Back to Basics in My Fifties

Exercising for good health

I started this blog when I was in my mid thirty's and struggling with hypertension.  If you would rummage through my posts, you'd see that a lot of it are about my running escapades and then dabbling a bit on swimming.  Of course, what's a health blog without touching on nutrition and fitness in general?  I remember those DIY exercises that I actually do in the office when I had time to spare or when I was simply bored and want some physical activities.  I was so active back then.  I had goals to achieve.

PROJECT WOMAN: Athena for the Active Woman

First post of the year, so first of all, a happy new year to everyone!  

Right, resolutions....  And what better way to start the year than to set health goals!  I've been out from blogging for quite sometime and during that span of time, my body has gone through a lot of changes.  At some point, I was super active with work that it was hardly an effort to stay slim.  I ate a lot, mind you and yet I was down to my lowest BMI ever and if I had exerted more effort into exercising, I'd probably see well defined abs.  

Well, fast forward to a couple of months ago, and here I am covered in flabs once again.  So much for the abs hahaha!  Time to do some reality check.  Lately, I've been on desk job and so I was sitting around most days.  The inevitable happened of course.  And so as my clothes were observably a bit more snug fitting, it is time to take some action.  

For starters, I've been doing longer walks lately, something I did't do for quite some time.  And in the coming weeks, I'll be back in line duty which involves more walking.  So, I am expecting more mobility these days, which is good!

Fitness and good health as we all know, is a combination of proper exercise and nutrition.  So as I am starting to move around more again, I also need to supplement my body with the proper nutrition.  

I'm basically a coffee fiend, so milk is not in my beverage list.  But at my age, I know I need the nutritional values found in milk, particularly for the bones.  I'm happy Unilab has the right milk that I could start with, without worrying about getting even plumper than I already am.

Introducing Athena, the milk especially formulated to meet a woman's special nutritional needs.

                    

             

   

No other milk understands us better. Women like us, who are always on the go, seek to strike a balance between work and personal time to be able to enjoy life to the fullest. That is why we need to stay fit and attractive, to look good and feel good whenever we can. We have unique needs that only women like us truly understand.

Here are some of the great nutritional benefits of Athena:

• High Calcium essential for optimum bone health. It is also a source of Vitamins D and K, Magnesium and Phosphorus – nutrients to help maintain strong bones 
• Low in Fat so you can enjoy this beverage without the risk of high caloric intake 
• Source of Anti-oxidants such as Vitamins A & E and Zinc to help maintain healthy skin and promote optimum immune function. 

Athena comes in two flavors – Milk (180 grams – Php 130.00; 400 grams – Php 273.00) and Choco (180 grams – Php 130.00). It’s available online at www.athena.com.ph and in-store at Mercury Drugstore, Watsons, and Southstar.

Athena, a delicious beverage made just for us women! I would definitely buy this one on my next trip to the grocery or those drug stores and I'm loving that they have chocolate flavor!

{Back to Basics}: Jump Start the Journey to Good Health

Hey there health buffs, couch potatoes and the in-betweeners!

The first month of this year, 2016 is almost through!  I'm sure that most of us have already gotten over the long holidays (or getting there, somehow) and have now acclimated to the normal life routines.  Like most people, you may have already written down those resolutions, intent and committed to achieving those. I just hope you haven't thrown out your list of goals this early.  If you don't have goals, now is the best time to think about it.  I myself have set some goals for this year, and it will not be complete without the health goals. 

Here's the thing.  Last year, I have joined only one organized fun run and I don't do my regular weekly runs after that.  I regressed, so to speak.  I don't know.  Maybe I got tired of running around lol! Naturally, I gained weight...and bulges uggghhh!  But you know, having started this health blog some years ago, I wasn't really so much into the body image thing.  I was mostly concerned about my overall health. Being slimmer is just a desirable by-product of a healthier lifestyle.  

Running Out of Excuses...and a Short Update

Running Woman @ Freedigitalphotos.net

It's high time I go back to running.  Yep, you read that right, and from someone who has advocated running since she started blogging on this site. My bad! It's really shameful to admit that, but I have to be honest.  Even some health and fitness enthusiasts get lazy sometimes.  I'm speaking mostly for myself so you fitness fiends, don't throw running shoes and dumbbells at me.  I am just saying, we're all human here.  I'll stop right there before I get clobbered lol!

So what happened to me and my affair with running?  If my memory serves me well, my last official run was six months ago, during the Condura Skyway Marathon.  I actually loved that run.  It was my first time to run on the Skyway.  The wind was chilly and my throat dried instantly.  But I was able to make it to the first drinking station which took 48 years years or so.  Seriously, it felt like that, but my guess is that, it was after running maybe 2 kilometers.  Two kilometers!  Dry throat, chilly weather...and then at the water station I was internally saying "Oh come on!"  Why?  They had water....water!  It was the next drinking station I think where they have Gatorade drinks.  I don't like drinking plain water on my runs, that is if I have a choice.  Why?  I'm pretty sure I'll need a toilet break within the next 20 minutes.  So anyway, what choice have I got but to take water?  Or I could just torture myself and go on and maybe pass out before the next water station hahaha!  

Natur House: Change Your Life and Stay Healthy

I'd be the first to admit that losing weight and maintaining the ideal healthy weight range takes a lot of work and self-discipline.  If you have been reading some of my past articles, you know that I have lost considerable weight by altering the food I eat, choosing healthier options in the process.  I've also been involved in a lot of running activities, even tried gyms for a while.  Now, while that may have worked for me, others may find that too challenging or too hard to sustain.  Even I need some outside push once in a while.  There were times I simply backslide without resistance hahaha!  

I know it can be frustrating and sometimes, willpower alone does not suffice.  Sometimes, we need professional help and guidance as well. 

(Note: The following is a sponsored promotional article for Natur House)

Back to Swimming at YWCA

I can't believe it's almost a year now since I last dipped in a pool. That was sometime in May of last year when we finished our basic swimming lessons at YWCA.  Last Saturday, we put ourselves to the test, to see if we still know how to swim.  We got there at past 2pm and the pool was deserted.  So it was just the two of us, me and Cecil who would be using the entire pool.  The good thing is no one's going to see us if we made a fool of ourselves.  The bad thing is, since both of us are newbies in swimming, the other one can't save the other when one drowns (lol!).  We each made boundaries for ourselves, never to go in the deep part, or if we dare, we should never let go of the gutter.  

Ready for Run United 2014

Looks like we're all set for the first leg of Run United 2014 tomorrow, March 16.  See what the cat dragged in yesterday.  Well, actually, it's one of my running buddies who claimed our race kits for the four of us runners.  I guess this is hard to miss because of the color.  Last year, they give out the loot goodies after the run.  This year, they decided to give it already together with the singlet and race bib.  I wonder if there will still be other giveaways after the run.  Well, we will just have to see tomorrow.

Loot bag

At Forty and Beyond

Woman Jumping @ freedigitalphotos.net

Where did the time go?  One time I was just twenty and now, twenty years has gone by already!  Oh yes, I have officially joined the so-called midlife, but hopefully not the crisis commonly associated with it.  And while many women (and men maybe?) would cringe at the thought of admitting their real age, I'm proud to say I've lived four decades already and I feel simply blessed.

Taking It Slow

It's been a while, but I'm back! I've been trying to ease back into running (and writing). My last long run was during the first week of December last year. Well, you know with the holidays just around the corner that time, not much exercise followed after that 10K run.  Naturally, most of us gained pounds.  Tell me who didn't and I'll say you're simply incredible!  I've been trying to shake those extra pounds before I go back to running.  I'm just being kinder and more careful with my knees, the left one in particular. So no running until I lose a few pounds.

Of Page Ranks and Personal Records

Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid @ Free Digital Photos

I wonder what big rock I have crawled under in the past few days that I have failed to notice that this site's page rank has gone up a notch, from PR 1 to PR 2.  I was about to do a cartwheel anyway, then I realized, the update was already 4 days ago.  Where have I been to? Lol!  Anyway, this calls for a cartwheel just the same, if I knew how to do one, for starters.  Maybe I'll just do the dance of joy, ala Larry and Balki (Remember them? Never mind if you don't).

Is It Time For a Half Marathon?

Image courtesy of tiverylucky
at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I have sometimes wondered if I'll be able to run at least a half marathon.  But right now, I just don't have the strong desire to run 21 k in one shot.  One of my running buddies already tried that several times, previously and he came out okay, of course not without cramps and post running injuries.  Last Sunday, another running buddy tried her mettle in running and she survived her first half marathon with the inevitable aching leg muscles, minus the cramps.

So when would be my turn? I don't know. I'm not even training for that. I just don't see myself doing that in the next months or maybe not even in a year. To be honest, a 10-k run is already too long for me. I already get bored running for more than an hour. So progressing to a half marathon that could take me 3 hours or more is stretching my limit way beyond my will power. If I do that right now, it will be a punishment of sorts. I think my body could still take the running, at least the run-walk-run routine, but if my heart is not into it, I'd probably not be able to finish the race.

{Fit and Strong Day 31}: Wrapping It Up

31 Days

Whew!

We've finally come to the end of the series, but definitely not the end of the journey. Hardly. In fact, to many of us, it's just the kick off. The habit of which is a lifetime commitment, not a 31 Day Challenge that you forgo after a month. This challenge is more than just a writing challenge, by the way. It is a commitment to make life changing steps that hopefully will result in a positive transformation that will become a part of our lifestyle.  I commend The Nester for this very challenging and brilliant idea.

{Fit and Strong Day 30}: For When You Backslide

Source

Finding yourself backsliding from your fitness regimen?

{Fit and Strong Day 29}: Setting Up A Workout Schedule

Make time

Most of you have expressed their sincere interest in taking up a fitness regimen.  I think that's a great start!  But we all know (yes that includes me) that excuses are lurking up everywhere.  One of the overly used excuse (that I have used often enough for myself) is that I am just too busy.  And it's probably true for most of us.  But you know what?  We will always be busy, no matter what.  Unless of course we abandon our jobs or responsibilities and just go on a vacation spree.  By then we'll have another excuse, that we're on vacation lol!

{Fit and Strong Day 27}: Develop a Strong Mind

Source

What does it take to be called a person having a strong mind?  

{Fit and Strong Day 26}: Timing Nutrition With The Workout Phases

Before I do any strenuous workout, like running or swimming, I make sure I eat at least 2 hours before that to fuel my body and prepare it for the workout.  Some people can manage an hour before the workout, but not me.  I'll definitely regurgitate whatever I ate.  I learned that while doing the warm up exercises for Tai Chi class some years ago.  Good thing I was able to hold the food in or it would have been such a mess, not to mention very embarrassing.

{Fit and Strong Day 24}: Yoga for Strength Training

Yoga was part of our curriculum back in high school. In fact, we combined it with basic gymnastics, doing Yoga poses on the balance beam. I was still pretty much flexible at that age and I can do most everything, except the head stand. We didn't do that anymore.

I wonder if I could go back to that practice. Maybe...because some people start to learn in the adult years, and having tried that before, at least I know what to expect. I probably don't even need to enroll in a class, as there are a lot of videos online to learn from.

{Fit and Strong Day 23}: Stronger Through Swimming

If you've been reading my blog for a time, you probably know that I have only started learning to swim earlier this year.  If you're an adult, regardless of age, and still don't know this skill, it is never too late to learn.  Seriously.

{Fit and Strong Day 22}: Ready to Run?

Just RUN!

Are you ready to run?

{Fit and Strong Day 21}: Try Tai Chi

How about some martial arts?  Sounds scary or daunting?  Not really, when you're just talking about the gentle martial arts form called Tai Chi.  You know, I used to think that Tai Chi is some sort of a slow dance done by those Chinese elders in our community.  As a kid, I would watch them, entranced by the relaxing flow of movements.