My tips #reduce portion

Morninggggg~

Lovely day today. A bit windy, but still awesome. Hei, you guys know what? I really like this feeling. I feel more alive and more positive in my outlook on life as the days goes by. Seriously liking my improvement. I can't remember the last time I cried. Honestly! Although my progression towards my ideal lifestyle is slow and sometimes rather painful (don't even get me started with the muscle cramps) but I keep focusing on the bigger goal. I cannot quit. :) Destiny isn't written in stone. Choices are ours and ours alone. We have to choose wisely.

Talking about choosing wisely, here's a few tips I've been following to reduce eating portion. Remember gang, eating is about control. We need to choose what food is good for us and what is not good for us kay? Let's check this out

Ainurhana #inspiration

Hai guys!

Today, I want to share with you about a girl who manage to reduce her weight without using ANY products. Just with exercise and proper diet planning. What find out how? Let's check this out.

My fasting #sweetened water #sahur

O_< Hmmm... I was wondering about this. Drinking sweet water like tea or milo makes me feel really thirsty afterwards. So, Zahri answered my enquiry for me and I wanted to share this with yall~

Dehydrahation

Hello :)

Well, after more then a week of experimenting with proper workout during ramadhan, I finally found out what works best for me. Morning and Afternoon are totally out for working out. I feel like a marshmallow. Totally can't move after workout since I lost lots of water. Sadly to say, I even fainted once. Not cool. Luckily my neighbor was there to help.

Anyways, I do 10k steps power walk after my iftar. I admit, I seldom got to tarawih. So mostly after iftar and finish my prayers, I rest for a bit before going for that power walk. At first, I was really afraid of muggers. These days, going out at night isn't safe! Let alone for exercising. Nevertheless, I talked to my friendly neighborhood watch patrol and they said they'll help keep an eye out for me and other joggers who jog in the evening. :D

Very awesome patrol we got there. They've also enlightened me that many people jog in the evening too. So, I don't really feel lonely doing that walk. If it's raining on that day, I work my upper body muscles.

I really hope my body development is well rounded.

Right now, I following a lot of exercises by Kevin Zahri. He is a US certified personal trainer.

http://kevinzahri.com

For those of you who are interested, you guys can check out his website right there. However, his articles are in Malay. ^_^ Though, he has been very inspiration for me so far~

Anyways, gotta keep going!

Good Luck guys! Let's work hard to achieve our goals. Small steps, eventually, we'll get there.

Fasting

Salam friends and Morning!

Today, I'll be talking about the advantages of fasting. Fasting is the act of withholding yourself from  food or drinks for a certain period of time. The term may also include abstaining yourself from doing something like smoking or swearing. Different religion have different forms of fasting. For my religion, I have talked about it in my last post.

When most people talk about fasting, they'll probably have a negative image. Fasting is often seen as something very unpleasant with absolutely no benefit whatsoever. Nawhhh come on! Fasting is not that bad and with modern technologies, many doctors and scientists have proven that fasting can help you, health wise, on the long term - if properly implemented, of course.

Some of the advantages include:

1. Fasting Promotes detoxification

Processed foods contain lots of additives. These additives may become toxins in the body. Some of them promote production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Most of these toxins are stored in fats. Fat is burnt during fasting, especially when it is prolonged. And the toxins are released. The liver, kidneys and other organs in the body are involved in detoxification. 

2. Fasting Rests Digestive System

During fasting, the digestive organs rest. The normal physiologic functions continue especially production of digestive secretions, but at reduced rates. This exercise helps to maintain balance of fluids in the body. Breakdown of food takes place at steady rates. Release of energy also follows a gradual pattern. Fasting however does not stop production of acids in the stomach. This is reason patients with peptic ulcer are advised to approach fasting with caution. Some experts believe they should not fast.

3. Fasting Resolves Inflammatory Response

Some studies show that fasting promotes resolution of inflammatory diseases and allergies. Examples of such inflammatory diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis and skin diseases such as psoriasis. Some experts assert that fasting may promote healing of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis.

4. Fasting Reduces Blood Sugar

Fasting increases breakdown of glucose so that the body can get energy. It reduces production of insulin. This rests the pancreas. Glucagon is produced to facilitate the breakdown of glucose. The outcome of fasting is a reduction in blood sugar.

5. Fasting Increases Fat breakdown

The first response of the body to fasting is break down of glucose. When the store of glucose is exhausted, ketosis begins. This is break down of fats to release energy. The fats stored in kidney and muscles are broken down to release energy.

6. Fasting Corrects high blood Pressure

Fasting is one of the non-drug methods of reducing blood pressure. It helps to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is clogging of arteries by fat particles. During fasting glucose and later, fat stores are used to produce energy. Metabolic rate is reduced during fasting. The fear-flight hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline are also reduced. This keeps the metabolic steady and within limits. The benefit is a reduction in blood pressure.

7. Fasting Promotes Weight loss

Fasting promotes rapid weight loss. It reduces the store of fats in the body. However fasting is not a good weight loss strategy. Reducing fat and sugar intake, and increasing fruits and rest are better measures to achieve weight reduction.

8. Fasting Promotes Healthy diet

It has been observed that fasting reduces craving for processed foods. It promotes desire for natural foods, especially water and fruits. This is one way fasting promote healthy lifestyle.

9. Fasting Boosts Immunity

When an individual is on balanced diet in between fasts, this can boost immunity. Elimination of toxins and reduction in fat store also helps the body. When individuals take fruits to break a fast, they increase the body's store of essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and E are good antioxidants readily available in fruits. They help to boost immunity.

10. Fasting May Help to Overcome Addictions

Some authors show that fasting can help addicts reduce their cravings, for nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and other substance abuse. Although there are other regimens required to resolve addictions, fasting can play a role.

Despite these benefits, fasting has some demerits. It may cause reduction in body water called dehydration. This leads may lead to headaches and even trigger migraines in predisposed persons. It may worsen heartburn and peptic ulcer. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, malnourished people, and individuals with cardiac arrhythmias, renal or liver problems are advised not to fast. 

References

Seliger, S. & Haines, C.D. (2012) 'Is Fasting Healthy?' Accessed fromhttp://www.webmd.com/diet/features/is_fasting_healthy

Panjwani, M. (2009) '11 Health Benefits of Fasting', Accessed fromhttp://mushpanjwani.com/2009/08/23/11-health-benefits-of-fasting/

(Copied from http://voices.yahoo.com/10-incredible-health-benefits-fasting-11621130.html)

Pretty cool, right? I like number 7 and 8 the most cause it's true. I lost 5 kgs already. :) Though, I need to drink a lot of water to prevent myself from dehydrating in the morning. The downside to this is I had to pee all evening. Not. Cool.

Fasting is risky if you have health problems. You need to have proper consult before jumping in and trying fasting, especially if you have health problems. Like myself, I get dehydrated to easily. So, I need to pump up the water intake. After iftar, I try my damn harderst to control what I eat. I still do eat carbs but it's the amount I take them in is what help me reduce weight. I also cut down on the sugar intake too. Still, I do eat the occasional dessert. It's about control and balance. Not to much control as you can't even eat, cause you still need energy from food to get by the days ahead. And not to little control as you'll eat everything in sight. 

Keyword is balance

InsyaAllah, I will post on dieting tips for fellow brothers and sisters who are fasting and to those who want to fast in my next post.

Till next time~

Ramadhan

Hello,

It's currently the Ramadhan months for all us Muslims out there. My brothers and sisters are all celebrating the holy month of Ramadhan, insyaAllah. For those of you who don't know what Ramadhan is, here's a little info. :D

My Pilot

Hai,

After a couple of months of creating this blog, I think I'm about ready to take dieting more seriously. Haha. So, hope people enjoy following my journey to weight lost. I will try to keep personal matters (my emo side and family matters) away from this blog and focus strictly on dieting tips, exercise, counting calories and my progress to getting the ideal weight and healthy living. Will also showcase some successful stories from coaches and ordinary people on how they got to their ideal weight. Once I reach my ideal weight, I will focus on maintaining my well-toned body. Hoping to get many followers and supporters in this one.