Protein

It's common knowledge that protein helps to build muscle. It is even more important when you are using it extensively such as doing hard labour, doing strenuous jobs or lifting weights. Protein your muscle to recover faster so you can go and do the whole process again. That is why these gym rat will have a protein shake after a workout. It keeps their muscle for deteriorating and strained the day after the workout. I don't think I am at that stage of drinking a protein shake yet (its cost almost RM300 the good type), since I haven't really properly lift weights on a regular basis. It takes a lot of time really, you can easily spend 2 hours lifting weights and not even realise it. Besides, all I want to do is, to go on the cross trainer and get off as soon as I can. I should watch my diet more instead of replacing the calories I lost :p, but it's okay for now. I did went back to lifting weight after a 2 week pause (I was in no mood in lifting anything), and I had a good workout. However I made the mistake of just eating dinner like nothing happened, which mean I did not add a bit more protein to the meal (usually 2-3 poached eggs is enough to prevent muscle fatigue). So now my chest and arms are aching for two days straight.. Erghh.. bring on the lean protein now to repair these muscles. My weight did not really move that much (it fluctuates), but at least I look trimmer according to relatives and friends, so that gym membership did not go to waste after all :D

Grrr

I feel very pathethic, miserable, angry, sad, bored, sucky and whatver adjectives you can use to describe when feeling very negative. I need to go the gym, warm up on the cross trainer, lift heavy weights and then have a protein dinner I need to remove all this negative energy in a good way.... GRRRR!!!

10kg

Weights lifting is very important in ones health. It makes your bones stronger, allows you to carry heavy objects and it increases your resting metabolic rate. It also looks very appealing to have a toned body and sculpted body. I have started lifting weights more often now because I think it will be very practical in real life (carrying potted plants, carpets, cooking gas tanks, my laptop). You never know when you suddenly need that extra strength to perform a certain task. I started with 5kg dumbell, but now I have move on to 7kg. My biceps and triceps are underdeveloped because I tend to carry heavy objects using my torso. That is why according the fancy weight machine, I do have a lot of muscle in my body, but most of it is at my torso. Well, so far 7kg has been quite tough for my arms and shoulders, but somehow I feel its too easy for my chest. So out of curiosity I tried 10kg weights. That means 20kg (10kg dumbell on each hand) or about 44 pounds. The first thing that comes in my mind is that 10kg was the weight of a bag of rice my family use to buy (now we only get the 5kg packet, but only because the brand of Basmati rice my mum likes to use comes only in 5kg bags). Its like, cool, I can lift 10kg of rice. I don't want to hurt myself so I make sure to stop when I feel strained. Heee did that felt good. When doing the 10kg dumbells it felt like the first day I lifted weights. I really felt it on my chest. The pleasure only lasted till I went to sleep, and then I woke up feeling very sore. Hik.. when that serves me right for going a bit extreme. Next time I will increase the weights to 8kg for the chest to really give it a good workout.

This is my favourite cardio machine in the gym. This is the elliptical machine or cross trainer. Its great because the fluid motion of the machine (its like cycling but only standing up) is gentle on the joints. The trainer said this machine is particularly hard since you have to keep moving or the machine will shutdown, but I find it easy to do. I could easily burn at least 500 calories in 45 minutes (I usually try to go for 700). However one drawback of using this machine is that its not practical in real life. What I mean is, do you actually walk or run in a fluid motion like the machine? I find it harder to walk up the stairs or cycling on the stationary bike (both are exercise that one normally does in real life). I could only burn 300 calories on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. All 3 exercise work and focus different parts of the legs. I am very used to the cardio machine and I could go on the machine longer than most people can., but not sure if I can coped with the highest setting yet. ( I did but only for a short while). I plan to alternate between all 3 so I could get the best training of all three. However the elliptical machine wins hands down for me for burning the most amount of calories in the shortest amount of time. I also read that a good cardio workout is when you work 60-80% of your maximum heart rate, so I plan to pay close attention to the heart monitor from now on to get a better workout.

That feeling inside

I went out with my family after gym today to Jusco Cheras Selatan. My mother said my brother needed some trousers. So we headed off to Padini Authentics because my brother, wanted some skinny fit pants. Padini was never my store because they sell clothes that just never fit me. I mean they don't even have sizes in inches but instead the regular abbreviations (S,M,L,XL). As I were loitering around the store and just looking at the pants, one of the saleslady said "the largest size we have here is 36". I felt quite offended at that remark, is that another way of saying "I am sorry fat people don't shop here okaay". Anyways its probably because I have not taken my dinner yet. So as I was browsing the shorts area, out of no reason I just took one out and test it on my neck. My dad told me our neck is about half the circumference of our waist, so we can test the trouser if they fit or not by just measuring it to ones neck. So I did, to my surprised the trouser ends actually touched each other and I was not turning blue. Out of curiosity I tried it out, in the dressing room. Holy Crap I could try it on and the pants actually can be buckled together with out me turning blue. Before this the trousers wont even fit my thighs now I actually can buckle them together. However these were size 36, so my gut was hanging out, but nevertheless, the trousers actually buckled!! WHOa.. I mean I don't think I lost weight but most of my pants now are loose, I had to add more holes to my belt so my pants won't slip out. Since 36 was the largest size in Padini, I went to FOS and tried on some bermuda's at 38. WHOA those actually fit me nicely although its a bit snug, but the cutting is nice and I don't look like a tent. NGEEEE!!! if I keep this up, my credit card will be maxed out... because I have to alter my clothes or just get new ones :D. Definitely something that motivates me to run even more on the cross trainer :D

Knee Jerk...

I have been going to the UPM clinic everyday since last Monday for treatment.
I have been undergoing this Sonotron treatment that the doctor has recommended.
Funny thing the applicator looks like a hair dryer.
The technician said The Sonotron is a non-invasive therapy device utilizing low power modulated radio-frequency (RF) and audio energy in the form of a visible and audible corona discharge beam. It was said to aid tissue healing. What's wrong with me? I injured my left knee in one of the aerokickboxing classes. I jumped a bit too high and landed on my left foot only. To make things worse, I did not bend my knees to brace the impact. Now I have to wear this leg brace at every waking moment, cannot step into any of the aerobic class, cannot run, and cannot use the cross trainer (my favourite machine at the gym) instead I was forced to sit on a bicycle and pedal away (boring!!!). The doctor advised me to skip gym for a week, I went on Monday but skipped on Tuesday and Wednesday. I never knew how much I liked gym until I was told not to go. I did not jump up and down or glee with fun. I was actually quite depressed about the whole situation. I mean who knew gym was something I loved to do, even with all the pain that comes in the morning. I liked it that I could punch, kick, run, walk, lift, and sweat all the things that has been bothering me all times. Now even after 2 days of gym free nights, those negative thoughts are coming back to haunt me. It kinda sucked, but I don't want to push it too much or risk being banned from gym all together/ Sigh...

Cuci

Yup that is what I did on this fabulous labour day. Cuci or wash the car. Beside if I wash the car by hand, I can skip the treadmill. YAY!!!!

Ok two dirty cars that needed to be wash, my 190E and my sister's Myvi.

My two weapons of choice, a car wash liquid and tire cleaner.

As I was washing the car concurrently I can noticed many differences between this car. The age difference of these two cars is 13 years. I can see how the modern and cheaper Myvi has a smooth and thin body shell for a more aerodynamic, cheaper to make and easier to clean, but it leads to a hollow, rather unsturdy feel to the car. While the 190E has a chunky styling and body with its thick steel was the design of the time (this car was design in the mid 80s) is still strong and sturdy till today but its rugged surface makes its bit harder to clean. Even the 190e rims required you to use your finger to get the grime in the narrow space clean.

Oh what the heck, might as well was the Ria as well since I am already wet and I still have half a bucket of soapy water left.

Hmm clean cars and a MPV equals to a tired budlee but kinda happy because he can skip the treadmill. I thought I had plans on this labour day, alas my friends was not available for the time being. Oh well, that is ok, at least I can update my Myspace and Friendster, I have been neglecting it since I had this blog. Happy Labour day to those who are working :)