5 Things I'm Postponing in Life Until I Lose Weight

11 years and counting. I remember I posted this same post in celebration of our wedding anniversary 4 years ago. It has always been my intention to reward myself with wedding anniversary photo shoot once I met my weight loss goals. The wedding anniversary is my specified weight loss deadline, to boost my motivation to keep going. But look like I had the same old picture here. Dieting for 4 years and lost... 4 years! What a shame. Well, weight loss motivations is a tricky thing! I have a difficult time to stick to a diet plan more than a few weeks.

I don't actually need to wait until I met my weight loss goals to do this photo shoot thing. Like my friend said, why wait? With a bit editing skills, Photoshop here and there, play around with good angle, props and different combination of lights, you're good to go. But that's the whole point of the rewarding system. You'll gift yourself with something in return for an accomplished mission. A reward WHEN you reach your weight loss goals, in my case.

Anniversary: Celebrating our good 11 years!

Being fat is sucks. I realize that I'm holding myself from a lot of the things I wanted to do because of my weight.

5 Things I'm Holding Back From Doing Because of My Weight

1 - Expanding family
I don't want to get pregnant when I'm not at my ideal weight yet. Many friends of mine slightly disagree with me. Weight gain is normal during pregnancy. So losing weight to gain it back because of pregnancy is a total waste of effort, said them. Just focus on having babies and when you decide to stop, you can concentrate on losing weight, get in better shape, get the body you've always wanted, and start working on maintaining the weight loss for good.

But I have a different view in this. I am already obese. I believe my body can't afford to carry any extra weight now, if let's say I'm going to gain 20 kg extra during my pregnancy. No. that would take its toll on my body that is already in an unhealthy state. To get in a better shape for my next pregnancy is an absolute must. I want to have a healthy pregnancy. Moreover, I learn from my previous pregnancy that if you have a steady weight and stick to a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, you'll be likely to get the baby weight off easily after baby. I'm not getting any younger. That is why losing weight and get in a healthy shape is very important to me now so that we can start thinking about a new addition to the family.

2 - New Hobbies
This year I want to try a new hobby. I am feeling somehow stuck in my life. Life has become monotonous. Maybe exploring new hobbies, learning a new skill and meeting new people can spice up life a little bit. I wanted to try scuba diving because I always wondered how it feels like to breath underwater. But what stopping me? I don't want to be the fat diver on earth. Really. The diving suits might make me look like a stupid whale. The. Lamest. Excuse. Ever. Haha~ But seriously, I can't help but feeling insecure about how I might look in that suit thing. Narcissistic Syndrome much?

I'd also love to try rock climbing, but I'm too fat! The instructor at the sports center where I'm going told me that the rope can support up to a certain weight, which means OK for my weight but I don't have confidence. I fear I might struggle a lot to start because of my weight and end up looking like a fool.

3 - Nice Pictures
I am always the person behind the camera because I'm never happy with how I look in pictures. I know taking pictures is all about creating memories. What a pity, I keep missing in family pictures. When I had to be in it, I'll make sure to stand at the back, sometimes using my children as props to hide my body. I'm however not 100% against being photographed and look too fat. Pictures could be the only evidence and memory I'd have when I reach my weight loss goals one day and say, I used to be fat. Talking about positive thinking.

4 - Shop New Clothes
I haven't gone for clothes shopping for nearly 10 years. Not exactly. I mean it feels like I haven't clothes shopping for a very long time. Last time was December last year because I literally didn't have anything 'fancy' to wear on Christmas. I've been wearing my husband's T-shirt all this time because that are the only clothes I am comfortable wearing. I have few tops in plus sizes and I've been mix and match the old clothes over and over again. Boring! You know, I don't really like putting up my selfies on Facebook because of reason no#3, and secondly, I'm like wearing the same clothes in almost every picture so I think I'm feeling a bit guilty to be seen in the very same clothes in various occasion.

I'd love to buy new clothes and update my wardrobe. But I had to push this into my weight loss bucketlist. Clothes shopping is tiring. I'm always struggling shopping for my size, especially pants. I never wear jeans since 7 years ago. Some more, wrong dress would make you look like you're pregnant. Fat fashions are not flattering, I don't know why but they make you look frumpy rather than stylish. So I simply stop buying clothes. But the perk of it I get to save money on clothes.

5 - Exercise
I have a love-hate relationship with exercise. I think I keep holding myself back because I am physically challenge during a workout. Exercise is hard because it doesn't simply happen. You really need to commit to it. You don't see the result right away so motivation to keep going is hard.

Let's chat a bit:

• Are you postponing your life you lose the weight? Name ONE THING that is may be holding you back from making progress in life.
• Is it because you fear of something? What is your biggest fear?
• Or is it your destructive habits that is holding you back?

Please leave your thought in the comments, I'd love to read your feedback.

Read more

Hot or Cold Foods - Which Type of Foods are Weight Loss Friendly?

I am sparking on weight loss fire. No, I am actually burning, literally!

Don't judge a book by its cover: Green unripe chillies don't mean they are less hot.

Have you ever tried eating spicy food to lose weight? Remember that spicy foods, the one that are so spicy and makes your lips go numb. Kylie Jenner's lip effect, kind of feeling. Happening to me now. But worst! And I feel terrible.

I love spicy food. So. Much. Not because I'm told that spicy food can help you lose weight and speed metabolism. It's simply my favorite food. I thought that I have a high tolerant of spicy food than anyone else. Haha well, that's overrated. I remember last Monday I had this egg drop instant noodle soup for lunch. "Egg drop" meaning I dropped an egg into my noodle soup. Haha-

My food always taste less complete without something spicy, so I added bird's eye chillie. It's called bird's eye chillies because of its size, two to four centimetres in length. Chilli is a must-have ingredient for South-East Asian dishes like sambal and Thai salads. I love chillies, especially the unripe green chillies because it taste not so spicy - bitter spicy taste and crunchy. I had like 10 nos of green chillies chopped and scattered over my noodle soup. My soup didn't taste spicy at first, at least for my level. Soup is so comforting and I can bite the chillies. *crunchy-spicy-crunchy* Then here's the real situation.

The next day, my stomach started to feel like burning. You know the feeling when your lips tingle when you eat chillies? Or when your fingers throbbing after cutting and prepping chillies? It's that feeling but from the inside. The burning sensation sometimes rise up into my chest and throat, I thought I may have a heart attack omg! Worst thing, it has been 3 days in a row now. The burning sensation won't go away. I tried everything like drink hot chocolate (I don't have milk at home), I had charcoal pills. But nothing work. Uh-oh, maybe I should try drink alcohol. 

Rare purple chillies

Hot Diet or Cold Diet?

Chilli is obviously "hot" food. In our culture, foods are categorized into hot or cold category. The concept of hot and cold here is refering to its nature - not the temperature. Postnatal mothers are always advised to avoid "cold" foods, like coconut water, cucumber, cabbage, watermelon, tofu, eggplant, bean sprouts, kiwi, banana, mandarin, strawberry, pineapple, pear, lemon. We believed that cold diet after giving birth can complicate your recovery and prolonged discharge. Cold diet can also trigger trapped gas or trapped wind. I tell you, trapped wind could be extremely painful.

To avoid cold and flu, eat warm/hot food, like ginger, garlic, carrot, pumpkin, potato, papaya, grape, orange, apple, lychee, mango, cherry, rockmelon and grapefruit. Hot/warm food also helps to warm up the stomach, strengthen the body, prevent bloating after eating, sore joints, oedema and fluid retention.

Cold Food or Hot Food to Lose Weight?

Nothing in particular, to be honest. But in my personal opinion, it is best to avoid cold food as cold food like cabbage can cause flatulence, annoying excessive gas, and poor digestion. We know the fact: poor digestion is preventing you from losing weight.

I'm feeling a bit tipsy now. I drink a little. Hope my stomach gets better when I wake up tomorrow.

Let's chat a bit, drop your comments below: 
- What foods that control your appetite?
- What foods you think are healthy, but making you gain weight?

Good night for now.

Read more

5 Powerful Resiliency Mental Tools to Kickstart Weight Loss

Today is 4th May 2017. Already?

123 days totally wasted! I feel like laughing when I read my old post at the same month from 4 years ago.🙈🙈🙈😅A lot has happened over the past few months - from our relocation to my son fell sick. I mentioned about our moving in and out in my previous post. 2 months after moving back into our old place, I am still not fully done with unpacking and organising the whole house. Yes, it's clutter! I'm a little messed up here. I cannot keep up with an exercise routine and I can't stay motivated to lose weight. *sigh

But I can't afford to waste another 123 days. Thank God I didn't have any serious health condition but I knew that my lifestyle is killing me. I can't climb a flight of stairs without panting for breath. Walking and standing feeling uncomfortable, my foot hurts! I am 4-foot-10 and 82kg.

Bouncing back from diet's disaster that stops you from losing weight can be a bit tricky. Maybe because circumstances beyond our control can bring with it debilitating stress and the idea of starting over can feel overwhelming at times.

I think if I get myself in the right place mentally—I can kick start weight loss. But how?

1. Let it Go

When you feel stuck, kickstart a proactive attitude by removing some things that no longer work for you like old clothes and old shoes. Optimize your nest by cleaning up your clutter. Check your house what to keep, toss, or donate. If your living space is cluttered, your mind is cluttered. O yes, The exact thing I want to do next. I believe when you get rid of things that 'drag you down', you'll feel free from the emotional burden. Life will be more creative. An organized environment can help you to make your healthiest choices. You’ll also likewise be making room for new better people and experiences to enter your life.

2. Weight Loss Perspective

Change your perspective about weight loss. Your ultimate goal to lose weight not just because you want to look good, but more important is that you want to lose weight to set a good and healthy example for your children. You need to lose weight for the sake of your health. We have learned that being obese can increase your risk of developing many potentially serious health conditions, like type 2 diabetes. Think about your future. What does it feel like to be able to wear a flattering body hugging dress, again after so many years? And do remember that the number on the scale does not define you or your weight loss success.
Read: Letter To Myself When I'm Feeling Guilty About Food

3. Set realistic deadlines 

When it comes to starting over, it’s helpful to set deadlines for yourself. Setting deadline can create a sense of urgency, thus will help you to motivate you to reach your weight loss goals. But give yourself ample time to accomplish them. For example, lose 5kg in 30 days sound more realistic than to lose 22kg in 22 days.
Read: Weight Loss Deadline -Yes or No?

4. Take consistent baby steps 

You will make more and easier progress if you focus on accomplishing small weight loss tasks rather than large ones now and then. For example, if your errands are less than 1 mile away, park where you can run several errands within a mile instead of moving your car each time. Walk every day and you'll be 13 to 17 pounds lighter next year.

5. Create a support team 

Working on weight loss can be lonely or bored. Team up with a close friend or family member and see who can lose the most weight in six weeks. Don’t be afraid to ask friends or family members for help, or attend support groups. And know when to seek help from professionals.

Blend with nature: I look like a beached whale soaking up the sun. Haha

Ok now, time to tidying up. Someone, gets me the broom!

Let's chat for a bit: 

• Have you ever go through a very difficult time or major change in life? Like natural disaster. Divorce. Marriage. Birth. A death of a loved one. Job loss. Career change. 
• How do you keep going when the going gets tough? 
• Share your thoughts in the comments.

Read more