Exhale

The First 30 Days

Tomorrow marks my 30th day at the gym since the year started. I am really proud of myself for staying committed and motivated throughout this first phase. I went through something very similar last year around April and May. Since summer was just around the corner, time was of the essence. My priority was to pack on the pounds fast and let the the sculpting catch up. This resulted in a dramatic 20lbs increase in about two months to 150lbs. I knew that was definitely not the best nor the healthiest way to do it, but I had little time and was desperate. 

This time around I planned ahead, giving myself three extra months for a total of 5 months or 152 days to reach and possibly exceed my goals. That means no more daily cheesecakes and midnight snacks. But that doesn’t mean I don’t occasionally treat myself. I’m already much more stronger and fitter than I was 38 days ago. The next 30 days are going to be very challenging. The first 30 was always about adjusting back into the lifestyle and keeping motivated. Now that I am fully in that mindset, the next 30 days at the gym will be pushing myself for that extra pound and extra rep.

Attendance - 30/38 days

1 January, 2012 - 133 lbs

6 February, 2012 - 138.3 lbs 

Australian Open 2012

Men

The men’s game have been dominated by just a few selected players for the past 8 years and it’s almost certain to stay that way this year. Since 2004, three players have selfishly swept up 29 of the 32 grand slams. Roger Federer snatched 15, Rafael Nadal received 10, and Novak Djokovic picked up 4. The remaining three slams went to Gaston Gaudio (2004 French), Marat Safin (2005 Australian) and Juan Martin del Potro (2009 U.S). 

Djokovic has had an unbelievable 2011 but he kind of burnt out by the end of the year. However, he has reached new heights and you would  have to be a fool to count him out. Although replicating the success of ‘11 this year will be a monumental challenge, I have no doubts he will have yet another successful year. Nadal and Federer will continue to challenge Djokovic for the top spot. But my bet and heart is on Federer. Even though 2011 was one of his worst on record, he ended the year on a bang and I think he’s going to carry that momentum into the Australian Open. 

It’s getting very easy to predict the men’s game thanks to the monopoly of these three men. 

Semis Prediction

Novak Djokovic vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 

Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal 

Finals Prediction

Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer 

Winner 

Roger Federer 

Women

The state women’s game is the exact opposite of the men’s. It’s getting more and more difficult to predict with each passing year. 2011 for example saw 4 different players taking the grand slams. You’ve got number one players who hasn’t won a single slam: Wozniacki, Safina, and Jankovic (might as well add Ivanovic since she crashed like a meteor after winning the French). Players who should be number one that seems to be constantly ill: Williams, Clijsters and Sharapova. Since 2004, a total of 12 women shared the 32 grand slams available. S.Williams leading the way with 7, Henin with 5, Clijsters with 4, Sharapova and V.Williams with 3, Kuznetsova and Mauresmo with 2, Stosur, Kvitova, Li, Schiavone, Ivanovic and Myskina each with one. 

The number one seed, Wozniacki is definitely not in contention (which further emphasize the volatility of the women’s game). Most people have the number two seed Petra Kvitova as the most bankable winner. The number three and fourth seeds, Azarenka and Sharapova, are both included in the winners circle. Azarenka stands out especially because she recently won the warm-up tournament in Sydney. However she doesn’t have the greatest track record at the slams thus far. Then you have the fifth and sixth seeds, Li and Stosur, winners of the French and U.S open respectively. Stosur beat Williams so convincingly at the U.S open but has since suffered to find her form falling early in both warm-up tournaments in Australia. Li who had a fantastic first half of 2011 but crashed hard during the second half has re-found her groove in the warm-up tournament in Sydney by beating Kvitova in the semi-finals and losing to Azarenka in the finals in three tight sets. Next you have the veterans, the 11th and 12th seeds; Clijsters and S.Williams. Both are coming in from recent injuries and with little match preparations. However, both have shown that they are able to come from such disadvantages and immediately pick up where they left off, so never count them out. 

Semis Prediction

Li Na vs. Victoria Azarenka 

Serena Williams vs. Petra Kvitova

Finals Prediction

Li Na vs. Petra Kvitova

Winner

Li Na (this is actually way more hopeful than actual but if she’s in form, she has the game and power to get her there; fingers crossed!) 

Week 2

I have successfully survived my first week back into fitness after months of hiatus. Let me just say, it wasn’t easy. I tried to kick start a similar routine back in November and December and both times I burnt out within a week. I guess I pushed for a bit too much both times in too little time. I ended up losing the battles, almost fainted and lost the drive. I’ve learnt from my mistakes and I took on a very different approach this time around. I didn’t barge into the gym, thought I was invincible and started where I left off. Let’s just say I couldn’t lift what I used to lift and run for as long as I used to run. It was a bit of a shock at first and I guess I didn’t want to believe it but it’s something that I’ve finally come to deal with. 

I took my time this time around and gradually built myself back into this lifestyle. I’m feeling amazing after the first week and most important of all, I can’t wait to get back into it this week. I already see changes in my body after just 6 days and I can’t wait to the improvements after week 2,3,4,and so on. Although it’s a bit weird because I got quite a few compliments from different people during my lazy, fat phase. So I guess I’m just gonna knock everyone’s socks off this time around. Focus of Week 2 is Chest and Arms. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get to work. 

Schedule (because I need it)

After a very very relaxing and fun holiday break, I’m ready to get back into focus mode. I’m ready to step up my game for this year especially after my new year resolutions (which I’ve never done, but I’ve set some for 2012). I’m ready to fly with my studies and I’m ready sculpt my 2011 Adele body into a 2001 Britney body. To help these overwhelming tasks (especially the latter) I’ve created a personal schedule to keep me on track and motivated. I’m the type of person that works a lot better with a set schedule.

I’ve decided to share it with all of you so some of you will know exactly what I’m up to everyday (family), some of you will hold me accountable if I miss a day of gym (you know who you are) and some of you will make fun of me and call me names if I decided to skip (you know who you are too). 

Monday to Friday

7:00am - Wake up and protein shake

7:45am - Be at the metro station so I won’t be late for classes 

7:45 - 8:10am - Eat breakfast on the metro

8:30am to 12:00pm

1. classes
2. squeeze in a snack

12:30 - 1:15pm - Lunch 

1:30-4:00pm - Classes

4:30 - 5:45pm - Gym (protein bar prior to). The game plan for Week 2:

1. Monday - Chest and Arms
2. Tuesday - Cardio and Abs —P90X Plyometrics & Ab Ripper
3. Wednesday - Shoulders and Back
4. Thursday - Cardio and Abs —Treadmill, Jacobs Ladder, Weighted Abs
5. Friday - Chest and Arms 
6. Saturday - Cardio and Abs — Treadmill  and Insanity Insane Abs
7. Sunday - Rest

5:50pm - Protein shake

6:45pm - Dinner

8:00 - 9:00pm - Study 

11:00pm - Bed time (this is honestly the hardest part) 

There you have it. Now come get me. 

New Year Resolutions

1) Get into the best shape of my life

Ever since dragonboat season ended and summer became winter, my once daily routine of hitting the gym or doing something active have pretty much gone down the toilet. November, for example, I’ve gone to the gym a grand total of 4 times and don’t even ask about December. As a result of my lazy habits I’ve lost a ton of muscle mass. 

But this isn’t just your typical fatty who have a dream to be skinny and maintains this drive for about a week after new years. Forget about obesity, diabetes, and heart attacks, I have MUCH bigger things to worry. If I keep my Fatina habits up, I run the risk of looking like a whale on the beaches on Copacabana and Ipanema Beach. And trust me that is the LAST place you want to look like Adele. 

When EVERYONE looks like that….you DO NOT want to look like this…

2) Put some extra effort into my studies

I chose this path, so I better work my ass off to get it right. Or else I would have no one else to blame but myself. 

3) Drastically reduce my spending habits

I am such a shop-aholic it’s getting kinda scary. Most of my out-bound spending is on clothes and food. I developed a very bad habit of not being able to resist getting something when I really like it. This means I never really end up going home empty handed. And since my taste isn’t exactly cheap, my bank account starts to suffer. But I’ve got to reign back big time this year or I’m going to have to work the streets of Montreal. 

just an Opinion or just plain Ignorance?

Topics of discussion at the dinner table are usually light hearted and fun. Sometimes it treads into the serious (just about everything dealing with school and chores) but rarely does it get repulsive; the last gathering around the altar of food was such that rare instance. 

Someone, with all his experience, knowledge, expertise and greatness, decided to give a sermon on how God works. 

You may not understand or even believe me at this stage but listen; I know and believe that God has a way to the saying ‘what goes around comes around.

So it would appear at this point nothing is really worth writing this long post (it will be)  about or anything remotely out of line and interesting…but read on.

Bad things happen to people who do bad things; and diseases are just one of many ways God punishes these people. Take ‘person 1’ (won’t be named for various reasons) for example: she went against the law, grew marijuana, eventually caught by police, had cancer and died. 

He’s not done just yet…

Or take ‘person 2’ for example: she is dirty and doesn’t clean so she has eczema. 

…and it gets worse

Also look at HIV/AIDS, why do you think this exist? It’s God’s way of limiting and controlling the gay population because it’s not right. 

There are just so many things wrong with everything that was said I didn’t even know where to begin. I guess I was too dumbfounded at the moment to really respond appropriately and calmly. I chose not to counter for the fear of not being able to control myself and end up throwing something. So here I am, venting. 

How could he have possibly said that about ‘person 1’ when she was a close friend who was as kind and sweet of a person to all of us as can be. Or how ‘person 2’ have eczema because she doesn’t clean up to a certain standard. So I guess “God” decided that she’d be cursed with this illness when she decided that at age 4, cleaning up her toys from the floor won’t be her biggest priority. And don’t even get me started on HIV/AIDS. He obviously thinks that this is a ‘gay’ disease when in fact just about everyone is at risk no matter gender or orientation (there are actually more straight people with the disease and also women more than men). 

Putting all that aside, I guess the two things that really angered me the most about all of this are 

1. Making his self-educated thoughts and beliefs as scientific facts to support these idiotic and demented claims. Try picking up a book and do some research before opening your mouth next time. Close-mindedness and conservatism is one thing, but your way of thinking is practically ancient. 
2. Using God as a vehicle for punishment and destruction. I don’t have to be a religious person to know there are so many things wrong about that. Just as you, being such the spiritual and all knowing person that you are(insert sarcasm), should  know that, LOVE, is and should be the central (and only) message to all beliefs and religions. 

I absolutely HATE the saying ‘everyone is entitled to their opinions’ and this is the perfect example of why. Most people often forget the latter part of that saying ‘…but not his own facts’

Nobody is entitled to ignorance and should only be entitled to their informed opinions. Please and thank you. Don’t open your mouth if that’s not the case. I don’t want to hear your isms and prejudice.