Cabbage Soup Diet: Day 4-7

So.... I kind of cheated or something along the lines of 1.5 lbs of Kickin' Crab Cajun Shrimp, Fries, and Sausages on Day 3 and forgot to add that to my previous Cabbage Soup Diet blog post....


Day 4: Banana Day


I was a good girl and ate 8 bananas for the day.


Day 5: BEEF DAY #1


I went all out.

TGIF Jack Daniel's Glazed Baby-Back Ribs & Shrimp (2,100 calories fuckyea)

Shrimp

TGIF Jack Daniel's New York Steak and Shrimp

Strawberry Lemonade

Day 6: BEEF DAY #2

I calmed down a bit.

Rib-Eye Steak (courtesy of Papa Chiou)

Day 7: Brown Rice

Didn't buy brown rice. Didn't want brown rice. DIDN'T EAT BROWN RICE.

Result:

Lost 2 lbs. A bit below my target goal, but.. at least I tried :)

Cabbage Soup Diet: Day 1-3

These past 3 days have been a bit out of my comfort zone in that I'm going on my first legit diet. Ever. The Cabbage Soup Diet, introduced to me by Jenny Kim, is supposed to do wonders as a short term diet. Although some of you may ask "well you're just going to gain it all back after the week is over anyway", it will ultimately help me in the long run in that I'll be more motivated to hit the gym / eat healthier (less portions) to maintain the weight, versus the ever losing battle of trying to lose the weight. Anyway, I wanted to keep myself on track by updating this daily regimen on my blog. Here is Day 1-3:

Day One: Fruits and Cabbage Soup

Thank you Housewife/Chef Jerry Cao for grocery shopping with the noob (me) at 99 Ranch and for helping me make the giant pot of cabbage soup! 

Survived off cutie oranges, apples, and 3 servings of cabbage soup (shown above).

Day Two: Veggies and Cabbage Soup (lost 1 lbs)

Thank you mama bear for cooking me tsai (the green spinach stuff) and peas and ONIONS! You're the best. 

Survived off 3 servings of peas, onions, and spinach, and 1 serving of cabbage soup.

Day Three: Fruits, Veggies, and Cabbage Soup (lost 0.4 lbs, lame)

Thank you again mama bear, for cooking me awesome broccoli w/ garlic, and roasted asparagus and peppers! (First time eating asparagus, it was pretty good)

Strawberries yumyum

(My very terribly cut) Fuji Apples

Oranges

Surviving off the above items.

I look forward to the next 4 days!

Paying It Forward

One thing that I am forever grateful to my family for (and Keson), is embedding into my brain-chip the trait of consideration. Consideration is important in that it goes farther than other traits such as being constantly being on top of things, being humble, or being motivated, because it directly affects those around us. 


One instance that clearly stands out in my memory is from a trip to the Laguna Beach Holiday Sawdust Festival. It was peak lunch hour and the eating area was very packed. Being the Asian I am, I immediately pounced  once a table opened up (and proceeded to wipe it with my 1,000 napkins). While waiting for Keson to pick up our food, I noticed a elderly man (70yrs or so) standing somewhat far away. He didn't even act as if he were looking for a seat, but many people saw him standing there and then resumed eating/talking. I however, got out of my seat, walked towards him, and offered him our table. Although he was one of those grouchy grandpas and didn't express his gratitude, I didn't care because I wasn't looking for a response. I felt satisfied because I was perfectly capable of standing and eating. Even though a man who witnessed the whole thing said to me "Wow, that was a pretty cool thing you just did", it didn't make me feel any more satisfied about what I did. 


When you do something good for someone, you should never do it for any other reason besides satisfying your own desire to do it. The moment you set yourself up with expectations about what others should do because you did what you did, you'll only feel dissatisfaction. 


Thank you Mommy, for all the times you've taken the least food during a potluck so others will have enough, for all the times you've sacrificed your own itinerary so others will be happy, for all the times you've taught us to not loiter after eating at a restaurant so others can be seated, for all the times you've told us you weren't cold and offered us your jacket instead when we have more arm hair/body fur on one arm than all of yours combined (true story). 


Thank you Daddy, for all the times you've gone out of your way to tell your close friends about a good deal for something that they can all benefit from, and for all the times you've taken the time out of your day to teach me something you've learned from Landmark so I can grow as well.


Thank you Harmony, for all the times you've been more mature than your big sister and for always being considerate to le parents.


Thank you Keson, for all the times you've ran forward just to open a door for someone elderly, for all the times you've offered to give a friend a ride home because he/she doesn't drive and for all the times you've given up your own convenience for someone else's sake.


The examples are to be forever continued because in the end, once you put others before yourself and sacrifice your own wants and desires, only then will your actions spur others to pay it forward.


Until next time,
Lils

Patience

Self-improvement is always good for the soul, and one thing I realized today is that I strongly lack patience. While studying at Starbucks today, there was a businessman sitting with his notepad/blackberry/binder/calendar out and ready to go. He waited for at least an hour for whomever he was scheduled to meet. Yes, there were moments when he would tap his feet, steal a glance or two (or 10) at his watch, check his texts/voicemails, and other subtle signs of impatience; he ultimately maintained his composure and was calm and understanding when the person finally arrived (who apparently went to the wrong Starbucks). 

I have been told countless times (cough Keson) that I need to be more patient, which I would then follow up with a "I know [insert excuse for raging at and cutting off the person driving 2 mph slower than me]". But like every other thing in this world, repetition and scolding can only go so far. In order to really understand, accept, and adopt, you have to realize it yourself. 

My dad often tells me that there's no point in wondering or assuming things about the other party. For instance, if I were the businessman, thoughts such as "Did he forget? He probably forgot. Should I text him (again)?  Should I call him to see what's happening? He's so irresponsible. I've been waiting for an hour and he doesn't even have the decency to give me a call." and the list goes on. You'll never be able to guess what's in the other person's mind nor will it do you any good to assume. 

That being said, I will be trying my hardest to be a patient bear from now on. My only exception: slow ass Prius drivers.

Have a great day,

Lils

A Smarter Planet: World Community Grid

Last quarter, in my Social Analysis of Computerization class, we analyzed the ways in which our culture and lifestyle is increasingly being molded by technology. No, this isn't going to be a spiel about how Facebook has altered the world, since it is only a grain of influence compared to the vast emergence of technologies in these past 2 decades that have forever changed the way we interact with the world.

At an IBM networking event two days ago, I was introduced to the World Community Grid. For those of you who don't know, IBM's goal as a global enterprise is to create a smarter planet and use their technology and resources to make a positive impact to the community. The gist of this software is to utilize surplus computer processing power (aka. unused computer time) by capturing its spare power to create a computing grid that contributes to solving world-wide problems, such as "Help Fight Childhood Cancer", "GO Fight Against Malaria", "Computing for Clean Water", etc. It's absolutely free, and allows us to give back to the world that we take so much from.

Learn more about this technology here. 

Until next time,

Lils

Fitness Goals: The Body Clock Reset Diet

I’ve been meaning to lose weight for a while now (gained 10 lbs this past year *sigh*), and more importantly, take better care of my well-being. I love eating (and I’m sure many who have eaten with me / witnessed me eat can agree with this statement), but I’ve got to get rid of my nom cravings and stabilize my living habits. I got this from Yahoo!, a news source I usually only turn to in times of extreme boredom, but this plan sounds good and makes sense to me and hopefully I’ll be able to follow through with it!

THE PLAN

6 TO 8 AM: GET MOVING.
Within a half hour of rising and before you eat breakfast, do 20 minutes of cardio. Research has found that exercising before breakfast may help you burn fat more efficiently. If you can get outside, even better. Early morning sunlight helps your body naturally reset itself to a healthier sleep/wake cycle (regular indoor lights don’t have the same effect).

[Note to self] This “cardio” will occur during my walk from my car to my classroom.

6:55 TO 8:55 AM: DRINK UP.
Before every meal, drink two 8-ounce glasses of water. Research shows that people who drank this amount lost 5 pounds more than nonguzzlers.

[Note to self] Keep a bottle of water with me at all times. Already doing this, self high-five.

7 TO 9 AM: EAT BREAKFAST.
The alarm clock also wakes up ghrelin, the “feed me” hormone made in your stomach. Ignore ghrelin and your body will produce even more, eventually making you ravenous. To suppress ghrelin’s effect, eat a mix of complex carbs and protein, such as eggs and whole grain toast, within an hour of waking.

[Note to self] Do this before leaving for class everyday.

10 TO 11 AM: MUNCH MIDMORNING.Ghrelin begins to rise again a couple of hours before lunch. It turns off when you chow down, particularly on carbs and protein, so have a small combo snack, like blueberries and Greek-style yogurt.

[Note to self] Stop by Costco and stock up on some granola bars and yogurt.

12 TO 1 PM: HAVE YOUR MIDDAY MEAL.
Galanin, another hunger hormone that makes you crave fat, rises around lunchtime. However, dietary fat causes you to produce more galanin, which then tells you to eat more fat. Instead, fill up with complex carbs and protein, such as chicken-vegetable soup or black bean chili.

[Note to self] Err.. not sure how I’ll be able to fulfill this and have access to chicken-noodle soup everyday. Must ponder some more on this.

2 TO 3 PM: TAKE A NAP.
Instead of hitting the vending machines, find a quiet place to grab a few Zzzs. (Hint: Your parked car is the perfect impromptu sleep pod!) Just set an alarm–15 to 20 minutes will energize your body without affecting your ability to sleep at night.

[Note to self] Limit my normally 2 hour naps to 15-20 minutes (waahh).

3:30 PM: GET BUZZED.
Need a boost? This is your last chance to have a cup of joe. Drinking coffee after 4 PM disturbs circadian rhythms and can keep you from falling asleep at night.

[Note to self] Coffee/tea doesn’t really affect me and my circadian rhythms, but I will keep this in mind.

4 TO 8 PM: TRIM AND TONE.
Now’s the time to do your strength training, plus any additional cardio. This is when your body temperature is highest, so you’re primed for peak performance. In one study, subjects who worked out in the late afternoon or early evening built 22% more muscle than morning exercisers.

[Note to self] Hit up the ARC during this time!

5 TO 7 PM: TIME TO DINE.
To ensure you don’t wake up hungry in the middle of the night, add a serving of healthy fats, such as flaxseed or fish oil, to your meal. If you’re a wine drinker, pour a glass now. Drinking later can delay dream (REM) sleep, waking you frequently during the night.

[Note to self] This is my only chance to beast.. TREAT YOSELF 5-7pm errday.

9 TO PM: HAVE A PRESLEEP SNACK.
Enjoy a carb-based bedtime snack, such as a serving of low-fat frozen yogurt. Nighttime carbs create tryptophan, which helps your brain produce serotonin. This feel-good chemical triggers your body to make melatonin, the sleep hormone.

[Note to self] Costco shopping list.. yogurt aisle yet again.

9 TO 10:30 PM: POWER DOWN.
Step away from digital devices, including the TV. They emit a blue spectrum of light that’s even more disruptive to sleep than regular bulbs. Do something calming–read, take a bath–in dim light so you’re ready to nod off when you hit the sheets.

[Note to self] Shower time, hubba bubba.

9:30 TO 11 PM: GO TO SLEEP.
Crawl under the covers at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, even on weekends. Having a regular sleep-and-wake schedule helps you fall asleep faster over time.

[Note to self] Herm.. probably not happening over the weekend, but will try my best..

Best of luck, you fatboy,
Lils