Pheng's Blog

What motivates you to keep working out?

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 04:51:00 +0000

I posted a question on a workout forums - It is a simple question, but got many kinds of responses: What motivates you to keep working out? The below replies are not mine, just summarized answers from the responders.

- Health

- Great body (Majority)

- Pleasure seeing myself in the mirror (lol)

- Feeling alive because of it

- Self-confidence

- To look for the partners/spouse

- Seeing other movie stars or good body people

- Avoid being fat

- It's very "zen"

- The wardrobe lol

- Social acceptance (this one is kind of overrated)

- Sex (hm.. okay if this one does motivate)

For your reading pleasure, and whenever you need motivation to push yourself to workout.

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Just Keep On!

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 04:47:00 +0000

Do you watch the Extreme Make Over Weight Loss Edition? I just finished watching it tonight while I was on my exercise bike. I figured it's the best time to motivate me to do that while watching the fitness show.

Anyway, the trainer Chris Powell met this guy - hm.. Can't remember the name now. Oh, Wally! He's over-weight, and Chris helped him out about 3 months, he lost 100lbs in phase 1. That is pretty darn good! But when it came to phase 2, the guy could not do it because he's addicted to the fast food. He would eat until he wanted to throw up or his jaw hurts. So he lied to Chris, but Chris didn't give up on him and gave him another chance. Finally, the guy gave up. Chris was disappointed. He weighed him again and the guy gained back 60lbs. I was so pissed! Why would someone do such a thing? It makes me realize that food addiction is really strong. Chris said goodbye but he took the guy to the rehab center that deals with food addiction. They both then went on their own journey.

Does this actually tell you anything? I specially write this up because that's exactly how I motivate myself when I feel I want to stay away from the gym. For all the hard work that I put in, although it seems forever and the expected result seems unapproachable, I don't give up on trying to hit the gym. Because I know that once I quit, I will start all over again. How many years I have to keep doing this back and forth, especially knowing that the older you get, the harder it is for strength training and such.

This is not just about fitness, anything that you are doing to improve yourself, don't stop doing it because once you stop, 1-2 years down the road, you change your mind and start all over again with the process. Just think in a way that if you were to keep going, wouldn't the result even be better? It's okay to feel sad and exhausted sometime, take a break, but don't give the whole thing up.

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Too Old?

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 04:42:00 +0000

Sometimes, I am bored. I need some inspirations in life - I go and browse some random people's photos either from the shows or just... you know random! Each photo that I look at, I cannot tell how they live their life, but it makes me think or imagine that their life is so cool based of the photo. It inspires me to follow my dreams and do what I want to do. It's odd, but that's how I feel.

I had an instant messaging with a friend tonight. He said he's too old to go to the club, I asked how old are you again? He said 30. I said that's not old, I'm 25. He replied that 25 is so young, but 30 will come soon. It's like telling me do something now before I turn 30 lol..... We tend to take what it already is as granted. We let time go, let the youth slip, and as we grow older, we regret things that we didn't do during the time that we think we should have been doing them. But what is done is done. There's no need to regret. We are never too old for anything. In the meantime, live your life to the fullest and in the moment so that you don't have regrets in the future.

Peace!

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Self-Compassion

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 03:30:00 +0000

I haven't posted for a really long time. For the time that I have gone from here, I have learned a lot through my life. Things have been changed in my life drastically. Sometimes, I felt that I have almost lost myself. I forgot who I really am, and instead of trying to be my own self, I let go the compassion that I have for me. It's sad, isn't it? Yes, indeed.

Last night, I was watching Lady Gaga on the Ellen show, something just hit me - she said that her Yoga instructor told her to do a self-compassion every morning for 15 minutes, but she only does for 5 minutes, which makes sense. That made me realize that I was gone from this blog too long - long enough that my self-esteem and self-love has deteriorated over time. Writing for this blog just takes me only 5-10 minutes, but it inspires my daily life. It gives me hope, compassion, and boost my self-development. So, I told myself about things that I should appreciate in life that I have, especially all I have is "me." If I don't appreciate that, what's that going to do any good for me to keep on living? Of course, there are more in my life that I appreciate as well .

Self-compassion, have you done that yet? Said is easier than done, but in fact, just the thought of doing it makes one feels fulfilled and content.

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Blessed MacBook

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 06:46:00 +0000

I just got a MacBook from BestBuy this morning. It's the whole white color laptop, and I really like it. I was so indecisive whether to get it or not. That's because of 1. the cost, 2. my toshiba is still working and doing what I want. But I figured that I never own a mac before, so I should try it out. Plus, I realize that I can finance it with BestBuy without interest for at least 18 months, so I went ahead and did get myself a MacBook.

The gist of it is not just this MacBook that makes me feel good, but the fact that I am able to afford this. Although I didn't spend any money out of the pocket on it per say, still when they ran the credit check on me, I got approved right away. It just puts a smile on my face that I am so lucky and blessed. All the hard work that I have worked through finally makes my life better to a point that I can "want" something that I want (not just need). With this satisfying feeling, it makes all the bitchy comments from time to time about life seem so insignificant. Therefore, look around yourself, while you are exaggerating thinking that your life is in hell, in fact, you are one of those lucky ones that still don't know how blessed you are compared to other people out there that are actually living in hell.

Smile and embrace your blessing. Amen?

P.S: Didn't want to make this sound so Christian lol

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A guy in a wheelchair

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:09:00 +0000

Oh wow, I have not updated my blog for awhile. But here we go.

Last night, I was out clubbing. It has been so long that I almost forgot that I like to dance a lot. I had a great time. But I want to share an inspiration with you all. There was this guy that was in the wheelchair. He has no legs and no hands, but guess what, he was on the dance floor and shook his body in his wheelchair. I was really amazed. I told myself that, this is how living your life is. He doesn't limit himself to his disability and simply enjoys what he was doing on the dance floor. Whereas people that have legs and hands were shy sitting in the corner and just drinking depressing alcoholic drinks :). Maybe dancing is not their things or maybe not, I am not sure.

The gist of it is, I am glad I was out even I realized that some club friends would not be there, but I went anyway because like I said, it's been awhile since I was out dancing. So go out, have fun and enjoy what you like to do. Don't sit and wait around for your friends to ask you out. You have legs and hands to drive/ride/walk to the club or wherever your destination is. You don't realize how much lucky you are compared to that guy in the wheelchair. It's all about what you enjoy doing.

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Ho Ho Ho....... Have A Merry Christmas

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:27:00 +0000

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Color-blinded

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:39:00 +0000

I meant to blog about this awhile ago. One day, someone said to me that he is color-blinded. What he meant to say was that he doesn't care what a person's race is.

The world composes of diverse people. I notice that the ones that mind about races are the one usually that are not comfortable with themselves. It's either they have problems with their own skin colors or they think their colors are the best among all.

If you really like someone, would you really choose to not like him/her just because of his/her color of skin? Granted, everyone is different. To each of our own, we all have different preferences. To be exactly "color-blinded," I'm afraid it's easier said than done.

This is just not about liking someone. Being ethnic myself, I sometimes find myself in a situation that I am so sensitive to racial discussions and self-conscious when it comes to racial stuff as far as lifestyle goes. But no matter what, joking about a specific race is not nice. When a race, for examples, Asians, Whites, Mexicans, etc., follows by the word "most" is completely different than the one that does not follow "most." Don't think that MOST is actually equal to ALL.

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Keep & Let Go

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:41:00 +0000

I went to a friend's house and was looking at his laptop. I was impressed of how new it is and especially when I looked at his Google Chrome, I just love the theme that he used. So when I came back home, I got on my laptop and tried to clean up stuff from my hard drive and make my Google Chrome browser appears prettier :) I also spend time to manage some of my bookmarks. I have always known that all the bookmarks that I have are so messy.

From doing this makes me realize that, we tend to know what is messy in our life, but we just don't want to take a little bit of our time to clean it up. It doesn't matter if it is emotion, self-esteem or any personal things, you can simply take a break, sit down and determine what needs to let go and what needs to be kept in your life. New year is almost here, it's another year to celebrate and clean things up for the upcoming 2010.

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Being Americanized

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:23:00 +0000

You know how americanized I am now. Having to be here in the State for more than 5 years, America has brain washed me well, haha......

The other day I went to see the Chiropractor. It involves a few physical touch, and that Chiropractor was a he (well, not sure how many her out there as chiropractors lol). But the gist of it was that I got nervous. I am so not used to touching another man that I have never known, at least not in that kind of setting.

Before that, I went to my friend's house to get the pain relief cream. When I got there, he offered to put that cream on my pain shoulder. I let him do that but I felt really uncomfortable and hoped that he finished touching my shoulder asap.

Back in Cambodia, I never felt this way between two men. I slept in the same bed with my other male friends. I even held on to my brother-in-law while riding the motorcycle. All those are very normal over there. But America makes such a huge deal about it, and then they Americanize me, haha....... My shoulder now is good ^_^

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My Workout Inspiration

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:43:00 +0000

I thought I would share this with y’all. You would probably wonder why did I decide to work out/join the gym in the first place. Don’t listen to me if I say it is because for good health. I remember one time, I went to do a body fat check, the trainer was really blunt. He needed to know the truth of everything I wanted out of working out. He asked me that why did I join the gym? I said I wanted to live better and stay healthy. Then he kept asking me until I told him that I wanted to look good, haha……

But my real inspiration comes from one night at the club. I saw an unknown man’s body, which was good enough to make me want to have that kind of body. By that time, I just joined the Gold’s Gym. I promised myself that I needed to work harder at the gym to lose fat, get lean, and build muscles so that I can have a great body like that. For the first month at Gold’s, I worked really hard at the gym and I did see the result that I wanted. I have lost body fat percentage, and it made me really excited about it. I have lost weight to the point that I stay built rather than skinny.

So the point is, being inspired is not enough. You have to take actions. The inspiration is nothing but a motivation for you to attain a goal that you want. If you are inspired and still just sitting around, or keep telling yourself that I will do it tomorrow but that tomorrow seems to never come, then what does that inspiration really do to you? Nothing!

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Hot & Cold Pad

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:06:00 +0000

This is what you got when you over-work out!!! I pulled my shoulder muscle last week when I was trying to lift too heavy weight. The picture shows me with the hot & cold pad.

Just a friendly reminder to those that like to work out. Be careful!

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Temp Happiness

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:45:00 +0000

Is being happy really just a temporary state?

You want a better job, move to a better state, or do something that you think might make you happy. But after a few months, a few weeks, even a few days, then you want something different again OR what you thought that would make you happy wasn’t really what you expected.

Complicated enough! But when you simplify this, it really comes down to YOU. It is all about how you view things whether in a positive or a negative way. I caught myself sometime thinking about the unknown future. What if I move to another state that I can enjoy the beauty of sun and beaches, or meet more diverse people, so on and so forth. My problem is that I have a constraint that prevents me from doing so; otherwise, I would do this in a heartbeat. But then it comes down to ME. Will I be happy if move? If so, would I be REALLY happy or just another temporary state of happiness like when I first graduated, got a full time job, work visa and thought that I am good in Idaho? So many questions and I wish that the future is very easy to figure out, but it isn’t.

Happy emotion is part of everyone’s life. No one that was born and then is always happy. Without sadness, we would not know the excitement of happiness and long for being hopeful in life. No matter what decision you are making, it will get you there sooner or later, but in the meantime, it is all about your perspectives toward life and where you are right now.

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No one wants me

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:44:00 +0000

You know I like to joke around with friends whenever they ask me a question "Why are you single?" LOL.......... I giggled and replied "Because no one wants me."

As far as my answer goes, it's simply just a joke. But the other day, something made me realize that, although it's a joke, it somehow places a negative impact on my mind. When we think things in a negative way, the mind is only looking for negative things to respond to our conscience. You will realize the big difference between saying "No one wants me" and "Who doesn't want me?" or to exaggerate it "Everyone wants me."

This is not about being snooty. It is all about confidence and security. I mean, come on! Look at yourself in the mirror, then reflect your personality, what's there that stops others from seeing you. If you only see minor things, bingo! You are "dateable" or "likeable." Therefore, stop saying stuff that hurts your own self-image regardless it's a joke or not.

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I read my blog

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:15:00 +0000

I have blogged many posts, but they usually came to me as an inspiration. Without that inspiration, I did not know what to write and those posts would be not there in the first place. But what's cool about them is that, when things did not turn out as what I expected, or when I am feeling discouraged or down, I read the previous post(s) on my blog and hope that I would come across a subject that would help me put my mind at ease and see things more clear. Sometimes, I read other people's blog to realize that I am not alone and I am not the only one that feels that way.

Try it yourself. If you have blogs to share, don't hesitate to let me know ;)

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I am thankful for .........

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:23:00 +0000

Last year, this was what I was thankful for http://phengly.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-are-you-thankful-for.html, and this year, let me show what I am thankful for:

Given the state of the economy, regardless of my fears and worries about losing the job, I am thankful that I still have it.
Friends that are putting up with me. I know I am such a piece of work. Thanks to you all that are patient, understanding, and most of all, persistent with Pheng ^_<
A friend blogged a quote about he's not poor but just broke. There is a big difference between the two. To that, I am thankful that I don't have debts and can afford stuff that I "need" and a few "wants" lol
I am also thankful for my self-motivation and willingness to grow as individual - physically and emotionally.
Last but not least, thank you for reading my blog.

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Happy Holidays

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:26:00 +0000

What is your favorite holiday? And why?

I would say New Year’s Eve or New Year. It acknowledges me that it’s time for something different and it’s time for a change, for a new goal, etc. When you have that kind of spirit, it’s really exciting because it makes you feel like there’s something to look forward to.

How about Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve or Christmas?

I like those too. Most of all, I get to have days off from work. But they are very family-oriented and it sucks when you are away from your family, but going to friend’s house for a nice dinner is cool.

Any last words for this holiday season?

Yes. I just want to wish everyone a nice holiday season. Value what you have and hope for the best in 2010 or starting from today you read this. Happy Holidays!

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Take it as what it was for

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:19:00 +0000

The word of the day for today is "Take it as what it was for." An online friend said that to me and I really like it. Sometimes in our life, we tend to complicate thing than what it was. When one thing was meant to be this or that way as it was for, why spend your time trying to complicate it?

I hope that you would find this statement fits in some circumstances in your life, as it did and does for me ;)

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QA: Relationship & Sex

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:32:00 +0000

What is your ideal relationship?

I want to get to know a person first. You know someone that you like to hang out with, go doing something together, show our mutual friends that we are together, and more importantly, be intimate and romantic with one another.

What about the sex part?

Hm… it’s not a very important thing to me. Personally, being together is like a cake, and sex is simply just an icing on the cake. I enjoy being intimate and that’s the fun part about it – keeping each other wanting more out of one another. Know what I mean? LOL….. Jumping right away to bed just never works because it will be simply a lust rather than a love. When the lust is gone, what’s left? Friendship? Lover? Nothing? Or what?

So would it be possible to find someone that would have the same kind of perspectives about whatever you just said above?

*Chuckle* I seriously don’t know. Some people gave me advice to not going too fast, some told me that they agreed with whatever I said above, but when it comes to themselves, or when I was involved with them, they didn’t really mean what they said. I think, when there is a mutual interest there, two people can really over look one another’s flaw(s). Especially, one will be patient to wait until the other one is ready, and not simply just being patient just to get one thing. That’s when you realize that, s/he is the one that you can rely on as a partner.

What are the factors that drive you to believe such a thing?

I don’t know. But I guess it’s all from my personal experiences. I have started to believe that we are the ones that can attract the types of people that we are looking for. Most often time, trying to be too flexible to what we are looking for is doomed to fail. If you know what you are looking for, stick to those standards, add or subtract a few but not too much. I have been, and still I am in a position that I forget about what I am looking for. It’s the worst mistake ever that I have done. But the key point is, getting to know the person first. It’s not just who s/he is, or his/her ideas, but also his/her details.

Any last word?

Eh… who am I kidding? *Chuckle*

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The Biggest Loser

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:22:00 +0000

In the past, whenever I saw obese people, I questioned myself how are they going to get rid of those fat? Being a gym rat myself, I realize how hard it is to work out. It does not only require physical effort, but also determination and mental willingness. Until tonight, I was watching the "Biggest Loser" show, it is so powerful and inspiring, especially when they gave the speech and see their weight loss drastically. It answers to my question that "Yes, those obese people can do it if they have the mind for it."

If you are happy with what you look, I have no comment and happy for you. If you are in average shape, improve it and don't destroy it. If you don't like what you see in the mirror, get yourself inspired and start doing something about it. I have started my journey and want to continue it. It's your turn.

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Cheating Food

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:44:00 +0000

Weekend is usually my "cheating" day. It's not that I cheat other people, but I cheat myself on food ;) I am to a point that I am right now trying to maintain and at the same time improving my workout result. When you actually eat good on weekdays, and once in a while cheat a little bit on weekends, it's actually like giving yourself a reward, and you know what, the food tastes sooooooooooo good because you have not had it for a long time.

p.s: This applies only if you are in an average or good shape ;)

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Clean Look of Blog

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:52:00 +0000

WOW... I just realize that this month, I have nothing to write for October month :( It's not writing block, but have been with something else. Anyway, I just updated the look of my blog again ;) This time it looks cleaner. I'll write something more when I get a chance.

Ciaos!

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Eating Habit

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:10:00 +0000

Lately, I have noticed how bad I have been. Let me list those things out, and if you have caught yourself doing the same thing, let's work together to change that.

I have been on computer working on my travel blog a lot. It's okay to do that while I enjoy doing it, but when I have to eat even in front of computer, that's bad!
Due to the obsessive computer usage, I just grab whatever food I have in the fridge, freezer without paying attention to my nutrition, and that's bad!
I most of the time eat lunch at my work's desk. But I keep finding myself often time eating while working. That's not really bad, but I am not able to really chew my food and taste the food better. I guess that's not good either.

Eating is really important in our daily life. It's not only all about just getting full, but it's also about enjoying the taste of the food, and gaining nutritions out of the food. Basically, you eat good food that can full you and makes you feel satisfied without any distractions, so that you can enjoy the food better. Don't also forget about the exercise ;)

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Mean It!

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:59:00 +0000

Do you know in life, I have seen people who I ask for something that ranges from favor to things. Sometimes, they offer me without me asking for, but here is the thing. Keep reading!

I just hope that everyone can be honest with me instead of consoling me, and later on just for me to realize that whatever I asked for, you never provide me the updates. If I don’t ask, it will just go away. Seriously, is this something that you want to be as a person? By saying “NO” to someone is harder than giving him/her a hope then throwing him/her to the bottom of the hopeless abyss?

In short, mean what you say and say what you mean. You won’t hurt the person if you are honest with him/her. Doing your best is great, but keep the person updated if you meant in the first place to give him/her the hope. Oh, and don’t forget to really do your best! That’s all I can say, and as a person, you think about it.

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My Travel Blog

phengly@gmail.com (Pheng) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:23:00 +0000

Woot woot, my travel blog is up and running now. I still have to update and write my previous traveling adventures. But for now, it's good as far as the design goes. I love it!

Pheng's Travel Blog

Also, you can visit my traveling photos -

Traveling Photos

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