Which Diet Works Best?

I know! I know! Everybody who has seen me since I gave birth advises me to spend some time for exercise and watch what I eat. This is because I didnt only fail in loosing the pounds that I gained during pregnancy, but have been putting on weight as well since childbirth! I really dont know why this is happening to me (despite having limited sleep every single night since lil one came along) but perhaps the disturbed and lack of sleep that has caused my body system to go tipsy turvy? Well, at least this would be what I would love to think!

I tried dieting for a while sticking to low carbs and high on protein, then I got fed up. Then I started on a meal replacement diet and that didn't work out as well. So I got fed-up and decided to surf the web to find out which diet works best for my body. And guess what! Viola! I found the perfect place!

This place provides pretty much information of how each diet works. We have all heard of the Atkins Diet and WeightWatchers among others and what this site provides in their indepth review of each of the diets that is in town and how exactly it works best. Not only that. It also provides various different categories of diets, for example, meal based diets or calorie-counting diets, etc. So you get to read in detail how each works and then decide if that is the one you can follow through and sustain. Dont forget to browse through its many healthy recipes too as we all deserve a nice meal every now and then without feeling guilty, right?

I think I will take a look at this further and see if I can digest this into my current work and babysitting schedule not forgetting I finish work at almost 8pm everynight! But we got to start somewhere right? Good luck!

Coffee in a coffee cup

I dont know how it all got started. My dad does not consume hot beverages and my mom is a tea lover. So how on earth I got hooked on to coffee? For as long as I can remember, I love coffee. I used to take one each morning for breakfast and another right after lunch and another after dinner if I had dinner late.

Some friends say they cant sleep at night well if they drank some coffee later in the day but for me, sometimes I really need a sip of two of this pleasure at night (especially after dinner!) should I wish to complete a great day! I can still do without it but sipping hot coffee makes me feel good and as though life is such pleasure .... No I am not addicted to it, but I just love to enjoy it.

Ice-blended coffee were made popular by Starbucks & Coffee Bean in Malaysia and even till today, people hang out at these outlets just to show off their latest gadgets (laptops, mobile phones, PDAs, etc) - in my humble opinion.

It's like kinda like "cool & trendy" to be doing nothing there but just sit out in the hot humid weather (Imagine! KL!) and smoke and surf the internet or chat online. Even the professionals like bankers, insurance brokers, real estate agents, etc love hanging out there with the potential customers and close deals over coffee.

Maybe when I had nothing better to do after a movie during our courting days, we spent time there for a cuppa. But now, sigh .. wishing I had the time for proper sleep, not to mention hang out at Coffee Bean :-(

Alkaline Water

So how many of you already have an alkaline water filter at home? Hands up please.

I knew nothing about this until my boss asked me to get an alkaline water filter for the office. I never knew what "alkaline" water means cos I never previously bothered enough to find out about it. All I know and heard before was simply water filters, RO water, "energy" water, etc but alkaline water was something new to me.

It is said that from all the food we eat which normally contains a high level of fats & sugar, this makes our body acidic and hence, leads to many kinds of illnesses. In order to balance it out, someone out there came out with alkaline water-producing filters. I think there are several brands out there and they dont come cheap. The one we bought for the office costs more than RM2,000.

I have been drinking it for the past 3 months but honestly, I dont notice any change for the better in me. However, my office driver did give his to his dad (in his 70s) to try and he said that his dad feels much better as in less body aches and pains - wow. So now, he dutifully fills up bottle after bottle to take home for his dad every day - which I totally dont mind (*smile*).

I might really consider this for my new home next year. If anyone knows of any other brand (other than a japanese brand) please do let me know. I heard there are cheaper China-made brands but a bit cautious of them unless its recommended by friends. So do let me know ya?

The Health Plan

To be fair to my readers, let me share with you my health plan for the next few months.

First of all is a calorie count. Any saint person will know that if input is more than output, sure fat lor, right? So, for me, I have to cut down on my daily calorie intake WITHOUT compromising on my health in terms of the right vitamins, minerals, and what nots.

Secondly, is enough water to nourish the body internally. After all, our bodies are mainly made up of water, so its only natural that we have enough of it inside us to allow our body to function optimally.

Thirdly, of course the word is exercise! I would love to go back to my good old days filled with extreme motivation to spend hours in the gym and on the yoga mat. But hey, I really have had enough of that lah. I dont know why but I just hate the sight of the gym and the sweaty humid yoga rooms! Moreover, only gays go to the gym these days!

Honestly, this exercise part a bit "susah" for me with my little boy around. He clings on to me like a leech when my mom is not around and once he does that, I cannot go anywhere. Well ... hmm... maybe chasing after him in a mall would do the trick as well huh ...hehehe.

So what do you think ... boleh maintain kah this plan?

Keeping to a diet plan (?)

Can someone tell me how to keep to your diet plan over the weekend?

I have absolutely no problem whatsoever during my week days at the office but when it comes to the weekend, I just cant keep myself away from the food at home!

I try to remind myself over & over again that I should behave but somehow I just feel weak if I dont indulge in something sweet (like a piece of cake or brownies, roti canai or my favourite nasi lemak).

And the worse part is I developed a passion to learn to bake! So how am I going to improve in my baking skills if I don't eat them huh?

Any suggestions anyone? Maybe I prayer like this helps a wee bit at least?

Type 2 Diabetes

The reason for particularly highlighting Type 2 diabetes is because both my mom & mother-in-law suffers from this.

Generally there are 2 types of diabetes, Type 1 & 2, and what it basically means is that those who suffer from Type 1 are insulin-dependent while Type 2 is non-insulin dependent. There is a whole lot of detailed explanation which you can find here should you wish to know more about it.

This will be a pre-warning to all of us at home as we sure do not want to suffer from it as well.

As a start, we will have to consume less refined sugar products such as store bought cakes, cookies or even rice or noodles which is our staple food. It may be difficult to eliminate this all together but we have definately reduced the amount we consume daily. We have also increased our vegetable & fruits consumption. Although fruits are good for you, try to avoid those with high sugar contents such as grapes and strawberries. On a daily basis, enjoy a piece of papaya, banana, or an apple or pear. I love pineapples but I try not to have it daily though.

Other minor little modifications in our lifestyle include reduced sugar in our coffee or even sometimes, no sugar at all. Reduce the number of cups of beverage from 3 to 1 a day. Whenever possible (which is almost impossible now) is to fit in some exercise. Walking in the mall is our dose of this! Well, at least we are walking instead of sitting down at home, right?

We cant really avoid processed food altogether and we cannot afford organic food all the time, so we have no choice but to live with what we are today and just try making minor changes where we possibly can. And oh ya, dont forget to stay happy & smile always!

Ramadan

Ramadan is the time where Muslims around the world fast. Here is an interesting article on what it really means and how it is practiced around the world. I really enjoyed reading it.

Since yesterday, those in the city must have noticed the mushrooming of food stalls along the streets and several food bazaars. This is where you can find a variety of tempting traditional malay food & desserts, preparing the Muslims for breaking fast in the evenings and for us, non-Muslims, a chance to enjoy their truly delicious food & cakes.

Each year, I would at least visit these food bazaars once a week right after work to let my tastebuds go wild. However, this year, it will be a bit tough for me to make it in time as I usually finish work late and by the time I get home, they would have been all sold & closed for the day.

Maybe its a good sign - since I'm trying to lose some kgs??? Well, let's see if I can still stay away from them on a Sat evening!

Good Girl!

I was at KLCC yesterday to run some errands.

On my way around the mall, I could not help but to suddenly notice so many delicious food around me! Gosh! Why do they all looks so damn appetizing when you're on a diet!!!

During my previous visits there & when I was not on a diet, I had to scratch my head hard to decide what I really wanted to eat - cos everything then was, just so plain. But this trip, oh my god! Killing!

I was trying to find something that was less sinful so that I can have an excuse to indulge a little but my favourite stall - La Cucur - would have cost me 300 calories per tiny piece of "kueh" and I would have needed at least 3 pieces to keep my mouth shut!

I decided that I should stay committed to my plan and just walked out of the mall and head back to the office. Enroute, I instead, bought 2 pieces of fresh fruit at a nearby stall and had that. It was cheap & good.

While having it, I felt proud of myself for not throwing the day's effort down the drain.

Hibiscus Flower Tea

Have you heard of it? Apparently it consist of several health benefits if consumed daily.

It is said it boast a high level of vitamin C and antioxidants which can strengthen your immune system and help fight free radicals. It is also said to lower cholesterol and high blood pressure. Sure sounds good to me as I've got some family history with high blood pressure!

I've been taking this tea for the past one month. I can feel some improvement in me especially my energy level. I'm not sure if its the tea or my water therapy that's helping, or both, but I do experience much less of aching feet after even more than 2 hrs! Previously 30 mins in the mall can send me packing home for a rub with some Counterpain ointment.

I think I will continue drinking this everyday. I would normally mix it with 1.5 litres of warm water and finish it before lunch time. Then another 1.5 litres of filtered alkaline water till I clock off from the office. And that will be my 3 litres of water/day health plan (*smile*)

Food Filled Week - Part 3

Ha! Ha! Ha! Never-ending makan sessions ... until they are on the plane!

My eldest BIL suggested we have another farewell treat for breakfast since their flight is not until evening that day. So we headed off to a dim sum place in Seri Petaling. The place is an open air concept and pretty hot if you go late in the morning.

Its specialty is its chinese buns (pau). One of it is chinese bun combined with loh mai kai (steamed glutinous rice chicken) and another of its specialty is chinese buns with custard. Hmm ... not too bad, something different from other dim sum outlets. The rest of the dimsum offered are pretty norm.



I did not get to enjoy dining cos my little one just fell asleep in the car while on the way here ... so I had to carry him sleeping off my shoulder the entire time.

On top of that, my office people had to call and ask me to go back to office to sort out some matters - hey no way man! It's a Saturday! Go buzz off!

Food Filled Week - Part 2

Time flies. BIL & SIL have since taken the flight home after more than a week in KL.

They were here to attend MIL's birthday and to also take the opportunity to visit some relatives and relax a bit. They were in Ipoh for 2 days enjoying the "ngah choy kai" (taugeh chicken) and some sight-seeing while visiting another SIL who lives there.

Before they left, its only proper we buy them a nice farewell dinner and thus, we headed to LaLa Chong at old airport road in Subang.

Some of the food we enjoy most when we are here are the "tau fu kang" which is what I call a "pirated" version of the shark's fin soup. There is no shark's fin in there cos its make of tofu & eggs but it taste superb!

Next is the chilly crab which is best enjoyed with fried "mantou" bread. Dip the bread into the gravy and its just heavenly ... !!!

We also ordered Miso Mackarel cos BIL does not consume fresh water fish .. sigh, what a waste. This miso styled fish was so so only.

One of my personal favourites is the mantis prawns prepared "kum heong" style ... very high in cholestrol but what the heck .. dont get to enjoy this everyday! Sorry the pics does not look too appetizing cos I wacked it first before taking pics lah - hahahahaa!

And last but not least, how can we come to LaLa Chong and not order its lala right? Hee hee .... dont miss their home version of the very fresh & large lala steamed with chinese wine ... divine :-)

And hey! Its dinner! So its ok for me to indulge in something sinful since I've been a really good girl at breakfast & lunch for 5 whole days (smile,wink, smile).

And guess who else thinks this place is good .... ??

Food Filled Week - Part 1

Oh no! Distractions again! There goes my health plan for the week!

But the good news is .. Happy 70th Birthday, Mother!!!!

Its was my mother-in-law's birthday last Tuesday and both my sister-in-law and their respective families will be flying & driving back to KL to celebrate this very auspicious & joyous occasion.

We had a lovely dinner at one of the local chinese restaurant.

She has requested for a similar "monk-jump-over-the-wall" that we had during this year's Mothers' Day celebrations. She really loved it cos it was the authentic (and very expensive!)
version (smile smile) and since my sis-in-law from Hong Kong is back in town, she suggested we order that again to let them try.

We also had several other dishes .. pics below ... but no pics of the famous "monk-jump-over-the-wall" cos by the time the dish arrived, I almost lost my appetite attending to my hyper-active son ...

We also had the birthday cake specially ordered from the very famous Just Heavenly team.


Its a marbled butter covered with a just-nice sweetness of buttercream and some cute little "sau pau" as decoration. This is my birthday gift to her and I hope she likes it.

I also hoped everybody enjoyed the cake much as I did! Oops! Sorry! I know I should not eat too much .. but I just had one piece ... really!

Report Card # 1 - Post Mortem

First & foremost, I need to explain what I feel different when I first started on this health plan compared to day.

2 weeks ago, I felt tired all the time and my stomach seems to be expanding like crazy (wind). The dark circles below my eyes are pretty bad and my whole body seems bloated (water retention). Both my feet also ache easily after an hour in the mall and my back (spine area) aches badly when I carry my son for a prolonged period of time (which can be as short as 10 mins - ha!)

2 weeks later, today, I still feel tired but slightly less. My tummy is very slightly smaller. I can see its slightly smaller. During the first week, I burped quite a bit. I guess this helped my tummy measurements a bit. Dark circles just slightly better too but still visible. Feets do hurt quite a bit but at least I can last longer in the mall (happy!).

The inch loss probably helped with my water retention problem and my current diet plan has not really kick into my real fats yet I guess. Hence the very low kg loss.

Other than this, hmm ... nothing much kua.

Nevertheless, lets see how it goes for another 2 weeks. Keeping my fingers, toes, tonque and everything else possible of crossing, crossed!

Report Card # 1

Guess what! Guess what!

I lost a total of 10 inches from various parts of my body combined & 1% of internal body fat in 2 weeks!

I also managed to increase my body's water level from 39.9% to now 40.2%. Hmm ... seems like the 3 litres of water/day is doing me some good. That's the good news.

But the bad news is ... I only lost 1 kg in weight. Cry. Cry. My metabolism rate is damn bloody slow and damn stubborn too!

Well, according to my health plan coach, this is quite a good achievement. She says she hardly comes across anyone who can loose 1% of internal fat within 2 weeks. Some even take up to 3 mths to show similar results it seems.

Here's sharing with you the breakdown of my first report card :-

Chest (Upper) - lost 2 inches
Chest (Lower) - lost 1 inch
Waist - lost 1 inch
Hip - lost 1.5 inches
Thigh (Right) - lost 1 inch
Thigh (Left) - lost 1 inch
Arm (Right) - lost 1 inch
Arm (Left) - lost 1.5 inches.

So there you go ... my 10 inches in total.

Nope. Nothing's happening.

Yeap, you read me right. Nothing has happened for the past 2 weeks.

You know what I am talking about right? Yeap, that's the one I am referring to. My health plan. Yeap, you read me right again ... I've been on very low calorie meals + 3 litres of water/day for the past 2 weeks and I dont feel an inch smaller or a gram lighter! Damn!

To be fair, I have not stepped on the scale since I started my health plan. So, I plan to do so next week when my work schedule is better, so that I can call in my health coach to bring along her ever-reliable electric scale that can measure every single layer of fat in me!

The day after a weekend ..

Its tough. Its a weekend and there are lots more temptations!

Its also not fair. Its not fair when you have stuck to a strict diet for 5 continuous days and you are not still not allowed to indulge on a weekend!

Well, I get to eat what I want during dinner each day, you would say. But hey, how often do you get to indulge in a nice nice dinner at home during a weekend huh? Home cooked food is of course the best but its just the time of the month where you wish to savour something sweet & nice ... like a piece of cake from Secret Recipe .... oh oh, my secret is out.

Yes, I cheated! But ah .. but ah ... ok ... ok ... I will (try to) behave better.

Yes, its time!

Yes, its time to do something for myself. And I have decided. I will start today.

I am determined to at least do this for one month. See if it works. According to the program, I will need to stick to this routine for at least 5 mths to achieve the targeted level of fitness.

I have no choice, really. I HAVE to do something to maintain my health ... its really going down the drain and its scary!