20 lbs gone with the Cohen Diet

5 weeks have passed since I started my Cohen diet program.  And as to date, I lost a total of 20 pounds already!  I almost can't believe it, but the scales are telling the truth.

My goal is to be at 105 lbs so that means 15 more pounds and I'm at my goal weight.  I have no doubt that I can achieve that because I've got all the support from my family and friends.

My friends at work are noticing the big change and I am very flattered for the compliments.
Other friends in Facebook are asking for pictures of the new me, but I said I'll do that once I reached my goal weight.  That way, they can really see a huge transformation! Bongga!

I'm so grateful I found the Cohen diet.  :-)

First week of Cohen Diet Program... Done!

Yes! I survived the first week of the Cohen diet program.
To those who don't know what Cohen diet is, go check it out here or the local website here.

Anyway, for me it has been almost a torture.
Why?  I'm used to eating any thing I want at any time I wanted.
But now, I have to stay strictly on the specific food and specific weight that is prescribed to me by the program.  I even had my officemates eat in McDonalds with them, they were eating chicken nuggets, spaghetti, cheeseburger, while I eat a piece of apple and a diet coke!  Aww...

But I guess, it wasn't so bad.  Especially when I saw the result in this first week.
From 141 lbs, I am now down to 134 lbs in just after a week! I can't believe it!  And I was only expecting about 4 to 5 lbs lost this week, and it was higher than what I expected.

Actually, we're not supposed to measure pounds lost on a week by week basis because some weeks might seem slower than others. 

The more effective way to check if I'm actually losing fat is to measure myself weekly.
So far, after a week only, I lost 3/4 inch in my arms, 1and 3/4 inches in my chest, 2 inches in my waist, and 1 inch from each hip.  This is great!

The actual rapid result motivates me to go on...
I can do this! I have to! :-)

1st day of Cohen Diet

Today I decided to be the start of my Cohen Diet.
I plan to loose at least 35 lbs of fat out of me and reveal the slim body I used to have.
I'm tired of being overweight.. the clothes that don't fit, the teasing, and the low self-esteem it caused.

Like many others, I tried everything:  fad diets, pills, weight loss "machines", weight loss "treatments"... some worked but just temporarily.  I'm not a big eater but I still get fat regardless of how much I eat (or not eat) which makes me even more frustrated.  So, when I came across Cohen program, I searched for reviews and it seems to be the right one for me.  That's why even if it costs a lot (aww.. I can't still get over it!), I still decided to jump into it and give it a shot.

It took me almost 4 hours to weigh and cook all of my meals for the week. But I think it's worth the effort so I won't have to do that when it's already meal time.

The following is what I had today:
Breakfast:  Plain Yogurt with Fresh Mango
Snack:  Crackers + coffee
Lunch:  Beef and Cabbage
Snack:   Apple with Cinnamon
Dinner:  Balsamic Chicken with Zucchini and Mushroom + Diet Coke

So how do I feel today?  Well, not so much different than any other day.  I'm a bit hungry but the consultant said that it should be normal on the first couple of days.  I think I can do this!  :-)

Hope this works... otherwise I will really be pissed! :-P
'Till next post.  Ciao!

Lonely in Bangkok

So here I am in Bangkok.  It's my 3rd day here for a business trip.
And as usual, I am alone again in a foreign country.  I always hated travelling alone, but oh well... duty calls. :-)

I have not seen all of Bangkok, but so far, I can really tell that it is a lot like Manila.  But with signage and directions that I cannot read... hahaha!  I also had a hard time talking to the taxi drivers because even if I show then the address in paper, they still have a hard time reading it in English letters.  Oh well, at least the taxi drivers here are very friendly. :-)

Anyway, since I'm here for a business trip (and by myself again), I don't really plan on exploring the city and buying stuff.  First of all, I don't want to be lost (hahaha) and secondly, I really don't have enough time to do shopping because I have an early morning flight back.

So I'm just enjoying my alone time in the Sofitel Centara Grand Hotel here in Bangkok.  The food was great, the room was great, the hotel service is great.  Although I miss my fiance back home, I think I'm ok to be alone once in while.

I'm definitely going back to this city, but next time it's for leisure and of course with my better half with me.  :-)

Want to be your love for real...

I happened to watch "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants" in HBO today.  I liked the story especially the one that was shot in Santorini, Greece.  The place was soooooo awesome!   I want to go there one of these days...

Anyway, near the end of the story where the character Lena kissed Kostas in Santorini and confessing that she love him too, the song "Be Be Your Love" by Rachael Yamagata was playing in the background which made the scene so much beautiful. It made me reflect on my own love life... awww...

Here's the lyrics of the song and a music video I got from YouTube.

"Be Be Your Love"
by Rachael Yamagata


If I could take you away
Pretend I was queen
What would you say
Would you think I'm unreal
'Cause everybody's got their way I should feel

Everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love, for real
Everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love for real
Want to be your everything

Everything...

Everything's falling, and I am included in that
Oh, how I try to be just okay
Yeah, but all I ever really wanted
Was a little piece of you

And everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love, for real
Everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love for real

Everything will be alright
If you just stay the night
Please, sir, don't you walk away, don't you walk away, don't you walk away
Please, sir, don't you walk away, don't you walk away, don't you walk away

And everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love, for real
Everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love for real

And everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love, for real
Everybody's talking how I, can't, can't be your love
But I want, want, want to be your love
Want to be your love for real

I want to be your love, love, love 

Remind me.. why am I doing this again?

Ughh.. JOB.
Here I am again, ranting about this JOB.
Why am I doing this again?
Oh I remember... got bills to pay. Yuck!

I wake up to start my day, dragging myself to work.
Driving to work, dealing with the daily traffic.
Arriving in the office without the tiniest excitement in my eyes.
Getting stressed with people at work that are really trying my patience.
Dealing with the daily chaos.
Going home very tired.
Sleeping with all problems at work haunting me as I sleep.
Then, waking up to start this vicious cycle all over again.
From Monday to Friday, 4 weeks a month, 12 months a year, for about 7 years now.

Am I good with what I do at work?
Sure, I am.  I'm the best.
But do I enjoy doing it?
Absolutely not.

I envy people who enjoys their work as if it's a hobby or a passion instead of just a JOB.
Why can't I do that?
Hmm... let's see..

To start with, do I have a hobby? Answer:  None really, I think.
Am I passionate about anything? Answer: Hmm.. Not sure.
There you have it.  I'm stuck in nowhere.
Not happy where I am, but don't know where else to go.

Oh, man... I really need to know myself better.
Maybe meditation will help... ?
Awww... :-(

Same weight..but I look fatter

I weigh myself everyday and I still weigh the same.. ranging from 132lbs to 136lbs.
But my friends are noticing that I'm getting fat again.

Well, I know I was slacking these past few months when it comes to my dieting.
So I'm not too surprised if I'm getting huge.

The thing is, I was endulging myself with all my favorite food.
Why?  Because I plan to take on the Dr. Cohen diet program.
So for me not to be feeling deprived of all my favorite food, I eat them now before I start.

I researched this diet and I went in their free information session.
Although I'm not obese like all their usual clients, they said it will still work for me because I need to lose 35lbs total before I get to my ideal body weight.  The program can make me lose in 3 to 4 months  all these pounds I've piled up over the years as long as I follow the program to the letter.

I plan to start this month so I'm combining my food intake with those that are healthier and my favorites that are not too healthy.  This way I could be able to adjust when I formally start the program.

I'll post what happens to my weight loss journey in the following months. :-)

Sucker Punch Movie

I watched Sucker Punch today and I can absolutely say that it's TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

For a girl like me, I can relate to Baby Doll when she uses fantasy to escape reality. And her fantasy is so freakin' cool!!!!

The action scenes, special effects, acting, and the music are all great!!!

And I think that all the girls in Sucker Punch are hot.
Pretty girls in nice outfit with guns, swords, and knives... wow!

My favorites are Sweet Pea, Blondie and Baby Doll... they're really awesome.
Here's the trailer of the movie:

  

Finally... I got my driver's license!

Oh yeah!
Finally... I had the time to get my driver's license.
It actually took me two days para matapos yung whole application ko.
Well, it's partly my fault kasi 11AM na ko nakakarating sa LTO office.
Eh kasi naman ang layo.  I live in Antipolo and the LTO licensing office is in San Juan. Imagine the traffic.

Anyway, it takes less than two hours to finish the Drug test and medical exam inside LTO.  After that, it took me 6 hours to finish the rest of the application.  From taking my photo and signature up to the written exam and up to releasing.  Ang matagal is yung pagwait na matawag. Geesh!

For those taking the written exam ng LTO for the Non-Professional Driver's License, here's the reviewer na ginamit ko:  http://issuu.com/danmacatuno/docs/lto_reviewer
Andyan na lahat ng questions for the exam.  It's really helpful.

I got my driver's license last Friday.  Then, on Saturday, I drove from Antipolo to Laguna to Cavite and back to Laguna then back again to Antipolo.  That was my first long drive and it was fun. :-)

Having my own license actually makes me save more money kasi I only need 250 pesos a day of both gas and parking.  Before it takes me 500 pesos in daily fare kasi I had to take a taxi to and from the office.  I'm on night shift so it's not really an option na magcommute. Kaya the fastest and safest way for me is ride a cab.  Pero now that I have my license, I can drive to the office na. Yay!

Valentine's Day na!!!

Actually, this is one of the occasions that I just learned to just let pass by. You know why?  In my 6 years relationship with my current boyfriend / fiance, I only got like 1 valentine's day that I got flowers from him.  Every time valentine's day comes, I kinda expect to receive something, but the day ends and wala pala akong hinihintay.

Well this year is different.  Come 12 midnight, Feb 14, I was just cleaning my stuff, getting ready to sleep and not really expecting anything special.  Then, my fiance came into the room with a bouquet of 3 beautiful pink tulips.  OMG!

I was surprised obviously and very happy at the same time.  I rewarded him with lots of kisses and hugs today.  Haaaayyy... talaga nga naman.  Kung kelan naman di ko ineexpect ay saka nagbigay ng flowers.  Nahiya pa nga ako kasi I never bought any gift for him.  O well.. bawi na lang ako sa kanya some other time.

Lesson learned:  Expect too much and you might just end up disappointed.  Expect too little and you will be able to appreciate good surprises.  :-)

Rooster on the Year of the Rabbit

Happy New Year!  It's 2011 na and according to the chinese zodiac, this is the Year of the Rabbit.  I looked into my horoscope and it seems that this year is not going to be very exciting for me.

I checked out a lot of chinese horoscope websites and all points out the same thing.. it's not going to be a favorable year for me.  I had to work harder and I have to be more patient and understanding.  I know at this point that it's going to be huge challenge given that I have a short temper...  O well, I gotta try. :-)

The Rooster

The Rooster is always popular, extravagant and creative. They can be brutally honest and generally like being showered with attention. They are wonderfully loyal friends and also give advice freely – whether they are asked for it or not! Family means the world to the Rooster and they are one of the most loyal signs in the Chinese zodiac.

Forecast for 2011 The Year of the Rabbit will be a much quieter year than 2010 for the Rooster. However, the Rooster will have to curb his natural exuberance and enthusiasm just a bit in 2011 and practice some patience and common sense. On the work front, it will be vital for the Rooster to work closely with his colleagues and practice his networking skills. This will stand to him during the months of March, April, November and December when unexpected developments happen . All the work he does now on the career front will pay dividends in 2012, the Chinese Year of the Dragon. The Rooster should also consider any opportunities he may have to study or for training. This would go extremely well for him and again benefit him greatly later on in the year. On the social and romantic side of life, this will be a much more settled and quiet year, which will be to many a Rooster’s liking. March, July and August look to be the most active on the social scene. A word of warning though – the Rooster must take care to temper his words with friends and not be too harsh. A quarrel or end of a close relationship could result. Financially, the Rooster may have a few home-related expenses this year with repairs, decorating and renovations. It would be wise to manage any project sensibly and shop around for the best deal; Chinese Rabbit years can be expensive for all signs. On the whole, 2011 looks like being a pleasurable and encouraging year for all Roosters.

Interesting Rooster Facts:
Zodiac Stone: Citrine
Special Flower: Aster
Best Hours: 5-7 pm
Season: Autumn
Horoscope Colors: Orange, Green

I got this from this website (http://www.moonslipper.com/chinese.html) just in case you want to check out your own signs, too.