Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Day 27 & 28 - Staying Healthy in Bangkok

I kept my promise to myself: I still woke up early for my 30 Day Beach Body Challenge, even when we were on family trip at Bangkok.

Day 27 = 100 Russian Twists + 4x60s planks
Day 28 = 25 push ups + 200 seal jacks

First day in Bangkok, I woke up at 6:30am. Had some skaters as warmup before i started the program. The parquet floor was cold but I have no choice but to place my butt on it for 100 Russian twists. Without the dumbbells, the twists are slightly easier. The killing part was the planks. Maybe because Bangkok is furthers away from the equator, I felt harder to support my own weight :p

Second day in Bangkok, I delayed my wake up time to 7am. Day 28 workout consists of one of the workout that I hate most, and one of the workout I love most:
En taught me how to do the pushups correctly. Right posture or not, push ups are still extremely difficult for me. Luckily Wei also couldn't do it so this actually made me feel not as bad. Haha!
I love seal jacks because it's exactly those workouts that your primary school PE teachers want you to do. This makes me feel youthful :)


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Thursday, 26 December 2013

Day 26 - Boxing Day

How can I not start my Boxing Day with Punches as warmup? :)
 
After the punches, I started with 100 bicycle crunches. Now I'm getting better at this, at least I can do 80 bicycle crunches in a row without break. Not to discourage myself, I completed the first 100 by doing only bicycle (without crunches) for the balance 20.

Then, I switched to 50 butt kicks. Seems easy but I can only manage to do 50 before the break. So I decided to do 25 crunch kicks on each leg to make it 100 butt kicks.

Before I headed to work, I did another 100 bicycle crunches.

However, Day 26 actually consists of 200 bicycle crunches and 200 butt kickers. It means I still owe myself 100 butt kickers this morning.

How to catch up? Well, I completed the balance 100 with 50 side crunch kicks on each leg after work, before we head to airport :)


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Wednesday, 25 December 2013

Day 25 - You Better Workout, You Better Not Cry

"You better workout, you better not cry, you better not shout I'm telling you why, supermen and plank jacks are fun."

I started my Christmas holiday with 100 supermen and 200 plank jacks.

I broke the 100 supermen into two sessions with yoga cat pose in between to balance up the strain.

For 200 plank jacks, I broke into two sessions two. In between I squeeze in some mountain climbers so that my bare feet could relief from the impact of jumping jacks.

This is a great way to start off my holiday as this set of workout is great for my self esteem. Something I need during the break, after the hectic year end schedule.


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Tuesday, 24 December 2013

Day 24 - Keep Moving

I started my day with 25 wood chops on each hand as warm ups. I used dumbbell for this workout as I want to make sure my arms got enough resistance when doing this.

After the warmups, I started the 200 mountain climbers. Mountain climbers are slightly harder than i wish, but as fun as I want. You can vary the pace as you wish, as if facing slopes with different difficulties. You have to keep moving because you need the momentum to push you through. I observed tights muscles, core muscles, and arms muscles working real hard.

Wei asked if I'll continue this program when we are at Bangkok later. Of course I will! I have completed more than 80% by then, why should I stop? I must keep moving! That is something I promised myself. This month is a preview and 2014 will be the real start :)


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Monday, 23 December 2013

Day 23 - Piece of Cake :)

Today is one of the easiest day, 50 reverse lunges and 100 skaters. Both are my type of workout, not too hard, good enough to tone muscle, and can have lots of fun if you have good imagination :)
After a hectic weekend, I was not able to jump start to my workout. Instead, I snoozed and snoozed until I have to sacrifice my stretching and breathing exercise. Went straight to warm up using skaters then reverse lunges. 
I still have time to do a quick browsing through Facebook before went off to work. So, I think I really burnt a piece of cake worth of calorie with piece of cake workout.


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Sunday, 22 December 2013

成功

昨天，一行人出席了年长一届学兄学姐们的二十周年回校晚宴。
除了话当年叙旧，大家也免不了谈起某某近况如何、谁干了什么大事业。

我觉得每个人对成功的定义固然有不同的诠释，但当晚有一个典范是我的答案。

当司仪宣布杨旺成校长到达现场时，未等司仪宣告仪式，大家早已自动自发地、由衷地起立热烈鼓掌欢迎校长，直到他走到席位上坐下来为止。过后有人问：＂咿，我们怎么都站了起来？＂我笑。是的，我们都未经思考衡量，激动地以行动向校长致万二分的谢意。

在社会打滚了二十年，大家都明了要把一所学校管理好是一件多么艰难的事，更何况这是一所大型国民型中学。我们都明白校长对华教的贡献，我们都理解严格背后的爱。敬重，是必然的。

 校长桃李满天下，对社会的贡献功若丘山，受到几代人的尊重。这，就是成功的典范！

当年严肃的校长现在可以和我们一起玩自拍了

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Day 22 - Happy Winter Solstice

Mum woke me up early in the morning for last minute tangyuan disaster rescue op. Hence I didn't start my workout as soon as I wake up as per original plan. I started my day by preparing the tangyuan instead. I always love preparing tangyuan as that's the only time that adult playing Play-Doh and not being weird.

After getting the tangyuan ready, I nt back to my room, and started the 35 burpee pushups and 200 standing sided abs crunches. As you can predict, I hate anything with the word pushups. It added a hint of 'almost impossible'. With will power, I did 17 of burpee pushups, followed by 200 standing sided abs crunches, and completed the balance 18 burpee pushups.

It's tiring, but it's Winter Solstice! Cool breeze, family gathering, and managed to complete 35 burpee pushups. Satisfying :)


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Saturday, 21 December 2013

Day 21 - Catch Up

Because I didn't complete my Day 20, I redesign Day 21 to catch up what i missed yesterday.

Original design of Day 21 = 200 punches + 200 bicycle

My Day 21= 15 burpees + 2x30s planks + 100 bicycles (alternate between 20 bicycles and 20 bicycle crunches) + 200 punches + 100 bicycles (alternate between 20 bicycles + bicycle crunches) + 1x60s plank + 15 burpees.

 It's fun to do the workout with so many variety. But I have to pay the price. Now I'm resting in my garden. My core muscles are crying in pain.

 Lesson of the day: Never procrastinate! or you will have to pay the price.


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Day 20 - Fail to Follow

Because of last minute present shopping and Christmas cakes collection, I went to bed around 1am.
So on Day 20 morning, I snoozed and snoozed and snoozed, and when I finally made up my mind to wake up, it is already 6:45am. Since I still have to rush to office to deliver the cakes and presents, I know I have no choice but to split today session into two.

Day 20 =  75 burpees and 4x60s planks. Not extremely difficult, but definitely not something that I can easily completed in minutes. I chose to do a 60s plank, 30 burpees and another 60s plank before I took a quick shower and drove to work.

My original plan was to catch up the balance after dinner. But somehow I ended up watching Star Trek Bluray marathon so I decided to catch up the balance 2x 60s plank and 35 burpees on Day 21.

I hope this is the first and the last time I fail to follow the program as per design.


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Friday, 20 December 2013

Day 19 - As Easy As Warm Up

Not trying to be cocky here, but Day 19 is really easy.

200 high knees are good enough to exercise butt and core muscles but mild enough to keep you going. I am very proud of myself when I completed my 200th high knees and I believe this is very good for self-esteem.

Same for superman. I kind of like this workout because of the name. It is fun, and you can vary your pace as you like. Completing 100 supermen are not as hard as it sound, but I always have problem with the breathing. Instead of inhale while you lower your arms and legs back down, I always did it the other way round. I hope I can correct my breathing habit in the future.

Meanwhile, I just feel good about myself :)


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Wednesday, 18 December 2013

一碗盛满亲情与梦想的福建面

我向来尊敬有梦想的人，更钦佩把梦想化为事实的人。所以，虽然年尾忙得不可开交，我还是在节目排得满满的星期天，牺牲两个小时的睡眠时间，一大早到老桥福建面给予精神上的支持去了。


老桥福建面的老板是一位满脸笑容的年轻小伙子。和大多数工程系毕业生一样，一颗壮志雄心在生产线内被规律化地磨练着。有些人因此忘记了梦想，有些人因此放弃了梦想，有些人还没有开始找寻就已经把梦想给弄丢了。而他，他选择一小步、一小步地脱离规律。这家小小福建面专卖店正是他朝向梦想的决心的最佳诠释！

这家小店屋就在北海老街上，和巴刹、印度庙遥遥相望。当年这儿是老板外公的酒行，外公过世后就再没营业。店面放了几张沙发就成了一家人闲聊、小孩们嬉闹的地方。在被注入新生命之前，这店屋和其他老店一样，不起眼地默默伫立一旁，逐渐被人们遗忘……

有一天，小伙子突然兴起要做老板的念头。他向父母、外婆、阿姨们、舅舅们提出把这家小店改头换面成一家小小食肆，好让大众也可以一尝外婆家祖传福建面。可是，大家都觉得他妙想天开，一口拒绝。

或许，在他尝试说服大家的那两个月里，是他这一生人到目前为止听过最多“不可能”、“行不通”的日子。他不气馁、不妥协、不放弃。自己一个人把店面给腾了出来，整理干净。大家被他的决心感动，几个月后终于都首肯了。妈妈成了大厨，阿姨帮忙打点，外婆玩票性质地弄些卤肉小吃，表弟们作店小二。 

一切定下来后，进度神速。

大家开始被他的憧憬和冲劲感染，一大家庭，齐心协力把梦想转为事实。姐姐成了室内设计师，在店内的每一个角落都可以看见她细心布置的成果。小伙子自己转化为木匠，店内的桌子都是他自己以栈板作成。

在短短的两个月内，他们一家人利用工作后的空余时间，一点一滴地把梦想筑起……

我到这家店的星期天，是它开张后的第二天。我在早上八点半左右到达，里头已经有客人了。看来口碑不错。

店小二应该还是小学生吧？看起来对自己可以在表哥的店工作非常自豪。他们很热忱地来问我要吃些什么、喝些什么饮料。我点了一碗福建面，要了一杯罗汉果，就开始在店内探究。

桌上装饰

好有心思的墙饰

抬头遇见童趣怏然

点亮墙角

不久后热腾腾的福建面送上。卖相不错，我食指大动。汤底很甜，想必用料十足。我邻座的差点儿把碗都舔干净了呢！我虽然少吃卤蛋，但这样的配搭还真是不错。我个人非常喜欢那一片片切得薄薄的鱼饼，很香，口感很好，我没有机会访问大厨，不知道是自制的还是买的。
罗汉果也非常正宗，完全是家里自制的饮料的纯正味道，最重要是不会太甜，正合我口味。


由于我是当天首几名顾客（也是此店的首百位顾客吧？），待遇不错，老板给我拍了一张即拍成像的相片，还特地抽空坐下来和我闲谈呢。他说其实他们的“福建干”才是镇店之宝，我怪他早不说。看来下次一定要再来尝尝。

福建干

老板的外婆也兴起，给我弄了一碟古早味的卤肉，真是幸福！


目前他们的餐牌非常简单，只有福建干和福建汤，你可以选择加肉骨。小吃暂时只有卤肉和卤蛋。

我个人倒是喜欢餐牌简单的食肆。这种食肆的大厨通常可以专心弄出一碗碗高水准的美食，而食客也不必被太多的选择弄得眼花缭乱做不了主意。

由于我这早餐吃得有点儿匆忙， 并没有好好的把店内的装饰都拍上。下一次吧，下一次我将会带上我的单眼，带爸爸妈妈来这儿吃早餐。












店外小趣味
缤纷小蜻蜓

营业时间：星期六和星期日，早上八点至下午三点。
地址：29, Old Jetty Road, 12200 Butterworth, Malaysia
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Day 18 - Scarier Than Push Ups

You: "Name one workout that is scarier than push ups"
Me: " TRICEPS DIPS!!!"

Day 18 consists of 100 Triceps dips and 50 squat jumps. I was supposed to do this at 6am, like I always do. However, today I overslept. Somehow I snoozed the alarm and the moment when I gained conscious again, it was already 7am and I have 10 minutes left to get ready to go to work.

So, today I came home earlier. The first thing I did was to go straight to my room, and started my workout. I knew it's almost impossible for me to do the 100 triceps dips, so I decided to break it into 2 sessions. I planned to do 50 triceps dips, 50 squat jumps, and 50 triceps dips again. Well, plan is just a plan.

Reality: 25 triceps dips - break - 10 triceps dips - break - 15 triceps dips - 50 squat jumps - 25 triceps dips - break - 15 triceps dips - break - 10 triceps dips

Now, while I'm typing this blog post, I can feel my muscles screaming for help. THIS is definitely scarier than push ups!


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Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Day 17 - Getting Better, Even in Push Ups

When I say I'm getting better, I am not really good at this yet, but at least I'm better than I were before. Very low benchmark, I know, but don't day say "the only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday"?

When I saw "35 push ups", I almost wanted to give up. Sound impossible. I don't know how my arms can survive the session. Worse still, "35 push ups" are combined with "100 mountain climbers". Arms workout overloaded! I couldn't decide which one to start first.

At the end, I decided that instead of focusing on what I cannot do, I should focus on the possible. So I started my workout with "100 mountain climbers". To my surprise, I have totally no problem with this. 100 without break, with alternate speed of fast and slow in between.

After the 100 mountain climbers, here come the real challenge: 35 push ups. I can't really do the push ups with the correct posture. I can't keep my elbows tight into the torso. They keep on flaring out during ascending and descending. However, I don't care. I only want to make sure I can survive the 35 push ups, with or without correct posture.

Without focusing on the posture, I have my mind fixed on drawing all energy to my arms. I went up and down, up and down, and without realising I already did 15 push ups! By 18th, I really couldn't do it anymore so I switched to the easier variation with my knees on the floor and completed the rest. I know, I still haven't completed the whole workout as it was designed, but, still, I'm proud of my progress :)


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Monday, 16 December 2013

Day 16 - Good Momentum

I started to suspect that the workouts seem easier these days because of the momentum. I'm on day 16 now. My muscles are trained to understand that they cannot stay in the relax mode all the time like what they did for the past few years. So one by one, they started to cooperate, and some of the workouts become easier and easier.

My "big aunty" is visiting. I skipped my normal stretching routine, did some simple warm up, then started Day 16, which designed as 50 donkey kicks and 50 curtesy lunges.

Donkey kicks are pretty easy for me. I have no problem completing 25 on each leg. After the 50 donkey kicks, I even added another 10 in each leg with dumbbells.

Curtesy lunges are fun. I prefer this than the normal lunges. The workout steps are smoother compare to the lunges that I always having problem to link each steps together. Again, I successfully completed the 50 without breaks in between :)


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Sunday, 15 December 2013

Day 15 - Proud of Myself

Day 15 consists of 4x 60s planks and 100 Russian twists. To my surprise, I made it!! I managed to complete the 4x 60s planks and 100 Russian twists as per the program designed. No unnecessary breaks in between. I'm so proud of myself :)
The plank is still as as hard as it normally is, but this round I have enough strength to hold myself for full 60s each time. Really can't hide my excitement :)


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Saturday, 14 December 2013

Day 14 - How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck

Day 14 = 50 Wood Chops + 50 Squat Jumps

I decided to start my day with squat jumps because today I have relatively shorter time for my workouts. So after my warm ups, I prefer to have something that can pump the heart then follow by something easier to cool down.

Squat jumps are high intensity workout. As always, I can't finished the said numbers in one go. I broke these 50 into 3 sets of 20-20-20. Still, my quad muscles sore! I doubted if I can still walk after the session but apparently it was not that bad after all.

Wood chops are easier than it seems on the video clip. I like the fact that I can feel my abdominal muscle and my arm muscle working hard while I myself not really suffering (rare case!) And this is also one of the few workouts that I can do the required number without break and rest.

The only problem (for me only la~) with this workout is the name - wood chops. I can't stop smiling when "chopping".

This work out reminded me of my crazy cousin, Mathew, who can't stop laughing when he watched the following video clip. I agree that this tongue twister is fun, but it's him that made everyone of us wanted to learn this tongue twister too. 

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
He would chuck, he would, as much as he could, and chuck as much as a woodchuck would if a woodchuck could chuck wood.






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Friday, 13 December 2013

Day 13 - Fooled by Own Perception

I thought Day 13 should be easy. At least, from the videos, Day 13 seems easy.

Since I'm not working today, I allow myself to snooze the alarm for 2 times before I get up to my Hour of Power. "I can finish the 30 Day Beach Body Challenge in few minutes so I can steal a few minutes to sleep", that's my own excuse when I snoozed my alarm.

I started my 30 Day Beach Body Challenge with 50 forward lunges. I stopped at first 10 because I found this easy. I continued the another 40 with dumbbells.

Everything seems according to plan until I started the plank walks.....

When I first saw the name of the workout, I imagined it involving moving around while planking. But when i watched the video, it shows movements on that same spot, seems super easy. Besides, I have done many planks by now. "How hard can this be?" I asked myself.

Well, it is not something that I can handle. Instead of doing continuously 50 in a few minutes like I imagined, I have to take a break after every 10 plank walks and it took me almost 15 minutes to finally complete all 50!!

This is exactly why The Wise One told us to practice non-judgement. One can easily fooled by own perception. 



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