My new found passion for running

It has been a while since I last did serious exercise. I have been running and swimming during my leisure time, at my own pace. My weight has increased quite a bit and do not like looking myself in the mirror.

It's about time to reflect and pick up my courage to make the change. Encouraged by my friends, I have signed up for a few running events in the next few months. I better start training if not I will suffer during the race.

To get myself motivated, have bought a new set of running attire so that I can run in style. I bought the Reebok Zig Zag running shorts and bra top singlet. I think I look cool in them, but it would help if I can loose a few pounce. I am sure I will look amazing in them.

For the past 2 weeks, I have been running the usual 3.8k route and timing has been improving. Yesterday I completed the run in about 26 mins. The fastest time ever. Now I just have to increase the distance, enough to handle a 10 KM run.

I aim to complete 10KM in an hour. It would be an improvement of about 20mins since my last race.

OSIM Singapore International Triathlon 2010 (10th April 2010)

The damage is SGD 94.16 and only 2/3 of the race completed due to cancellation of swim resulted from lightings. I thought I would be able to complete my first SPRINT Tri last week but obviously my goal has to be deferred.

Speedo Rift Tri-Power Goggle

Speedo Rift Tri-Power Goggle review:




I bought a pair of Speedo Rift Tri-Power Goggle a month ago, thinking of using it during the upcoming Osim Triathlon, for swimming in the sea.

The design of the goggle looks good, I bought the one with orange lens. The large lens, couple with ultra anti-fog feature provides very good visibility.

However, once I started my swim in the pool, everything goes down hill. May be the design of the goggle are for westerners, so it is kind of too big for asian ladies like me.

Water sips into my goggles too often, no matter how I adjust. Even I have tighten the strap, the goggles are unable to hold for more than 30M and have to stop my swim and clear the water away. Sometimes I tried too hard to tighten and I can feel a "mask squeeze" which makes my eyes feeling very uncomfortable.

I don't ever think I can use the pair of goggles when swimming in the sea, which defeated the purpose of buying this pair of goggles in the first place.

Stella McCartney / Adidas Launch Triathlon Range

The Osim Triathlon is coming next month (10 April 10) and I wanted to race in style. I shopped around for popular tri suit brands like Zeet and 2XU. The good ones are about SGD 250+. I was thinking that it is not worth to spend the money since I don't wear those tri suit that often, till I saw the tri suit from Stella McCartney. The price range is similar to the one I like from 2XU but it looks better, it has a more feminine touch. See product catalogue at Adidas site here The tri suit is sexier than it looks on the website, the back and around the hip area features mash (or semi-translucent) fabric.
See reviews from this site


I really wanted to get it but they run out of my size, just my luck that I couldn't wear it for my Osim tri. Anyway, I am not fit enough to look good on a tri suit as there is no way to hide the belly fat. In the end, I settled for a tri bike shorts from 2XU as it is the cheaper option (and I can hide my belly fat). I intend to wear a sports top and rash guard for swim and will change to a bicycle Jersey for bike and run.

Recently I want back to the Adidas shop and saw one of the tri swim was damaged at the back zipper area. I guess the mash fabric at the back is too fragile and the suit might not last.

It is a high price to pay for looking good.

Weight loss is all about calorie deficits

Do you know?

For every 3,500 calories you burn over and above what you take in, you'll lose 1 pound.

Read more about it in this
runner's world article
.

You do the maths.

Be a fat melting machine

I came across this article from Wonemn's Health Maganzine on the secret of boosting metabolism.

SPEED UP YOUR METABOLISM

You can read the full article on the above link but here are a few tips that I like:

1. Eat (a good) breakfast - If you don't, your body goes into starvation mode (it's paranoid like that), so your metabolism slows to a crawl to conserve energy. Make sense!

2. Sip java - Drink caffeinated coffee but cut on the sugar though. Weight loss product contains lot's of caffein too. It's proven that cafeeienated drink will boost your matabolism rate.

3. Guzzle your water cold - I love this tip best. Your body may burn a few calories heating the cold water to your core temperature.

4. Eat Nemo's pals - Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines are loaded with hunger-quashing omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats help trigger the rapid transfer of "I'm full" signals to your brain.

I think these are good tips to consider on top of your exercise regime to look after your weight loss strategy. Furthermore, it is easy to follow to turbo charge your calorie burning system.

Subway - Veggie Delite

With just 213 Calories for the Veggie Delite sandwiche (without cheese and sauce), it is ideal for lunch or dinner as part of your diet plan.

However, I must say it is not easy to start. At the begining, if I have Veggie Delite for lunch at about noon and I will usually be hungry by 5 PM, which is still too early for proper dinner. So what I have done was to order a foot long Veggie Delite and asked them to pack into 2 6-inch pack. I will eat the first 6-inch during lunch and finsh the 2nd 6-inch when I am hungry later on. I will not eat other snack so the amount of calories are better controlled.

I am used to having Veggie Delite for lunch now and can live on one 6-inch sandwiche till dinner time.

I think food intake contributes to 75% of your success on weight loss, the other 25% is exercise. Veggie Delite is a real workable options especially for busy office workers.

There are other healthy options available at Subway (but I prefer to go all the way!) See Nutritional information - Subway Sandwiches for the nutritional details on other sandwiches as well.