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!)