The teeny tiny victories that count

I know this shouldn't be all about numbers but I can't help but be a little pleased/happy/relieved that the scale finally budged. Even if it's just for a little bit.

I haven't been eating particularly less, I've even exercised less these last two weeks due to the ankle sprain, but I guess I must be doing something right. Hmm I have been carrying my pedometer with me places I go and been aiming for 10,000 steps/day. Instead of going straight home after work I try to walk around a bit more in order to make goal.

Could it be the extra walking?

Weight as of 2/29: 68.55 kg

Tomorrow will be the beginning of another month. Woah.

New gadgets and quick check-in (no weight)

I sprained my ankle during badminton lesson this past Sunday so I've been taking this week nice and slow, which means no exercise except just me, my legs and my pedometer.

Speaking of which I got a new pedometer! <--- see photo

It has more functions than my old one: count, distance, kilocalories, fat burned (g), time of continuous walking, the works.

I have to confess that I haven't been walking as much this week though. One, I wanted to rest my ankle, two, it's been pouring rain in Taipei! I know, I know. Excuses won't get me very far. I was fifty steps away from my daily 10,000-step goal yesterday too and forgot to do something with the last fifty steps. (I was gonna walk around at home till I get to goal, at least). OKAY no more excuses though. I WILL get to GOAL today.

Another new gadget I got is this:
HTC Sensation XE

Isn't it a beauty?!!

I can go on forever about how much I love my new phone but really, I should spare you. Simply put, it just works SO much better than my old LG phone in all ways possible.

I probably sound more excited than usual since it's Friday afternoon and I'm about to get off work HEHE.

Have a greeeat weekend y'all!!

Happy (late) V-day!

I weighed myself first thing this morning and this is what I saw on the scale.

Weight as of 2/15: 69.20 kg

Hmm I should know I had this coming. Another week of no losses. I had a big meal on Monday eating out with some friends, but I have been gearing up my workout schedule this past week so maybe I did expect to see a tiny dent in my weight, if any at all. Hopefully next Wednesday will see a 1-kg loss though.

I had a massage appointment this morning as I've been feeling really tense all over (workout schedule below). I also went to Body Combat last Saturday and I think all the punching and jabs just killed my shoulders, back and arms. Plus I had to use and work those same muscles playing badminton these past few days, so no rest at all there. I can feel this constant tension in my shoulders. Ahh I could really use a big hot jacuzzi now.

After my 1.5 hr massage I was still a little low, and had this for lunch.

Haven't had fast food in a while

Not the best of food choices, I know. It was a 6-piece chicken nugget, medium fries, and coke zero combo meal. And this is what was left of it. I ate until my cravings were satisfied, and didn't finish the whole thing. I haven't had anything 'nutritious' today yet, so I think I'll go look for something more nutritionally balanced for dinner, before my badminton games tonight.

My workout schedule this week (2/12~2/18):

• Sunday: Badminton lesson 2.5 hrs *** / Circuit training 1.5 hrs ***
• Monday: Badminton lesson 2 hrs ***
• Tuesday: Badminton lesson 1 hr ** / Kickboxing 1.5 hrs **
• Wednesday: Badminton games 2 hrs **
• Thursday: Badminton lesson 2 hrs ***
• Friday: (rest)
• Saturday: Badminton games 2hrs ***

(* for intensity)

Plus daily goal of 10,000 steps

Oh and I spent Vday night (yesterday) kickboxing with three friends at the gym LOL.
Happy Valentines all!

Grrrrr.... no losses for Feb.. yet

Weight as of 2/8/2012: 69.30kg

My weight hasn't gone down this week! It's a little frustrating since the month of January went by so well, and in comparison my weight decline has completely slowed down this month.

I'd say it's partially because of hormonal balances and water retention during that-time-of-month, and if so, hopefully things will pick up again REAL soon. And that I can see a good 'loss' by next week (mid Feb! eeks!).

One thing I've started doing is counting steps. I found a year-old pedometer lying around at home, and decided it was time to start tracking again. I've been counting steps for 3 days now, with a daily goal of at least 10,000 steps. I think my daily average is probably around 5,000-6,000 without exercise, just getting to and from work/lunch etc. So to achieve 10,000 steps I do need to make an effort to walk after work, or to make it to the gym and hop on a machine. Today I'll be heading straight to badminton practice (just games) right after work, so my 10,000-step goal should be well taken care of.

I will be tweeting my steps everyday since I can do that from my phone. Wish me luck eh :)

Oh and here's my workout schedule for this week (2/5~2/11):

• Sunday: Badminton lesson 2.5 hrs ***
• Monday: (rest)
• Tuesday: Spinning 45 min ***
• Wednesday: (rest)
• Thursday: Badminton games 2 hrs **
• Friday: Cardio 1 hr **
• Saturday: Badminton 2hrs ***

(* for intensity)

Shoes that fit my feet

My badminton shoes have been bruising and torturing my feet and I decided it was about time I went out and got a pair that didn't hurt. This is what my old pair looks like:

Old badminton shoes, a size too big

I got these shoes around 2005 during my college years (they actually don't look quite that old since badminton shoes are for indoors only), and it wasn't until today that I realized they were actually not my size. I usually wear 24.5cm, and these were 25.5cm. DUH. No wonder I've been getting blisters and bruises. I thought these shoes must have been getting way too loose for me.

Let's see how I do with the new pair.

Shiny and new!

Badminton shoes have thinner soles than those of running or basketball shoes, and the bottoms are especially designed to have more traction/grip to adjust for sudden movement and direction changes required on court.
I'm really no shoe expert though...

Buh-bye old shoes (left)

I'll be playing badminton for two hours tonight so hopefully my new shoes fit well!