It has been almost a week since my "great" announcement in changing my lifestyle and a lot happened.
Firstly, I was so happy and honoured that I inspired/motivated a few of my friends to start making a change in their lives. Knowing that what I wrote is powerful enough to help someone make a decision about their health is so humbling as it inspired me to be even more determined and motivated in this journey.
As expected, there were no visible changes to my body as I've been taking this at a pace that my body can accept, which is a relatively slow one. The past few days was focused more on learning the circuit routine and making sure I did them right rather than a fast-paced, endurance-based session. I know that doing it right is better than doing is fast (innuendo not intended). I can't risk spraining or tearing any muscles as that will just take me out from any form of exercise for weeks. That's the last thing I want to happen this year.
Food-wise, I did not turned 100% vegetarian or oil-free/sugar-free. I still love my protein (again, no innuendos here) and I have a terrible sweet tooth. However, Amy told me that our body will definitely know that you are trying to eat healthier and be more active; hence, will react accordingly, as long as you keep making those healthy changes, your body will start to feel good and keep feeling good.
That is exactly what has happened to me these few days.
I sleep so much better now and I have less cravings for bad, sugary food. I'm in a genuinely better mood and don't feel so down anymore. Of course, those criticizing sessions in front of the mirror still happens but it's less self-loathing and more self-encouraging. I remember using to stick post-it notes on my mirror to cheer me up during my acne phase and it helped me. This time around, I found that saying it out loud gives it that extra dose of self-love that I needed.
Just a short one from me, been busy packing for my long trip back to the UK!
Till next time,
Liza x
Monday, September 19
Wednesday, September 14
Baby steps
*Day 1 of being enthusiastic*
Today, I snoozed my alarm less and woke up feeling determined. I wish I could say that I worked out the whole day but I didn't. I ran for 20 minutes and did 3 minutes of skipping. It isn't the ultimate calorie buster workout but I felt immensely better after that. Plus, I got to shower with my Lush Refreshing body soap that smells like citrus heaven and feels amazing.
I was relieved with the support I got after publishing my previous post. I was expecting a lot of eyes rolling and smirking but instead I got the support and love from only the amazing human beings I am fortunate to be Facebook friends with (you know who you are). Also, Amy (mentor and will be mentioned a few times) have been so gracious with her support and keeping me motivated by saying the right things and offering to be my running buddy in Bath!
Along the same lines, I know I needed a huge challenge to conquer to keep me motivated. That is why I have decided to run the Bath Half next March. It is supposedly to be an easy run with not much elevation but hey, 21km is still 21km. It is daunting but I'm moving one step at a time.
Starting with getting my stamina good enough to run 5k in 30 minutes. It is all about realistic goals and moving upward from there. See, using my sports psychology knowledge to good use.
Tomorrow, is a new day.
Today, I snoozed my alarm less and woke up feeling determined. I wish I could say that I worked out the whole day but I didn't. I ran for 20 minutes and did 3 minutes of skipping. It isn't the ultimate calorie buster workout but I felt immensely better after that. Plus, I got to shower with my Lush Refreshing body soap that smells like citrus heaven and feels amazing.
My first run! Incline: 7; Time: 22mins; Distance: 1.68miles (about 3km).
Watched AndyMetSonia vlogs while I ran! p.s. how cute is Levi?!
Along the same lines, I know I needed a huge challenge to conquer to keep me motivated. That is why I have decided to run the Bath Half next March. It is supposedly to be an easy run with not much elevation but hey, 21km is still 21km. It is daunting but I'm moving one step at a time.
Starting with getting my stamina good enough to run 5k in 30 minutes. It is all about realistic goals and moving upward from there. See, using my sports psychology knowledge to good use.
Tomorrow, is a new day.
Tuesday, September 13
Restart: A different journey.
"This year, I want to achieve great things and prove people wrong."
That was me on New Year's Day 2015 and 2016. Year after every year, I seem to have not achieve anything significant.
Yes, I got into an amazing university and went on a once in a lifetime volunteering programme last summer (read it here). However, there were days where I felt that I could be doing something worth being enthusiastic about. There were great memories, but all it was were just temporary excitement and by the time these moments became memories, the excitement just faded. Then, I found myself living a life limited by the routines I set myself and the bubble I created.
Few days ago, the bubble that I so comfortably live up until that moment, became the bane of my existence. Within this bubble, I have become complacent with what I have and just settled. I was complacent with my body, albeit it being seriously unfit and flabby; I was complacent with my current lifestyle and goals, i.e. doing whatever was easiest and most convenient. I wasn't motivated to do anything, my life just lacked that enthusiasm to do something worth that adrenaline pump that I was used to having when I was still competitively fencing.
I was watching Christine Chan's goodbye video and she mentioned that daydreaming is a sign that your body still has a wish to do something different (p.s. the vid is full of amazing advice!). This longing for excitement was all a daydream until I was woken up.
The woke up call came from an impromptu enrollment to a 3-week health plan with my mentor, Amy. Like any other health plan, you have food diaries, workout plans and a change in lifestyle. However, the one (good) difference is that there is a community doing this alongside you. The Facebook group is a constant update of seeing other people making that first step to changing their lifestyle and somehow, the competitive spirit inside me woke up. I wanted to show people that I could do it as well.
That's when my enthusiasm started pumping excitement back into my life. I can look forward to a new day of getting my lazy bum off the couch for the day, constantly challenging myself to NOT eat that piece of fried chicken.
I realised that the only thing getting me really excited was changing my body, for the better.
*warning it is going to get real*
To be honest, I'm quite tired of being called fat or chubby. I've been called that for as long as I remember and I know people talk about my size behind my back (its okay, human tendency). I was busy controlling my acne problem and my weight had to take second priority. I was never the fit one or the better looking one among my friends or family. I am OK with not being a beauty queen, but all I want is for people to stop calling me fat. Anti-body shaming might be campaigning for beauty in all sizes, but lets be real, people still call other people fat. You might tell me that it doesn't matter what other people think, but be in my shoes for 20 years and it might change your mind.
Also, truthfully, I hate feeling unfit and looking at myself in the mirror and not feel happy. I hate feeling too self-conscious about every piece of clothing I wear. That feeling when I can no longer fit into clothes that I used to be able to eats me up inside. I hate always having to brush off body-shaming comments like it didn't hurt. I need to stop being complacent about my body.
This journey is essentially for my own well-being at the same time silencing those body-shaming friends for once.
I hope you can join me in this journey and give me your love, support and criticism.
That was me on New Year's Day 2015 and 2016. Year after every year, I seem to have not achieve anything significant.
Yes, I got into an amazing university and went on a once in a lifetime volunteering programme last summer (read it here). However, there were days where I felt that I could be doing something worth being enthusiastic about. There were great memories, but all it was were just temporary excitement and by the time these moments became memories, the excitement just faded. Then, I found myself living a life limited by the routines I set myself and the bubble I created.
2015 Summer volunteering at a plantation school in Lahad Datu
Me in my university freshers' dorm, looking all happy and excited about uni. (Sept 2016)
Few days ago, the bubble that I so comfortably live up until that moment, became the bane of my existence. Within this bubble, I have become complacent with what I have and just settled. I was complacent with my body, albeit it being seriously unfit and flabby; I was complacent with my current lifestyle and goals, i.e. doing whatever was easiest and most convenient. I wasn't motivated to do anything, my life just lacked that enthusiasm to do something worth that adrenaline pump that I was used to having when I was still competitively fencing.
I was watching Christine Chan's goodbye video and she mentioned that daydreaming is a sign that your body still has a wish to do something different (p.s. the vid is full of amazing advice!). This longing for excitement was all a daydream until I was woken up.
The woke up call came from an impromptu enrollment to a 3-week health plan with my mentor, Amy. Like any other health plan, you have food diaries, workout plans and a change in lifestyle. However, the one (good) difference is that there is a community doing this alongside you. The Facebook group is a constant update of seeing other people making that first step to changing their lifestyle and somehow, the competitive spirit inside me woke up. I wanted to show people that I could do it as well.
That's when my enthusiasm started pumping excitement back into my life. I can look forward to a new day of getting my lazy bum off the couch for the day, constantly challenging myself to NOT eat that piece of fried chicken.
I realised that the only thing getting me really excited was changing my body, for the better.
*warning it is going to get real*
To be honest, I'm quite tired of being called fat or chubby. I've been called that for as long as I remember and I know people talk about my size behind my back (its okay, human tendency). I was busy controlling my acne problem and my weight had to take second priority. I was never the fit one or the better looking one among my friends or family. I am OK with not being a beauty queen, but all I want is for people to stop calling me fat. Anti-body shaming might be campaigning for beauty in all sizes, but lets be real, people still call other people fat. You might tell me that it doesn't matter what other people think, but be in my shoes for 20 years and it might change your mind.
Also, truthfully, I hate feeling unfit and looking at myself in the mirror and not feel happy. I hate feeling too self-conscious about every piece of clothing I wear. That feeling when I can no longer fit into clothes that I used to be able to eats me up inside. I hate always having to brush off body-shaming comments like it didn't hurt. I need to stop being complacent about my body.
Me in a much better shape back in 2012/3. Now, I can't even fit into those jeans! :(
I hope you can join me in this journey and give me your love, support and criticism.
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