Weigh-In: Week 4

Okay, so this wasn't a good week. I've gained weight - but that's understandable since I didn't workout at all this week. But at least I lost some inches.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Gong hey fa choy. Happy Chinese New Year!

Weigh-In: Week 3

So, this week wasn't that different from the other two exercise wise. Although, I did pilates on Friday, so that was good. But one good thing is that I lost both pounds and inches. So hurray for that!

How-To: Dress Taller and Slimmer

So you’re doing everything right, eating healthy and working out hard, but when you look in the mirror you’re not quite there yet. Well, for one thing, don’t worry about it. A quick and easy fix is to dress skinnier. There are numerous ways to look slimmer and taller just by the way you dress. Interested? Well, follow these simple figure-flattering tips and see for yourself how good you can look.

• Dark Colors. This one isn’t an earth shattering revelation by any means. Everyone knows that wearing black will make you look slimmer and taller. But it’s not only black that will do the trick, other dark-hued colors such as brown, navy, gray, and even red will work.
• Long Cardigans. Cardigans that fall past your waist will elongate your body, whilst waist length or cropped cardigans will shorten your torso.
• Vertical Stripes. Vertical stripes have the opposite effect of horizontal stripes. Vertical stripes elongate the torso; horizontal stripes cut the body off, so choose vertical stripes when trying to look slimmer.
• Wide Belts. Wider belts make you look slimmer. For a good fit, pick a belt with a little nylon stretch.
• Maxi Dresses. Maxi dresses are great for creating an illusion of being taller because the dress flows without any interruptions from top to bottom.
• Match Your Separates. In the same line of maxi dresses, by dressing in one color, you’ll be creating an uninterrupted body.
• Long, Skinny Scarves. Scarves are a great way to accent accessories because it takes the focal point away from your ensemble. An extra long and skinny scarf will make you appear slimmer and taller.
• Proportions. You should always keep your proportions in check. Balance a flowy top with skinny jeans, a fitted top with a full skirt or wide leg pants. It’s also key to accentuate the smallest part of your body.
• Platforms. Platforms will ad inches to your height as well as subtract pounds from your frame.
• Jackets. Choose jackets that are hip length. Also, tapered jackets will give you a smaller waist.
• Trench Coats. Choose a thigh-length trench, but avoid anything that is longer than the knees.
• Turtlenecks. Turtleneck gives the impression of a longer neck.
• High-Waisted. Anything high-waisted, whether it be pants, skirts, or shorts, will make your torso seem longer. One caveat though, you should only wear high-waisted items if you’re stomach is flat.
• Jeans. Pick straight-leg or boot cut jeans that sit on your hips. Also, make sure that the jeans cover your instep when you’re in heels.
• Pants. Long, wide-legged pants will give the illusion of tallness. But be sure not to wear them with flats. Wear these pants only with heels, and be sure that they cover your heels. Also, pants with a flat-front style will make you appear slimmer and taller since they’re unbroken, unlike pleats. Another feature to look for in pants is a slight flare. This type of pants will make your hips seem smaller. Moreover, look for pants with a waistband between one and two inches wide, as a narrower waistband will draw unwanted attention to the stomach. And most importantly, look for pants with a bit of a stretch.
• Skirts. Choose an A-line or tailored pencil skirt to appear slimmer.

Weigh-In: Week 2

So this was my second week into my fitness odyssey, and I'm sorry to say that it wasn't that successful. I lost in inches, but gain in pounds. So it was a good and bad week.

I wanted to go out and run, but weather wasn't permitting. So that was a downer. But you know, I was also being lazy. I gotta pick up the pace next week...

Diet Tip: Don't Skip Meals

If you're trying to lose weight, then don't starve yourself. I know most of you already know this. But for people who think that this might be counterintuitive to losing those pesky lbs, here's the reasoning behind it:

Fasting or starvation will reduce your body's synthesis of fatty acids by four to five times. In theory that might sound good, but in reality, not quite so much. Why? Because once you eat again after skipping meals, fatty acid synthesis will increase fourteen fold. Yikes.

So there you have, biochemistry has proven that fasting or starving will make you fatter. So make sure you're not skipping any meals.

Bottom line: don't starve.

Weigh-In: Week 1

Well, this was the first week of officially trying to lose some serious lbs. I started off strong, but as the week progressed, I kinda faltered. Lesson learned, I need to pick up the pace next week.

There wasn't much of a difference in pounds or inches lost this week, well actually none at all, since this is the first week

Good Luck Foods to Ring in the New Year

All around the world, people from different cultures indulge in various foods that are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity in the New Year.

Noodles
In many Asian countries, noodles are traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day. Long noodles are meant to symbolize a long life. One caveat though, you can’t break the noodle. So the trick to ensure a long life, you must slurp the noodle without breaking it before you get it in your mouth.

Pork
Pork is served all around the world on the first of January. There are two different beliefs as to why pork is considered good luck. One is that they symbolize progress since they push themselves forward as they look for food in the ground. Second, due to their plump physique and high fat content, pigs are considered a symbol of prosperity and abundance.

Fruit
In Mediterranean countries, pomegranates are ingested for luck in the coming year. Pomegranates symbolize abundance and fertility. Their color and seed shape also denote money and prosperity.
In China, revelers welcome the New Year with citrus fruit. Oranges stand for wealth. Tangerines are a symbol of good luck. On a side note, the Chinese New Year falls on January 26, this year, the first day of the first lunar month.
In Mexico and South American countries, celebrants great the New Year by ingesting 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. Each of the 12 grapes represents a month of the coming year. If a grape is sweet, the month will be good. If a grape is sour, the month will be bad.

Beans
Because of their round shape, beans represent money (coins) and prosperity as well as the cycle of a year ending. Black-eyed peas are a common good luck food in the United State’s South. In Japan, they consume red and black beans. Lentils are chosen for the first day of the New Year in Italy and Brazil. Moreover, chickpeas are a commonplace staple in Italy and southern France.

Fish
Fish, like pigs, are associated with progress and prosperity because they move forward. Moreover, since fish typically move in a large number, school, they are believed to symbolize abundance. Fish are typically consumed in Asia, Europe, and North America on the first day of the New Year. In addition, shrimp, a shellfish, are commonly eaten in Japan. The curve of the shrimp resembles the hunched back of an elderly person, so they signify longevity.

Cabbage
Cabbages have long been eaten for prosperity and money. In places such as Ireland, Germany, and the United States, cabbage is associated with luck and money because of their color. The green color represents money, more specifically paper money. And it is believed that eating money will bring you money.

What Not To Eat
Now that we’ve covered what foods are considered good luck, it’s important to note that some foods are considered bad luck and should be avoided on the first of the year. White colored foods are to be avoided in Chinese cultures since while is the color of death. Thus the Chinese keep away from tofu, eggs, and anything else white.

In many cultures, eating anything with wings is to be evades. Wings are considered unlucky because it could fly away with all your luck. So chicken is out of the question. But in addition to having wings, chicken are bad luck because of the way they move. Unlike the pig or fish that move forward, the chicken scratches backwards. Along the same line, lobsters are a no-no since they swim backwards. The backward motions may lead to setbacks in the coming year.

And last, but not least, an unlucky move that you can do, which might counter to what you’re mother has always told you, is to clean you plate. Numerous cultures believe that leaving a little food on your plate on New Years will bring a bountiful and abundance year.

Top 10 Anti-Oxidant Foods

Foods rich in antioxidants can aid in the prevention of heart disease and cancer. It can also reduce blood pressure. And perhaps a more notable (and vain) effect of antioxidants is that they reduce the effects of aging. Antioxidants protect the body from an excess of free radicals, which can be damaging. The following are top antioxidant contain foods – be sure to add some to you diet.

1. AVOCADOS
Avocados contain a tripeptide called Glutathione, which is crucial to maintaining the cell’s redox state. Glutathione is one of the most cellular antioxidants.
2. BERRIES
Berries of any kind and color – blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc – are loaded with various antioxidants. Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries have ellagic acid, a polyphenol antioxidant that is instrumental in combating carcinogens. Moreover, some berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries contain proanthocyanidins, which is the antioxidant that aids in the prevention of heart disease and cancer.
3. RED GRAPES
Grapes are packed with over 20 different types of antioxidants. Red grapes contain reservatrol and quercetin, antioxidants that help keep blood vessels unobstructed and open. Furthermore reservatrol also prevents cancer, reduces inflammation, osteoporosis, and gastric ulcers. Raisins and red wine are also filled with antioxidants.
4. SPINACH
Spinach contains lutein, the antioxidant that protects your vision.
5. BROCCOLI
Broccoli as well as other cruciferous vegetables is loaded with fiber, folic acid, Vitamin C, and carotenoids. Beta-carotene is said to aid in the prevention of cancer and heart disease. Cruciferous vegetables also have indole-3-carbinol that decreases the risk of breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer.
6. TOMATOES
Tomatoes contain lycopene an antioxidant that helps fight off certain types of cancer. Lycopene is believed to prevent such cancers as breast, colon, and lungs. Additionally, glutathione is also found in tomatoes.
7. CARROTS
Carrots and other orange fruits and vegetables contain the entire carotenoid family. These antioxidants help ward off cancer as well as Father Time.
8. GREEN TEA
Green tea contains high levels of polyphenols and other antioxidants. These compounds are anticoagulant and lowers cholesterol levels. Various studies have revealed green tea to be disease preventative. It significantly reduces heart disease, cancer and various other aliments.
9. PRUNES
Prunes are chalk full of antioxidants. In fact, prunes have the highest antioxidant value of any fruit or vegetable. Prunes are full of antioxidants that slow the aging process.
10. CITRIC FRUITS
Citric fruit – lemons, limes, grapefruit, and oranges – are abundant with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant that lessens oxidative stress. The antioxidant also helps fight aging.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Hope you all had a fun time ringing in the New Year last night. And here's to the coming year! May it be great for all of us.