The determination to quit..

I've been off my pill for a month. I've took a break from it a few times, and one of the things I hate about being off it, is that I can't control when the PMS comes, and when how heavy it gets. I was pissed this time it had to come on the day we left for the road trip, and I had it throughout the trip. However, being constantly in good company, I actually didn't have any bad symptoms, other than bad cramps the first day. The rest of the time, I was laughing and enjoying myself.

This trip reminded me, why I preferred the company of these "single" men, instead of finding "women" company in this place. I have grown so close with them, and they look after me like a little sister, so much that, I haven't found any reason to feel left out, or needing the company of women. Although attending events have been pretty awkward at times, seeing all the ladies here in their "cliques" and gossiping away, I've never felt the need to be part of a group, at least till now. I've had so much fun with the bros, all I wish for, is for this to last forever. At least, as long as we're here, and hopefully back in SG too. I know I'm gonna miss them so much if we ever separate.

Haven't really cooked since our trip. The supermarket was closed due to a long Public Holiday weekend here in the states. Only managed to get our groceries today, but it was too late to cook for the hubs, we grabbed Subway instead. Tomorrow I'll be able to start cooking again... ;) Hopefully will be able to grab some nice pictures to upload.

Did the Last Chance Workout today. Feels good to be sweating again, and hopefully this time I will be able to stay on track. I mentioned in my last post, that I'm trying to keep my fitness on track, and  we've been heading to gym for most weekends. I managed to get a couple of workout tops from Walmart for $2, and $3 each. So I'm hoping this is a good reason to motivate me to get my bum moving for the coming weeks to months.

For the love of curvy waists and tight arms. ;)

P.S. The title is for myself to remind that on this day, I'm moving towards a healthier lifestyle, and I'm quitting some vices that's pulling me back. Cutting down drastically, and hopefully to get it out of my life soon. 

Anyway, its a nice oxymoron isn't it?

Sweet punishment.

So my body has been lucky to get away from being worked out for the entire roadtrip, and i've been lazing since I came back. Feeling the need to build some muscles and start sweating abit, i decided to go to my favourite blog for some inspiration. I needed an easier workout. My body has been resting since the 5th of this month. After browsing thru her archives, I thought the Sweet Punishment workout would be an easier one, using body weights only, and they seem enough for me to do.

Well, WHAT DO I KNOW? I breezed through the first part pretty easy. 4 minutes interval training, backward jump lunge? No problem! I did 11, 9, 10, 10, 10, 8 on the 6 intervals of 30 seconds with 10 seconds in between.

The 2nd part LOOKED easy. I haven't worked up to doing full push ups yet, so I did the push ups on my knees. I tried bringing my knees to my elbows but it just won't work. So I did 10 push ups. Next, was 30 reps of One jump forward, and 2 jump back. The first 20 reps were easy. But when u reach the 25th to 28th, you can feel your sweat dripping and your breath running out. I did manage to complete it though. When it came to the side crunch, I could do it alright on my ride side, but I had a hard time getting up on my left side, and I have no idea why. After about 7 side crunch on the left its almost like jabbing my side with a knife. I did push on to the end to finish 20 on each side.

Well, that was for the 1st round of 3 rounds. 2nd round, knowing the exercises already was easy. I did the normal on the knees push ups, followed by 30 jump forward and 2 jump back. Did 20 crunch on my right, but by the time I came to my left side, I'm exhausted. I did like 7 times, and gave up. I'm still very weak.
I still need time to work my body up to tougher routines, shouldn't have let my muscles rested for so long. But then again, I didn't want to be obsessive with exercising. I wanted to enjoy it, while building up my health. I believe that's the right way to do.

My timing for the 2 rounds was 12 minutes and 13 seconds. Weak!!! But at least I attempted it! I will work on it though. And hopefully come back to a better score in the future.

I finished off my workout today, with some free weights exercise. Working on giving my arms alittle more tone, and strength, so I can enjoy my housework, without feel the aches. LOL. You'll be surprised how alittle exercise can help you breeze through the day to day much easily.

Exercise updates.

Did Shaun T's Insanity - Cardio Resistance today. & Some weight training with my newer 5 lbs weights. Its still a little tough on my muscles adjusting to my new weights, but I'm loving that my arms are looking a little tigher now. ;)

Have u been working out?

Exercise updates.

Sunday:

10 mins warm up on stationary bicycle.
20 mins on elliptical level 3 whole body workout
25 mins on treadmill. with 2 mins jogging interval (4.5 mph) and 1 minute walking(3.5 mph).

Felt great and wonderful. Finally managed to start jogging on the treadmill... Sweat buckets and felt amazing. Love the energizing feeling.

Exercise updates.

Thurs morning: Yoga Meltdown (30 mins)

Friday morning: Yoga Meltdown (30 mins)
Afternoon: No More Trouble Zones
Followed by: 11/24 rounds of Fat Ass Burn off Workout by Bodyrock.tv.

Evening: 20 mins stationary bike.
10 mins treadmill 4.5 difficulty.
20 mins total body on elliptical.

Sat:
Morning: Yoga Meltdown. (30 mins)

Step conversion chart.

Step Conversion Chart For example, high impact aerobics for 30 minutes equals 6,090 steps (30 x 203 = 6,090). 2,000 steps equal one mile.
Activity	Steps/Min (Avg)
| Bicycling |
Bicycling (leisurely, 10-11.9 mph)	100
Bicycling (moderate, 12-13.9 mph)	200
Bicycling (vigorous, 14-15.9 mph)	250
| Top |
| Dancing |
Aerobic dancing, low impact	118
Aerobic dancing, strenuously	140
Dancing, choreographed	158
Dancing, socially	93
Line Dancing	139
| Top |
| Gym Activities |
Aerobics (high impact)	182
Aerobics (low impact)	125
Aerobics (moderate)	154
Basketball, game	230
Basketball, playing recreational	138
Boxing, in a ring competitively	213
Boxing, non-competitive	131
Circuit Training	178
Elliptical trainer	203
Gymnastics	89
Handball, recreational	142
Judo	187
Jumping Rope, moderate/fast	244
Jumping Rope, slow	178
Karate	290
Kickboxing	290
Pilates	101
Racquetball	138
Racquetball, playing competitively	198
Rowing, light	111
Rowing, moderate	179
Rowing, vigorous effort	203
Softball	145
Stair climbing, moderate	180
Stair climbing, slow	90
Stair climbing, vigorous	267
Stretching	6
Swimming, leisure	133
Swimming, moderate effort	174
Swimming, treading water	49
Swimming, vigorous effort	222
Tae Kwon Do	290
Tai Chi	8
Water Aerobics	100
Weight lifting, light	66
Weight lifting, moderate	87
Weight lifting, vigorous	133
Yoga	100
| Top |
| Household Activities |
Grocery Shopping	67
Housework, light	72
Housework, mopping floors	51
Housework, vacuuming	101
Housework, washing windows	87
Painting/papering	78
Washing the car	87
| Top |
| Lawn and Garden |
Firewood, chopping	133
Firewood, sawing	113
Firewood, stacking	89
Gardening, heavy	174
Gardening, light	73
Gardening, moderate	116
Hoeing in a garden	96
Mowing	160
Raking leaves	125
Yard Work, general	145
| Top |
| Miscellaneous |
Badminton	98
Billiards	77
Bowling	87
Fishing, from boat, sitting	56
Fishing, from river bank and walking	111
Frisbee, general playing	67
Grocery Shopping	67
Horseback riding, trotting	102
Horseback riding, walking leisurely	31
In-line skating, moderately	125
Jumping Rope, moderate/fast	244
Jumping Rope, slow	178
Mowing	160
Orienteering	151
Painting/papering	78
Pilates	101
Raking leaves	125
Rollerblading, moderately	125
Shoveling snow, heavy	278
Shoveling snow, light	133
Shoveling snow, moderate	174
Tae Kwon Do	290
Tai Chi	8
Washing the car	87
Yoga	100
| Top |
| Outdoor Activities |
Badminton	100
Baseball	111
Basketball, game	230
Basketball, playing recreational	138
Bicycling (leisurely, 10-11.9 mph)	100
Bicycling (moderate, 12-13.9 mph)	200
Bicycling (vigorous, 14-15.9 mph)	250
Canoeing, leisurely	100
Firewood, chopping	133
Firewood, sawing	113
Firewood, stacking	89
Fishing, from boat, sitting	56
Fishing, from river bank and walking	111
Frisbee, general playing	67
Gardening, heavy	174
Gardening, light	73
Gardening, moderate	116
Golfing, with a cart	78
Golfing, without a cart	122
Hiking, 10-20 lb. load	217
Hiking, 21-42 lb. load	232
Hiking, general	172
Horseback riding, trotting	102
Horseback riding, walking leisurely	31
In-line skating, moderately	125
Mowing	160
Orienteering	151
Rollerblading, moderately	125
Running a 6 minute mile	247
Running a 7 minute mile	222
Running a 8 minute mile	200
Running a 9 minute mile	184
Running, jogging	156
Shoveling snow, heavy	278
Shoveling snow, light	133
Shoveling snow, moderate	174
Skiing, cross-country moderately	164
Skiing, cross-country rapidly	256
Skiing, cross-country slowly	114
Skiing, downhill moderate	178
Skiing, downhill rapidly	244
Skiing, downhill slowly	109
Snowboarding, light	150
Snowboarding, moderate	182
Snowshoeing	178
Soccer, playing competitively	218
Soccer, recreational	144
Softball	145
Tennis, doubles	102
Tennis, singles	178
Volleyball, game	232
Volleyball, leisure	87
Walking at a normal pace	100
Washing the car	87
| Top |
| Running |
Running a 6 minute mile	247
Running a 7 minute mile	222
Running a 8 minute mile	200
Running a 9 minute mile	184
Running, jogging	156
Walking at a normal pace	100
| Top |
| Sports & Games |
Badminton	98
Baseball	111
Basketball, game	230
Basketball, playing recreational	138
Billiards	77
Bowling	87
Boxing, in a ring competitively	213
Boxing, non-competitive	131
Cricket	111
Fencing	133
Football	189
Golfing, with a cart	78
Golfing, without a cart	122
Gymnastics	89
Handball, recreational	142
Hockey	178
Ice skating, competitively	162
Ice skating, leisurely	84
Ice skating, moderately	122
Judo	187
Karate	290
Kickboxing	290
Racquetball	138
Racquetball, playing competitively	198
Scuba diving	203
Skiing, cross-country moderately	164
Skiing, cross-country rapidly	256
Skiing, cross-country slowly	114
Skiing, downhill moderate	178
Skiing, downhill rapidly	244
Skiing, downhill slowly	109
Snowboarding, light	150
Snowboarding, moderate	182
Soccer, playing competitively	218
Soccer, recreational	144
Softball	145
Squash	348
Tae Kwon Do	290
Tai Chi	8
Tennis, doubles	102
Tennis, singles	178
Volleyball, game	232
Volleyball, leisure	87
Water Polo	222
Yoga	100
| Top |
| Walking |
Golfing, with a cart	78
Golfing, without a cart	122
Grocery Shopping	67
Hiking, 10-20 lb. load	217
Hiking, 21-42 lb. load	232
Hiking, general	172
Orienteering	151
Running, jogging	156
Snowshoeing	178
Stair climbing, moderate	180
Stair climbing, slow	90
Stair climbing, vigorous	267
Walking at a normal pace	100
| Top |
| Water |
Canoeing, leisurely	100
Rowing, light	111
Rowing, moderate	179
Rowing, vigorous effort	203
Scuba diving	203
Swimming, leisure	133
Swimming, moderate effort	174
Swimming, treading water	49
Swimming, vigorous effort	222
Water Aerobics	100
Water Polo	222
Water Skiing	104
| Top |
| Winter |
Curling	89
Hockey	178
Ice skating, competitively	162
Ice skating, leisurely	84
Ice skating, moderately	122
Shoveling snow, heavy	278
Shoveling snow, light	133
Shoveling snow, moderate	174
Skiing, cross-country moderately	164
Skiing, cross-country rapidly	256
Skiing, cross-country slowly	114
Skiing, downhill moderate	178
Skiing, downhill rapidly	244
Skiing, downhill slowly	109
Snowboarding, light	150
Snowboarding, moderate	182
Snowshoeing	178