While I stumbled upon the viral New York Times article about "My Way" karaoke killings in the Philippines, I also noticed another popular article, this health article called "Rules Worth Following, for Everyone's Sake". It's worth a read, if you're looking after your health, and I am proud that I pretty much follow everything that was listed in the article...including the "S policy" that was mentioned at the end.

The S policy simply stands for "no snacks, no seconds, no sweets—except for days that begin with the letter S". I've always decided that I should have regular cheat days to keep my sanity intact, provided that I remain reasonable with my cheats, and that I behave during weekdays.

Although, it's no longer the weekend today, I will allow myself one chocolate chip cookie, even if today doesn't begin with S. What's the special occasion? My mom baking chocolate chip cookies! ...No, really. It's rare for her to bake cookies for us, and I hope to have at least two cookies before my brothers finish them all....

Ah, there's always the rest of the week to behave. =)


Yesterday's exercise
- 1,200 on the jump rope (had to cut short again, because of pain, and because my new trick tired me out)
- 3 x 15 bicep curls with 2 x 5 lb dumbbells
- 3 x 15 tricep curls (1 arm each) with 5 lb dumbbell
- 3 x 15 shoulder presses with 2 x 5 lb dumbbells

Saturday's meals
Breakfast: Old fashioned oatmeal with peanut butter, coffee with low fat milk
Lunch (at Dusit Thani): Shrimp garlic, chicken garlic, pad thai, crabmeat fried rice
Snack: Mini eclair, bittersweet chocolate with chicory and cacao nibs
Dinner: Rack of lamb, sweet corn, ginisang sitaw at kalabasa, 1 can of San Miguel Light

Sunday's meals
Breakfast: Old fashioned oatmeal with peanut butter, coffee with low fat milk
Lunch: Rack of lamb, breaded fish, breaded pork, shrimp and tofu, ginisang sitaw at kalabasa, brown rice
Snack: Ube mini-siopao, halayang ube, mini eclair, 1 bite of a Hostess Ho-Ho cake (yuck, I can't believe I used to LOVE Ho-Hos), coffee with low-fat milk
Dinner: Chili with beef, brown rice
Dessert: Chocolate chip cookie, low fat milk

Since my parents got their blood test results, we've been making conscious efforts to eat healthier at home. Since I've been at this healthy lifestyle thing for three years now, I should have less of a problem adjusting, but I am trying to cut on my intake of sweets. Except that I did have some leftover birthday cake the other day...hey, I only have my birthday once a year, so I should relish it!

Now that I've been eating lighter and consuming less sugar (I also take a light snack to compensate), I've noticed that I've been struggling to complete my workouts. Yesterday was the last straw. I even stretched before my workout, but I really couldn't maintain my usual pace. Maybe it's my body getting used to the reduced calories, also owing to my decreased sugar intake (sugar is calorie-dense after all). I'm still debating whether to work out today, but I found it stunning that I still struggled even after two days of rest. I doubt if I can take two consecutive days of effort now. Maybe I should go easier on myself.

Tomorrow, I do plan to have a little sweet treat, in the form of a dark chocolate bar. Every time I have a sweet hankering, I just remember how "light" my stomach feels, and that I also have some expensive chocolate to look forward to for the weekend.

By the way, I'm not completely eliminating sugar...I'm just cutting back on it. The brain needs glucose for fuel after all.

I'm hungry. Time for merienda. Have a good weekend!


Yesterday's exercise
- 1,800 on the jump rope
- 3 x 15 bicep curls with 2 x 5 lb dumbbells
- 3 x 15 tricep curls (1 arm each) with 5 lb dumbbell
- 3 x 15 shoulder presses with 2 x 5 lb dumbbells

Yesterday's meals
Breakfast: Oatmeal waffles with butter and real maple syrup, coffee with low fat milk
Lunch: Goolai salad with mixed greens, mangoes, strawberries, slivered almonds, tomato, strawberry vinaigrette, unsweetened green tea
Snack: 4 pieces of siomai
Dinner: Shrimp and tofu stir-fry, brown rice
Dessert: Banana

I picked up this black sesame soy drink from the nearby Korean grocery, which I chose instead of chocolate milk because of the calorie count. This serving provides 120 calories, while the same amount of chocolate milk provides 240 calories. Besides, I'm a sucker for new and weird food.

So, how did it taste? It did taste strongly of toasted sesame seeds, and I liked it! I might crave for it again in a few months, but maybe not too soon.

And if you're curious how the drink looked like, it looked light gray.

Yesterday's exercise
- 45 minute brisk walk/jog (UGH, I'm awful, I haven't done strength exercises since forever.)

Yesterday's meals
Breakfast: Whole-wheat pan de sal with peanut butter, coffee with low-fat milk
Lunch: Beef rendang, brown rice, gado-gado
Snack: Banana
Dinner: Pork menudo, brown rice

Birthday cake
Purple's my favorite color, and I love Red Ribbon's ube cake—even if it is too sweet. So, I asked my mom to whip up a homemade ube cake for my birthday, so she can adjust the sweetness herself. She made her own ube chiffon cake and layered it with halayang ube in between. And it was excellent, for her first try; it really is a massive cake. I'm afraid my camera phone doesn't really do it justice. It's delicious, but I'm only too happy to share it with people, so there's less temptation at home!

Parents' progress update
My dad cut down his snacking habits for only a week so far, and he and my mom have started walking regularly, and you know what, he's already visibly lost some weight. Again, I hope he can keep this up so he can get into shape, and for his own health.

Family time
Last night, we went again to San Juan Arena to watch college women's volleyball this time, namely the ADMU-FEU game. I'm usually not a fan of women's volleyball, but my younger brother is, for obvious reasons. We had dinner at Ristras again, and despite my long list, I thought we did well on our orders, since we just ordered four dishes and shared it among the five of us. Well, I just allowed myself one bottle of beer to celebrate ADMU's come-from-behind win.

Workout update
Had to cut Saturday's workout short because of some recurring pain in my torso. Ugh. I should really stretch more often, or maybe this two-day rest will relieve me.

Saturday's workout
- 1,800 on the jump rope
- 3 x 15 alternate bicep curls with 2 x 5 lb dumbbells
- 3 x 15 dumbbell raises with 2 x 5 lb dumbbells
- 3 x 15 tricep curls with 5 lb dumbbell

Saturday's meals
Breakfast: Pancakes with butter and real maple srup, coffee with low-fat milk
Lunch: Pan-fried cream dory with garlic and parsley, parmesan-encrusted chicken breast, pork embutido, brown rice
Dessert: Peanut butter chocolate chip cookie, Vosges Creole Bar (bittersweet chocolate with chicory, espresso, cacao nibs)
Dinner: Grilled liempo, squash and eggplant sarsa, tomato/eggplant/salted egg salad, brown rice
Dessert: Peanut butter chocolate chip cookie, halayang ube

Sunday's meals
Breakfast: Oatmeal waffles with real maple syrup and butter, coffee with low-fat milk
Lunch: Grilled liempo, squash and eggplant sarsa, tomato/eggplant/salted egg ensalada, brown rice
Dessert: Peanut butter chocolate chip cookie
Snack: Whole wheat pan de sal with peanut butter, coffee with low-fat milk
Dinner: (at Ristras) Al pastor taco, barbacoa taco, barbacoa burrito, Ball Park nachos, Negra Modelo dark beer
Dessert: Peanut butter chocolate chip cookie

This week, my usually stubborn father finally consented to get blood work done, to check his blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The last time he got tested was over ten years ago. My mom supported him by going through the test too.

It was about time. I guess we were all spooked over how so many people we knew had died during the first few days of the new year. Our trusted family driver died without warning in his hometown shortly after he started his retirement. A family friend in the U.S. died a few days later after having been in and out of the ICU; she was suffering from obesity (over 300 lbs) and asthma. Another few days later, our longtime next-door neighbor succumbed to liver cancer. Then, there was also the death of Cerge Remigio, and when a news report detailed the diseases the press secretary suffered (diabetes, hypertension, smoking, high cholesterol), I quipped to my dad, "Hey, you two match almost perfectly, except for the hypertension!" I could tell there was a hint of nervousness in his laughter.

But after the test results and doctor's consultation, it turned out he was also at risk for hypertension, on top of the high blood sugar and cholesterol levels. My mom also had rather high cholesterol levels. My dad's sister, who also happens to be a doctor, pointed out that the test results were "unfair" because we had just come off a lengthy holiday in the U.S. after all. She advised them to get another test done after a few months of a regular diet.

Secretly, I was happy that the test results were exaggerated because I hoped it would be a rude awakening for them both. In their eyes, I was the health freak, constantly nagging them to stay away from junk food, soda, and chocolate. Even I was getting tired of hearing my own voice and seeing them not do anything about it. They're fine with their three square meals, but I feel their constant snacking habit (particularly with sweets) in front of the TV was responsible for their health woes.

So far this week, since getting the results, they're doing fine, even while staying away from unnecessary snacking. My mom's also making an effort to cook fewer fried food, and my dad has started to eat oatmeal for breakfast to help bring down his cholesterol levels. "It's really filling," he said. I replied, "Yeah, that's why you see me eating oatmeal every day." Previously, he would favor overly sweet kakanin and champorado for breakfast, which aren't as filling and would also cause blood sugar levels to suddenly skyrocket after a fasting state. I even suggested to my mom that she could add tableya to their oatmeal so that they could still enjoy the taste of champorado.

The doctor also advised them to have dessert once a week, and knowing my dad and his sweet tooth, such a restriction is equivalent to physical torture. I don't expect them to go once a week just yet, but I'll be happy if they knock it down to just thrice a week for now. Gradual steps, right? And I think I should join them too—I haven't had a refined-carb dessert (except for fruit) in only the last three days, and my stomach doesn't feel so disgusting and bloated anymore. Wow. I just might be able to better pacify my sweet cravings if it means losing stomach bloat.

We've also resolved to eat out less often, that's one way to get rid of extra calories, fat, and sugar. We'll also be trimming expenses while doing so.

I just pray they can keep this up, and I want to help and support them in every way I can.

Thursday's workout
- 45-minute brisk walk/jog