Recipe: Buttered corn & carrots

Corn is one of those food that taste so good but you must eat in small servings. I, however, can eat 2 large corn cobs in one sitting. It's low in calorie (if in cobs) but doesn't fill you up so you're bound to eat another snack just to feel satisfied. Another downside of corn is its high sodium content. :/

Carrots are really low in calories and its a good source of Vitamin A. It's good for the eyes and may help improve your immune system.  The problem is I don't like most vegetables including carrots. (^-^;")ゞ

My friend taught me this recipe so I can sneak vegetables I don't like eating with those that I love. ♥

Ingredients:
1 can of yellow corn kernels
1 carrot, diced (quantity according to preference)
1 tbsp butter (quantity according to preference)
1-2 pinch of salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil corn & carrots together in a frying pan.
2. When the carrots become soft enough, lower the temperature & drain the water.
3. Add 1 tbsp butter or add more according to your preference.
4. Add salt to taste.

This recipe yields 5 servings, about 86-90 calorie each. I usually eat it as a snack, 2-3 days replacement for bread. Not bad noh?

You can also add other vegetables like green peas, cauliflower etc. or take after me and add vegetables you wouldn't normally eat on its own.

How I lost 14 kg

I LOVE TO EAT. I love just about anything the "experts" say I shouldn't eat. One of the reasons I didn't start this weight loss journey sooner was because I thought I have to deprive myself and survive on rabbit food!

Well, I was wrong. I still eat whatever I want but I eat consciously and wisely.

How I lost the first 6kg: Stopped eating unhealthy food and switched to healthier ones.

• Stopped eating fast food (i.e. Mcdo, Jollibee, etc.).
• Removed all the processed food on the grocery list including: hotdog, maling, luncheon meat, Payless noodles, pancit canton, etc.
• Removed all types of soda. I only drink water now. I still drink iced tea, shakes and milk tea but only a few times a month.
• Switched from white rice to brown rice. It's a little more expensive and tedious to prepare but it makes you feel fuller. It has more nutrients and easier for your body to burn.
• Switched from white bread to whole wheat bread. Same as above. I still eat "Pinoy bakery" favorites like cheese bread, brownies, ensaymada etc. but only 1 per day as reward. I don't eat them when I know I won't do any exercise.
• Stopped eating junk food.

How I lost the next 5kg in 1 month: Started exercising and eating fruits & vegetables.

• Started jogging/walking for 1 hour every day.
• Started eating 1-2 vegetable servings each day.
• Started eating fruits as snack.

This was a quick 5 kg drop. I admit I drastically removed any meat and rice to my diet. Also I was barely eating anything during this time for about 2 weeks. I was going through a difficult time. (^_^;")> Anyway I still made sure I was not totally out of nutrients. I ate fruits, whole wheat bread, my favorite sandwich spread, Subway sandwich *lol* and lots of water.

How I lost the next 3kg in 2 months: This was a veryyyyy slow drop.

• Eating anything I want as long as it's within my 1200 calorie goal a day. (I joined MyFitnessPal, it let's you log everything you eat and it has a very helpful community of others going through the same fitness problems as you.)
• Drink 8 glasses of water (this also makes your skin less oily)
• I do 40-50mins endurance run on the treadmill + 10-30mins on a stationary bike.

How I plan to lose the last 5kg:

• Increase calorie levels to 1400 calorie per day.
• Eat more fruits & vegetables.
• Less bread. *lol* 
• Re-plan my grocery list & daily diet.
• Increase protein intake + metabolism + immune system boosting foods.
• Eat a proper breakfast.
• Increase strength training to 3-4 times a week.
• Do sprints on the treadmill instead of endurance run.
• Play badminton twice or thrice a week.
• Go swimming once a week.

Got tips for losing weight?, leave me a comment below :)

Tagged under Fitness Journal | © photo from Nike Women

My 2013 LIFE list

I have always believed in the beauty and power of words, more so now after the struggles I went through in 2012. I am truly happy and hopeful as the new year begins. (^-^)/

edited: February 09, 2013

Live

• follow the concept of Magic Jars by Miriam Quiambao
• find new sources of income
• reach my weight goal, 5 kg to go! :)
• widen my circle of friends (craft, running & travel buddies)
• invest on clothes (haha!)

Move

• visit 5 new places in the Philippines and at least 1 overseas
• join fun runs / improve my running distance and speed

Create

• make time for crafting
• practice ALL my craft hobbies
• use the craft materials I acquire
• join more handmade mail swaps
• learn and practice a new craft

Learn

• read 1 book per week
• join craft workshops
• learn to cook
• learn to play badminton
• learn swimming techniques

Let's all fulfill our dreams this 2013. :)

Desire for movement

So guess what! I'm 5 kg less than last month. (^_^)v It's regrettable that I had to experience something horrible first before I finally force myself out of my sedentary lifestyle. Looking fit and being healthy are no longer "goals" I meant to complete off a list. This will be my life. This is my commitment to myself, "I love you and I'll take care of you."

I didn't think it was a problem for people to perceive me as weak or helpless because I don't want to have to defend myself. Do I even have to? Think whatever you want! I do admit that I struggle with a lot of things in my life, I have a lot of excess baggage, so many "feelings" and "realizations" that I can't get rid no matter how many times I get advice about it. But you know, I'm still alive despite carrying all that. My kind of strength isn't loud. I endure anything. And when I have to, I'm superwoman!

Sometimes though you have to correct other people's perception of you because it might cloud everything else that you're doing right. I wouldn't wish what I went through for any woman but every crisis has a silver lining. It felt like waking up from a deep slumber. It makes you focus on what needs to be fixed. It makes you realize what's important. My advice is to never doubt yourself. You are strong and wise. Act and talk with dignity. You will know what to do (I know right now you think you don't know what to do, the right thing will come to you when it's time). Pray for courage always. And lastly, choose to be happy. :)

Anyway...back to my weight. I still have a long way to go. I started running/jogging, going to the gym and swimming. My muscles are screaming for me to stop *lol* I need to pace it slowly. I really want to complete 1 continues lap around the UP oval but I can't seem to get past 3/4. I feel like dying after every run but I recently found out that it burns so little calories :/ Swimming burns more. *sigh* Oh well....

Slow and steady.

As for my diet, I joined MFP. I try to eat closer or a little over 1200 calories. I eat food that make me feel fuller. So I don't feel hungry despite the sudden increase in physical activity. I'm still planning my long-term diet. I love food and I don't want to have to completely avoid them for the rest of my life. So I'm trying to come up with an efficient system.

Slow and steady.