This is for My Bikini

Announcement!

2011-04-17T23:54:00.002+08:00

Dear Readers (if I have any),

Please be informed that I am leaving this blog permanently, for the reason that I already bought my own domain for my beauty, fashion, sports, fitness, and diet blog: prettynicely.info.

I hope and pray that you will still find time to visit me from time to time on my new home. Until next time!

Love,

Pretty Nicely

You can also visit me on my other blogs:

Fitness First Offers a 3-Day Guest Pass from March 14-20, 2011

2011-03-14T21:09:00.001+08:00

Good news, guys! Fitness First Philippines is offering a 3-Day Guest Pass from March 14-20, 2011. I have just registered and got my free pass. To complete the form below, just the Fitness First Philippines' Facebook and sign up. Way to go!

No Rice Again

2011-03-07T22:34:00.002+08:00

Yes, I am on my 7th day now, eating zero rice. I feel positive vibes about this. I am so happy and looking forward to SUMMMMMERRRRRR!!!

This is for my bikini ♥

On A Diet Blog Hiatus

2011-02-27T16:35:00.004+08:00

And so is my actual diet. Argh.

I have emptied my Leisure18 Slimming Coffee box already, but the weight is still the same. However, I notice the flaps of my arms sagging now. I think I am losing the fats very, very, very slowly. It is tiring and frustrating. Even my boyfriend observes nothing has changed at all, after 6 months of no rice.

So what’s the fuss? I came back to eating rice for two weeks now. But I plan to start my no-rice policy again on March 1. Thus, I will still continue drinking this slimming coffee and try running the treadmill at least thrice a week every morning and jog every weekends.

"Try and try until you succeed" applies to me now.

My Major Major Mistake

2010-09-18T20:31:00.001+08:00

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned: I ate rice!

For one who wanted to be a 120-pound lady (from 142 lbs. now) by the end of the year, it was a mortal sin to eat rice. And just this afternoon, I have committed the sin when I ate 4 pieces of karioka (Filipino chewy balls) for merienda. As we all knew it, karioka's main ingredient is glutinous rice flour. Yes, RICE! Demmet!

Regrets, regrets. I really feel sorry for myself. This was one major major mistake that I made in my entire slimming diet thingy. Tomorrow I have to punish myself by doing a morning jog and tae-bo to shoo the calories away. Shiyet.

Surviving a Month Without Rice

2010-09-13T11:28:00.001+08:00

Surviving a month without rice is such an accomplishment. Less carbo, no bloated tummy, and no heavy feeling of discontent. I congratulate myself for the discipline I have shown during the challenge. Now that I have lost some weight and am beginning to see the changes: thinner-than-before arms, more obvious back curve, leaner thighs, and appearing collar bones, I am certain that I will continue the no rice policy.

Honestly, I miss eating rice, of course. But the thought of getting sexier and feeling better about myself in the nearest future inspires me to go on with the challenge. I am moving forward.

Green Barley as A Slimming Agent

2010-09-12T14:10:00.002+08:00

Green Barley is a total food supplement for all kinds of people, even diabetics. My aunt who also has an issue with her weight and big tummy recommended Green Barley to me. She said after three bottles of it, her stomach became smaller than before. She also said that her officemate who was obese lost a lot weight after drinking five bottles of Green Barley.

I started taking 4 tbsp. (2 tbsp. in the morning and 2 tbsp. before bedtime) of Green Barley last Saturday. The next morning I ran to the restroom and flushed out oily toxins. From there, I started to believe that Green Barley really helps not just in losing weight but in cleansing the digestive system. You only have to drink 2 tbsp. per day so it's not that heavy on the pocket. Each bottle costs P300.00.

Ingredients of Green Barley are organic green barley, natural tropical fruit extracts, nature identical flavor, sucralose as sweetener, sucrose and maltodextrine. It contains all the vitamins, minerals and proteins necessary for the human diet, plus chlorophyll. This composition is easily assimilated throughout the digestive tract, giving our body instant access to vital nutrients.

Del Monte Fit 'n Right Water

2010-09-09T13:24:00.001+08:00

While I was on the way to the office, I dropped by a 7-11 store to buy something for breakfast. I decided to have a pack of Gardenia Whole Wheat Bread and Fit 'n Right Water. Yes, Del Monte Fit 'n Right has it now!

What is the catch? A 380-ml bottle of Del Monte Fit 'n Right Water has 300 mg. of L-Carnitine that may help burn fat. It has 0 sugar, 0 calorie and 0 flavor. It's water just the way you like it.

I've never liked Pocari Sweat. It seemed too acidic for me. Gatorade is the love because it has flavors, but still, it's not water. I still get the aftertaste on my tastebuds so the thirst is not actually quenched. I think Del Monte Fit 'n Right is the perfect liquid for me during and after my running and other physical activities.

I Lost 2 Kilos!

2010-09-09T10:35:00.000+08:00

Good news! I went to the office clinic and had my weight scaled. From August 16, I lost almost 2 kilos. It's so nice to know I'm getting positive results. It's a slow process but I know I can lose more pounds if I will stick to my no rice policy, moderate eating and running.

However, I lessened my water intake just so because I'm just feeling bloated whenever I push myself to accomplish those eight glasses a day. I think it's not helping me.

I also found my Tae-Bo VCD on my shelf; it's been a while since I do this exercise. I started doing it last Saturday. I had it for 15 minutes. The next morning I experienced elbow, shoulder, hip and leg pains, which only means the exercise has been effective. I just have to keep this up.

Bulalo? I'll have that!

2010-09-05T21:57:00.002+08:00

Yes, I had bulalo yesterday. My boyfriend, two of his officemates and I went to Tagaytay for some kind of an escape from Manila. They wanted bulalo so we tripped all the way to a resort in Talisay, Batangas where we could have one. We ordered a big plate of rice, too.

Guess what? I stood proud with my no rice policy. Yobs was insisting me to have rice, even for a couple of its spoonful; but never did I tried to taste even a grain. He even acted upon putting some on my plate but I resisted. I reasoned out:

"Eating no rice is better than eating less of it. For me, it's like drugs. Once I tasted it, I can't promise not to add more; worst scenario is once I eat rice now, I will be tempted to eat again in the next days to come. What I started last August 13 will be thrown out to waste; so it's better not to have any at all."

What's good with my no rice policy is that I can eat all I want, but in moderation. I can have pasta, pizza, bread, meat, sweets and chocolates, sodas, and of course, THIS BULALO!

So far, this is the best diet I've tried. I don't feel that I am depriving myself. And with all honesty, I am enjoying it.

Rambler's Way Wool Garments: Perfect Outfits for Running and Yoga

2010-09-01T09:47:00.000+08:00

If I am given $200, I am buying Rambler’s Way Next-to-Skin Women’s Camisole and Next-to-Skin Women’s Cross Neck! I can use these clothes during my yoga and running activities.

When I was a child, I thought of wool as my grandfather’s only. It used to be heavy, itchy and hot. Thanks to Rambler’s Way for changing my view of wool. Now I realized that wool can also be made into sleek, sexy and soft pieces of garments which I can wear anytime of the day depending on the activity I am doing.

Rambler's Way Next-to-Skin Women's Camisole

Rambler's Way Next-to-Skin Women's Cross Neck Top

Rambler’s Way Farm has succeeded in developing world-class Rambouillet wool products from their own sheep farms in Maine and on ranches in Colorado, Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas and Utah.

What’s good about their products is that their worsted wool garments are equally –wearable all year round; durable and long-lasting; natural, non-synthetic and chemical-free; enzyme-treated for shrinkage and fully washable; and soft and lightweight. Aside from these, it comes pre-washed and ready to wear. Rambler’s Way uses high-end technology in making wool fabrics out of their superfine wool-generating flocks of sheep.

Well, it's time to show our folks that wool is not only for them. With the modern technology and stylish fashion designs offered by Rambler’s Way, we can now enjoy both the warmth and coolness of wearing such cover-ups. Isn't that amazing?

Long Weekends: To Love or To Hate?

2010-09-01T07:24:00.008+08:00

I've weighed again yesterday and got 145 lbs. It's frustrating that over the long weekend I've gained half a pound again even when I kept my no rice policy and did strenuous physical activities like jogging, painting and cleaning the room, and doing the laundry.

They say it's normal not to lose a great amount of weight in the first few weeks. An officemate, who is also trying to lose some pounds, told me that the result of my present sacrifices will be seen in the next months to come. However, I notice that my tummy and arms are getting smaller now.

I assume I'll feel the effect of this dieting by the end of September. October is a much-awaited month because my boyfriend and I will be going to Cebu and Bohol for an out-of-town trip with his officemates.

I think I need a new pair of bikini!

Photo Jog

2010-08-28T21:29:00.012+08:00

I already heard of the terms like "photo shoot," "photo marathon," and "photo walk" before. Sound cool, aren't they? I wanted to use the terms but I found them inappropriate. I was only jogging, so I thought "photo jog" is the best title to use.

Jogging is really tiring and sometimes boring. In order to sucessfully finish my five-round jog, I had to think of ways to enjoy the task. First, I discovered that music is of great help. Listening to upbeat songs gives me a source of energy and inspiration to keep running.

However, I still need more reasons to go on so I thought bringing Foxy, my Canon Powershot SX 110 IS, with me as I do my laps would get me going. Taking pictures of anything that captures my eye of a photographer is fun: I get to sweat out while enjoying my Saturday morning run.

Here are my many amateur photos. I had a hard time uploading all so I just chose what I thought are worth displaying. Enjoy!
Indeed, losing weight is as easy as one-two-three if and only if you have the ways and the will to achieve your target :D

Should I Try Yoga?

2010-08-27T08:37:00.000+08:00

I think this is a great form of exercise!

The Wedding Dress Fits

2010-08-25T07:55:00.004+08:00

Michelle's wedding was a success! Aside from the very detailed, articulate and organized event, t'was also a day of my own success as I fitted into the wedding dress I was supposed to wear. We can recall that in my post, "Disappointed But Still Positive," I promised myself that I will try to shred some pounds before the day.

Even though I did not take the task seriously - in fact I only had crash diet a week before the event - I am still glad the gown fits; more loose actually. The sacrifice just paid off.

I am thinking of losing some more for the same purpose of fitting another gown: this time MY WEDDING GOWN! But hey, hasn't he proposed to me yet?

August 20: C-Lium Fibre Friday

2010-08-20T19:23:00.002+08:00

I just want to see if C-Lium Fibre food supplement is really effective. The sachet says, "it is a natural fat absorber which aids weight and blood sugar management." There's nothing to lose [but my weight], if I try. So I am taking it today; again, no fuss.

Breakfast:
♥ 1 quarter of scrambled egg
♥ 30 grams of pork tapa strips
♥ 3 pieces Skyflakes biscuits
♥ 1 cup of brown coffee
♥ 1 glass of water

Snacks:
♥ 1 glass of C-Lium Fibre Food Supplement

Lunch:
♥ 1 piece fried chicken
♥ 4 pieces of pork siomai
♥ 2 glasses of water
♥ 0 rice

Merienda:
♥ 2 pieces of Shakey's three-cheese pizza
♥ 2 pieces of Shakey's Mojos
♥ 1 glass of Coke
♥ 1 glass of water

Dinner:
♥ 1 cup of coffee with sugar and cream
♥ 1 glass of water

August 19: No Rice for 6 Days Now

2010-08-19T07:38:00.004+08:00

I am on my 6th day of eating no rice and I am getting used to it. This is very challenging as I have been a rice lover since birth. Guess what? I congratulate myself.

Breakfast:
♥ 2 pieces of pinagong bread
♥ 1 piece of sweet ham
♥ 1 piece sunny side-up
♥ 1 cup of brown coffee
♥ 1 glass of water
♥ 0 rice

Snacks:
♥ 1 strawberry/peanut butter sandwich
♥ 1 glass of water

Lunch:
♥ 1 order of sisig
♥ 2 glasses of water
♥ 0 rice

Merienda:
♥ 2 pieces of Whatta Tops cupcake
♥ 2 glasses of water

Dinner:
♥ 1 cup of coffee with sugar and milk
♥ 1 Marty's veggie chicharon
♥ 1 cup of Herbalife tea concentrate, hot
♥ 2 glasses of water
♥ 0 rice

ManilaFitness.com is Giving Away a Nokia 3720

2010-08-18T13:54:00.007+08:00

I am creating this blog post to earn 3 raffle entries for the "Nokia: My Life" contest hosted by ManilaFitness.com and to win this very sporty Nokia 3720.

ManilaFitness.com asks "How does this Nokia phone fit your lifestyle?" So here goes my answer:

I am currently struggling to lose weight and I do a lot of running. One thing I have noticed, listening to good music while running gives me more energy and endurance to get going. I want this Nokia 3720 to be part of my lose weight program since it promises high quality of music performance.
I am also a beach lover; seeing this photo (above) makes me feel like dying to get one Nokia 3720 for free. I would love to bring it to the beach, too, and take shots unlimitedly.

Hope I win! Thanks to ManilaFitness.com and Nokia for holding blog contests like this!

August 18: I Love Chocolates

2010-08-18T08:12:00.011+08:00

If there's one thing I couldn't and wouldn't give up, it is CHOCOLATES. Obviously, it is my comfort food. If I am depressed, brokenhearted or having low morale, chocolates made me feel better. But now, I am eating chocolates not because of anything else, but JUST BECAUSE. No fuss.

Breakfast:
♥ 1 cup of coffee with milk and sugar
♥ 2 wheat pandesal
♥ 1 burger patty, small
♥ 1 tortang talong, medium
♥ 2 glasses of water

Snack:
♥ 1 strawberry/peanut butter sandwich

Lunch:
♥ 4 pieces siomai, steamed
♥ 3 glasses of water
♥ 1 Mcdonalds' choco sundae

Merienda
♥ 2 pieces of Cadbury chocolates, small (10 grams est.)
♥ 1 glass of water

Dinner: Ginisang Atay/Puso ng Manok with Pechay
♥ 2 pieces of chicken liver
♥ 2 pieces of chicken heart
♥ 1 glass Magnolia chocolait
♥ 1 glass of water

August 17: Fashion Statement

2010-08-17T07:19:00.013+08:00

I can see the changes now. My tummy becomes flatter; my back has slightly regained its curved figure. In fact, I got my love for fashion back and is now enjoying the advantages of being slimmer, if not thinner. I lost my enthusiasm to fit clothes when I was on my chubbiest state and I really hated it. I hope things would work out fine after this crash diet and if it do so, I think I would love to continue the no rice policy forever.

See these photos below. This is one of the dresses I bought from an ukay shop in Starmall Alabang, for only P100. I super love it because it reflects the real me: a classy, free-spirited and bubbly me. After waking up:
♥ 1 cup of coffee with sugar and cream

Breakfast
♥ 1 cup of coffee with sugar and milk
♥ piece pinagong bread
♥ 1 1/2 sticks of pork barbeque
♥ 1 piece banana
♥ 3 glass of water

Snack:
♥ 3 small bites of strawberry/peanut butter sandwich
♥ 1 glass of water

Lunch:
♥ 1 piece breaded porkchop, medium size
♥ 1 cup of coffee with sugar and milk
♥ 2 glass of water

Merienda:
♥ 2 pieces of Krunch chocolate, bitesize

Dinner:
♥ 1 piece bibingkinitan
♥ 1/2 French Baker's pain au chocolait
♥ 1 glass of Magnolia chocolait
♥ 4 glasses of water (2 of which had Herbalife Aloe Vera Extract)

August 16: Avoiding Temptations

2010-08-16T07:11:00.012+08:00

This is my first day to have a no-rice diet in the office. This would be difficult for me to explain my scheme to my officemates, particularly to Lydz who has been my constant lunchmate for almost a year now. We used to share our lunch together to save money and to save ourselves from overeating.

This would be much harder because for three days, we will have free lunch courtesy of our former officemate, Adel, who now works in El Nido, Palawan as a preschool teacher.

After Waking Up:
♥ 1 cup of coffee with cream and sugar

Breakfast:
♥ 1 quarter of relyenong bangus
♥ 1 slice of American bread
♥ 1 cup of black coffee with sugar
♥ 2 glasses of water

Lunch:
♥ 1/2 banana, small
♥ 2 pieces of fried chicken, medium
♥ 1 piece choco chip cookie
♥ 1 glass of Sprite
♥ 2 glasses of water

Merienda:
♥ 1 piece banana, small
♥ 1 piece Whatta Tops cupcake
♥ 1 glass of water

Dinner:
♥ 1 slice of Gardenia black forest bread
♥ 1 glass of Bear Brand sterilized milk
♥ 3 glasses of water

August 15: Pansit Lucban Day

2010-08-15T14:12:00.009+08:00

I feel light today for having not included rice in my diet yesterday. Biguerlai tea has been helpful, too; making me go back and forth the cr for almost half of the day.

After Waking Up:
♥ 1 glass of water

Breakfast:
♥ 1 cup of coffee with cream and sugar
♥ 1 cup of Pansit Lucban
♥ 1/2 glass of Coke
♥ 2 glasses of water
♥ 0 rice

Lunch:
♥ 1 cup of Pansit Lucban
♥ 2 glasses of water
♥ 0 rice

Merienda:
♥ 2 pieces small bananas
♥ 2 pieces palitaw
♥ 1 cup of black coffee with sugar

Dinner:
♥ 1 cup of Pansit Lucban
♥ 1 glass of water with Herbalife Aloe Vera Extract
♥ 2 glasses of water

August 14: First Day of Crash Diet

2010-08-14T12:10:00.007+08:00

I woke up in the morning with high hopes and great optimism. Today is the start of a new day; of a promise that will change my life. Haha. Sounds OA, but I guess this is it. This is just the way it should be.

Breakfast:
♥ 1 cup of coffee with cream and sugar
♥ 1/2 chicken burger
♥ 1 monay with peanut butter
♥ 1 glass of water
♥ 0 rice

Lunch: Nilagang Baka
♥ 2 small cuts of beef
♥ 4 stems of pechay Baguio
♥ 1 glass of iced tea
♥ 1 glass of water
♥ 0 rice

Merienda:
♥ 2 medium slices of sapin-sapin
♥ 1 glass of water

Dinner:
♥ 1 cup of beef soup
♥ 1 small cut of beef
♥ 2 pieces cheesedog
♥ 2 glasses of water
♥ 0 rice

Before Bedtime:
♥ 1 cup of Biguerlai tea, hot
♥ 3 glasses of water

Crash Diet

2010-08-13T10:59:00.012+08:00

August 21 will be Mich and Jose's wedding. I am one of the bridesmaids.

Unfortunately, I haven't succeeded in taking the more-than-one-month slimming diet schedule seriously. I haven't lessened my food intake; I haven't done regular exercise; I haven't accomplished my Herbalife program. So now, instead of blaming myself and forever regretting the things I haven't tried to fit in that wedding dress, I promise to make this one-week CRASH DIET possible. It won't make a tremendous change but at least it would make a difference.

So here goes my rules [for one week at least]...

1. NO RICE POLICY. As in, "totally no rice." That also means no pasta, pizza and any food loaded with a great amount of carbohydrates.

2. EIGHT (8) GLASSES OF WATER A DAY. Strictly no excuses! This is just like hitting two birds in one stone. Aside from water that I drink, I get the chance to stand and stretch my bones and muscles from being seated the whole day in the office. Walking is obviously a good form of exercise, too.

3. BIGUERLAI TEA. For one week, I will take this slimming tea to flush out the toxins and unnecessary fat deposits in my system. It sounds gross, I know. But there's nothing to lose if I try this one. Tiyan na sexy, mag-Biguerlai Tea.

I hope this would be effective. No one knows until August 21. So now, I will stick to my most recent weight, which is 147 lbs., and by Monday, I am going to weigh again in the office clinic's scale; then by Friday, I'll check what happens.

I will also monitor my food intake everyday. I will make a separate post each day of what I have eaten from August 14-20. So expect my next post as my "August 14" experience. Please wish me luck. Thanks!

I Am Still Positive :D

2010-07-10T19:19:00.002+08:00

I had my first fitting of the gown I'll be wearing for Mich's wedding.

It is a bit loose. Did I lose weight or the couturier put a seemingly exaggerated allowance to it?

Whatever it is, the most important thing is, IT FITS! I just had to advise the couturier to cut an inch from the waist part to perfectly fit my curve, if there's any.

For a month starting today, I'm gonna lessen my rice intake so I can be in it in my most comfortable feel and sexy look.