Thursday, April 29, 2010

Vacation Fitness Game Plan

Health

Exercise

I’m getting anxious at the thought of going away for 5 weeks. Diet won’t be a problem because I don’t plan to (and never will), motivation won’t be either BUT I don’t know how my exercise regiment will be like; how much time we’ll have, how tired we’ll be, how big our accommodation is (outdoors is out of the question because I’m not going to suffer in that heat). I also plan to pig out like I’ve never pigged out before so I need to figure something out! Exercising is a must though. And no, the tons of walking we’ll probably do is not enough.

DIET: You just cannot go to Asia and diet… I’d rather stay home!! I’m glad no one I’m going with are food nazis though, I hate going out with people who don’t eat. :P

Our plan:

  • We’re bringing skipping ropes, resistant bands and a timer.
  • Short and effective workouts. Lots of Tabata, timed circuits, 600 rep workouts, etc.
  • Will do tons of bodyweight exercises: Burpees, Lunges, Squats, Lateral Slides, Dips, Push Ups, Planks, Pikes, etc.
  • Bringing the laptop of course which we copied P90X into.
  • Might check into the Mariott (with a gym) for a week in HK even though we are staying with family the rest of the time. It’s not just for the gym though… I don’t want to feel like an intruder and stay with someone for so long even if it’s family —and we can get a good discount anyway.
  • Exercise at least 4 times per week, most likely in the mornings.

I also found out my cousin is a yoga instructor and has a studio so maybe I can milk the benefits. Hyukhyuk. I don’t do yoga though but I will make use of the space.

BFF and I are both pretty active so it’s good that we can probably motivate each other. Boyfriend on the otherhand IS very fit but since we’re on vacation, he’ll probably be in the corner munching on deep-fried frog legs while we’re working out. Damn guys with naturally high metabolism!!

Asian Street Food

Airplane snack ideas. Are some of these even allowed? I left out the obvious like nuts, carrot sticks and trail mix but I can’t stand those.

  • Plain instant oatmeal in Tupperware (can get hot water on plane).
  • Homemade Banana bread with slightly under-ripped bananas (for it’s resistant starches).
  • Dried mango (yes, not the healthiest but I lurve my dried mango) + cranberries.
  • Dark Chocolate! Mmm.
  • String Cheese
  • Hardboiled eggs
  • Homemade oatmeal cookies

Eating plan: eat everything but in moderation, of course. Well, maybe a little more than moderation… I can do that at home. ;)

How do you stay active while on vacation?

9 loves

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

BLACKBERRY 6!!

Technology & Gaming

According to a spokesperson for Research in Motion, key highlights of BlackBerry 6 include:

  • Crisp, more immersive visuals, including new graphics, animations and transitions
  • New WebKit browser; it’s high-fidelity and very efficient, for fast, rich browsing with support for multiple sessions (i.e. tabbed browsing)
  • Multi-touch support (e.g. pinch to zoom) while browsing, viewing photos, etc.
  • Graphical, context-sensitive menu pop-ups
  • Redesigned core apps, plus a new media player UI
  • New Home Screen experience; multiple views based on content type (All, Favourites, Downloads, Media, etc.), universal search
  • New app for integrating RSS and social networking feeds

via 24hrs

I can’t wait for the browser update! I’m using Opera Mini but it still has it’s flaws. RIM was on crack, releasing such an ugly and inefficient default browser (but then it IS a “business” phone after all).

6 loves

Monday, April 26, 2010

Top 10 Exercises

Health

My favorite exercises changes every couple weeks but here are my favorite at the moment (not in order since they target different muscle groups). The first 3 are my absolute favorites and will always be on the list.

All these are compound exercises which works more than one muscle group in your body but I only noted one of the main ones. Click on the links to find out more. The most important thing when doing any exercise is POSTURE so make sure you know what you’re doing before you actually do it a.k.a. GOOGLE.

  1. Bench Dips (triceps)
    My favorite compound + bodyweight exercise to work your triceps which is a muscle I’m obsessed with because I have a huge fear of turkey arms. It also works your pecs and delts.

    Bench Dip

  2. Planks (core)
    Better for your posture than regular crunches but the only downside is that planks are HELLA boring so I have to make sure I have a good song playing on my iPod before starting one. A “strong” core should be able to hold a plank for at least 2 minutes.

    Planks

  3. Stability Ball Hamstring Curls (hamstrings)
    You want a nice ass? Then you should work your hamstrings… what do you think is holding it up? This exercise is way better than the Leg Curl machine; it uses your bodyweight and you’re also working your calves, glutes, abs, obliques. Compound exercises are the way to go!

    Stability Ball Hamstring Curls

  4. Jump Lunges (lower body)
    This is a modified version of the lunge where you jump to each lunge position. It’s also a great fat-burning exercise because it’s an intense cardio workout. I absolutely DREAD doing these (even more than Burpees) but I feel so satisfied when I’m done. :P Try adding dumbbells for an extra-challenge.

    Jump Lunges

  5. Superman Back Extensions (back)
    Great for stretching and strengthening your back as well if you have lower-back pain.

    Supermans

  6. Upright Row (shoulders)
    Great for toning your shoulders and also works your biceps and traps. I like to use a bar over dumbbells though.

    Upright Row

  7. Face-Down Bench Kickbacks (triceps)
    Fight the turkey arms!!! :@

    Planks

  8. Barbell Squats (lower body)
    Can’t leave the good old squat out of the list. This compound exercise also works your core and back and should be essential in all workout routines.

    Squats

  9. Mountain Climbers (full body)
    These may seem easy at first but trying doing them more reps, a certain amount of time or in a tabata routine… I swear you’ll be dying in the corner afterwards but you will thank yourself for doing them. You can also try different variations like adding “twist” to work your lower abs.

    Squats

  10. Hanging Leg Raises (lower abs)
    When I’m bored, I hang out on Boyfriend’s pull-up bar… and add some leg raises while I’m on there. I wish my core was stronger though. :(

    Hanging Leg Raises

What are your favorite exercises?

12 loves

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

My Daily Top 5

Link Love

The first five blogs I read first every morning I login to my reader:

Clients From Hell
Everyone and their mom (in the design community) knows about this website but I want to reiterate how awesome it is and how anyone looking for a designer should take a look. CLIENTS FROM HELL! CLIENTS FROM HELL! CLIENTS FROM HELL! CLIENTS FROM HELL! CLIENTS FROM HELL! CLIENTS FROM HELL! CLIENTS FROM HELL! CLIENTS FROM HELL!

Fit Sugar
Not always the most reliable advice nor do I agree with all of their articles but a lot of interesting ones do appear in my reader everyday and are always fun to read.

Le Mode Du Jour
Be prepared to be inspired.

Zen to Fitness
“Health is the thing that makes you feel that now is the best time of the year.”
– Franklin P. Adams

AA Theory
Regular news, funny news, bizarre news about anything and anyone ASIAN related. There are many Asian news sites but this is my favorite because the amazing Ellie of Seoul Beats is behind it all.

6 loves

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Blazer On, Blazer Off

Looks

Look
My favorite t-shirt! Edit – Oops my bad, I wasn’t asking if blazer on or blazer off was better. Just two different look for one night. =)

18 loves