Long time no blog! I got super super busy towards the end of the summer and early fall. After numerous searches from one side of the city to the other, I finally found my match and moved into a beautiful brand new two bedroom condo by the lake. I have on my block alone two Thai restaurants, two pizza places, two coffee shops and two drycleaners(weird how everything comes in pairs).
I also had my in-laws staying with me from Europe for two months, amongst other things(more to come on that ;-) So yea, I have been pretty busy, but I am back and slowly starting to blog again.
I will write some more later, just thought I'd drop in real quick! Cya soon!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Summer Healthy Living Series 2011-update
Hello again,
The thermostat is rising here in Chicago, over the past couple weeks we have reached 90-100 F index temperatures. It put a damper on my running and zumba plans because it's just been way too hot. I took a staycation and did a lot of walking on Michigan Ave, but checking out the city's restaurant scene didn't help either.
So I have fallen of the exercise wagon but I am planning to get back on again. I started off this morning with some strength workouts:lifting weights, sit ups, leg exercises,etc. I will probably do some more this evening.
Tomorrow I'm heading to Indiana to visit family but Monday I am going to aim to get into my routine again. Wish me luck! With these extreme temperatures, it can be challenging. Gotta love Chicago weather!
The thermostat is rising here in Chicago, over the past couple weeks we have reached 90-100 F index temperatures. It put a damper on my running and zumba plans because it's just been way too hot. I took a staycation and did a lot of walking on Michigan Ave, but checking out the city's restaurant scene didn't help either.
So I have fallen of the exercise wagon but I am planning to get back on again. I started off this morning with some strength workouts:lifting weights, sit ups, leg exercises,etc. I will probably do some more this evening.
Tomorrow I'm heading to Indiana to visit family but Monday I am going to aim to get into my routine again. Wish me luck! With these extreme temperatures, it can be challenging. Gotta love Chicago weather!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Summer Healthy Living Series 2011
So after that not so successful attempt to do the Dukan Diet, I decided to get fit and in shape the old fashion way: eat healthy and exercise. The weather in Chicago has finally stabilized so I have kickstarted my diet and work-out routine. It's not a bad idea to journal about it so I was thinking I can write my experiences on my own blog.
First off, I signed up for weekly Zumba classes that so happened to be walking distance to my place which is a bonus. So I do this for 60 minutes a week, I signed up for 5 classes total.
In addition, I have downloaded the couch-2-5k program on my ipod and I am now also running three times a week. I love this program because it starts you off slowly and there is a coach that guides you how long to run for between walking. Every week the program is longer and longer until you reach week 10 where you are supposed to be able to run non-stop for 30 minutes. And the music is great-house music!
I try to make my weekly grocery trips to Whole Foods so I can pick up fresh organic fruits and vegetables. I am trying to get creative with my meals such as cucumber and hummus wraps, different salads, lean meats,etc. If I do crave pizza, which is my favorite, it's usually a thin crust variety with fresh vegetables and mozzarella.
I haven't weighed myself yet so I will have to keep at it and then see my results.
I'll keep you posted and stay tuned for my next post on my progress. I don't have a whole lot to lose but I do need to shake off this winter weight I still have.
First off, I signed up for weekly Zumba classes that so happened to be walking distance to my place which is a bonus. So I do this for 60 minutes a week, I signed up for 5 classes total.
In addition, I have downloaded the couch-2-5k program on my ipod and I am now also running three times a week. I love this program because it starts you off slowly and there is a coach that guides you how long to run for between walking. Every week the program is longer and longer until you reach week 10 where you are supposed to be able to run non-stop for 30 minutes. And the music is great-house music!
I try to make my weekly grocery trips to Whole Foods so I can pick up fresh organic fruits and vegetables. I am trying to get creative with my meals such as cucumber and hummus wraps, different salads, lean meats,etc. If I do crave pizza, which is my favorite, it's usually a thin crust variety with fresh vegetables and mozzarella.
I haven't weighed myself yet so I will have to keep at it and then see my results.
I'll keep you posted and stay tuned for my next post on my progress. I don't have a whole lot to lose but I do need to shake off this winter weight I still have.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
The Dukan Diet-my experience with it.
Whenever a "new" or even "old" diet comes to the States I can't help but try to see if it would work. Kate Middleton lost a bunch of weight for her Royal Wedding back in April and there was a recent public engagement Prince Williams and Princess Kate attended where Kate still showed her slim figure.
I made it through one and a half day on the 'Attack' phase and alas, I am no longer pursuing this diet. In a nutshell, the diet calls for 3-10 days of this phase where only fat free dairy and lean meats can be eaten. Then the next phase incorporates salad greens and non-starchy vegetables. Oh, and you must exercise too. Eventually you are able to eat whatever you want but you have to designate one day where you eat fat free dairy products and lean meats only for the rest of your life if you want to keep your weight off.
The key ingredient to this all is Oat Bran, not the rolled or steel cut kind that we have here, but pure 100% oat bran, which is hard to find here in the States. Apparently, this diet has been popular with the French and all of Europe for years now. I kinda want to think this diet may help the morbidly obese patient who has tried everything in their power to lose weight but it takes more patience and discipline for those who only want to lose a mere 10-15 pounds.
Did I mention you have to exercise on this plan? I am sure that has a large part in Kate's weight loss and other celebrities who have tried this. Princess Kate has her own private gym and has spent all of her life being active.
I think I will stick to cutting calories, increasing my exercise activity, and stay away from fried fatty foods. I think I will continue to eat whole grains, lean meats, drink my green teas, and stick with organic vegetables. It's my exercise that I need to tweak, which has been hard lately with the up and down weather changes we have been having in Chicago.
I made it through one and a half day on the 'Attack' phase and alas, I am no longer pursuing this diet. In a nutshell, the diet calls for 3-10 days of this phase where only fat free dairy and lean meats can be eaten. Then the next phase incorporates salad greens and non-starchy vegetables. Oh, and you must exercise too. Eventually you are able to eat whatever you want but you have to designate one day where you eat fat free dairy products and lean meats only for the rest of your life if you want to keep your weight off.
The key ingredient to this all is Oat Bran, not the rolled or steel cut kind that we have here, but pure 100% oat bran, which is hard to find here in the States. Apparently, this diet has been popular with the French and all of Europe for years now. I kinda want to think this diet may help the morbidly obese patient who has tried everything in their power to lose weight but it takes more patience and discipline for those who only want to lose a mere 10-15 pounds.
Did I mention you have to exercise on this plan? I am sure that has a large part in Kate's weight loss and other celebrities who have tried this. Princess Kate has her own private gym and has spent all of her life being active.
I think I will stick to cutting calories, increasing my exercise activity, and stay away from fried fatty foods. I think I will continue to eat whole grains, lean meats, drink my green teas, and stick with organic vegetables. It's my exercise that I need to tweak, which has been hard lately with the up and down weather changes we have been having in Chicago.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
On a Hiatus...
Hey guys!
Sorry it's been awhile since I have posted,but I recently became a contributing blogger for ChicagoNow! So I have been busy trying to build up my posts there. I didn't forget this blog,I just took a hiatus for now,so I should be back soon,just thought I'd check-in and say hi! See you soon! :-)
Sorry it's been awhile since I have posted,but I recently became a contributing blogger for ChicagoNow! So I have been busy trying to build up my posts there. I didn't forget this blog,I just took a hiatus for now,so I should be back soon,just thought I'd check-in and say hi! See you soon! :-)
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