I will never forget the month of April this year because it was the time the dreaded COVID-19 hit home. First, it was my MIL, then my husband, then me, and lastly, my FIL. Even my side of the family wasn’t spared as my brother and my two sisters had it as well. The silver lining in this unexpected ordeal? Our baby NJ didn’t have it and we — the COVID patients — all survived!
Keto in Manila: A Dieter’s Journey (Plus My Other Weight Loss Secrets Revealed!)
The ketogenic or keto diet is not a new diet. Just a bit of googling will tell you it became popular in the 1920’s as a therapy for epilepsy. Recently, a lot of doctors have been advising parents to put their children afflicted with ADHD, autism, and other neurologic disorders on the keto diet to better manage their condition. Apparently, this high-fat, moderate protein, and low carb diet results in ketosis, a natural metabolic state where the body uses ketones that burn fat for energy, instead of glucose (from the carbs that we eat).
I’ve tried many diets in the past (the one I documented the most on this blog was the GM diet) and although they made me lose weight, it didn’t take long for me to gain them back. That’s why I was initially skeptical about the keto diet. But because I gained 20 unwanted pounds in under six months this year, I sort of got desperate. I wanted to go back to a weight I’m comfortable with and confident of. I don’t have hypertension, diabetes, and other diseases, and if my last blood test results would be the deciding factor, I figured I was in good condition to try the diet. And so I did.
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2016 Personal Theme: Health + Wealth
Instead of a resolution or a goal post, I thought of writing a personal theme post. For this year, I want to focus on health and wealth. I couldn’t pick a single theme so I opted for a double. Is that good or bad? Haha, actually, I don’t want to know. All I know is that, compared to last year, I have a clearer vision for this year of the things I want to accomplish and most of them revolve around health and wealth. So health and wealth it is!
Eat healthy, get fit, and lose weight. I got a bit disappointed with myself last year for not having enough discipline to reach my target weight. I tried zumba, jogging, and even yoga, but no visible and satisfying results were achieved. 2016 gives me another opportunity to get more serious and do better, so wish me luck, friends!
I want to be a flexitarian.
A semi-vegetarian or flexitarian diet is described on Wikipedia as “one that is plant-based with the occasional inclusion of meat products. Lately, I’ve been thinking of adopting this kind of diet primarily for my weight loss efforts. I wouldn’t mind reaping its health benefits in the long run, too.
Image Source: http://sciencequestionnaire.blogspot.com
The last time I checked my weight (just this morning!), it was 126 lbs. I’m 5’4″ tall and wear a size M, sometimes L. My weight usually goes up to 130 lbs. during weekends (when I tend to overeat!) and go back to 124 lbs. during weekdays when I get to control my appetite (most of the time, ehem). That’s been the case for me in the past months and somehow, I’m a bit disappointed with the results of my weight loss efforts so I’m thinking, maybe this flexitarian diet could work on me. Haha.
From Baking to Biking
Last Tuesday, which was a special non-working day for Manila-based workers like me, I engaged in two activities that allowed me to think, move, sweat, be patient and have fun all at the same time. I’m talking about baking and biking. Wow, those two rhyme beautifully, huh!
In the morning, together with my ever-dependable husband, I replenished my baking supplies over at Makati Supermart – Alabang where I found out prices are somehow lower than at SM Supermarkets. Don’t just take my word for it, try shopping there some time and see for yourself.
The Shift to Brown Rice
Last Friday, which was a holiday (Chinese New Year), we unofficially shifted to brown or unpolished rice. All our meals last weekend, except for our Friday dinner where we had unlimited dimsum at Kung Fu Kitchen in The District Imus, included brown rice. It was a mutual decision for the hubby and me (though I’d admit I had bugged him about it until he realized I had a point) and so far, we’re enjoying it.
one of our meals with brown rice
In the three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) we consumed brown rice, I noticed that it made me full longer. I also liked it’s texture. The cooked grains are firm but not too hard to chew. It’s like I’m eating fried rice (I love fried rice of all kinds!) except that it’s not oily at all. And another thing, brown rice is more “raised” or maalsa than your regular white rice. That’s economical because it means you get more cooked rice at a lesser amount of grains.