Remember When Bagels Were "In"?

Bagels used to be a huge craze! Everywhere you went, bagels were "in," and you couldn't escape the trends of bagels! Bagel for breakfast, bagel sandwich, bagel for dinner, bagel for a late night snack.... Goldstein's, Western Bagel and Noah's Bagels were among the famous nearby bagel stores we frequented often and in our home, bagel breakfasts were an exciting day! We had Sara Lee, Thomas Muffin and even bagels from Ralph's. Cream cheese came in regular, whipped, strawberry, salmon, garden, jalapeno, etc.

And then, I found out how bad bagels actually were for you. In essence, it was as if someone took a loaf of bread, crushed and compacted it into a bagel, and then said, add some cream cheese for more fat. But man, how delicious they were!

So recently, when I found a smaller bagel, advertised as "toast size," I was excited! The bagels were only 160 calories (normally half of a normal sized bagel get you to around 180 calories) so I grabbed that, some low fat whipped cream cheese, and wa-la, I have been eating bagels for breakfast almost everyday! YUM!

Part of eating right is portion control, so I'm grateful for the smaller bagels... because in the past, even though a half of a bagel filled me up, sitting there, I would feel the other half taunting me to just eat it! And then... after eating it, I'd feel remorseful and too full. For people like me who are unable to just put it aside, it's important to just get it in the right size in the beginning.

Yay for bagels!

Avoiding The Marriage 15

There seem to be key moments in my life when weight gain was inevitable. The first was "Freshman 15," gained during the first year in college or university when the dorm food's cafeteria buffet style options were hard to resist and ice cream was an everyday option. The second was my first year out of college, which was coined as "Audit 20" but later renamed to be "Busy Season 20" (as the weight gain was consistent during the busy season days we worked 11 hours at a minimum and ordered in for lunch and dinner).

There also seemed to be pivotal moments in my life when weight loss was unavoidable. Usually, this stemmed from increased loss of appetite following a heartbreak and most recently, as a bride to be. The former is self explanatory while the latter was one I had heard happened, but always imagined it would be because I was actively trying to. Instead, my routine work out sessions became less regular as time seemed of the essence and over the course of 4 months, I wittled down approximately 13 pounds and everybody but me seemed to notice it. Eventually, I realized the pants were starting to get loose and the epiphany of my weight loss hit me. Looking back, I am quite confident the smarter eating slowly progressed over the course of the four months between getting engaged and getting married and I attribute the weight loss fully to that as the "stress" of wedding planning was definite but minimal as I had the help and support of so many wonderful people.

Now that I've been married for about two months, I can already feel the pants getting a bit tighter than before. I know this is due to the anticipated "Marriage 15" which I refuse to add to my list of tag line weight gain moments.

Instead, I will make an effort to track how I change my healthier eating habits and how I make time for interesting work outs (on top of a full work day, cooking, cleaning and don't forget the post wedding tasks, organizing the house, etc.). Lastly, once that is all in order, I will use this blog as a testing ground to post my exercise experiments. The first will be.... dun dun DUNNNNN... Skechers Shape-Ups or Reebok Easy Tones - do they really work?

I'm excited about where this blog will take me and look forward to sharing with everyone the joy and woes of making healthy a part of my lifestyle and not just a fad. Join me in celebrating a healthier me .... let's see where I land in another four months.

To give you an idea of why we're heading for the Marriage 15, here's what I ate last week for dinner:

Mon - Costco slice of supreme pizza and frozen yogurt
Tues - quesadillas on white tortillas with red, orange and yellow peppers, grape tomatoes, chicken, and shredded pepper jack cheese
Wed - Ding Tai Fong dumplings, broccoli, chicken soup
Thurs - hamburger patties on hotdog buns with lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup
Fri - Saladang family style dishes: pak kee mow, satay chicken, pineapple fried rice, green curry with brown rice

Say Yes to Healthy Substitutions

I love it when magazines and the morning news compares food items and shows me that if I eat smart, I can eat a lot more than if I eat dumb.

For example... eat a slice of veggie pizza, a small salad, a cookie and a drink for about the same amount of calories and fat as a slice of sausage pepperoni pizza. But what if I simply like the sausage pepperoni pizza more?

So today, I am here to encourage you to eat what you want but eat it smart and seek healthy substitutions.

You like sausage pepperoni pizza more? Then go with turkey sausage, or wheat dough. Substitutions are key and help you maintain a lower caloric intake while gaining the same satisfaction had you eaten the sausage and pepperoni pizza. Still don't like the way it tastes? Well, it taste much better to be skinny than fat. It tastes much better than buying new clothes because your big butt won't fit into the jeans you use to wear before your metabolism slowed down!

Substitution is key!

Say no to fried chicken, croutons and heavy creamy dressings on your salads and yes to grilled chicken, vinaigrette, and fruit atop your salads! Say no to heavy food items and opt for the lighter side.... for example no to heavy fruit cake but yes to airy sponge cake! You can also substitute your vegetable oil for EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) or your regular sugar in baking to Splenda sugar. Every little bit helps!

Really? Just Take the Stairs!

I think it's amusing when people who normally go to the gym, aim to eat a healthy diet and take pride in not just looking good, but feeling good... avoid the stairs. Often, I'm the ONLY person who takes the stairs instead of the escalator and I am baffled, especially when people I know who are avid gym goers, do care about their health, avoid such a simple yet healthy option.

I Cannot WAIT to Organize Our Fridge!!!

I've never had my own fridge to organize ... aside from the college dorm mini-fridge not capable of storing much.

I read once in a Shape magazine article that not only is it important to keep your fridge organized, but to consider the foods you put together to maximize their shelf life.

When I lived with a roommate, we kinda had our own areas but it was always difficult to establish any sort of organizational method since we had about two of everything. So I can't WAIT to get a fridge with my future hubby and organize away!

Condiments (ketchup, tapatio, tabasco, A1, salad dressing) on the door shelves.
Fruits closer to the back and top (colder part of the fridge)
Vegetables in the crisper drawers and if you have two, one for the uncooked meat. (you should also clean this drawer often since it's for raw meat!)
Cooked items should go towards the top (leftovers, etc.) while raw ingredients are better at the bottom (in case gross stuff drips from uncooked whereas uncooked stuff with leftover droppings will be cooked and not contaminated).
Cheese and butter also in the side flappy thing, and hopefully lots of good tupperware to keep fresh cut fruit and veggies available for snacking. Oh.. and no more juice - we'll go concentrate cuz we'll be a young married couple and probably a Brita filter. Exciting!!!

Ice Water and Chewing Gum - the no effort weight loss trick!

Apparently drinking ice cold water is better than water that is at room temperature or is hot because it helps you burn more calories over time and essentially loose weight. I can confirm this has been stated repeatedly in multiple fitness magazines and by numerous weight loss gurus. The short reason is because your body has to warm up the water and in essence, burn the calories. Not suggesting you quit your gym membership, drink ice water and expect to be at status quo .. but just saying, it's a nice addition to the equation of working out and staying fit.

Chewing gum helps you lose weight. Not really... but like the Atkins Diet or the Subway Diet, it distracts you from eating those not so good things that would make you gain weight. Chewing gum is a way to avoid "mindless eating" and "mindless snacking." So if you combined chewing gum with junk food, you probably wouldn't see much of a difference... but if you chewed gum during the day to help decrease those munchy moments at 3 PM and eating because you're bored and not really hungry... then yes, it does help!

That's Just Unsanitary!

Lately, I've been noticing the need for carrying a hand sanitizer wherever I go!

Witness...Observe... Learn.

Today I was at the deli I go to everyday when I'm eating alone or if I forget to bring my lunch.... and there, I witnessed a mid-30s Asian woman pick up the ladle for the ranch dressing from the salad bar, and holding it up, used her finger from her other hand to wipe some dressing off the ladle... and then she proceeded to lick her finger, while still holding onto the ladle! Her eyes darted around really quickly, as if to ensure nobody was watching but me... from behind... walking quickly ... saw it ALL! I know she was most likely unsure of what flavor the dressing had but.... MAN, is that gross or what?!

Do You Believe In Make-Up?

Growing up, I never got to play dress up with make-up. 1) My mom didn't own any make-up besides lipstick and 2) My mom refused to buy me any play make-up to mess around with.

As a result, I grew up not understanding how to use make-up. I did, however, understand the art of skin care and at 16, began getting facials and understand the basics of washing, applying toner and moisturizer + SPF 15 or more.

At 16, I also learned how to create a double eye-lid fold on myself with scotch tape. You got it! 3M scotch tape! Unfortunately.. whenever I blinked - people would remind me, "There's something on your eye Daisy!" ... darn. Lucky for me.. a few months later.. the fold on my right eye became permanent! So the tape paid off!

When I was 18 ... some family friends from Taiwan visited. The kids from the family laughed at me when they learned I was using tape that I personally cut myself for the eyelids. They laughed because apparently.. in Taiwan.... land of many more Asian gals than my own hometown area which was 50% Asian, manufactured eye tape was available over the counter! This was news to me!

In college, I joined the ballroom dance company and as part of our competition image... we were required to sport big false eyelashes, lots of sparkly make-up, an upright, anal and tight bun, glitter, swarvoski crystals and even pro-tan our bodies if we were too white (I was exempt from the latter). Along with learning how to meticulously place eyelashes atop my eyes, I discovered that eyelash glue could take the place of eye tape and give me the fold I so desired.

The hard part about using eyelash glue was the application of it. It often came out chunky because it was a squeeze bottle and sometimes.. a few times... many times actually, the glue gunk got into my eye when I was squeezed too hard!

Apparently, I was not the only Asian girl taping her lids. And... one sunny afternoon, I discovered Eye Glue!!! Eye Glue comes with a brush and a funky applicator thing that lets you crease the fold. And then, my world was complete.

I tried to show friends what I was talking about by using youtube.com and came across the ultimate blog This girl is amazing! She goes through step by step how to do make-up and even has giveaways. The only thing I'd argue is too much foundation and powder as the base - but besides that - really really neat! Check it out!

Informercial

So my Equinox Challenge was a bit hard.. I reduced about 3% of body fat but my arms, back and stomach didn't shrink and only my thighs did. Oh well.. lost a few inches there. I am however, MUCH stronger than before as I can actually do real push-ups now!

So ....
Infomercials are mostly crap that infest your television airspace and are targeted towards those seeking affirmation, easy change and those who are for the most part.. retarded.

Falling into that last category, I have toyed with some exercise informercial stuff in the past...

1) Thighmaster...

2) Urban rebounder...aka overpriced trampoline

3) Windsor pilates (courtesy of the BFF)

4) Tae-Bo (also courtesy of the BFF)

5) Some tummy belt...

So the latest obsession? P90X. It really works is what everyone says!. Question is.. can I get through a one hour exercise everyday for 30 days minus Sunday rest day? Only time will tell..

Equinox Fitness Challenge

I have 8 weeks to get into the best shape of my life. I have 8 weeks to suffer the pains of limiting my caloric intake and varying my workouts so I don't plateau too quickly. I have 8 weeks to watch my inches decrease and muscle increase. I have 8 weeks to get more flexible and potentially say I can do the splits. I have 8 weeks to eat colorful vegetables, grilled protein and frozen yogurt in small portions. I have 8 weeks until glory. I have 8 weeks to see if I can do it. If I can't do it at 26... I may never be able to do it. I am going to win. Watch me.

Give Back and Get Fit!

Being skinny is not just about looking skinny. I mean.. yeah, ok from a literal perspective it indeed is..but challenge your brain to think beyond that and think of it as a metaphor. What can you do to rid yourself of the daily toxins that pollute your environment and thereby, flaunt a skinny self free of pollutants that are genuinely bad people, negative energy, selfishness, insincerity (otherwise know as fake peeps), and inconsideration?

First, recognize these people and understand that they cannot add to your life. Next, free yourselves of such people and seek thos who are sincere, who are kind-hearted, generous, thoughtful and helpful.

It's kind of like that commercial where kindness is shown to be contagious. It really is. Which brings me to my next point.. doing good things for the world, those who surround you and yourself (since the latter two are both part of that world...duh).

This doesn't mean you have to organize a beach clean-up every weekend, attend Habitat for Humanity of be a big brother or sister, although those are wonderful options of getting involved and giving back to the community! But start little and let it become habitual and part of your life.

So... for example, I hate running but I do it as part of my exercise routine anyway. I do about 4-5 charitable runs a year and I don't always raise a lot of money (people do grow tired of my constant requests for donating), but even my participation raises awareness and that is one small step for cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's and whatever other cause I run for. So I give back and get fit. Yay!

If your joints are old or you just detest running.. you can still give back and get fit in other ways! You can volunteer to help beautify a school (LA Works is the place to contact if you like doing this), a local Eagle Scout with his final project, or those in need means a lot of squatting, toning, stretching and twisting while you heavy lift, paint, and garden.

Learn it. Love it. Live it.

While Working Out.. Avoid the Following

1) Farting while you run. I know it's hard to avoid and I know everyone is listening to music anyway but it's sooooo unfortunately disgusting, passively aggressive in its confrontational ways and and unfortunately a reality you must cease to end!

2) Body odor... an aroma of herbs most notably onion, garlic and gross with a sniff of dirty towels and unmistakenbly atrocious and breathtaking (in the bad way).

3) Prancing around naked in the locker room. I know it's not a big deal to YOU but standing there and talking about your fake breasts and commenting that you might have gotten them too big and then suggesting others feel them to see how real they are (no win here because they were sooo big, fake and high) is not okay. Standing there and blowdrying your hair with your boobs hanging out.. also not okay..at least put on a bra. Having full on conversations naked with your bush staring me in the eye.. also not okay. I know people are naked in locker rooms.. that should be for a brief second.. not for the entire duration of your primping.

4) Filling in your water bottle while others are in line. I learned this one the hard way. As I stood there filling up my huge water bottle, a big SIGH came from the girl in back of me who pivoted and went towards the other water fountain. I pondered about the situation for a moment... realizing, I should have been the bigger and more generous person, stepped back, and allowed her to take a sip before proceeding to fill my bottle. A simple act of kindness... a large impact of gratitude and generosity could have occurred had I not been mindless and unthoughtful.

5) Picking your wedgie while you work out. Mellvilleeeees are annoying when you're working out and who cares if anyone sees me ... errrr sorta. Because on the flip side, I crack up when I see it. Pick good underwear, no underwear or go into the locker room (where based on #3 plethora of inappropriateness is already occurring) and pick your wedgie there!

Miam to Muffin Tops In My Belly but Nay to Them On My Body!

...for my body is a temple and this temple shall not be adorned with rolls of muffin tops. Instead, it shall be scaled with concave textures indicative of what humans call .. a pack.

A muffin top is the top part of a muffin, the part that potrudes from the wrapper, that plumply sits atop a muffin tin and the scrumptious part that melts in your mouth as you tell yourself, only this muffin top will I eat today... only to subsequently scarf the rest of the bottom down in about 5 seconds shortly thereafter.

Miam is a common French expression synonymous with the American expression, "yum!" When eating muffin tops, I declare "miam!" because yummy are they ever! But muffin tops on females, a strange and common new look due to too much on the love handles and too small of a pant size is beyond disgusting.

Do you want to look like this?

So how does one avoid a muffin top?

Here are my recommendations for the day.

1) Avoid excessively easy breakfast foods. This means, the quick and easy Starbucks breakfast item that is sweet, delicious and packed with carbs such as muffins, bagels, pastries, doughnuts, krispy kremes, cheese danishes, chocolate croissants, etc.

2) Work on your obliques.

For a beginner, I'd recommend trying the ballroom dance move where you do an 8 motion with your hips.

For someone more intermediate, lay on your back with your knees up and feet near your rear and come up high enough where your shoulders are off the ground but your backbone is glued to the ground and reach right, then left, repeat again and again.

For the advanced, you can try the pretzel!

To do the move properly, get into the above position. You don't need a ball.. you should actually use your hands to hold yourself up. Tuck your hips - meaning that motion of tilting your hips under, as if to suck in your stomach and lean forward.. that feeling of your hips tucking in is what you want throughout this exercise. ove you back knee far away from the line of your front leg so that it is truly behind you and in the shape of a weird looking human pretzel. Now, you can do an assortment of exercises - including lifting your knee, or pushing it back, or just keeping it up. You will feel this in your obliques almost immediately!

For the lazy, just do the twist so your obliques feel it.... do the twist!!!

4) Try on jeans and make sure they aren't so tight that your muffin top shows. Bigger jeans that fit appropriately will do wonders.

5) Love your body and listen to the 4 rules above and avoid muffin top!!