Day 1/28 – Don’t just weigh yourself, weigh your food!

No escaping the scales!

I’m not a disciplined person by nature; determined, but far from disciplined.

I grew up in a household that dissuaded me from eating a full bowl of white rice but encouraged me to heap on the ingredients – there you go, the start of a lifelong portion control delusion.

I honestly don’t know how much chicken breast I should have, or if one small tub of yoghurt is a single or double serve. Or if four slices of lean ham was too much – it was, this explains a lot!

I realize portion control is going to be the key to my success and since this life skill isn’t going to be learnt or perfected overnight, I should buy the help.

A kitchen scale, two measuring cups (1 wet, 1 dry), measuring spoons, smaller containers, even smaller plates – I needed all the right tools to make this easier.

And right because Day 1 breakfast already presented a quandary. The meal plan called for 2 slices of bread, but what if I got thick cut toast?

Yes, you can eat carbs, just don’t go crazy

I was spot on, I only needed one of these babies and midway through breakfast, I was already full!

This portion control stuff is going to take some learning – did I mention I hate numbers? – but if I nail it, I’ll be buttoning up those pants a lot sooner than I think.

My 28 day challenge – 4 weeks, 4kgs!

4 weeks, 4 kilograms… How hard can this be? Well, I’m about to find out.

Being in my mid-30s, I can no longer eat and drink whatever I want.

Not that I’ve ever had that privilege as a larger than the average Asian (1.7m/ 5’7″ tall) and a size 14 since my early 20s.

I should start this entry by clarifying that my weight loss quest is something I’ve been ‘battling’ since I was a teen. Up until I turned 30 in 2008, I ‘controlled’ my weight (to varying degrees of success) by very unhealthy means: drastic diets, fat blockers, weight loss pills… I’ve done it all, and I’m not proud of it.

It was only in 2008 when I saw a very unflattering photo of myself in a bikini that I decided to do something real about it. And this time I was going to take a real and sustainable approach to it.

Cue the start of triathlons (did my first Sprint Distance in 2009 with 8 weeks training) and cultivating a tolerance (not love, we’re still working on that) for running; but more on that later.

My first Sprint Triathlon – 2009

It’s 2013, I’ve completed 5 half marathons, 2 Olympic Distance triathlons, 4 Sprint Triathlons a number of Aquatons, Duathlons and numerous runs of varying distances.

SO WHY AM I STILL FAT?!?

And by fat I mean my BMI isn’t exactly ideal, I still carry a sizable layer of fat around my belly and I honestly could lose a few kilograms and be none the worse off for it.

Would I be better for it? Yes.

I want to have a more positive body image, and I want to do it the right way.

I know that weight can be easily gained and just as easily lost, the golden question is, can you keep it off?

Thus, I have numerous goals tagged to this month long project:

I do love my food! Post Olympic Distance Tri, 2013

1. Increasing my fitness: It’s time to see if I can morph from an endurance athlete (using the word ‘athlete’ still sounds weird to me) to that of a Speedy Gonzales. Conveniently, I’ve also signed up for a Sprint Triathlon in 27 days.

2. Inches matter: While I’ll be watching my weight, it won’t be the only basis of measurement. Here’s looking at you Size 12 Ralph Lauren white slacks!

3. Portion and nutrition control: I think I have relatively healthy eating habits, now. Most lunches I opt for salads, hawker food is occasional, and nasi padang (be still my heart!) is a treat and often only after I’ve done a long run. But how many of us actually know what a healthy portion is? Clearly, not Americans, or any of my own family members that I’ve ever met. Luckily for me, I’ve had some menu plans drawn up by Nutrilicious.

4. You are what you drink: As much as I love to eat, I also love to drink. How much can a few gin & tonics hurt? As it turns out, a fair bit. So I have now put myself on a ‘I run, I drink’ diet – Again, more on that later.

5. Who else can I inspire?: When I first started working out, it was a lonely existence. My close friends were either super keen triathletes or they did nothing at all. Fast forward to a few years later and I’m now surrounded by fitness-minded people – some of whom I’m proud to say I inspired – and would prefer to date someone who does some form of regular exercise.

It’s going to be a very interesting month, especially when I’m determined not to compromise too much aside from my food and drink intake.

I’ll keep exercising. The goal is work out 4 times a week, a mixture of my own personal tri training, Vivafit classes, sessions with my amazingly supportive trainer James Chong and yoga at Yoga Movement.

And on days when I ‘break’ my diet – I predict there will be a few – I’m going to have to burn it off somehow. Like I said, this could get really painful.

I’m also going to use this month to learn more about food and try out any, and all forms of exercise to examine how my body responds. So, if you have any suggestions, swing them my way, I’ll give them my best shot; short of vomiting (but no promises on that!).

One month isn’t too long but at the end of it I could permanently change my life.

I’m excited.

Red’s just faster…

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE red. My home has touches of red everywhere, my wallet is red, my iPad cover is red, my bike is black and… RED.

Sitting and chatting with a friend tonight, I decide on a new pre-race tradition (Thanks Neng!): Red Nails.

My favourite shade of red, No.1 by Bastien Gonzalez

The colour will give me something to smile about when it’s all getting a bit too much, it’ll remind me that racing is something I enjoy, and that I do what I do because I want to LIVE my life, and I can do it without sacrificing on my vanity – @Stubby: Red M&Ms (For everyone else, that’s for another post).

The red is also a reminder of how kind certain individuals have been to me since I’ve started racing. A good friend, Steve Desobeau of Bastien Gonzalez studio has on many post-race occasions massaged my feet, toes and legs back to walking order. His magical hands are the only reason why after a half marathon I’m not limping and back in heels in 24 hours.

So post-race you’re hurting and feel you deserve a special treat, skip the foot massage and treat yourself to a Bastien’s Pedicure, you’ll leave walking on air and your nails will be all shiny and new for a few weeks.

Let’s see if the red theory works tomorrow…

 

 

Race 1/12 – 2013

That’s the magic number!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted about racing.

When I started doing triathlons in 2009, I never thought I’ll still be competing in 2013. What started as a personal challenge to myself has become (what I think) is a lifelong hobby.

I’m still notoriously slow but I do enjoy myself a lot more when I’m racing, possibly because I have a few more friends to wave to as well on the course.

Tomorrow’s race is likely to be the toughest and hardest one for 2013, mainly because I’m incredibly ill-prepared. Why did I sign up? Because it’ll be a race I’ll be doing with my best friend and these days, I treasure any quality time we have together – even if it means that i have to swim/bike/run through it all; and if nerves get the better of me, possibly vomit.

I’m keeping this post short as it’s time to start prepping my race bag.

Why the title? If time, schedules and fitness allow, I’ll be aiming to do one race a month this year. But first let’s get through tomorrow’s.

Wish me luck!

Getting back on the bike

If there is one (of many) regret(s) that I have leading up to this tri, it is that I have not spent enough time on the bike. I’ve had no excuse, thanks to a very generous friend [that’s you Idran!] I’ve become the temporary caretaker of this little beauty and she’s served me very well.

Riding home tonight, when i wasn’t squealing at the passing traffic, i ‘listened’ to the bike, like really listened.
I clicked up and down as I tackled straights and (tiny) slopes, taking care to regulate my breathing so I didn’t end up panting and kept my legs going, going, going.

A few more rides and I think Little Red – that’s my name for her – and I would be more in sync but it looks like I’m going to have to make do with maybe two more (?) before the big day. Consolation: At least this year I know how to ride a road bike, last year, I had to be ‘steadied’ riding round the carpark 12 hours before the race. Yeah… Big L!

Wanna know something else funny? 48 hours ago, I didn’t realise that I should be monitoring my tyre air. Bimbo here thought it was okay that the tyres were a little soft to the touch… yeah, NO. Apparently, this is one of the reasons I’ve been so out of breath (that and my cardio sucks). On the up side, I’ve just ‘trained’ harder without realising it. So yay! Everyone wins!

Right, I think i smell… time to have a shower!

Feeling motivated?

Right now I’m supposed to kicking off my dry run for next week’s big event but instead I’m on my couch watching a DVD.
My excuse? It’s a little sunny right now.
Yeah, yeah, excuses excuses… I’ll get there at some point of today but I tell you what, I am dreading it.
Anyone ever feel like that?

Meantime, I’m going to kill some time/get some motivation plotting out a 20km bike route, one that comes across as little traffic as possible.

Happy Saturday!

You are what you eat

Growing up, i never quite got the phrase, ‘You are what you eat’, raised in a Peranakan Chinese family, you learn never to turn down food and you grow used to being ordered to finish whatever is put on your plate, no excuses.

So while it seems common sense that running/training on a lunch of nasi padang is going to be a lot harder than a bowl of salad or a healthy wrap, I’ve had to find this out the hard way. Call me stupid but I always saw salads as ‘diet food’ not a full meal, and certainly not one that could give me a real burst of energy.

The re-angling of my diet has been one of the more interesting changes of the past year. Favourites like bar chor mee, nasi padang and burgers are now a special treat, while big healthy salads form 25% of weekly food intake. Funnily enough, I’m not really complaining, I do like my greens and I whip up a mean mixed green salad with grilled chicken and chunks of avocado.

That said, nothing quite beats a salad or a wrap from Salad Stop!

You could say I have an addiction but this addiction is working for me.

Need a jolt of energy? It’s got to be the Jai Ho!

The Cheaper Than A Facial salad is for days when I’m feeling a little weak.

And if I feel really greedy, the Hail Caesar usually does the trick.
.

It’s 12.30am on a Saturday but I’m already looking forward to my Monday Salad Stop! fix.

Photo credits: Salad Stop!

The race…

For some a mini-triathlon is too easy, but for me it was about the hardest thing I’ve done in recent memory.
Two months of training culminated in a race completed in 2hrs and 23 mins.
It was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. No regrets at all, jellyfish sting, vomiting and all.
I’ll let the pictures tell the tale…

Prepping my gear the night before

Getting stamped with my race number

Hydrating before the swim... am trying to ignore a queasy stomach

Sttreeetch.... Don't want to cramp up!

Choosing the right position in The Pen is key!

And we're off!

750m down, only 25km left to go (and I'm not last!)

Getting the bike out of the transition area, have taken far to long to get dressed!

The first hill, I'm seriously struggling here but can't get off and push the bike, people are watching!

Done with the bike leg, my ass hurts like hell, but time to make like Forrest Gump

Doing the Gummi Bear bounce (ie I'm not really running)

Getting ready to high five Stubby... the last bit of the run, I'm starting to cheer up

And it's over!

How to survive the race - COLD SPONGES!

I can't believe it is over.... What an experience

I finished!

I got a medal !

Yup, yup… I did it!

I actually crossed the finish line despite a few stumbling blocks:

1) Having the onsets of the flu for 36hrs prior to the race

2) Never ridden a road bike till the night before

Trying to balance it out!

3) Being stung by a jellyfish during the swim

4) Bringing up my pre-race brekky a number of times during the race

This experience was definitely one for the memory books.

I certainly didn’t do great but i did cross the line at 2:23 – and was not last!

I’m keeping this post short as I don’t have pictures just yet but watch this space over the next few days.

And yes, I am keeping to my promise of donating my entry fee ($110) and ‘penalty’ ($74) to www.painforgain.com

So for those of you who said you would donate… show me [actually more like Pain For Gain] the moola!

Put your money where your mouth is…

One of the biggest push factors that got me to agree to take part in the Bintan Triathlon was that my entry fee would be waived by the Tribob
people [thanks guys!].
I figured why the hell not, what did I have to lose? As it turns out, I’ve lost nothing (except some weight – ya!) and gained a lot in return. Not to gloat, but over the years I’ve received a lot of job-related freebies – champagne, clothes, bags, hotel rooms – but this freebie has been particularly rewarding and definitely life changing.

Keeping with this sentiment, I’ve decided to use this race to make a small difference in someone else’s life. Back in January 2008, I was challenged by the TOS team to use public transport and not take a taxi for two weeks. I did it and the money I saved, I donated towards Pain For Gain which ending up buying someone a sewing machine.
It felt good to be able to do something for someone.

This time round I’m donating my entry fee and as I am not super confident I’ll make it within the three hour mark, I’m going to motivate myself further: I’ll donate $2 for every minute that i make it under the three hour mark and $10 for every minute over. That should get me moving…

If you’re reading this and interested in finding out more about Pain For Gain and if you’re in the position to donate I know it will be greatly appreciated.

Wish me luck!