healthy living tips

I've always been talking about healthy living has changed my life for the better so I want to share what's been working for me in the past six months. I will not use numbers because these aren't in order anyway.

• Eat right. Try to avoid too much sweets and softdrinks- and alcohol for that matter. It doesn't necessarily mean staying off food that you love, but eat those in moderation.
• Have protein in every meal. You have a lot of choices for protein such as fish, chicken, beef, pork, lamb, veal etc. You can also make a protein shake if you like.
  
• Don't forget the colors. I mean vegetables such as your green leaves, orange carrots, red and green peppers, yellow squash, purple eggplant, etc. And fruits, of course!
  
• Exercise at least 30 minutes, three times a week. Do it daily if you can.
• Take multivitamins and fish oil every day if you will go on a lose weight diet. These supplements will aid the deficiencies in the food you take in. Plus, fish oil made my skin less dry.
• Water, water, water. Make water your new soda or coffee please. I drink a glass of water upon waking up, another glass thirty minutes before and after each meal. I avoid drinking any liquids-save for soup during meal times.
• Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Resting will revive you from the day's daily grind and keeps you young looking too.
• Be happy! Forget the stress, problems and worries. Say a prayer and leave everything up to the One up there and life will surely be smooth sailing.
  

diet update

I have forgotten to update you on my weight loss regimen because I forgot. = )

Well, the results are positive. The last time I checked, I lost six pounds only. But I felt I lost more already at this time-I'm not counting! What matters is that a lot of people have said I have lost weight, the seamstress said I lost 3 inches off my waistline and my old jeans fit me already. That's all that matters, I guess. My girlfriend asked if I was going to stop after the wedding of my cousin and I said no. I am quite happy exercising regularly, eating well and sleeping early and I intend to continue until I reach my ideal weight. I need to lose about 10 pounds more but I'm not in a hurry.

I stopped taking the slimming coffee because it made me really hungry all the time. Instead, I went back to eating breakfast and having a light lunch and no-rice dinner. What I noticed though is that I am no longer too keen on eating pork or beef. I go for fish and chicken more nowadays. I still crave for a burger or beef quesadilla once in a while but not as much. I am all for soups and salads. Also, I hardly drink anything other than water. Coke is a totally foreign concept nowadays and even my stomach rebels if I drink too much of it.

I always said I would live healthy when I turn 30 and I'm doing it. By the way, it feels great.

curse???

I have a friend who is sick right now. She has been ill for over a year now and there is no cure in sight. We used to work together until she quit to run for public office in 2010. Her problems started upon her victory. She used to be healthy and very maarte. It's not something to be misconstrued because it is just how she is. But early last year, she had health problems that couldn't be diagnosed. She went from one hospital to another and is now getting chemotherapy. She lost all her hair, lost a lot of weight and is now just a shadow of her former self.

Around October last year, her father's cancer came back. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 but it went into remission after a year. They both alternated getting chemotherapy in St. Luke's until it was said that his father's cancer could no longer be treated. He died last week due to complications.

Last Christmas, her younger brother was admitted to the hospital after a stroke. He was able to recover but is now back in the hospital for kidney problems. And her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last year as well.

A lot of people have been talking about their family being cursed or something. My friend was released from the hospital last July when an albularyo supposedly healed her. But because she didn't believe in it, she got worse instead. What makes the story complicated is that they sold a huge tract of land for P30 million. It was supposed to be a family property but her father got all the proceeds. So there really are questions as to the misfortune that is befalling her and her family. Her two brothers are unscathed, though. One is a politician while the other lives abroad. Others presume it must be related to their business or it's a case of jealousy.

I cannot say anything about it other than the fact that it is a very sad state of affairs. They may have money but they are struggling physically. My friend has another lump growing in her lungs again and her chemotherapy treatments are back again. It's just good luck her mother has Alzheimer's otherwise she's be devastated with the loss of her spouse.

I only pray that they'll have the strength to get over this stage in their lives and still have faith in Him up above.

no smoking please!

if i had to choose, i'd go for smoking over drinking. i used to smoke way back when i still partied and went out. my cigarette of choiced was marlboro-the green one. (i don't even remember what it's called anymore, menthol maybe.) i quit when i decided to get pregnant. since then i've made it a habit to live healthy. but last saturday, my uncle gave out cigarettes and i couldn't help myself. i took this pack home. i liked that it was slim. i shoved it in my drawer and promptly forgot about it. but last sunday, i was alone in the house. i remembered my cigarette and lit one up. ohhh.. it felt good. i know smoking is bad but i couldn't help myself. yesterday, i lit up another one and i felt guilty. i decided to bury the pack under my drawer, lest i be tempted again.

i hope the pack goes stale so i will have no choice but to throw it out. and i promise never to get another pack ever again, no matter how cute the cigarette looks.

lost it

the bf faced serious health issues last year that forced him to exercise and lose weight. i had to join his cause and exercise as well. he didn't see results in the first month so he was getting frustrated. but in the last couple of weeks, i noticed that he had slimmed down. he noticed it too and is really glad. he has avoided eating beef and pork and he exercises twice a day, in the morning and in the evenings. we have given up biking (thank God!) and he goes jogging at night instead. i still go with him in the mornings although sometimes i only walk for 20 minutes or so.

i am now jealous becuase he has a smaller belly already. i have to deal with menstrual bloating so sometimes, i feel really fat. but i have been true to my resolution to not drink soft drinks and to lessen my dessert intake. i am hoping it pays off so that i will be really skinny, just in time for the summer months. the family is planning a trip to boracay and i intend to wear a bikini! = )

exercise to the max!

the bf is several years older than i. he is quite a hypochondriac and is constantly worried about his health and imagined illnesses. he easily gets tonsilitis, fever and minor illnesses. earlier this month, he decided to get a full blood workup. the result was a low HDL and high SGPT level. in short, he has low good cholesterol and a fatty liver. he was given medication only for the liver, had to lose weight and go on a diet. and of course, exercise!

by nature, i am lazy. but i have been encouraged by the bf to go walking and biking. we did that before but stopped. i was only too happy to do so. walking meant waking up really early while biking is literally a pain in the behind! however, in this recent attempt to be healthier, the bf asked me to do exercise regime with him. of course, being a devoted gf means i have to assent. ugh! it's too painful beyond words. i am so tired from walking in the morning and biking in the afternoon. i can tolerate the walking but not the biking. my bike sucks although that's not the point. i really hate biking, especially since we go uphill. it's just too much. i skipped both yesterday with a flimsy excuse but the truth is i was really exhausted. but it's just been a few days since i started. i am hoping and praying that next week won't be as excruciating as today.

got to go now, i still have to wake up early in the morning!