Restarting

Well, it's been months now since I've posted.  I have been extremely busy in school and took on more load that I can handle.  However, all the studying paid off and I got mostly A's. :D  So, the spring semester recently ended and I'm now starting Summer I classes, but with just one class, I can get back on track with my goals.  While in school last semester, I wasn't taking very good care of myself.  There were nights when I didn't sleep, and I definitely wasn't eating much.  I then lost more weight, and I was getting really disappointed with myself, which in itself, made things worse.  From my experience, I realized that I need to learn better time management.  Then, I will have time to keep my goals going.

Anyway, so I started back up last week.  I began eating a lot more, eating every 2 hours or whenever I felt hungry.  It was a bit difficult for me to keep in a greater amount of food, but I am now beginning to get used to it.  Last Sunday, I started my workout regime by walking up and down hills, along with sprints, walking lunges, and side-to-side jumps when going up the hills.  I actually wasn't able to walk normally for three days after, but it was worth it because my legs definitely looked bigger!  After three days' rest, which was yesterday, I signed up for a gym membership and did weight-bearing exercises for my legs and glutes.  I'm currently drinking a full glass of milk as a protein drink since prices nowadays are extremely high, let alone the price of milk itself!

So, yesterday, I performed the following:
5 minute warmup on the elliptical
3 sets of butt bridges with 5 pounds - 12 reps each set
3 sets of reverse lunges with 8 pounds - 15 reps each set
3 sets of leg press - experimental*
2 sets of bulgarian squats with 8 pounds - 12 reps each set
Adductor machine to failure
2 sets of regular squats with 10 pounds - 15 reps each set

* For the leg press, I experimented with which weight would give me enough resistance for only 12-15 reps.  I started with 20 pounds for more than 25 reps, then 30 pounds for 25 reps, then 40 pounds for 18 reps, then finally 50 pounds for 15 reps.  So next time, I know to start with 50 pounds or more.

Next workout, I will try to increase weight and see how I do.

As you can see, I'm starting within 12-15 reps.  This is because I already have much experience with these exercises before.  If you are just starting to workout, it is a good idea not to start with weights until you become comfortable with good form for each exercise.  You can easily injure yourself or accidentally pull a muscle without good form.  Also, the QUALITY (good form) of the workout will give you more results than quantity.  Also, listen to your body.  If you can't walk the next day, for example, don't force yourself to another rigorous workout.  Rest up and just do some light exercises to get some blood flow going.  Then you can get back to your workout when you feel better.  These are some of the tips I have learned along the years, but you can also do your own research to get the results you want.  Remember, your workout should go according to the results you want.  Since I am trying to gain weight, I am not concentrating on cardio exercises.  Instead, I am concentrating more on weight-bearing exercises to increase muscle mass. However,  I still do some cardio exercises a few times a week for heart health.

Also, after acing my anatomy and physiology class, I learned the following to be great benefits of exercise:
- Increased number of capillaries = increased blood flow = better/faster healing of sore/injured muscles
- # of mitochondria doubles, even triples! = increased energy output
- Faster metabolism = eat more without gaining weight!
- Lung capacity improves = we use muscles we normally don't use with regular breathing
- Less stress on the GI tract = less instances of constipation or diarrhea
- Stronger muscles
- Overall good feeling! =]

So, if you spend most of your time sitting and watching tv, get up and start exercising!! =D

A New Start!

So, I actually finished my detox early, last Friday, Jan. 21, because I was losing too much weight.  All my jeans became loose, and I'm already size 00, and I'm not sure if there is any other size smaller than that.  Anyway, I actually failed and ate McDonald's two days after and man I felt so groggy and bloated....I don't think I will ever be eating McD's again...well at least probably only every so often.  Drinking soda hurt my stomach and made me feel so bloated. So, it is true that your body does become sensitive to these high-fat, high-sugar foods.  I think I'm gonna stick to home made foods and will only eat fast food once in a while.

So, my results after detox:
Pros:
1. Clearer skin
2. More energy
3. Better sleep
4. Better overall feeling
5. Thinking clearly
6. Eventually a habit of eating healthy =D
7. Helps show the basics of living a healthy lifestyle =D

Cons (for me at least):
1. Lose weight

Now, I am eating a lot more, and when I do eat too much, my body seems not to be able to handle it very well.  So, I have to take it slowly until I am able to eat at least 5 times a day.  I am gonna work on eating more this week, and then start my exercise program next week.  I am thinking about doing P90X.  We'll see how that goes! =D

Great Results!!!

Alright, so I've been using the virgin coconut oil for about 2 weeks now, and I have to say that I'm very pleased with the results!! I just have to say that I love this coconut oil and will continue using it.  My skin has become so much softer and smoother, and my face actually looks like I put some kind of makeup on it.  I've never seen my skin look so GOOD! =D  At first however, multiple small little pimples started coming out on my face and I thought of stopping the use of the coconut oil, but I continued anyway because it moisturized it so well.  Within 3 days, the pimples are gone and it's now completely clear!

Also, I received my body brush last week and have used it twice.  I got the Yerba Prima Tampico body brush and it did feel rough on my skin.  But upon doing my usual research, the brush is supposed to be a little rough in order for it to remove the dead skin cells, as well as exfoliate, the skin.  So, after dry brushing the first time, my skin immediately felt extremely smooth.  I'm not sure yet about how it helps circulation and all the other claimed benefits, but I sure like what it does for my skin! =D  Also, the eczema on my hands is almost completely gone.  My hands have become very soft and smooth, and you have no idea just how happy I am to have found something that helps with my eczema! I just cannot express how happy I am to have stumbled upon this virgin coconut oil! ^___^  The ringworm around my mouth is pretty much gone.  It's only my upper lip that is still visible.  So, not only does this oil make the skin softer and smoother, it also heals fungal infections and obviously helps with other skin diseases, such as eczema.  I now believe the claims people have made about this oil.  I am truly happy that I continued using it. =D

Virgin Coconut Oil!!

So, I received the coconut oil I ordered from Tropical Traditions the previous Wednesday and have been using it for 3 days now.  And the results are wonderful! =D  The dark patches around my mouth is a lot lighter now and does not irritate as much anymore.  And the patch on my neck is almost gone.  Also, the eczema on my hands are getting better as well.  It's not as dark as it was and the oil definitely keeps my hands moisturized for many hours.  I've also tried it as a facial moisturizer at night.  It is oily (of course!) when you first put it on and may take a while for the skin to absorb, but when I wake up I love how my skin looks! It looks like I'm glowing! =D The only downside is that you always have to melt it (I do it by putting the bottle in hot or warm water or put it under running hot water) when the temperature goes under 76 degrees. To make things easier, I melted a majority of the coconut oil in the bottle by putting the bottle in warm water overnight and then scooping enough melted oil into a 4 oz. travel bottle.  This way, I won't constantly have to deal with the large bottle and wait a longer period of time for the oil to melt.  If I get extra money, I just might buy their ready made lotions and moisturizers.  But right now, I am satisfied with just the oil.  I haven't tried it on my whole body yet nor as a hair treatment, but I'm planning to try them out.  So, I definitely recommend the golden label virgin coconut oil from Tropical Traditions.  I will definitely be ordering from them again! I'm only within the first week and can't wait to see the results from continued use!  =D

Getting Better!

I actually stopped using the tea tree oil 3 days ago since it was severely burning my skin! My skin was left red all day and was extremely irritated.  On a whim, I decided to try olive oil with the tea tree to see if it would help dilute the tea tree.  It did help a bit, but it was still burning my skin.  However, I liked how the olive oil would moisturize my skin and not leave it so white and dry like the tea tree did.  Since I couldn't take the burning anymore, I decided to stop using the tea tree and just stayed with the olive oil.  After 3 days, my ringworm has actually looked a whole lot better while being kept moisturized! Seeing what the olive oil can do, I can't wait to receive the virgin coconut oil and see its effects on the ringworm!  *Fingers crossed*

By the way, I am currently using the Great Value Pure Olive Oil.

Newfound Energy! =D

So, I've been on the detox for 6 days now...and WOW! I can already feel the energy flowing in me.  It is true that the first few days you are supposed to feel groggy and weak, and once you're past that, man it feels GOOD! In the past, I used to pretty much feel tired by early afternoon (which I think is pretty early to be feeling tired -___-) I used to constantly yawn throughout the day.  Yesterday and today, I only yawned in the evening.  It may not sound like much, but I really feel a difference.  Another positive change I am experiencing is NO cramps so far while I'm on my menstruation period.  I used to feel so much abdominal pain and just tired all day while I was on my period.  This time, I have energy and I don't feel any cramps!! It's only been the first week, and I am already liking this detox! I can't wait to see what other changes will occur.  I really hope to see healthier skin by the time I'm done! =D

A Contest for Free Lip Moisturizers from Tropical Traditions!

While ordering the virgin coconut oil from the Tropical Traditions site, I visited their weekly deals and stumbled upon a contest for their lip moisturizers.  It's really easy to get entries for it, and it would be really nice to try out their lip moisturizers since I have not found ONE lip moisturizer that I wasn't allergic to.  Go ahead and check it out.  You can find the contest at the blog "Confessions of an Overworked Mom" right here on Blogger.  Go to her "Giveaways" tab and scroll down a bit and you should be able to see the rules for the contest.  Here is the link:  http://confessionsofanover-workedmom.blogspot.com/search/label/giveaway

Good luck!