My Lose to Win Journey

My lose to win journey is something that will stay with me forever. Even though it has only been a 3 month's competition, it has totally changed my out look of life. When you are not looking and noticing, life happens. I have really no idea that I had ballooned so much after I returned from Sydney. Life was stressful without Joe and the way to escape was to eat and laze around.

When I first being asked to enrol for the programme, I thought why not, it will be like in the biggest loser in Australia and America and I definitely can do it. The fact that we get to go back to our family is the difference. We still have to cope with real-life issues, looking after our family or working hard at our work desks.

The exercise sessions by the coaches were good as they really push you to do your best. When you thought you could not do it, you simply outdo yourself. Many a times, I am most discouraged when I am made to do the exercises alone at home. It's really playing mind game with myself. I have to keep telling myself I have to do it. If not for myself, I have to do it for my team mate. Terrence once commented I am Kiasu, Well! I think I am just being a responsible team player. Those people who quit the competition halfway means their team could not qualify for the final selection. I feel for them. My motto is to always do your very best and live life to the fullest so that I will not have regrets afterwards.

Somehow life has a way of testing us, I was unable to do much for nearly 3 weeks as I had strain ligaments. Up to this day I still not sure how I injured myself, but I think the running plus everything adds to it. Being a flat-footer, I find running very tiring and definitely it adds pressure on my foot. Did my 5 km i-run with the others and really go all out for all the exercises. However, I forgot the coach's advice - always listen to your body. If you body says stop or slow down, we must listen and try not to overdo things. I was impatient to get back on my feet and somehow new and old injuries, everything adds up and I ended up resting for nearly 3 weeks. At the end, I am 300g short of reaching my 15% weight lost target.

What else is so good about lose to win? Well! I did a lot of research and found out many things that I was not aware of. We are really what we eat and I really did revamp my family's diet. My kids do not like the change at first but now they are used to it already. Someone has to be the catalyst of change and I am glad to be the one. The nutrition classes also help us to have a clearer picture of how we can have options and still enjoy our food.

Actually the ability to step out of the house and go to exercise is the greatest gift of all. Now I do not dread exercise so much as I used to be. Frankly speaking, I still sometimes drag myself to the pool or gym but once I start, there's no stopping. I simply enjoy the workout while the endorphins set in. (Endorphins are neurotransmitters produced in the brain that reduce pain). On days when I was dead tired, I still drag myself there and somehow at the end of exercise, I would have regain my strength. Exercise is also now the "ME" time for myself. It allows me to totally block out all the stressors of life and let me relax. With my MP3 plugged in, I simply work my body while listening to the music I like. No "mummy, mummy I want this, mummy mummy I want that". I am able to regroup myself and truly enjoy my own leisure time. I give and give to others and the 1 hr or so exercise time is the time I enjoy being with myself. When I accomplished what I set out to do like completing 10 laps of swim or an hr of gym, that's when I know I have done something for myself. Sense of achievement and contentment.

Besides all these, I find learning to say "NO" is okay. Used to be a "yes" woman all the time. Many a times, I am the rubbish bin for my kids' untouched food. For food that I deem not good for health, I have the ability to say no. We now know we should ask for less portions if can't finish all the food. We must also ask for more fruit and vegetables to fill ourselves up instead of having too much carbohydrates etc. The art of eating, taking small bites and share out the food with others. The one thing I learn too is not to deprive yourself. Taking treats once a while to reward yourself is essential for mental health. If you do not take it to satisfy yr craving, you will gorge yourself silly when you have the chance. The first Monday after the end of competition, I was gorging on Nasi Briyani and BBQ stingray. Think the calories for the day was nearly a hefty 2000. I simply had not touched these 2 in 3 months and I must have it immediately after the competition. Funny why I always have a thing for spicy food. Nowadays, I still try to estimate my daily intake of calories to be around 1200, not less than that if not our bodies will start to prevent burning off the energy and thus a lower metabolism rate.

Furthermore, learning that we need water, water and more water. Water is a very essential part of our diet. It helps to remove toxins from our bodies and helps in losing weight. Like food, when we have less than 2 litres of water, our bodies will go into protective mode and we have water retention.

Last but not least, I also find having an idol in the programme is good as he/she will motivate you. You may want to talk to people, interact and put yr entries in the lose to win web page so as to motivate one another.I find it most useful as it allows you to feel important and useful and somehow there are people who care and who bothers to acknowledge yr entries. One of them is HPB Hendrick who seems to be always there.

Used to say I can't do exercise and too tired. Now I know I can and I should just do it.