Day 3: 30 Days of Yoga

Today was an incredibly draining kind of day both mentally and physically. I have been working as a Production Assistant on a film and there has been a lot of lifting and trekking involved. My feet hate me and I am so sunburned that tomatoes envy my shade of red.

Ridiculous.

But when I come home and after having soaked my feet in lavender scented Epsom salt and hot water during dinner, I get my mat out and practice yoga.

The stretching and breathing are the things I look forward to after a long tiresome day. My body feels amazing afterward as well. Yes, it has only been three days but I have noticed a difference! My muscles are not as tight, I am able to focus more, and I a have been sleeping better. 

Now I can't wait for tomorrow!
Namaste!

https://youtu.be/FqGHWXjgn-M

Day 2: 30 Days of Yoga

If you are a wannabe runner like me, you know the joys and pains of running (more emphasis on pain). It has only been my second day with Yoga with Adriene but it has been a lovely experience. I have been on my feet a lot lately and thankfully she gave some time to what I like to call, foot yoga. That's right, she's an angel, a freaky angel.

So get your freak on and do check out this video.
Namaste and Happy Running!

Day 1: 30 Days of Yoga

Yoga has always been a big part of my adult life. I started practicing since age 18. Granted, it became more challenging as I became heavier but it also made me stronger. I realized that since 2011 I unfortunately, stopped practicing. Perhaps it was the change of moving and welcoming a lot of new things in my life that kept me from going back to a steady routine and incorporating yoga.

I decided I needed a jump start and get back into it. That's when I found Yoga with Adriene. I signed up for her newsletter and it pointed me to her YouTube channel. What a great first day!

Namaste!

Day 92 of 365: Sleep

5th March 2013 | 8:08 am

I hope I don't jinx myself by writing this but I have to say that I have been getting THE BEST SLEEP ever! That's a rare thing in my household.

I'm used to have late, sleepless nights ever since...well, birth really. So how did it happen? Surely, it didn't happen over night right? (Yes, pun intended)

No, it didn't.

In fact, it was something I was desperately working on. Every day for the past couple of weeks, I tried conditioning myself to spend an hour less in bed upon rising from my sleepy slumber and no naps during the day. Yes, that just meant less sleep (warning: don't do this if you NEED the energy for work or school.)

Slowly, my body was tired enough to retire at a decent hour and wake up at a decent hour. I'm also surprised that I don't wake up in the middle of the night.

Exercise also is a key ingredient to insomnia (at least it is for me).

So wake up people! Its a BEAUTIFUL Tuesday morning. Have a great run!

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 91 of 365: motivated and pumped!

4th March 2013 | 9:22 am
My Goal weight to lose this week: -2

This is reasonable. This is ideal. This is also means a lot of focus and determination on my part.

I can do it.

My runner tweets (@RunnerKE25) this morning:

@RunnerKE25: You know something's right when you wake up and your first thoughts are, "I'm gonna go for a run." #streakintospring #goodmorning #monday

#streakintospring: I woke up this morning with the desire to run and a craving for peanut butter. So I made a shake: Peanut butter, banana, unsweetened almond milk, and organic honey. Happy #Monday #Goodmorning #cebu

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 90 of 365: Swimming Pools

3rd March 2013 | 9:09 am

Swam 225 meters in 15 minutes

It felt nice to have a nice warm pool all to myself. But the unkept condition was a bit disappointing. Nevertheless, I figured, let me just get this workout done. 4.5 laps later (9 back to back), I was. Showered. Then had an awesome breakfast:

2 pieces of whole wheat one slathered with hazelnut spread, and the other with honey and nuts Philadelphia cream cheese with apricot jam! Coffee, of course! Two hard-boiled eggs with freshly ground pepper and a pinch of sea salt.

I'm suddenly liking this routine. I like waking up mornings and having a great productive day!

Happy Sunday running everyone!

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 89 of 365: #StreakIntoSpring Challenge

2nd March 2013
I bought a new pair of running shoes when my sister signed us up at the gym on the 21st of Jan. I only now have broken them in and they feel fine.

Not as great as my Brooks though I have to say.

 Wow, 80 days into the challenge and talk about inconsistencies! Yes, I have to say I am disappointed in myself. I kind of had a good start but you know something, I have to accept the fact that I will relapse. A change of habit DOES NOT happen over night.
Speaking of which, my eating habits have become a bit...how do I put it? Poor/lazy/careless. All to describe one thing: you guessed it, FAST FOOD. It is more expensive to eat out and you definitely feel the crappiness of it all after a week or two. I'm ending this fastfood fling and eating better. You know you need to when your body craves certain foods like, oh I don't know, produce!
Last month was yes, fast food month. Due to the projects I've been working on, it was accessible and came in excess.
So thankfully to this month's challenge via sparkpeople.com I'm starting March off right and going to challenge myself to "Steak into Spring" and keep the streak going so I can continue with my marathon training and body building.

(Feel Better and Get Fitter by Spring!)
"For the next 20 days, make a point to fit at least 10 minutes of exercise into your day, and keep the steak fling up until the end of Winter, etc...using the hashtag #streakintospring to stay accountable..."

It's going to be great! I feel really good after having walked 45 minutes tonight. It's hard sometimes to begin but once I'm warmed up, I just keep going.
Thought for tonight:
Don't look back on what you didn't do. Focus on what's to come and the NOW.

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 71 of 365: From Running Back to Walking

12th Feb. 2013

Trying to get my lazy ass back on track. It can be dangerous to just start running again. Oh those damn baby steps!

Short walk but sweet.

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 56 of 365: Upper Body, again

28th Jan. 2013

1. 15 kg weights
2. 7.5 each side smith machine
3. 15 kg

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 49 of 365: Upper Body

21st Jan 2013
Upper Body: Weights Variation

1. 15 kg
2. 7.5 kg smith machine.
3. 15 kg
4. 1/2 set 35 lbs. bar
1/2 set 15 kg weights
2-3 set 10kg bar
5. 10 kg

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 44 of 365: The Gym

16 Jan. 2013

Strength Training
1. 2.5kg + 5kg
2. 2.5kg + 5kg
3. 15
4. 30kg machine
5. 10kg

STAIRMASTER
36 flights
.77 miles
102k/cal burned
20 minutes

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 30 of 365: Trekking Batad Rice Terraces

2nd Jan. 2013
Batad Rice Terraces

The pain in my hams and glutes are quite like no other. But the feeling of having trekked this much and seen this much is well worth it! Again, what a healthy, happy, awesome way to start the new year!

Really, truly, fortunate.

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 29 of 365: New Beginnings

1st Jan. 2013
Sagada Spelunking

Although there were some fireworks, it was overall one of the most quiet NYE celebrations ever!

I'm feeling incredibly fortunate to spend the first day of the year spelunking at Sagada's Sumaguing Cave.

Fueled up this morning with endless rolls and toast. We rented a jeepney to take us on a 3-hour drive to Sagada. We registered and paid the environmental fees and hired a guide to bring us to the caves. The first one we went to was Sumaguing cave. Although I had gone 9 years ago, it felt just as exciting and amazing to be there!

Slippery at first, we made it through the deep part of the cave where we kicked off our shoes and repelled our way through he limestones.

AMAZING.

Yes, I was slower than my hubby and the guide but I am proud to have made it. I admit, there were times I didn't think it could go in farther but surprised myself.

Running. Need to do MORE OF IT!

Ended the day with a quick trip to burial cave which we plan on coming back to since it connects to Sumaguing cave (4 hours of spelunking). We will also make sure to wear our bathing suits and have less gear with us.

Dinner was some nice bolognese, Nice hot French Onion Soup au gatin, and more bread rolls.

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 28 of 365: Banaue

31st Dec. 2012
•New Year's Eve
•Goodbye to a great Director and Friend

The 9-hour bus ride started out a bit rough. We broke down almost every hour and I was a bit worried we'd never make it to Banaue. But we did and as dawn broke the misty mountains welcomed us.

We checked in at Banaue hotel and had some brunch. I had a ham and cheese sandwich with cucumber and tomatoes and homemade chips. Finished it off with some coffee and pineapple cake.

After a 4-hour nap and a village tour we came back to have some dinner. I had chicken terriyaki which would have been nice except the sauce was too salty. Rice and veggies were cooked to perfection and local. Coffee and bread rolls of course! Tomorrow it's spelunking!

Side note: a good friend and mentor passed away this New Year's Eve. Rest in Peace sweet Papa Bear. Tomorrow's adventure is in your honor.

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 27 of 365: Eating Just Enough

30th Dec. 2012

Started the day with a nice Filipino breakfast: coffee, fried eggs, garlic fried rice, tapa. Then ended the day with a variety of things during a family dinner at Vikings Luxury Buffet near Manila Bay.

The thing is, my eyes are bigger than my stomach. I didn't quite finish most of the foodies except for the salad and coffee and some dessert.

It made me a bit sad to think that my beachbody is falling a bit behind.

Upside though, I swam with dolphins! Amazing!!!

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 26 of 365: Swimming with Dolphins

29th Dec. 2012
Swimming with Dolphins

What an amazing day!!!!
This vacation is just getting better and better! Got to swim with one of the most intelligent creatures ever!

Also, had an 'ok' breakfast. U was a bit disappointed with the runny eggs, the overlooked sausages and the undercooked garlic in my fried rice.

Skipped lunch.

Dinner was better, having grilled chicken kebabs, veggies and coffee. Finished it off with some dessert and a night safari.

Life is good!

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 25 of 365: Roadtrip Food

28th Dec. 2012
Food on the Road

It's difficult sometimes to eat clean while on vacation. Unfortunately, the Philippines is not exactly vegetarian-friendly. Most dishes consist of meat and processed food.

On the road is even harder but nevertheless, today I tried and only ate until I was full.

Discipline...starts...(sort of) now.

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 24 of 365: Great Filipino Food

27th Dec. 2012
Fine Dining

...and the food just keeps getting better!

My grandma brought us I a wonderful Filipino Cuisine restaurant in Makati called XO 46 Bistro. I absolutely loved the stuffed eggplant, the soups, the appetizers and the dessert!

We later killed some time at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, once again rewarding myself with another coffee book planner. That if which I am giving to friends. Starting the year off with generosity right?!

Later that night we had a production meeting at Tapella in Greenbelt 5 Makati City. It's Spanish-American fusion and quite tasty.

Lots of goodies today. Maybe too much.

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 23 of 365: Movies and Junk Food

26th Dec. 2012

Today was one of the last days for the Manila Film Festival. We decided to partake and I insisted to watch "El Presisente" the life of President Emilip Aguinaldo, the very first Philippine President.

What you don't see in this collage of junk food is the Jollibee burger and fries I practically inhaled.

Goodness me! I'm going to pay for this!

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.

Day 22 of 365: Christmas Day

25th Dec. 2012
Christmas Day

Early this morning we attended Mass with my grandma. No morning run, no quick 15 minute circuit. Instead, it was straight to lunch for more fine dining.

My grandma loves Chinese food and brought us to yet another gourmet restaurant. The service was horrible but the food was pretty descent. I quite enjoyed the fried tofu which was about the "healthiest" thing on the menu.

Later that day, we visited my maternal grandpa for a but then went to have dinner at The Village Tavern which is supposedly American cuisine. Of course it is not and I was not really enjoying my "sweet" salad doused in candied walnuts, sweet vinaigrette, eggs, bacon, and believe it or not, a muffin.

I thought to splurge and get a "freshly squeezed" lemonade but to my disappointment, tasted like concentrate and was waaaay too tart!

Surely, the food was good at best the the company was great! Here's to "hopefully" better food the remaining days!

-KE

*Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program.  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25, is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk  "Running Like the Wind Blows." or twitter.com/RunnerKE25 and the author bears no responsibility thereof.