Weird But True

 I did 16:8 Intermittent Fasting for 6 consecutive months and I only lost 2-3 lbs.

Then I received the best advice ever from Coach Omar of BetterMe . . . Take a DIET BREAK!

And so I did. No diet for almost 2 months, ending on my 65th birthday.

Result? I gained back the 3 lbs. I lost which was understandable, given all the unhealthy foods that I feasted on.

Then back to serious calorie counting without Intermittent Fasting. For almost a month, I diligently weighed every single food before it entered my stomach then input them in the Calorie Counter of BetterMe App. When I could already estimate the amount of calories of what I am about to digest, I ditched the food scale but continued to monitor my calories by gut feel.

Last Saturday, I indulged myself with the sumptuous finger foods after my godson’s Concert, including the mouth-watering panna cotta, brownies and blueberry cheesecake. I slept at night regretting why I allowed myself to eat 3 different kinds of dessert when I could only choose 1. Imagine my surprise when I weighed myself in the morning. I lost 2 lbs!

Last Sunday, I ran 19 km in the morning. In the afternoon, I ate 2 slices of square-cut pizza, thinking that it would not affect my weight because of the 19 km that I ran. Well, I was wrong. The following day, I gained 1 lb huhuhu...

Then yesterday, the Olongapo group formerly managed by my dear mother visited her bringing with them a humongous bilao of pansit palabok, grapes, buko pie and cassava cake. Did I gain weight? Nope. After all the eating I did yesterday, I miraculously reached my target weight!

It has been 5 months. During those days that I thought I would gain weight, I actually lost some pounds. And during those days that I thought I would maintain my weight, I sadly gained.

Weird but true.

I lost 7 lbs. without Intermittent Fasting but followed the 80-20 principle: 80% healthy choices and the 20% whatever I want—healthy or not. I delight in sweets, chocolate, chicharon, pasta, pizza, lechon. I used to eat without rice but I am now back eating rice though only 1/4 to 1/2 cup per day.

As for my favorite SanMig Zero, Omar wanted me to give it up but I promised him I would only drink 1 bottle per week. So last September during our Unlimited Lunch Buffet when I consumed 8 glasses of draft beer, I had to wait 8 weeks before I reunite with my favorite SanMig Zero.

It is common belief that losing the last 5 lbs. is the most difficult phase in anyone’s weightloss journey. It is certainly stressful and nerve-wrecking when you hit that formidable plateau. With so many options available, you need to be very patient to finally find the most suitable plan for you. It may take years but it’s definitely worth it.

Good luck!

Life Is Short

It has been 11 years since my dear Tatay (father) left us. The pain is now lessened but I still cry at times when I think of him.

Life is short. Love your parents to the fullest. Kiss and hug them while you still can. Forgive them of their shortcomings and accept them for what they are. Make them feel how grateful you are for being their child. When their memory fades, gently remind them of the things they have forgotten. If they still fail to remember, be patient and understand that it’s not their fault. They did not choose to lose their memory. Create new lovely memories with them. 

They carried you in their arms and cared for you when you were helpless and couldn’t do anything on your own. Took pride in your achievements and success. Consoled you in your failures and disappointments. They always believed in you even when you didn’t know yourself. Now that they don’t know themselves anymore, just letting them feel that they are truly loved would be enough for them to find meaning for their existence.

My dear Tatay remembered everything until he breathed his last. He was 88 then. On the contrary, my mother only remembers her Midwifery Board Exam score of 99% heheheh... She is now 89 and sadly dealing with signs of Dementia. She has agreed to consult a Neurologist and hopefully, things will be better. If not, we are ready to face this Challenge. So help us God.

(You may reach me at ndelr 62@gmail.com or via Messenger. Thanks for dropping by. Stay safe everyone!)

Unbelievably Strange

For the past 30 days, this blog has been unbelievably read in Israel more than in the US and in the Philippines and in all other countries in the world with the exception of Singapore. How did that happen?

Strange isn’t it? It is something my simple mind cannot fully comprehend. Unfathomable indeed!

God is probably sending me a message. Please join me in prayer to end the Israel-Hamas War. Let there be peace. AMEN.

Tip # 12: How to Add Steps Into Your Usual Activities

Whether you work from home or in the office, here are some practical tips how to increase your daily steps:

1. Stand and move around while talking with someone over the phone.

2. Instead of going in circles looking for a parking space near your building, choose the farthest to increase your steps.

3. When riding the elevator, get off a floor before your exit level and take the stairs. Gradually increase the number of floors you walk. Make sure you allotted enough time for this before your Boss notice that you’re always late for work. If you sweat a lot, bring extra clothes. And if you’re lucky to have a bathroom in your office, take a quick shower before settling for work.

4. If you can successfully hold yourself, use the farthest restroom from your office.

5. Aim to drink 3-4 liters of water a day so you will have more trips to the water dispenser station.

6. With your pet fur as walking buddy, enjoy his company early in the morning or after dinner. 

7. Take steps to the right, left, front, and back while attending a virtual meeting. That means you need a standing table. Mine is the cabinet I used when I was still selling health products in StarMall.

8. If you have a second floor in your home, climb up and down the stairs while praying the Rosary. You have strengthened your physical body while nourishing your soul. If you’re not Catholic, listen to beautiful music or be creative and think of something else. Or think of nothing at all. Empty your mind. Go up and down until you drop. 

9. When you get together with friends, catch up stories with them while window shopping or strolling in the park. At least your body is ready for the Unlimited Buffet you intend to feast on heheheh...

10. Instead of riding the tricycle, walk going home. If you have a number of things with you, equally distribute them into 2 bags so you don’t suffer from frozen shoulder or if you’re more comfortable with a backpack, carry one.

(Got more ideas? Email me at ndelr62@gmail.com or chat with me via Messenger. Stay safe everyone!)

THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM

Come February 25, 2024, I get the chance to prove the authenticity of the idiomatic expression “Third Time’s the Charm” when I finally reach the peak of People’s Park in the Sky before 1PM.

Yup! You guessed it right. For the third time, I’m gonna attempt to run from Luneta to Tagaytay in less than 14 hours. I failed to do that this year. My running buddy and I gave up at km 47 — only 13 kms away to the joy of ecstatic victory. We went home severely devastated.

“If you don’t change anything, nothing will change.” No short cuts this time. I am sticking to Marathon Handbook’s 26-week Training Schedule for a 60km Ultramarathon. I now have pairs of specialized socks for PLANTAR FASCIITIS. Nothing’s gonna stop me now. 

The program consists of 4 running days, 2 REST days (Mon. and Fri.) and Thursday for Strength Training.

Now here’s the challenge: Monday is reserved for YOGA, my bonding time with Gio. Thursday is for TaiChi, my bonding time with Eia. So on Thursdays, I do TaiChi and lift dumb bells. In effect, I only have 1 REST day for the week. But I’m happy that my Coach (Omar of BetterMe) suggested this modification in the training plan. He used to nag me that I should have 2 REST days in a week but I firmly declared that Monday YOGA with my unico hijo is non-negotiable. So is Thursday TaiChi with my only daughter. He finally accepted my extraordinary conditions but is probably praying that I will survive my training without bonking. So my modified schedule looks like this:

• Monday:  YOGA
• Tuesday:  Tempo Run
• Wednesday:  Speed Interval Workout
• Thursday:  TaiChi and Strength Training
• Friday:  REST
• Saturday:  LSD (Hills)
• Sunday: Recovery Run

Wish me luck!

(For comments/suggestions, pls email me at ndelr62@gmail,com or chat with me via Messenger. Stay safe everyone!)

Test Of Faith

It is so easy to praise and thank God when blessings keep pouring on us. We raise our hands in exaltation and dance in jubilation. But when we get caught and swept away by a tsunami, what do we do?

I used to declare that God will certainly not give you a cross you cannot carry. Now at 65, I look back and realize how naive I was.

Sometimes, we are faced with insurmountable problems that we cannot overcome no matter what we do. Even with professional help, the adversities keep coming in bunch. Of course friends and family are always there to comfort us and offer their utmost support but still, we remain stuck in the middle of a quicksand where we could drown anytime soon.

When we are crushed at the bottom of the pit brought about by endless battles we couldn’t win, God is telling us something. “Be still and know that I am God.”

When you have already done everything humanly possible and still failed, surrender everything to God. Trust Him completely and believe in your heart that He is the God of the Impossible. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. He is bigger than all the biggest problems in this world combined.

Yes, sometimes God do give us custom-made crosses that are way too heavy for us to carry. It is during those turbulent times that our faith is put to the ultimate test. Will you grow steadfast in faith and expect a miracle from God with great anticipation OR will you just allow yourself to wallow in self-pity and eventually die of desolation?

Tip # 11: What To Do When You “HIT THE WALL”

You were running like Speedy Gonzales for quite sometime. Then for whatever reason, your legs suddenly acquired a mind of their own. They refuse to move in the direction you want them to go. It felt that your legs were replaced by tons of heavy metal bars tied to a ship. No matter how hard you try, you are stuck in the same place and you cannot forcibly break through the invisible wall that is blocking your path. You tell yourself “I can do this.” But the more you focus yourself on your legs, the heavier they seem to become.

What do you do now aside from taking your favorite energy gel and sports drink?

Focus on something else. Try to pinch some parts of your body so your attention will be diverted to those parts instead of your legs. 

Focus on your surroundings. Inhale. Exhale. Recall the mantra of your yoga coach “calmness in everything.” Pay attention to minute details around you. Admire the flowers, the trees, the grass, the birds, the sky, etc. Forget about your stubborn legs.

Focus on the runners ahead of you. Pick someone whom you want to overtake. Like someone who is bulkier than you but is probably being pushed by his guardian angel to the formidable Finishline. Summon your own guardian angel to carry you. Promise yourself an awesome treat if you succeed in reaching him. When you do, you may go side by side with him or choose someone else to reach. 

Okay. Gotta run now!

Tip # 10: IF YOU CAN STAND, DO NOT SIT

Normally, the Cut-Off time for a marathon is 7 hours. For 50k, 10 hours. For 60k, 14 hours. For 80k, 18 hours. For 100k, it varies from 18 hours to 24 hours.

Whether you work at home or work outside, it would be wise to maximize your time on your feet. Hence, do not sit if you can stand.

My work table is actually a cabinet. I don’t have a chair inside my room. For a while I had one when standing became a challenge for me because of my extra weight and belly fat. Now that I am lighter and slimmer (thanks to my awesome Coach Omar of BetterMe), I am back to my former routine of working while standing. 

To lessen your pain and agony, you may do it gradually starting from just 1 hour of standing, It’s really up to you how much time you will add for every passing day. If your goal is to run the marathon, aim to stand 7 hours a day.

(Thanks for dropping by. You may email me at ndelr62@gmail.com or we can chat via Messenger. Stay safe everyone!

Be A Guardian Angel

Today is the Feast of Guardian Angels. In our family, we pray to our guardian angels everyday. 

Through the course of our lives, we meet people  along the way who are like guardian angels. They mentor us, guide us, protect us, support us. Let us pause for a moment and say a prayer for them. Whether they are still living or went ahead of us, let us be grateful for their thoughtfulness and generosity.

How about paying it forward? Be a guardian angel to someone who needs help. Make a difference in this person’s life. Help him become a better person. I am sure you can think of someone whom you can be a guardian angel to.

God bless you, guardian angels!

You Are Blessed Not Because Of Yourself But Because Of Others

 I don’t exactly remember who said this but I am sure a priest said this in one of his sermons. “You are blessed not because of yourself but because of others.”

This immediately came to mind when I received a forwarded message “Don’t just count your blessings. Be the blessing  other people count on.”

Ever wondered why God did not bless that person directly?  Why would He bless you instead and expect that you will share it with somebody who needs it more than you do? What if you rejected God’s call to be a blessing to others?

God trusts us so much. He assumes that our generosity will triumph over our own selfishness. Let us not disappoint Him. The next time you receive a hefty amount of money, do not hesitate to share it with me heheheh . . .

Tip # 9: From Marathoner To Ultramarathoner

You survived your first marathon. And the second. Followed by a third one. What happens next?

You may race to break your previous records or make an entirely different set of goals.

Like running an ultramarathon.

Crazy, yes—but definitely feasible.

If you have the passion to run longer than 42.195km, then close your eyes and take a deep breath. Inhale slowly. Exhale slower. Can you imagine yourself crossing the FinishLine of an UltraMarathon race?

Before jumping into serious Ultramarathon training, it would be beneficial if you have already done the following historically:

1. 5k = sub 30 to 32 mins.

2. 10k = sub 1 hr to 70 mins.

3.  16k = sub 2 hrs to 2 hrs

4.  21k = 2.5 to 2.75 hours

5.  32k = 4.5 to 4.8 hours

5. 42k = sub 7 hours

But of course this is just my personal opinion based from my own experience. If you think you’re ready to run the Ultra, then GO FOR IT!

Lastly, I would recommend the Marathon Handbook for training plans and practical tips. 

Good luck! 

Tip # 8: From Runner to Marathoner

Would you believe running the marathon was never in my bucket list? When I was just a newbie runner and often won in my age category, everybody was urging me to level-up to 10k race. I would just brush it off and tell everyone I will only be a 5k runner: no more, no less.

After 6 months of running 5k, no more sweat—literally! I began to question my previous oath and explored the possibility of runnng 10k. And that perceived possibility became a reality. For 1 whole year, I enjoyed the bliss of running 10k until the emergence of TBRDM (The BullRunner Dream Marathon). I signed up without even thinking!  All I wanted was to give my all-out support to my running friend/blogger Jaymie Pizarro who organized the race exclusively for first-time marathoners. It was a complete package of running clinics and trial runs together with the aspiring marathoners.

In preparation for TBRDM, I ran 3 half marathons before the scheduled race. After 2 years of running races, I was among the first participants who courageously attempted to go beyond their limits.

If your ultimate dream is to run the marathon, then prepare for it. There are many training plans online. Pick 1 from RunnersWorld or Marathon Handbook. Join 21k, 25k and 32k races prior to your marathon. Prepare well. If you love your precious life, do not dare run the marathon without a training plan and proper training.

Good luck! If I can do it, you can do it better!

(You may reach me via Messenger or at ndelr62@gmail.com. Stay safe everyone!)

Are You Striving To Be Good Because You Love God OR Because You Fear To Be Damned In Hell?

If heaven and hell don’t actually exist, will you still do the right thing or choose what is more beneficial at your end?

Will you still hold your tongue and not curse the driver who suddenly appeared out of nowhere and swept you out of your lane?

Will you not kill your husband who flaunts his womanizing conquests at your face?

Will you still flash an endearing smile to your Boss after he humiliated you in front of everyone?

Will you not lose your temper when your child screams at you and call you names not written in the dictionary?

Will you still pray and attend your religious gathering even when God doesn’t seem to listen?

Will you not strangle the person who refuses to settle his long-overdue debt?

Will you still give alms to the poor even when you yourself struggle to live day by day?

Will you still forgive your very close friend who is now living with your ex-husband?

Will you not seek revenge on your business partner who purposely cheated you?

Will you still show mercy and compassion to those people who offended you?

Love Hurts

The more we love, the greater the possibility that we will get hurt. Is it logical, then, to love a little less to avoid getting stabbed in the heart?

Some will say YES, some will say NO. How about you? What is your take on this?

I used to advise newlyweds NOT to pour all their love on their spouse and leave a significant space in their heart to love their own selves. This is to prepare themselves for the worst to come, if ever it will come. But now, I dare say “ Live and love to the fullest!”  If you get hurt by doing so, then bring it on! Don’t worry. Your heart will take it. You will get through the storm and eventually emerge a better person than before.

Misundertanding between friends is inevitable. It strikes even the best of buddies. Sometimes pride, envy, anger, greed and selfishness gets in the way. Nobody is perfect. Hence, there is no perfect relationship. Yet true friends will always find their way to reconnect— no matter what happens, no matter how long it will take.

But a mother’s love for her children is a totally different genre. Mothers will be hurt by their children’s arrogance, disrespect, indifference. Yet a good mother will always love her children. Unconditionally. She will suffer in silence and continue to love them more than anything else in this world. She will even swallow her pride and ask forgiveness from her erring children. She will move heaven and earth just to make her brood happy. Such is a mother’s love. Never afraid of being hurt. Never allowing her personal pain to dampen her love.

(Thanks for dropping by. Chat with me via Messenger or email at ndelr62@gmail.com. Stay safe everyone!)

On Being 65

No big deal really. You just move slower than before and think longer than before.

Like when you wake up in the morning. You used to jump out of bed as if your date is waiting for you in the receiving room and you can’t miss a second to see the love of your life. Now that you’re 65, you slowly get up and sit up first, linger for a while before finally lifting your body out of bed. Sometimes, you even have to drag your leg one at a time hahahah...

You used to dress up in a jiffy. Nowadays, you grab a chair to wear your pants. If not, you might lose your balance and fall flat on the floor. Wearing your socks while standing up was some form of stretching routine before. That was then. If you value your precious life, you need to sit down now inorder to properly wear  your socks and shoes.

Even if you only slept for 4-5 hours before, you still managed to go out before dawn for your morning run. Now, you and your bed are inseparable like glue. You’re so attached to your bed that you seem not to get enough of it, even though you already cuddled each other for 8-9 hours.

You used to walk hastily that even Speedy Gonzales could not keep pace with you. Now, you walk very slowly that even your pet turtle will arrive earlier than you at the Finish Line.

You still enjoy talking with your family and friends as before but expect stories to be interrupted because you fumble for the right words to say. Worse, there are times when your feeble mind just freeze and no matter how hard you try, no words escape your mouth. Yup. Brain fog is as real as it can get.

You used to eat non-stop from 11am to 3pm at your favorite Unlimited Buffet Lunch Restaurant and still craved for more! Now, you’re already full after tasting just a few servings of lechon, roast beef, sushi, maki, sashimi and tempura that you could no longer accommodate your previously loved desserts.

Horror films and suspense thrillers used to excite you. You even wished before if you could be an alluring vampire or a despicable witch. Now, you avoid watching them at night for fear that they might haunt your sleep.

Healing and recovery take much longer now. You felt invincible when you were at the peak of your prime. You played tennis twice a week, Tai-Chi once a week, ran and lift weights at the same day 3X a week. Whereas now, you need to accept the brutal fact that there should be a rest day in between your physical activities or suffer the painful consequences. Shoulder pain, back pain, knee pain, etc.

You used to throw a tantrum when friends fail to greet you on your birthday. Not anymore! You can totally relate and understand now. In general, you’re now more tolerant, less violent, more forgiving, less judgmental, more hopeful, less worrisome, more appreciative, less cynical, more prayerful, less pessimistic, more realistic, less daring, more responsible, less shameless, more loving, less antagonistic.

I still can’t believe that I am now 65. My eldest son is only 25. If there’s one lesson in life that I would like to share, it’s for you NOT to follow my footstep when settling down. Get married as soon as you can! Enjoy life to the fullest by doing things together with your children. Time spent with them is priceless.

(Thanks for dropping by. You may chat with me via Messenger or email at ndelr62@gmail.com. Stay safe everyone!)

FREE AT LAST!

Today is the last day of my 5-Day Isolation. Tomorrow, I’m gonna rush to the BIR Office to reprint my invoices. Otherwise, I will suffer penalties.

At last! Back to the real world. Chaotic as it may, I still missed it twists and turns, the non-stop drama unfolding right in front of my very eyes.

Embracing my son Gio and my daughter Eia are what I missed the most. But to ensure their safety, it would be wise to still postpone our GROUP HUG. 

Hearing my son playing the piano while I was meditating this morning brought tears to my eyes. I don’t know why. I was just thankful and grateful to God for everything. For keeping me alive, for keeping my family safe, for having faithful friends who were interceding for my immediate healing and recovery.

Finally! Freedom will be mine tomorrow. No longer will I be strictly confined within the 4 walls of my old small room. Nevertheless, I choose not to go swimming at Leisure Farms this May 27, not practice yoga this May 28 and not run this May 29. My OLD self would definitely not skip any of these but hey, this is the NEW me. I am NOT quitting. Just taking a break.

Thank you Lord! Thanks to all of you who prayed for me. God bless us all!

Stay safe everyone!

WHAT IS YOUR HEART’S DEEPEST DESIRE?

My favorite lay preacher, in one of his talks, answered one of the most sought-after questions—how do you know if what you’re doing is God’s will?

According to him, God’s will is the person’s deepest desire. This revelation completely jolted me out of my seat!

With all due respect for this remarkable person whom I greatly admire, I refused to believe his theory then. I still beg to disagree now.

God endowed us with the phenomenal gift of free will. We are always given the choice to do what is right or wrong. What if your deepest desire is that of a narcissist? Surely, that would never be God’s will.

Fr. Gerry, in one of his teachings intended for the parents of the Jr. Lectors, boldly stressed that parents should raise their children not giving them the choice of right or wrong. The bad should automatically be eliminated from the choices offered to the child. So the child will grow up choosing between what is GOOD and what is BETTER. So in essence, the child who becomes an adult will not dare, in his lifetime, choose evil. This is because he grew up totally disregarding what is wrong.

If children were raised according to Fr. Gerry’s ideal scenario, then I would agree that God’s will is your deepest desire because your desire could only be good, better or best. Since doing bad is totally out of the picture.

How about you? What is your heart’s deepest desire? Can you feel it in your bones that it is indeed God’s will? Good for you!

From Cloud 9 to Hell

Friends asked me yesterday if I was feeling better. I couldn’t say yes because yesterday was worse.

My fever was still on and off but eventually subsided late afternoon. At sundown, I began my agonizing trips to the toilet which lasted until 9PM.

The fiery lump in my throat refused to leave even with the joint forces of Difflam losenges and Bactidol throat spray. 

Just last week, I was in Cloud 9 after my sharing in the Handmaids International Conference. My Sisters were proclaiming that I was empowered by the Holy Spirit when I delivered my talk. 

Now, I am in hell. Well, sort-of.

My life has been like this: A series of happiness and sadness. I used to hold back on my happiness thinking that the more I become happier, the sadder I will be afterwards. 

Have you experienced this in your life? Restraining yourself to be fully happy because at the back of your head, you expect something tragic to follow in similar dosage?

Yes, this absurd theory could be true. But don’t let it prevent you from being truly happy. Keep on living your precious life to the fullest. Tragedies will come and go but by God’s grace, you will face them all head-on. Don’t ever underestimate yourself. You will rise from every fall. 

On Being Sick (My 2nd Day in Isolation)

Dr. Willie Ong, if I recall right—pointed out that sickness is a result of something lacking in your body or something in excess in your body. Could it really be this simple?

Other doctors quickly accuse stress as the perennial culprit to all diseases. Well, I somehow agree. On a case-to-case basis at least.

Mostly believe that “Laughter is the Best Medicine”. I totally disagree on this. On the ground that I lost very dear friends at a young age who thought they were invincible because they always laugh at their hearts content. 

For so many years that I didn’t get sick, I have come to embrace the “Superwoman” tag on me by people who thought I could tackle anything that life throws at me. Well, not anymore. I DO GET SICK!

When people ask my dear mother her secret to a long life without any maintenance, she would readily answer “enough food, enough sleep, enough exercise, enough rest, enough stress, and enough money to last you a lifetime.”

Sound so simple but impossible (for me) to follow!

EAT. DRINK. REST.

 My 65th birthday is just around the corner and for the first time in my life, I have come to realize that indeed, I am not getting any younger.

My whole body is in pain. My fever is on and off. There’s a huge fiery lump in my throat. I cannot tell if I feel cold or I feel hot. A civil war is actively brewing inside my stomach.

Our family doctor did not prescribe me anything except paracetamol for my fever. Instead, she advised me to eat a lot (except vegetables), drink lots of water, and coop myself inside my room for 5 days.

But, if I still have fever by tomorrow afternoon, then I should return to her clinic because according to her, that is BAD.

She asked me what I did for the past week. Well, I attended the Handmaids of the Lord International Conference in Pampanga from May 12-14 where there were a total of 2,450 people inside the Laus Event Center. I already noticed the harshness of my voice when I spoke on stage for 15 minutes. She told me that could be the start of the virus trying to enter my body. We were back in Las Piñas Sunday and the following day, I did a Speed Interval Workout with my yoga coach. Instead of resting my tired body, we ran intensively for 40 minutes. My doctor told me that was the opportunity the virus was waiting for.

By Tuesday, I could already feel the pain in my body but simply brushed it off.  I just rested until Thursday then hopped on the Ab Booster Plus and lifted weights. That’s when all hell broke loose. By 7pm yesterday, I was running a high fever after relieving myself in the toilet every 30 minutes. 

So here I am. Alone in my room. My son Gio wants to order anything that I want to eat but NO, I am not craving for anything.

Now that’s a first!

(Thank you for dropping by. Please chat with me via Messenger or email me at ndelr62@gmail.com. Stay safe everyone!)

Thank You Omar!

In my effort to ditch the last 5 lbs. of my stubborn weight, I joined BetterMe for 1 month. It was a glorious journey with Omar, my favorite among the Coaches there.

For those who are not familiar with BetterMe, the program consists of a customized meal plan and strategic workouts to reach your goal. They were drawn based from a series of questions that you honestly answered before you joined. It also offers different Challenges for a fee but the Intermittent Fasting Challenge is free. When you enter the IF Challenge, you will be guided on a day-to-day basis which I found really amazing. I love the Message Platform where you can ask questions and Coaches answer. One Coach particularly stood out among the rest. Omar.

Omar would patiently read my rantings and answer them in a meticulously detailed fashion. He would also ask specific questions and lavish me with advices not only with concerns on fitness but on life’s drama as well. He is a dedicated coach, a caring teacher, a supportive friend, and an inspiring therapist-in-one!

In a nutshell, here are the lessons I learned from him:

1. Do not compare yourself with others. The only person you should compare yourself with is yourself:   He told me this when I was frustrated that some people could lose 10 lbs in less than 3 months of IF while I only lost 2-3 lbs after 5 months of 16:8 IF.

2. Track your daily calorie intake using a food scale. You could be under-eating. Chronic under-eating can lead to metabolic adaptation. Your metabolism slows down and as a result, you struggle to lose any weight:   Interesting point! Omar told me to use the calorie tracker of BetterMe which I didn’t know existed. And when I did, I was surprised that it included our very own native Filipino dishes like sisig, pinakbet, tokwa’t baboy, etc. It even includes my favorite pulutan Chicharon Bulaklak!

3. Your mom has her unique metabolism, body stats, activity level, etc. It is also not realistc to compare yourself with her:   I couldn’t help it. I am so envious of my 88 yr-old mother who only weighs 110 lbs. without any effort while I struggle from dawn to dusk just to maintain my 120-lb. chunk of weight.

4. Weight loss is not a true indicator of progress. If you gain muscle mass at the same time you are losing body fat, your weight may not change and might even go up. Waist circumference is the most affected by changes in body fat:   Now this really made my day! I have miraculously lost 3 inches off my waist so I should be jumping in jubilation! 

5. You’re in your 60’s. Your body’s ability to recover is much lower and hence you can easily over-train and chronic over-training can lead to elevated cortisol levels that can interfere with your body’s ability to lose weight, especially if combined with a stressful life or lack of sleep:   Ouch! Hard to accept but true . . . What a revelation! Now I know.

6. With the intense training program that you have, better follow a non-intermittent fasting regimen to maximize your performance:   I love this advice!  One Coach from BetterMe suggested that I could level up my fasting from 16:8 to 20:4 without even knowing how I spend my day. Unlike Omar. He asked for my daily activities, both exercise and non-exercise. And he came to the logical conclusion that I should stop Intermittent Fasting based from my intensive training program. I promised Omar I will end it on Easter Sunday, signifying a new life for me.

7. Feel free to eat sweets and food that you love as long they are within the 20% of your food choices. The 80% should be healthy options. Of course, the 100% should be within your calorie target:   I am happy that Omar and I share the same Food Philosophy. 80% of our food intake should be healthy and 20% should be what we love, whether it’s healthy or unhealthy. The problem is, in reality the proportion is oftentimes reversed—we indulge in food that we crave for 80% of the time!

8. If you cannot control yourself when you crave for unhealthy food, keep them out of reach:   Easier said than done. We are actually 8 in our household so you can just imagine how much food we store but I will try my very best to follow this. Self-discipline is the key.

9. To prepare for an upcoming event, practice 6-7 days of calorie-saving before the event:   This will probably be the only advice I won’t be following. Instead of saving calorie for 6-7 days, I will just fast the day before and fast again the day after the event. This is easier for me than restricting my calorie intake for 6-7 days. I will only have to suffer for 2 days heheheh . . .

10. Take a break from dieting for 4-6 weeks:   Yehey! This is the BEST advice ever! According to Omar, 5-6 months of calorie restriction is too long already. So beginnng today, I am on a Diet Break. He told me to maintain 1,900 calories a day but I think that is too much. I will try 1,500 to 1,600 calories first.

Thank you so much Omar. You’re the best! Thank you for correcting my misconceptions and giving me hope to carry on. I really enjoyed our chats, talking about fitness, wellness, lifelong friendship, spiritual journey, personal and family goals, etc. 

Praying for your health and safety. Wishing you success in everything you desire to do. May you experience true joy and happiness in this lifetime.

God bless you and your family Omar!

(Thanks for dropping by. You may email me at ndelr62@gmail.com for comments or chat with me via Messenger. Stay safe everyone!)

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER 6 MONTHS OF INTERMITTENT FASTING & 3 MONTHS GENTLE YOGA?

 You all know that I started 16:8 Intermittent Fasting last October, 2022 but nobody knew that I delved into Gentle Yoga since January this year. Yup! I certainly did! With Gio, my unico hijo and the one and only Ate Ella (my 77-year old Wind Beneath my Wings)

Coach Emy calls it Gentle Yoga but we are probably using different dictionaries because in my book, it should be called HARSH! I swear I could almost feel my bones cracking with each challenging pose and silently wished that if God plans to end the world soon, that particular moment when I was struggling to cope would be the perfect time hahahah...

Today, Easter Sunday, is my Resurrection Day. Today is the start of my new life without Intermittent Fasting. However, I am not saying Goodbye to IF forever for I might do it again someday—if and when my favorite son calls my legs “logs” and starts counting my chin again. 

So are you excited to know what happened after 6 months of Intermittent Fasting and 3 months of “Gentle” Yoga?

Brace yourself folks! 

I actually lost 3 inches off my waist and 4 inches off my hips!

How I lost these inches without losing significant weight will be answered in my next post. For now I am quite satisfied, happy and ecstatic with these overwhelming results!

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

(Thanks for dropping by my blog. For comments, email me at ndelr62@gmail.com or chat with me via Messenger. Stay safe everyone!)

LESSONS LEARNED FROM MY FIRST DNF

 DNF is what we runners call a race that we Did Not Finish.

The Luneta to Tagaytay 60km Ultramarathon last Feb 25-26, 2023 was my first DNF since I started running 15 years ago. My running buddy and I decided to stop at Km 47.

Well, as the saying goes—there’s always a first time heheheh . . 

For those who already conquered an 80km Ultramarathon in the past (like yours truly), does it follow that they could easily finish the measly 60km?

Sadly, it is non-sequitur. So, what did I do wrong?  There are many actually:

1. While others swear that Undertraining is better than Overtraining, for me intensive training is still the best. I trained for almost 7 months for my first 60km Ultramarathon. This time, it only took me 4 months to prepare. I was then 59. Now I’m 64. I obviously undertrained.

2. I should have run more hills. Again, lack of proper training.

3. I should have done more tempo runs (pace faster than the actual race pace). 

4. I should have religiously done at least 1 Strengthening Training a week.

5. I should have done more back-to-back Long Runs.

6. I should have brought a tennis ball to roll my foot on, when plantar fasciitis strikes. I failed to foresee that I might be suddenly attacked by plantar fasciitis. Negligence on my part.

7. I should have done more heat trainings. Rain was pouring cats and dogs in my first 60km Ultra but last Feb. 26, the heat was intensely unbearable.

8. I should have done proper CarboLoading before the race.

9. I should have gotten enough sleep.

10. In my first 60km Ultra, I was already injured at Km 7 but I still finished the race. Why? What was the one motivating factor that propelled me to go beyond my limits?  It’s because I was then running for the benefit of the Down Syndrome Association of the Phils. Inc. (DSAPI). So many pledges came from generous people who would donate for every km that I ran. So quitting then was NOT an option for me. I had to finish the race to support the families of children with Down Syndrome for them to enjoy better lives. This time, I purposely did not seek pledges because I was reserving it for my supposedly 100km race at age 65 (I am now wondering if this dream could ever be a reality . . .).

(Thanks for dropping by. For comments, please email me at ndelr62@gmail.com or we can chat via Messenger. Stay safe everyone!)

This Is The Day We Get To Test Our Limits

Finally! The tine to test our strength and endurance is about to commence. While I was having a mental note of what else should I prepare for our much-awaited Luneta to Tagaytay 60km Ultramarathon, my favorite son was blabbering why I did not dye my hair hahahah . . .

I actually don’t mind being seen in public with my white hair but to preserve peace and unity in our household, I decided to give in to my son’s bickering. Praise God Ate Ella is still with us to lend a hand. No need to visit the beauty parlor. She colored my hair in a jiffy. 

Pansit Palabok and pork barbeque are my usual pre-race meal. They will arrive at 4pm. The whole family will attend the 6pm Anticipated Mass later because I am sure I would prefer to sleep tomorrow after coming from Tagaytay.

My cousin Wendel will drive our support vehicle and her wife Minerva will also be with him. So with Elvert, Ann’s darling husband. 

Dear God, give us please a favorable running weather. Send your angels and saints to protect all of us runners and our Support Teams. Mama Mary, please be with us every step of the way from Luneta to the Finish Line in Tagaytay. Cover us with the mantle of your maternal protection. Help us arrive there before 1pm tomorrow without any injury or accident or any mishap. These we ask in the name of Jesus and the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Thanks for dropping by. For comments, please email me at ndelr62@gmail.com or chat with me in Messenger. Stay safe everyone!)

Only 1 More Day And We’re Set to Go (Are We, Really?)

 One day left for our 60km Ultra and this morning’s post by the Organizer astounded me.

They gave us a list of Mandatory Gear that we should bring and among the 5 listed, I don’t have 3 namely: Reflective Vest, Blinker, and HeadLamp.

Thank God I don’t have high blood pressure or it could have rose to sky high. I immediately contacted my running buddy Ann and I was beyond relieved when she told me that her darling husband was already looking for them. Wow! Awesome! How could some women be blessed with loving and supportive hubbies?

After dinner Ann sent me the pictures of the gears they purchased from the Bike Shop of her husband’s co-teacher. Now I can sleep without any worries. Thank you Ann!

(Thanks for dropping by. For comments, please email me at ndelr62@gmail.com or chat with me via Messenger. Stay safe everyone!)

Last 2 Days

 Would you believe I survived the whole day yesterday without taking any solid meal, not kissing my First Love, and not indulging in any form of sweets?

The first thing I did when I went out of our bedroom was to grab our weighing scale and miracle of all miracles, I finally saw the much-anticipated drop in pounds! 

2 days before our Luneta to Tagaytay 60km Ultramarathon, I now weigh . . . 119 lbs.!

Nothing happened after 4 months of 16:8 Intermittent Fasting yet only 1 day of fasting and abstinence during Ash Wednesday, I lost 3 lbs. Hmmm . . . I should probably do this once a month.

What do you think?

(Thanks for dropping by my blog. For comments/suggestions, please email me at ndelr62@gmail.com or chat with me via Messenger. Stay safe everyone!)

Last 3 Days

 Only 3 days left before our Luneta to Tagaytay 60km Ultramarathon (which is actually 65.5km huhuhu....)

Today happened to be Ash Wednesday. For us Catholics, it is a day of fasting and abstinence from meat or your favorite food.

For someone who fasts everyday, how can this day be more meaningful?

Well, I plan to do the following:

1. No Coke until 12 midnight.

2. No solid meal until 12 midnight.

3. No sweets in any form.

Father Elmer suggested that we abstain from taking our favorite food/drink for the whole 40 days of Lent then we offer our savings derived from our abstinence on Easter Sunday.

For non-Catholics, think of it as killing 2 birds in 1 stone. You get to cleanse/detoxify your body and in the end, donate to a Charity you deeply love from the money you saved.

Last 4 Days

 Cross training this morning. Walked leisurely along the corridors of SM Supermarket for our bi-monthly grocery shopping. Eia was my capable assistant, making my life more comfortable.

After lunch, my massage therapist came to “torture” me. Angel is her name but she can actually bring you to hell, purgatory and heaven. With her magical hands, she can remove the lumps, bumps and nodules in your body but only after going through an excruciating  experience. While you scream at the top of your lungs battling the pain, she doesn’t stop until she could flawlessly slide her hands up and down your feet. 

Yesterday I suffered at the hands of the phlebotomist. Today I endured my massage therapist’s torment. I am curious what will happen tomorrow.

4 days before our Luneta to Tagaytay Ultramarathon, somebody posted in FB that he ran the whole route and the total distance was 65.5 km! Wow! My running buddy and I need to revise our strategy inorder to finish the race within the 14-hr CutOff time.  

Nope. I am not nervous. I am FREAKING nervous!!!

Last 5 Days

My last laboratory exams were conducted 5 years ago. So for my peace of mind that I am indeed totally fit  on Race Day this Feb. 25, I finally did what my dear friend Mimi Einanloo called “complete overhaul”. 

This morning I went early to a Diagnostic Center and I also brought my 2 precious jewels Gio and Eia for bloodwork, urinalysis, Xray, ECG.

As always, the phlebotomist couldn’t find the right vein where my blood could be drawn. I happen to belong to the very rare species of the human race whose veins are almost invisible. Though I was hoping that this time would be different, I wasn’t surprised anymore that she had to try the Venipuncture at least 3 times. It was a common occurence for me that blood stops flowing before it can even reach a quarter of the tube. Ah well. One can’t have it all.

After a series of needle coming in and going out of my arms and hand, we gloriously feasted at Tapa King (no way I would still patronize Intermittent Fasting after that traumatic ordeal!). Then we took home a box of SugarHouse’s mouth-watering Chocolate Bliss Cake and a jar of yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Hey, it’s that time of the year for CarboLoading heheheh . . .

Monday is hectic for Eia: Kumon in the morning, Drums lesson in the afternoon. Just dance at 5pm. I could probably squeeze a 5-10 km run tonight followed by gentle yoga.

Grabe, limang tulog na lang! (OMG, only 5 sleeps left for the Luneta to Tagaytay 60 km Ultramarathon!)

Last 6 Days

 I am overwhelmed with the number of people who signified their unwavering faith in me that I can make it to the Finish Line  of Luneta to Tagaytay 60km Ultramarathon on time. I couldn’t even trust myself, and yet they have full confidence in my strength and perseverance.

With only 6 days to go, I learned today that my running buddy encountered a motorcycle accident and she hurt her knee. I advised her not to run anymore this week and just rest for the remaining days before the race. Please pray with me that she will be completely healed ASAP. Running alone along Emilio Aguinalo High Way frightens me. That would be a chilling nightmare!

Last 7 Days

 Next Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at exactly this hour—11 PM, around 200 (psychotic?) runners will leave KM 0 in Luneta and attempt to reach the peak of People’s Park in the Sky, Tagaytay before 1PM the following day, Feb. 26.

My running buddy and I will be among those runners. Like them, we will move heaven and earth to reach the Finish Line within the 14-hour CutOff.

We trained for this since late October last year. I cannot believe there are only 7 days left before we finally test our bodies if they are strong enough to endure 60 kms of running/walking.

I was almot 59 when I did this the first time. I am almost 65 now. Honestly, I am already experiencing aches and pains here and there but the show must go on. Will I be able to make it on time?

What do you think?

Well, there’s only one way to find out heheheh . . .

I Did Intermittent Fasting Everyday for 4 Consecutive Months and This is What Happened

The initial plan was to divorce Intermittent Fasting but I had a change of heart. 

From October 18, 2022 up to this writing, I held on to 16:8 Intermittent Fasting: Last meal at 8PM, next meal at 12 noon the following day. So can you guess how much weight I lost?

This is what happened. (Drums roll please . . . )

Nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada. 

Tragic isn’t it?

But why for the love of God am I still doing it?

Yup, the stubborn weighing scale did not budge. BUT my household budget was pleasantly slashed. I actually saved a whooping ₱4,000 a month for not taking my breakfast! Enough money to invest in Jollibee and/or BDO stocks or follow my son’s advice to increase Eia’s drums lessons from once to twice a week.

So now you know why I am loyal to Intermittent Fasting.

(Thank you for still dropping by my blog, given the irregularity of my posts. You may get in touch with me via Messenger or at ndelr62@gmail.com. Stay safe everyone!)