiny bit, and I had sugary meal on the way home. All of them satisfied me a lot and seriously divine!! Luckily I could stop myself not eating them too much.

However, this week is really challenging. I miss my Nescafe coffee so bad. I don't mind cut the carbs for the whole two weeks but my coffee?? Ohh..it's killing me! It's my toughest challenge. I haven't have my coffee for 2 weeks now. It's like missing your boyfriend unti it hurts ( okay I probably exagerrating ). Don't know what will I do if this challenge finally accomplished.

Well, anyway..my diet is not compeletely ruined, I had grilled chicked salad with avocado, kiwi fruit, and not to forget my fat fighther : Lemon Water!! Cheers!

Muffin Top Challenge - 3 Days Recap

Although I can't really put my progress in daily basis, I'm proudly announce that my waist line is slimmed down. I haven't measured yet, have my trousers as my bench mark. Most of them are loose already, I think I'm back to my normal size. Now, I don't need to squeeze my abs to button my trousers.

I still have more clothes to fit on before I actually stop my muffin top challenge program. It's still going on, until I can fit to all my old clothes.

During my challenge, I found three new besties, they are avocados, edamame and lemon. Boy, they are my savior. Everyday, I take lemon water and to make my meal fulfilling I add extra avocados. They are tasty and divine. Avocados are good for anything, mix with chicken, tossed in salad, or as a dip.
I take edamame as my snack or whenever I have crave to munch something.

As for lemon, it really helps me burn more fat and great thirst quencher. I still have 10 days to do low carb        ( limiting less than 100g each day ), by the time I finish with 2 weeks low carb, I will start gradually consume the good carbs.

Staying positive! Expect nothing but the result.

Going Bold for 2 Weeks Total Low Carb Diet - Day 1

After 1 week decreasing my carb intake to just 175g per day, I'm rising the bar to a very low carb diet for just 2 weeks.

Today is the first day, for the first time after years and years I give up my favorite Nescafe French Vanilla *ouch* . Very tough indeed, I feel soo sleepy. My brain is not connected to real world, I felt not awakened yet. I hope that's just my mind set. I don't feel hungry, just very sleepy because I have to really give up my Nescafe french vanilla.

For breakfast, I ate lettuce with pan seared beef patties, tofu cubes and beansprout. Quite fullfiling although I missed my coffee.

At snack time, I had raw carrot sticks, canned tuna and lettuce. Because I couldn't help myself not having coffee, I changed my coffee to just semi black coffee with no sugar, just some tiny drops of low fat milk. Oh boy..I'm awakened already.

My lunch meal still consist of high protein and no carb. It was only sauteed beansprout, spinach and tempeh. If I get hungry among the 3 main meal times, I just much peanuts or carrot sticks.

My first day on very low carb is quite daunting, but I stay positive and just get on with it.

My Guilt Free Snacks

Having an appetite like a wolf, I often get hungry in within 2 hours. And because I low food so much that I don't want to give up my food like that. So what to do ? I had done browsing and reading what food I can eat without gaining weight and deliciously fulfilling.  Here are my favorites :

1. Edamame

Boiled edamame have it cold or warm

Also popular with the name green soy bean, vegetable bean or beer bean whatever you want to name it has many health benefits and very easy to prepare ( with just 2 minutes to cook in boiling water ). The soybean is a complete protein containing isoflavones and filled with antioxidants. Edamame has no cholesterol, very little saturated fat and has higher protein than other soy beans.
Edamame is also great addition for your salad or side dish. I love the natural flavor of edamame so I won't add any flouring, not even salt.


2. Peanuts
When the needs of something crunchy, I munch for peanuts. The delicious taste and crunchy texture is the reason why I love this snack. Peanuts can lower your cholesterol level and low in carbohydrate.

3. Cheddar Cheese 
One slice of Kraft Cheddar Cheese can boost my energy before exercise. I often buy the single pack, because it's very easy to carry and can go with anything from just salad, tuna, beef and even fruit ( love the mixed taste of cheddar cheese and kiwi fruit ). If you miss the taste of dairy products then cheddar cheese is something you can grab.

4. Kiwi Fruit 
Seriously, I can never get enough with this fruit. I can have 2 kiwi fruits each day. Kiwi fruits is very rich in vitamin C, lower carbohydrates than apple (kiwi has 11g carbs and apple 16g of carbs ). The refreshing taste ( and little bit of sour ) really fits my taste bud. Beside high in vitamin C, Kiwi also another great source of antioxidants and potassium. Cut the kiwi into half and just scoop it out!


5. Apple

The old saying one apple a day keep a doctor away is really true. Consuming an apple each day can fight the bad cholesterol. The other benefit is apple can reduce the risk for breast cancer and colon cancer. The pectin in apples can lower the insulin level and may help for those who suffer diabetes.

6. Carrots 
Eat them raw or cook it into soup or toss them into salad, carrots is just good in any way. The sweet crunchy texture, high in beta carotene, respectable calcium content is top notch  for fat fighting. Recent research from Harvard University eating carrots five times a week, can decrease the risk of stroke.

So, there you are my favorite guilt free snacks to keep your body fueled. Have them in any way you like, but make sure to exclude sugar in the process and limit the salt.

My Week 1 Progress (3 Weeks Muffin Top Challenge )

I didn't realize it's been one week that I decided to back on my low carb diet and with well planned exercise. For the record, I'm really happy with my result. There's no significant result on the weight but I'm cheering for the 1.5cm disappearance of my muffin top! Woot..woot...

Though I've had done low card diet before, doing it again now is still a challenge for. The first day is the toughest of course, the second day my body start to adjust and the next days are just easier for me to do. On the day 1, I only consume 250g of carbs, next day I lowered down to 200g, on the next day 175g until now, I maintain to 175g of carbs each day.

I go to the gym 4 times in a week, with combination of weight training, running and dancing. If I don't have my dance class, I run for 3km if I have class, I don't do running. Saturdays is my cardio day, when I have 3.5 running and 2 dance classes ( with 2 hours rest before my dance classes ).

This result surely motivate me to do more. Get myself more active, learning the right techniques when doing weight training, eat more sensible food. By the way for the last one week I've been tracking my food intake on www.livestrong.com.

Since today ( Sunday ) is my whole day to rest my body, I limit my carbs intake just until 150g and more on protein.

I have 2 weeks to go to shed some kgs and banishing my muffin top. Wish me LUck!!

When Life Gives You Lemon..

Just simply squeeze it and make it into juice and if you are too lazy to squeeze a lemon then cut into 2-3 slices and make fresh lemon flavored water!

Daily consumption of lemon can make huge difference for your skin. It acts as anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads ( bye bye expensive skin treatment ), lemon also contains vitamin B, riboflavin, calcium ( who would ever thought? ) and magnesium.

Lemon waters works like wonder to control your blood pressure consider the content of potassium in it. Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration. The very best of lemon is it is good for weight loss !

If lemon is so good for you, how much you should drink ? It depends on you. If you are weigh less than 70kg, one ounce of lemon juice is enough for you. But if you are weigh than 70kg, it is preferred to consume 2 ounces lemon juice each day.

So, don't be afraid when life gives you lemon, simply cherish it!

How Far Would You Go To Lose Weight?

Yes..how far would you go to lose weight? Starving yourself ? Never ending exercise? and if you have extra money perhaps you would go for surgery to get rid off the fats. I think those that I mentioned above are the common examples how women is very determined to lose weight. And...I thought the things I mentioned are already extreme enough. I wouldn't go there,definitely not.

While I was browsing about diet trends, foods and exercise, I stumbled upon to more extreme diets that actually exist in this world. The articles and the video how these diets are really shocking. The shocking part is there are actually people who are doing it.

I put top two extreme thing that people will do to lose weight. First is HCG diet. When I read and watch the video on YouTube about this type of diet, I was dumbfounded..I was like..'seriously?' It's a hormone injection. But not just any hormone, but it's hormone from pregnant woman's urine *straight face*. So this diet only allows you to eat just 500 calories a day! And you inject this hormone to make your body thinks you are pregnant ? *please correct me if I'm wrong*

The second one is tongue patch diet. Now this is also interesting, would you dare yourself to have a mesh to be sewn on to your tongue? and you can only have liquid food? what if you want to eat solid food? Will you be craving some more? Again, in the name of losing weight many still doing it.

If we have given the opportunity to do the both in order losing weight, would you dare to try it? I would not if you ask me. No matter the temptation to lose weight fast, I'm not going to do it. Well, yes..I need some improvement in my other body parts, but I don't think to go that far, do I ?

Yes, would be nice if you are thin then you can wear anything. But then again, will you be willing to pay big bucks just for the numbers on the scale?

What matters is being healthy and by being healthy you can stay happy and positive!

Months, Weeks, Days, Hours, Minutes and Secondss

After months and weeks and days I haven't updated my blog with deepest sorry that I have to lose my title as "Suddenly Slimmer" and turn to "Suddenly Chubby" for couple of weeks. This happened because I'd been trying my old trousers again..and what came to surprise that they are all tighter than before. Well..I'm not supposed to be surprise if you see me eating like mad even though I still go to the gym for dance classes and running.

Just on Sunday, the force to getting back on track, eat the right food, planning my exercise, getting all motivated. and finding the spirit back. I'm back on doing researches about latest exercises, food, everything that I need to support me back as "Suddenly Slimmer".

So with motivation and determination as my allies, the journey is begun.

PS : this is not just for dieting and exercising but everything in life..

Don't Like Being Sick

Yesterday, first thing in the morning, I felt my tummy hurts, forced myself to work. When I got to work, I started to feel nausea, feverish and head spinning. I knew,I wasn't well. I finished the day feeling miserable. However, since I've brought my gym bag and I didn't want to waste it. I put my whole the rest energy to join 2 dance classes. Well..I ended up nearly fainted.

Today, I went to the doctor the result..my blood pressure is very low. She suggested me to take some rest. I know, I haven't rested enough. I had been juggling among dancing, practice for running and doing chores. So I guess this is time to rest my body.

Nobody like being sick. I can't go to the gym. I miss my dancing classes already. I couldn't dance to the max. I couldn't run longer enough.

Hopefully..I will feel better tomorrow.

Challenging Myself

Having new love for running, I am very keen to educate myself the whole thing about running. For example, what food is best to consume before running and after running, how to run for longer duration without getting exhausted, how to avoid injury during running and still many more. I do really visual myself to be a better runner.

Another goal is..my holiday to Bali which is in 4 weeks time. The bikini body program is starting already. It's still contains running and weight training. To avoid over training, I have to sacrifice one of dancing days. It's sad, but I only miss 1 dancing day and hopefully it will work as expected.

Today, as I have done some researches and some recipes, I've made work out plans, eating plans and even resting plans. So basically, today is the official kick off for the challenge.

In Love for Running

Although I know the benefits of running, I've had never fancy running. When my trainer taught me how to run properly, I still didn't have the interest to run for longer than 15 minutes. Running was a dreadful thing for me.

It all started when I had more time in the gym and I got bored with the classes. So, slowly I increase my time on treadmill, I did it by 5 minutes each time. With same speed but run longer. I did it every time I run. Next week, I increase the speed with same time length.

Without realizing it, I have already set some goals for myself. By the weeks go by, I can run for 45 minutes without stopping. My best time was 7km with 50 minutes of running...Not bad eh?

Now, every time I go to the gym I always spare 30 minutes on the treadmill for running, even though I have classes after wards.

Anyway, as a beginner runner, I've got some tips to share :

• Start easy and start with short duration.
• Focus on how long you can run and not the intensity
• Progress gradually
• Set a goal every week
• Last but not least, be patient. It takes time to be a good runner, especially for long distance. I'm still learning to be long distance runner.

Well, I hope my post today will give more motivation to run. Cheers!!

Again..It's Been A Long Time

Oooppps...I'm really lost track when was the last time I wrote in this blog. Not that I'm running away from healthy life. It's just I've been totally busy with everything (..and lazy too -_-).

I never forget my routine, gym 3 times a week ( at least, minimum ), dancing ( still ), and have balanced diet.

The recent updates is, these days I'm into running. Yes, I never know I'd like running. I thought running will be a boring exercise! Hail to the long distance runner ( even until now )! The fun of running because my dance instructor was away for few weeks. And as always I need some serious exercise. So I started running. First the time, how long can I run on treadmill, then I increase the speed which automatically increase the time.

So running has become my new regime. And I have idea what to write for the next post : about running!

See you soon...

Stop Looking At Those Numbers On The Scale!

Yeahh, I got tired hearing my female friends complaining about their weights and they are just looking fine. Numbers on the scale don't represent anything. I told them what matter is whether you girls are healthy. Seriously, I have a friend who is fairly skinny but her cholesterol level is very high. Your appearance is not based on the numbers on the scale.

What really matter is you girls being healthy and happy. Stop worrying the numbers on the scale. Go to the gym, eat right, be happy, and have enough rest.

Gym Walking Time : Celebrity Fitness Gandaria City

I know...I have been very lazy and busy to post in this blog. But it doesn't mean that I'm putting away my health conscious. My love for gym hasn't faded yet. As matter of fact, couple weeks ago, me and my friends went to the grand opening of Celebrity Fitness' new branch at Gandaria City. It was great fun. The pictures above are hip hop performances by the instructors. *Love y'all* Thanks for bringing the hip hop to the gym !





Of course, because I'm a big fan of Celebrity Fitness, I have to try and give a little visit. Since it's not far from Pondok Indah Mall branch and my house. About the club itself, it's nice good ambiance. The layout of aerobic studio is quite bad, I don't know what are the pillars doing in the studio. They only make the studio small. The floor is not really good for dancing.

However, the good part is the location. The mall itself is pretty attractive, lots of eateries,department store and theater. So, it won't be boring to wait for the classes.

Gym Walking : Special Class @ Celebrity Fitness Central Park

stolen presents

Yaaayyy...I'm very happy to have special Christmas class all the way at Central Park. What was the special class? It's 2.5 hours of dance class!! How fun is that!! With my awesome dance mate Mega, we traveled all the way to western part of Jakarta. But it was all worth of time and effort. The class was very awesome, the energy was great..and we didn't forget to take pictures ( although all of them are taken before and after the class )...overall it's a very happy gym moment.

Locker's poser

Happy Christmas

Big time posers 3

Big time posers 2

big time posers 1

before the class

After all that fun at Central Park, I can't wait for the next special New Year class next week!! Same place and same time.

Always Workout Always Happy

Having my plates, bar, step ready for my Body Pump class

Yeaappp!!! Working out is always been my one of best ways to let the sorrow away. I have had just recovered from another painful breakup ( with the same guy !! he always a cheater and a liar ). Again and as always I go to the gym, work out and join dance classes. Like in these photos below, proof that I don't sit around, sobbing, regretting what that ***hole had done to me. NOO!! I get up, and go to the gym! You will never regret yourself for having great passion in fitness.

Posing before the class

Almost time for Body Pump!

New Gym Routine

Now since I'm working in the same area as my gym, I have a gym routine now. If usually I go to the gym in the afternoon after work. Now, I'm doing it in the morning. Quite hard in the beginning, because my body was not just to it. But after for few days, I get the hang of it. Enjoying working out in the morning. I have lost another 2kg of body fat.

Yaayyy...good for me!

It's New Year Already ( For Me )

loving my new hair!! but it's not the only one that change!

2010 ends in just 42 days, but I'm feeling New Year already. It's all brand new me. From new hairdo, new opportunities ahead, working in new place, new routine, new perspective and perhaps ( hopefully ) a new boyfriend, new body ( I'm working out a lot harder these days with new program ). Whatever happening in my life right now are brand new me.

After the storm, I had ( my fiance is having an affair ), my life is totally changing. I don't know the God's plan for me, but I handled my problem very well. Of course there was emotion involved. With God's help, I'm moving on.

The exciting news is, my work is very very close to my gym! How cool is that. I wanted this thing to happen.
So, like I said, it's New Year already FOR ME!! And I hope for the people out there. No need to wait until 2011 to make changes. Changes can start anytime.

Give It Up To My Man....EMINEM!!

Yeapp...HOLLA at Eminem! I love his come back album and being mature in his raps. It's all started on one boring morning and was watching MTV and there it was his "Not Afraid" video played.

Somehow like magic, it really moved me. That moment my whole life was falling apart. My fiance ( now ex fiance aka John Tucker ) is being a total jerk, I'm glad I made it through the storms he's been giving me.

Well, anyway, let's get back to Eminem now. Since his songs are in iPod and I keep listening to them while working out. The energy is huge, I feel the power running through vein listening to his music. What do you know, when I use to listen to up beat music for exercise and turn out rap can be motivating music. My weight training is improving, my muscle mass increased. I feel so GREAT!!

One of The Best Treasures : FRIENDS

High on green tea...hahahahahahahah......

Just empty wine bottle...Love my gal Mega for her craziness

Outside the restaurant

The whole gang!!!

The pictures above are me with my gym friends, my dance friends to be specific. Dance unite us together and we become family. I love being with them, I treasure my moments with them. With them it's always filled with laughter. Special thanks for Hamdi Fabas who has been so patient teaching us breakdance moves.