My Yoga Poses on Instagram

Fitness Goals

Setting your goals when you want to lose weight can be a little tricky.  I hate giving out unsolicited advice when it comes to diet and exercise, because well, people can be judgmental with what you have to say and what you have achieved.  But I want to give a little hand so that you won't have to go through what I have been through that took me years to understand and apply.  This is based on my own experience, we all have different body types and tolerance (hehe!), find one that will work for you.

I began working out with one thing on my mind (well, everything else followed), that I can lose weight faster than those people who called me fat! (by the way, that was just 3 months after I gave birth)  Every time they'd see me, they'll be like "ang taba taba mo na tine.."  I was like, "Hello!  I just gave birth, give me a break"!!  I was deeply saddened by their rude comments, so I decided to work out six months after I gave birth.  Didn't want to hurry myself, baka mabinat..

I already planned on doing Hip-Hop Abs, for me, it's the easiest workout to follow and I love the way Shaun T motivates me while working out (yes, I take his words seriously!) I think it affects the way I look at my workouts.  My diet plan; eat less carbs and eat more veggies which I failed to do because I wasn't fond of veggies back then.. After months of doing HIP HOP Abs, I felt like I wasn't losing weight anymore, my body got used to the workouts that it doesn't hurt anymore, so I had to do something else, something more challenging.  I searched the net for new and intense workouts, then I found Insanity by Shaun T.  Luckily, a friend lent me her DVD's.  I encouraged hubby to join me in this challenge but it was exhausting..  I had a hard time doing it because it was so intense!  I wasn't looking forward to doing it everyday.  So, I decided to look for another workout.  Then, I found HIIT, High Intensity Interval Training ~~ is an enhanced form of interval training, an exercise strategy alternating periods of short intense anaerobic exercise with less-intense recovery periods.  HIIT is a form of cardio vascular exercise, usual HIIT sessions may vary from 4-30 minutes.  These short, intense workouts provide improved athletic capacity and condition, improved glucose metabolism, and improved fat burning. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training)

My workout takes 30sec work and 10sec rest for 30-45mins of intense workout.  I found a website that provides a free workout video called BodyRock.tv.  Although it may look like insanity, this one has 10sec rest which really helped me take a breather and then get back again with enough energy to finish a 30 sec work.  While doing this, I made some changes on my diet, just to get the result that I wanted.  I ate less at dinner, less carbs, less sweets on weekdays, gave myself cheat weekends so I won't deprive myself too much.

Oh, and to track my weight loss, I measured my body instead of weighing myself, because muscles are heavier than fats.

Now, I'm adding yoga to my workout routine, and I find it better than getting a massage for my sore muscles.

I know I don't have that "biggest loser" kind of story or a big transformation story because I didn't need to reach that state before I decided to change something about myself..  And I don't want to wait for something "life changing" before I change something..

My Crow Pose Progress

My 30 Day Workout Challenge

Yehey!!  I finished/survived my 30 day workout challenge!!!  Whew!  Ang galing ko(yes, I'm proud!!).  Although, It was really, really hard, that there were days that my body can't take it anymore but I still went through it, and at the last week of the challenge I had flu but still went with it.  Surprisingly, it didn't get worse, with water therapy and lots a vitamin C!
Had some interruptions from the kids too, "mommy, can you get this" or "mommy, can you help me with this", all in between my workouts!  Took me not more than 10 seconds to obey them though, just so they won't bother me again!

My Measurements:

                          Before                    After          

Arms                   9 in.                         9 in

Waist                  26 in                       25 in

Hips                   32 1/2 in                  31 in

Thighs                20 in                        19 in

I'm soo happy with the results, plus, I feel stronger and my body's more firm.  I found a new way of training, I felt motivated and inspired to train everyday and I love how sore I am the next day, just means I did the right routine with the proper form (well, I hope)..  Just had some problems with my diet, wasn't eating healthy all the time, it was hard to resist sweets and rice and pasta! :D
I will definitely do this again mid January, after all the Holiday celebrations so, maybe just maybe, I can have some discipline with my diet just for a month.  But that doesn't mean I'll stop working out before that, I'll still workout 5x a week..  With all the celebrations this Holiday season, kailangan i-burn lahat, agad-agad!! :D

Thank you so much Lisa Marie of BodyRock.tv!!!  I'm more confident and proud with my body, sabi nga ni hubby, hindi lahat kaya yung ginagawa mo, mag workout 5x a week, intense pa! :D  So, I realized, oo nga.. there are just a few people na I know who goes to the gym pa..  Ibang klaseng motivation daw meron ako to workout at home..  But every time my family would see me working out, "may contest?" hehehe!
I'm not doing this to be skinny,
Thanks hubby, for the support!  Mmwah!
Oh, and yes, I posted a picture of mine, because I worked hard for it, I earned it and I feel good!  Hey, I'm a mom of three :D

Day 19 on My 30 Day Challenge

I’m on day 19 of my 30 day challenge, I noticed that I got stronger!  I used to do squats with 10 lbs on my barbel and now, I use 35 lbs (including the barbel handle weight)!  I love this challenge, 1 more week and I'm done.  I just hope it makes a big change on my tummy..  I still eat like crap on my rest days, thought I deserved it! :D

I love the way Lisa-Marie encourages and gives support while working out, it's as if she's really talking to me!! 

 3rd week, more muscles in my arms! :P  I used to hate arm muscles, but now I am loving them!!  I don't believe in fad diets in getting rid of flabby arms (unless you're aiming to be skinny anorexic!) , I think with proper diet and exercise you’ll achieve well toned arms .   I'll post some of her arm workout soon..

On the last day of the 3rd week, it was just cardio, cardio, cardio, for 40 minutes!!  I find too boring, plus I don't have a treadmill and I hate using jump ropes (I know, it's crazy and stupid but I hate it when the ropes hit me.. ).  So, I opted to do Insanity Pure Cardio (it's been a while).  I was shocked that it kind of got easier and I got faster!  I always end up dead tired after this workout but this time, I had a good time doing it.  Although, I'm still having a hard time doing push ups but I still try to finish it, and I take really short breaks/breaths when I need to.
If I get a decent result from this challenge, I will post my before and after picture and my size too..  (crossing my fingers!!)

Bodyrock.tv's 30 Day Challenge

Bodyrock.tv's 30 Day Real Time Challenge

Lately, I was feeling lazy to do my usual routine.  So, I thought I needed a new goal and a new routine to get me back on track.  Then, I found Bodyrock.tv's 30 day REAL TIME challenge!  I'm a big fan of Bodyrock so I signed up, they're actually on their 23rd day while this is my first!  Hehehe..  

If you want to start your challenge, just click here for instructions and the videos.  These are intense total body workouts in real time!  It's like having a workout buddy! :D  Goodluck!

Supported Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana)

I got curious about the headstand, it looked awesome!  So, I searched a tutorial on YouTube since I can't/won't go to any yoga classes.   It looked really easy watching the instructors, but once you do it on your own, man, it was so hard!  There were lots of times that I fell hard, I’m okay though.  Anyway, after lots of practice, I was able to do it away from the wall! :))  There's also a good reason why I'm doing this, some of them are; to improve blood circulation and to strengthen deep core muscles and it’s awesome! =))

 (Instagram Photos)

If you're planning to do this on your own, please, be very careful.  I suggest you do it against the wall first and take the necessary precautions. Do not rush! 

Here's a tutorial from Ekhart Yoga.

Home Workout

It took me so long to do a follow up on my home workout.  Well, I promised myself not to blog about it yet if haven't got any decent improvements. Now, I think I have enough courage to post pictures and blog about it.  It is not easy to lose weight when you're 30+ and have 3 kids.  But I'm posting this for other moms out there who thinks it is all over for them.. Adding some me time to your daily routine is not BAD, it's like choosing not to watch a teleserye and workout instead..

7 months pregnant with my youngest

Year 2011, these was when I was doing Hip-Hop Abs (4-5 x a week) and badminton with some so, so diet.

Year 2012, thought of moving up a notch, mixed Hip-Hop Abs with some intense workouts, tried insanity but was too insane! Hehe! and some badminton.

Year 2013, I noticed I've been doing workouts harder, but it seems it doesn't show.  So, I did more intense workouts (5x a week) combined with a healthy diet.  No rice on weekdays, more veggies, more protein..

It wasn't easy, it took time, patience, hard work and discipline.  I do have those days that I feel too lazy to do my workouts and guess what, I still do it!! That's how dedicated (crazy?) I am! :))  Making myself realize how hard it is to get to where I am now, and I'm not planning on starting all over again!! :))

I'll be posting more pictures and some inspiration/motivation to get you started. :))