Sorry for being MIA last week, but I've been very busy at the office. Good news after today's official weigh in: I am 188 lbs. Not bad, I say! However, as I have said before, weight is a very unreliable measure now.
This does mean, though, that I have managed to break through the plateau. I must attribute this to the intense training sessions despite this exceptionally hot summer, and the 4-5 hiking trips per week I have begun.
More good news is that, as of today, my belt has gone down another notch. I am now using the fourth hole from last. This is a considerable feat, since I started this whole program at the second-last belt hole.
Hopefully this good fortune continues before my trip to the UK. I will definitely keep on hiking. It has become an addiction. I recommend it to everyone. If you haven't tried it, or have tried it once and felt like you almost died before reaching the top, trust me and continue doing it. It gets easier and you discover much about yourself once you break through your barriers.
Till next time!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Week 18: Race to Which Mountain?
Alas, no weight loss. That does not necessarily mean there's no fat loss, however. I've realized that weight should not be the determining factor in measuring improvements from this new regime. Though I would love to get to my ideal weight of 170 - 175 lbs sometime this year, it should not be my weekly goal.
This past week, I went hiking three times. Once was yesterday, right after hitting the gym. Let me say that before I started, I thought hiking would be a painful and unhappy undertaking, as it always used to be when I was younger. Boy, was I wrong! It is the most exhilarating thing to conquer your fears and overcome your obstacles, especially when you reach the point when every step begins to hurt. You really learn a lot about yourself when you keep on moving uphill no matter how much further you have to go. I love hiking now. The feeling you get when you reach the top of the conquered hill/mountain is brilliant.
This is the first time in my life I've hiked to the top non-stop. This shows how much my stamina has improved since I first started the regime all those weeks ago. It took me roughly 25-30 minutes to hike up. After a few minutes rest, I jogged all the way down in 15-20 minutes, which is also a feat in itself.
I am keen to see what effect all this hiking will have on next week's weigh-in. However, like I said, weight will not be a deciding factor for long, once I get back from the UK with skin calipers. I leave for my UK trip in less than two months.
The one dilemma I'm currently facing is that I have only been getting six hours of sleep everyday since the FIFA World Cup started. I may have to resort to getting an hour or two's shuteye in the early evenings (Football matches go on till 1:30 AM, my time).
This past week, I went hiking three times. Once was yesterday, right after hitting the gym. Let me say that before I started, I thought hiking would be a painful and unhappy undertaking, as it always used to be when I was younger. Boy, was I wrong! It is the most exhilarating thing to conquer your fears and overcome your obstacles, especially when you reach the point when every step begins to hurt. You really learn a lot about yourself when you keep on moving uphill no matter how much further you have to go. I love hiking now. The feeling you get when you reach the top of the conquered hill/mountain is brilliant.
This is the first time in my life I've hiked to the top non-stop. This shows how much my stamina has improved since I first started the regime all those weeks ago. It took me roughly 25-30 minutes to hike up. After a few minutes rest, I jogged all the way down in 15-20 minutes, which is also a feat in itself.
I am keen to see what effect all this hiking will have on next week's weigh-in. However, like I said, weight will not be a deciding factor for long, once I get back from the UK with skin calipers. I leave for my UK trip in less than two months.
The one dilemma I'm currently facing is that I have only been getting six hours of sleep everyday since the FIFA World Cup started. I may have to resort to getting an hour or two's shuteye in the early evenings (Football matches go on till 1:30 AM, my time).
Monday, June 7, 2010
Week 17: No News is Good News?
The weight has not budged this week. It might be due to the intensity of my strength training these days, but I cannot be sure. The only way to really tell if my muscle is behind this is with skin calipers. I can't wait to head off to UK this summer. I'll definitely bring back a pair of calipers.
Zero weight loss is a downer. I didn't even touch McDonalds this weekend. However, I have replaced that with another fast food--One Potato Two Potato. Their garlic-mayo fries cannot be good for me.
If the weather is good this weekend, I'm planning on going hiking. That should give my extra fat a run for its money! This day next week, I better have lost a pound at least!
Zero weight loss is a downer. I didn't even touch McDonalds this weekend. However, I have replaced that with another fast food--One Potato Two Potato. Their garlic-mayo fries cannot be good for me.
If the weather is good this weekend, I'm planning on going hiking. That should give my extra fat a run for its money! This day next week, I better have lost a pound at least!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Week 16: Plateau Schmateau
Today's weight: 189.5 - 190 lbs. No matter how small the weight loss, I have conquered the previous weeks' plateau. I have lost at least 0.5 lbs and at most 1 lbs. This is good news. The mountain is very steep now, but I'm trudging along at least.
I managed this because I did all my workouts. I have also changed up my strength training exercises again. Will stick with them for 4 - 6 weeks. On the diet side, as usual, the weekend involved quite some junk etc, since I went on a trip with friends. However, I still got results, and hopefully next week will be even better.
I may have to seriously consider early morning running. The only problem is making the effort to actually wake up. I'll decide after next week's weight-in.
I managed this because I did all my workouts. I have also changed up my strength training exercises again. Will stick with them for 4 - 6 weeks. On the diet side, as usual, the weekend involved quite some junk etc, since I went on a trip with friends. However, I still got results, and hopefully next week will be even better.
I may have to seriously consider early morning running. The only problem is making the effort to actually wake up. I'll decide after next week's weight-in.
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