Weight Loss Journey errr My Journey to be HEALTHIER!

Yes, I am changing my lifestyle and I want to be healthier. I guess the first thing I have to do is shake off most (oh yeah) of my weight then maintain it. This should be a weight loss journey, but then I realized that I want a life style change, something that it for keeps and not just for the coming months, and therefore not just dieting.

My OB is very concerned, I was at 178 lbs when I gave birth almost a year and 2 months ago. And she said that my current weight (I was at 180 when I visited her about 3 weeks ago) is like the weight of me and my baby, and I am not pregnant anymore. She also said, that if I plan to get pregnant again in 1-2 years, I might reach 200 pounds! Which is not good. I am obese and I have to do something right away. She even said that I have to drag my husband in my weight loss journey.

We, fat people, heard that from different people almost everyday that the impact is not that big anymore (or the impact is negative and we tent to gain more weight). However, the way she said it, was from an angle so different from the usual things that I hear. She talked about being pregnant again, being healthier for my kid/s, and being a good example to them.

So here I am, determined to start my weight loss journey. I am planning not just to lose weight but to make healthier options as well.

So I guess here comes the part where I share my goal, my plans and of course my body measurements.

Long term weight goal: 130 pounds
Deadline: October 1, 2015

I have to divide this into short term goals. So for my first short term goal:
weight goal: 165 pounds
deadline: November 30, 3014

That's the time I will be visiting my OB again. So here is my current statistics:
height: 5'2
weight: 180 lbs
weist line: 42 inches
clothes size: L - XXL

My plan? Well, I will try to follow the low-carbs diet. However, it would be extremely hard for me to say No to desserts/sweets. So I will not be very hard on my self and indulge once in a while. So good luck!

I have this website as my guide regarding food choices:
http://authoritynutrition.com/how-to-lose-weight-as-fast-as-possible/
http://authoritynutrition.com/low-carb-diet-meal-plan-and-menu/

And this 5min video from the fat kid inside!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqE8MvwOrDQ

Let's go!

Actually, my husband and I already started our NO SOFTDRINK policy last Sept. 16.. We plan to do that until Oct. 28, then drink just occasionally. However, I plan not to drink softdrinks anymore.

Also, for morethan a week now, I already started eating salads (with only balsamic vinegar or olive oil as dressing) instead of rice and other stuff. What I have to do now is really limit my sweets.

On weekends, we go to my mother-in-law's house, and she cooks food that are best with rice, so I have to start saying no to rice when we are there.

I also started some exercise. Since I don't have time to go to the gym, I just do some plunking, wall push-ups, jumping jacks, and squats at home. I am still breastfeeding. I hope those are enough to burn the calories and to build muscles.

Aja!

How to Miss a Childhood

I am a sentimental person. And I am 'emo' too! There are days where I longed for the days that are already done. I miss my childhood. I miss the day where I run in the fields and climb trees in our province. I miss my cousins and my childhood friends, some of them we have already grown apart.

I remember Pipay's first night in our house. Her cry, the light, my panic. I miss her being smaller. I miss her tricks and the firsts we shared together. I know she will grow old, but I wish it would be slower. I to be able to remember everything someday. I want every moment stored in my heart. But will not wait. She will not wait for me to grasp everything first before she do her next trick, before she reach a new milestone.

My MS thesis adviser, who is a mother of two, shared a link on her Facebook page. I read it. The title is How to Miss a Childhood. I read it and shared it to my husband. We were both teary after reading it. Because the point hits home. We are both working with computers. Him as a faculty in Computer Science, and I as a programmer and soon to be faculty in the same field. See? We are both working with the 21st century stuff, with the ever changing technology. Both our works involved checking emails frequently and being in front of the computer more than 8 hours a day.

When I read the blog, I realized that I missed, missing and would miss a lot of my daughter's childhood. For around 2 months now, I've been playing with my phone whenever I remember. And that is almost every 2 hours since the game I was playing, Hay Day (a farming game) requires me to tend to my crops and other game stuff almost every hour or so. When she was smaller, I usually get my tablet device beside me at night so when I woke up in the middle of the night to feed her or to cradle her, I would be able to play. Also, when I breastfeed her, I am playing at the same time.

After reading the article, both of us decided to limit our phone, tablet or computer use when we are with her. It is hard given our work. But we will. The first thing I did was, uninstall the game on my phone and stop playing with it when we are together. I want to make sure that we will have an eye to eye during breastfeeding time. I want to be in full attention when we are playing. Or when we are making funny noises. I want her to know that the sounds I make in response to the sounds she make are genuine and not just absent-minded responses.

I was able to limit my phone use for the last 2 days. And I am happy with it. I am grateful that I was able to realize all this early on. She's just 9 months and half. So luckily, I did not miss a lot yet. Her childhood, although fast, is still long and would be full of memories to cherish and enjoy.

I plan to witness all the milestones and be there during mold and guide her according to the principles I learned. I learned before that 'Principle is not a principle until it cost you something'. The principle of being hands-on undistracted mom would cost me the price of being always online and being able to try new entertainment using new gadgets. But I know in my heart that what I'll give up is nothing as compare to making my child feel loved, important and cared.

Lez go mommys! Let's give our kids the time they deserve! Aja!

Pipay turns 1 : Planning

I actually started a long time ago, but I finally able to really start putting things together just this month. We decided the venue to be in the Victoria Place Clubhouse in Potrero Malabon. Actually, it was my in-laws idea since some events of their relatives they attended was held there and they think the place is good. It actually is, since it is super cheap (as compared to SM Grass Residences Clubhouse). There are 2 rooms, the pavilion and the function room, and 2 swimming pools (adult and kid's) and all of them are included in the price. Good right?

The theme was decided a long time ago, I don't know when. The theme would be Princess. At first, I want the colors to be pastel, but upon reading blogs and looking at pictures, pink and white work really nice. The combination creates femininity, innocence and youth. Well, actually I think it will go best with Pipay.

For the caterer, since we want something that is tried and tested, we decided to book Verleo. They were the caterer in one or two of the events that my in-laws attended, and my husband loves their mango crepe.

I decided to DO-IT-MYSELF (DIY --> DIM) because hiring a professional event organizer could be expensive and since I think I can pull it all up. Well, I really hope so. Since my husband trusts me, and because we believe we will save money, he is letting me plan and do things on my own.

So what I did is read a lot of blogs, look at a lot of pictures. I have things in mind, yet they change everytime I read or look, and actually, plans are getting more defined.

I know that I cannot do everything, so from the blog I read, I was able to contact some suppliers.

For the balloon decorations, clowns, and other entertainment I was able to book Whimsical Gatherings. They actually offer whole birthday package (with catering) but since we have the catering, I just chose from their services and asked for quotation.

For the food carts, game booths and photo booths, I booked Rsr Food Express. The have a lot to offer too! And their selections of food carts varied.

For the dessert table, my mother-in-law will take care of the cake. I just provided them with the design. I am still looking for a baker who will do the cupcakes, cakepops and other baked goodies. I will just add candies, waffer sticks and other stuff. For the design of the table, I plan to buy nice glass jars and plates. The backdrop (if possible) would be pompoms and pinwheels.

I already designed the invitation. I used gimp. I looked for free vectors and other free electronic art materials. Some for personal use and some for commercial. I can't put the link since I looked and downloaded from a lot of sources. All are free, mind you! I bought a wax sealing stamp online to seal the envelope (to create a castle/princess impression). I still don't have papers for the printing of the invitations and for the envelope.

I am thinking of giving the kids a crown/tiara to wear for the party. I found a blog that used felt paper/cloth and designed them with glitters and beads. I can do that. However, I am not sure if I have the time. An alternative would be cartons designed with glitters, but that's work too. Another alternative is to buy cheap crowns/tiara, if there is. Or just buy head bands for girls and cape for boys (It is hard to think of an alternative for boys).

I am thinking of a 'take-your-picture-here' booth where I will put some of Pipays old stuff. I have a design in mind, but I'm not sure of the execution yet since I don't have the needed materials yet.

Ahh! The stage! The first plan was to have a castle backdrop, but we cannot find someone who creates such big props. So we decided to use curtains, pompoms and pin wheels instead. We will still put a PIPAY 3-foot letter stand. I found a supplier already, but haven't ordered yet.

There are a lot of things that needed to be done. I still have to buy lots of stuff. Howell, let's do this!

As a confession, it is really hard to plan and do all these. Especially since Pipay moves a lot lately, she crawls (not on 4's yet) a lot. Waaa! My baby is growing old so fast! Soon she'll have her 1st birthday!

Baby Pictorial 2

Yeps, we had another baby pictorial last February 9 at Babies in Baskets studio in Fairview. Our photographer is still VJ Matias. The baby photography business was just new since he is really in the wedding photography industry.

I think this pictorial is more challenging since Pipay is older and she moves a lot as compared to our 1st pictorial, but since VJ is patient enough we were able to have lots of good shots.

Here are some of my favorites.

Pipay @ 7 months 3 weeks

We went to her Pedia for her first flu vaccine shot this afternoon. Pipay played with Tita Beks (Dr.Liza's assistant) while waiting for our turn. Our Pedia is happy because Pipay babbles a lot at laughs/smiles a lot too. She also responded well with the eye-focus and reaching test.

However, Pipay is late (for her age) physically since she cannot sit by herself yet. She can only sit when assisted. Dr. Liza said, she must now be able to go to a sitting position on her own. She suggested some exercise for Pipay.

We are all happy because her height and weight are good. She is now 10.09kg (which is the average for 1 year old babies) and is now 71cm tall.

She is at 88.5 percentile for height and 99.5 percentile for weight.

Pipay's Teeth and Biting and Breastfeeding

At around 7.5 months, her teeth came out.. Here is her picture sporting her teeth.

I already blogged about her biting me, and how it was painful. Now, with 2 tiny teeth that are not yet fully out, her biting is more painful than before. I not yet sure how to deal with this. We noticed that when she bit me and I reacted, she'd laugh and do it again. I think she does that because she think it was fun and because she gets my attention (and others).

I am worried for the next months, when she has teeth in the upper gums because it would be worse. I wonder how breastfeeding mothers like me deals with the biting...

First Tooth (or teeth)

We were assuming since she was 3 months old that she is teething. It was because, (1) she drools (2) she sometime pull her hair and ears; which, according to some articles, could be a sign of teething. Apparently, we are wrong.

Her teeth (the tiny tip of her 2 lower front teeth) came out last April 6. Well, not exactly that day, but that was the first day that we felt (when she bit my finger) the hard sharp tip of her teeth. We were excited, and happy.

However, I was worried too, because this could mean that some of our nursing sessions would be more painful. Sometimes, Pipay loves to bite my nipple, then pull it. It was very very painful, and I guess it would be much much painful now that she has teeth.

I guess, nipple biting is one of so many sacrifices that breastfeeding mothers must face. Howell, goodluck to me!

Here is Pipay's photo on the day we felt her teeth, she was adorably touching her teeth with her tongue. I'll post another one soon (in 2-3 weeks maybe), in which her teeth are already showing.

Pipay Fell from the Bed

I was so busy with my work and with my MS thesis that I wasn't able to blog lately. But since I need a break and what happened yesterday (March 25, 2014 Wednesday) was frightening, here I am blogging.

I usually don't leave Pipay alone on the bed. When it is just the two of us, I do things when she's asleep. Such as having my lunch, taking a bath, and washing the dishes. When I have to pee, I surround her with pillows on the bed if she is awake or put her in her high chair. Because I don't want her to fall from the bed.

Yesterday, I was playing with her on the bed when my phone signaled a new email. I went to my laptop to read it. When I was in front of my laptop, I looked at Pipay. She was in the middle of the bed, and my judgement is, she won't reach the edge before I finish reading the email. But I was wrong.

I was reading and was shocked by the sound her body made as she hit the tiled floor. I even heard her bumping into the clothe boxes near the bed. I looked. And there she was, lying on the floor. Silent for a moment.

I went to her side, panicking, picked her up. She cried. It was heartbreaking. She cried and cried as I try to console her. I called my mother, who was washing Pipay's clothes. We checked her while she was crying.

She eventually stopped. I breastfed her for a while. Then I tried to make her laugh. She didn't. But at least she seemed okay already.

I was so sorry, that it happened on my watch. I'm sorry baby. I just hope that she really is Ok. I did read some articles online and observed her if I need to bring her to a hospital.

She ok now, I think. She plays. She laughs. She's back to being malikot. So I guess she's ok. Well, maybe that was just one of those moment mothers (or fathers) regrets and gets frightened about. One of those frightening, but not alarming situations that melts our hearts and makes us more watchful and caring.

I love you Pipay.

Pipay @ 5.5 Months

Pipay is now 24 weeks or 5 months and 3 weeks. We visited her Pedia last Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. She weighs 9.15kg and her height is 68cm. The Pedia told her she's obese. I think that's ok for infants. Especially since she is breastfeeding, exclusively (oh! I don't want her to start with solids yet!)

Since her Pedia don't compute percentiles, I looked online for a calculator. I found a nice one, with graphs here. According to them, calculation is done using WHO data.

Pipay is at 93.3 percentile in height. She is a little bigger than the height of most the children her age.

For weight, she is at 99.6 percentile, which means she is heavier that most children her age.

I think, since it is based on WHO, which is world wide, Pipay is really tall for a Filipina baby. :)

I am glad, she is happy, healthy, pretty and super active. She can roll over now. :)

Roll Over

I wish I can pinpoint the exact moment of this very important milestone, however, I can only share some of her firsts.

Last Feb 6, 2014, when Phil and I was about to sleep (at around 1:30 in the morning), Pipay woke up and rolled over 2 times! Nawala ang antok namin just to see that. A few days back was her official first roll over, but we can't remember the date, plus we though she was able to do that because of the uneven surface.

Then Feb 7, Friday, we visited her Pedia. The Pedia asked if Pipay can roll over already. I told her, Pipay did it less than 5 times. Then she said, Pipay is delayed if she can't roll over yet.

The weekend after, as if she is proving the doctor wrong, Pipay rolled over more than 10 times. :)

Here is a video of her rolling over. :)

Biting

I don't really know when it started, I just noticed that instead of thumb (whole fist actually) sucking she was biting her fingers, that was past 3 months old.

Then, err the pain, she started biting my nipple. Thank goodness she doesn't have teeth yet! Ohh and sometimes, she'll bite while pulling away. That hurts a lot. I just tell her not to bite mommy. Haay, Kaso, nanggigigil talaga sya e.

Today, she is 5.5 months, and I think she is starting to teeth, and for sure the biting would be painful. However, I am determined to breastfeed her until, at least, 2 years. Lez go baby!

Pipay @ 4.5 Weeks

We went to her Pedia last January 6, 2013 for her vaccine. Her height and weight was taken, and I am so happy that she is taller than last time and she gained more than a kilo. She now weighs 8.45k and she is 66cm tall. She is a healthy, active and a super cute baby. Our Pedia and her assistant even commented that she is big (and that maybe because of her genes and breastfeeding). When we calculated her percentile, she is at 97% in weight and 91% in height.

I am proud to say that my baby is exclusively breastfed and that I plan to breastfeed her until she wean on her own. Soft, solid foods will be introduced when she is 6 months. For now, I'll enjoy our breastfeeding moment. I know I'll miss these moments, when she is on my breast, feeding, smiling and making me feel more important and loved.

Aja to us, breastfeeding mothers!