Merah Ara Mara Marak: January 2011

Saturday, 29 January 2011

Soal Nama Dulu

Mula2 yg dekat Ara Damansara yg nak buat.

Hm..nama Ara ni dah cantik dah. Asalnya yg saya tahu nama pokok. Blh mewakili Ara Damansara.

Kalau nak perwakilan yg lain AraD, yg kalau dterbalikkan <^> jadi Dara. Ada makna juga tu. Jgn jadi Dera sudahlah.

Tau kat org Ampang, offer diri nak joinla pulak. Masih blh pakai nama Ara sbb 'A' utk Ampang dan 'ra' utk Damansara. Tambah2 nama tempat yg guna nama Ara ni yg saya tau mula2 Ara Damansara dan kemudian Ara Ampang.

Pastu, org AdDamam pulak nak join. Nak jadi Aram pulak. Tau tak kalau dterbalikkan <^> jadi Mara. Uh! Cantik tu. Mara ke dpn dan maju, maksudnya.

Tp kalau dtambah kpd Dara tadi tu jadi Daram. Takde makna apa2 kot. Nak ada makna kena tukar jadi Dram (drum) tp seram je bunyi/maknanya. Nanti jadi Drama pulak..

Org Gombak pulak acah2 nak join, eh nak jadi Aramg ke? Pelik ejaannya tu. Kalau Arang baru betul ejaannya. Dan ada peribahasa/simpulan bhs, 'kalau genggam bara api biar sampai jadi arang'. Kuat juga semangat tu. Kalau tambah lagi G d dpn, jadi garang..

Tp kata org Ara Damansara, jadi Garam. Garam ni penambah rasa. Kalau tak dmasukkan garam dlm masakan mana nak cukup rasanya. Kalau sakit gigi, sakit tekak blh kumur dgn air garam. Kalau saluran tersumbat pun blh bubuh garam.

Garam ni kalau dpermudahkan blh jadi Gram. Unit ukuran utk berat. Tp, bila tgk bacaan berat tu jgn geram pulak..

Tp kalau utk AdDamam tak mau ambil huruf 'M'nya blh juga ambil huruf 'D'nya. So, Gram tukar jadi Grad. Tp Grad ni utk org yg dah tamat/berjaya je.

Kalau Grad ni dterbalikkan <^> jadi Drag. Blhla kot pakai maksud anjak. Mcm Anjakan Paradigma program TV Datuk Dr. Fadhilah Kamsah tu.

Tp dnasihatkan pula, org Gombak tak payah masuklah sbb dah join grup/kelab lain. Maka Garam tak jadi pakailah nampaknya.

Dan kalau org Kelantan masuk, kata org AdDamam, jadi Karam. Karam tu sbb berat tau org adDamam! Bahaya! Bahaya!

Posted by Ibu WA Alim at 01:55 4 comments

Thursday, 27 January 2011

Temptation #1

My MIL invited us for dinner last night. Yesterday she and her lady friends had a mengaji session at one of the ladies' house. Such sessions usually end with my MIL bringing home lots of leftover home cooked Kelantanese food. Yesterday was no exception.

Before going there, I made a resolution to refrain myself from over eating. And refrain I did. I had a bowl of laksa Kelantan, loaded with generous amounts of ulam and 4 pieces of keropok. For desserts, I had a piece of kueh kaswi and a piece of talam ubi. MIL offered coffee but I declined. DD munched 3 kueh kaswi, 2 talam ubi and a kueh lapis. She has a sweet tooth, just like me.

Later on MIL and I packed the leftover for us to bring home. So now sitting invitingly in my fridge are left over laksa, kueh kaswi, kueh lapis, talam and 'kekah kekah cha' (for the life of me, I can't recall a more 'decent' name for this kueh). Oh dear, it's going to be hard to keep my hands away from the fridge.

Wednesday, 26 January 2011

Weight Loss Program (yes, I'm serious)

Last night I went through my old copy of Dear Nestle Diary - A Healthy Start Begins Today. It contains articles, recipes and tips for a healthier lifestyle. Initially I thought I didn't want to bore my blog readers (ehem) with the details, but seeing that IWA and Nida are interested to compete with me (*panic mode*), I think it would benefit them if I share some pointers mentioned in the Diary here.

Firstly, Malaysian women require between 1,600 and 2,000 kcal per day. The wide range accounts for different factors such as age, height, weight, activity level and body composition. For me who never bothers about calories before, this means that I have to start watching what I eat, not just how much. For a start, I've begun to record what I eat at each meal.

The Diary gives some helpful meal suggestions, which total up to less than 1,600 kcal a day:

Breakfast
Option 1 (275 kcal): 2 pieces of toast with pineapple jam, 1 half-boiled egg, 1 cup of coffee with 1 tsp sugar.

Option 2 (290 kcal): 2 slices sardine sandwich, 1 glass of Omega milk, 1/2 apple.

Option 3 (318 kcal): 1 bowl of Nestle porridge, 1 cup of Nestle Bliss Yoghurt.

Lunch
Option 1 (418 kcal): 1 cup rice, 1 red snapper cooked in tamarind, 1/2 cup sawi, 1/2 cup cabbage, 1 apple.

Option 2 (426 kcal): 2 slices tuna sandwich, 1 cup nestle Bliss yoghurt drink, 1 apple.

Option 3 (434 kcal): 1 plate chicken rice, 1 cup Nestle Bliss yoghurt drink, 1 slice papaya.

Tea
Option 1 (131 kcal): 1 cup Nestle Bliss yoghurt

Option 2 (187 kcal): 1 Nutren cereal bar, 1 cup hot milo.

Option 3 (255 kcal): 1 curry puff, 1 cup hot milo.

Dinner
Option 1 (389 kcal): 1 cup rice, 1 piece steamed chicken, 1/2 cup kailan, 1/2 cup spinach, 1 pear.

Option 2 (519 kcal): 1 plate chicken & mushroom spaghetti, 1 slice papaya

Option 3 (562 kcal): 1 bowl mee soup, a pack soya bean milk, a cut pineapple.

Looking at the suggested meals above, I realise that it's doable. At the same time, I realise where I've gone wrong. My meals comprise a lot of fried stuff - fried chicken, fried fish, sometimes even fried squids and prawns. I also tend to overdo it at tea time. Instead of eating 1 curry puff as suggested, I would usually wallop three! And then I top it off with 1 full mug of white coffee. Oh, and I do love sweet drinks. I have tea in the morning, coffee at tea time, and another drink (tea/coffee/milk) after dinner. And I love tidbits too - nuts, chocolates, crisps. It sure looks like I have to overhaul my entire diet.

The Diary mentions that the best time to weigh ourselves is in the morning after we've gone to the bathroom. This is when we'll get our 'true weight'. Throughout the day, our weight fluctuates by as much as 2.5kg due to food and drinks, wet hair, and clothing.

Of course, a weight loss program wouldn't be complete without exercises. I'm aiming for at least 4 half-hour exercise sessions every week. It's not much, right? For me, the key word is variety. Otherwise, I'll get bored easily. So, here are the options that I can think of so far:
1. Cardio exercise (DVD)
2. Strength exercise (DVD)
3. Climb up and down the stairs
4. Book Maintenance Manual exercises
5. Dear Nestle Diary exercises
6. Jogging/brisk walking at the park
7. Play badminton with DD/DH
8. Exercise sessions with DD (yes, she's interested to be my fitness coach)
9. Go to the gym

The Diary mentions that a healthy weight loss is around 0.5 to 1 kg per week. Is it doable? Yes!!! Welcome to the ARAM Club.

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

Weight Loss Program (seriously???)

I started watching The Biggest Loser show during the year end school holiday. I became hooked to the show for several reasons. Firstly, I think it's amazing that the contestants manage to lose a lot of weight during the duration of the show, and in the process transform their lives. Secondly, there's the drama. When you pit off a bunch of individuals against each other and at the same time put them through the grueling physical exercises, emotions are bound to run high. Some of them crack under the pressure of it all. Thirdly, although I'm not obese, I too share their desire to lose weight and have a healthier lifestyle.

As far as managing my weight issue is concerned, I've had several false starts, chiefly due to lack of will power. I came up with numerous reasons to not exercise. In the meantime, the waist continues to expand and the flabs become more prominent.

Watching The Biggest Loser, I become motivated to do something about my weight. A daily dose of the show serves as a constant reminder of my own weight issue (so TV is not that bad afterall, eh?). I pondered about it for days and weeks, and finally told DH unconvincingly that I wanted to start jogging.

Now, the problem was I didn't have enough track bottoms (there always are problems, aren't there?). So off we went to Jusco in Sunway Pyramid. The biggest size that they had was XL (are you kidding me? what about fat people like me?), and surprise surprise, it didn't fit me. I felt tears welling up in my eyes when the cold reality of my huge bottom sunk in.

The next day, I continued my search for the elusive XXL track bottom at Subang Parade, and thank God, I found them. So, I was ready to start exercising.

By then, the weather had become hot again after a brief spell of coolness akin Mediterranean weather, so my motivation to scale the outdoor plummeted. So for a week, I did nothing, except for wearing my new track bottom in the morning when I sent DD to school.

While the weather continued to be hot, I started thinking of an alternative plan. I rummaged through my old collection of DVDs and found 3 exercise DVDs. Now I can get started!

So, I officially began my weight loss program yesterday. I hopped on the scale and noted that my weight was 60kg. I think the scale underestimated my weight somewhat, but I gladly accept it. Afterall, I'll be using the same scale to weight myself throughout my weight loss program, so what if the reading is off by a kilo or two, right?

I plucked my Kathy Smith DVD from the shelf and put it in the DVD player. A reading flashed on the screen, "Not compatible". I replaced it with a Jane Fonda DVD, but again "Not compatible". Finally, I tried the Denise Austin DVD, and it worked.

I followed the 5 minutes warm up session. No big deal. And then it was back to the main menu, displaying a choice between cardio and strength. Now, I couldn't find the DVD player's remote control, and there's no button on the DVD player to move between the choices. And that was how I ended my exercise with Denise Austin yesterday.

Not one to give up so easily, I decided to follow the exercise steps in my Body Maintenance Manual book. It wasn't that strenuous so I managed to exercise in half an hour.

As for the meal, I think I ate well for the main meals yesterday. But I somewhat blew it with indulgences at tea time: I had 10 small pieces cekodok pisang (yummy) with with nescafe. And then after dinner I couldn't resist the Lay crisps that DH was munching, so I walloped a few.

DH atoned for his 'sin' of tempting me with the crisps by searching for the missing DVD player's remote control. He found it, so this morning I had a full cardio session with Denise Austin. It was tough. After 15 minutes of exercising, I started looking at the clock every 5 seconds. By the end of the exercise, I was sweating like a pig.

So, that's my weight loss journey so far. The real challenge is staying motivated throughout. I hope to see good results soon.

31/03
Don't get too stressed over your looks. Remember that love for yourself is more important than anything else, because it's what moves you to achieve things.

30/03
Watch your posture. How you carry yourself affects how people perceive you more than you think! Perk up that chin, throw those shoulder back, and glide through the air as if you just signed a ten million dollar contract.

29/03
Educate yourself in culture. Stay on top of the arts, film, music, fashion, news and all things hip.

28/03
Smile, and do it like you mean it. To smile genuinely, you have to be genuinely happy with yourself. Don't hide behind your smile all the time. If you are unhappy about something, express your opinion.

27/03
Remember: Clothes don't make you, they complement you.

26/03
Never put blush on the apples of the cheeks. Keep it BELOW the cheekbone and away from the eyes.

25/03
Rid yourself of any insecurities. If your shoulders are slouching and you have a scared look on your face you will look bad even in a Gucci & Manolo shoes.

24/03
Mind your style, from top to bottom. There are two things that can make or break your look:your hair and your shoes.

23/3
Give Mud Therapy a Try! It detoxifies the joints in your body, releases stress, and revitalizes your skin.

22/3
Get fit. Being healthy is a million times more important than being thin. Check with your doctor for your proper weight range and work to get and stay within it.

21/4
Be fashionable. This one is a given, but a lot of people don't realize how wrong they are in the clothes they wear. Learn about your body type, height, skin tone and preferences. Discover yourself, and fashion will come to you.

20/5
Think of yourself as attractive. No one has the right to judge how you look but you, and if you decide to be good-looking, then that is what you will portray and that is what you will be!

18/4

Stand up straight. This makes you look like you respect yourself, and others will follow your lead. Plus, it has the visual effect of smoothing out any bulges that aren't particularly flattering.

17/3
Feel good about yourself. When you feel good, you look good. People are attracted to and feel comfortable with people who respect themself.

16/3
Whiten your teeth. Everyone looks better with whiter teeth, and it's not very expensive if you buy the strips you can apply yourself.

15/3
True beauty comes from within! Maintain positive thoughts about yourself and others. Be positife inside and you will glow on the outside.

14/3
Smile! You will look and feel truly beautiful.

13/3
Shoes with heels will make your legs look amazing; if those aren't possible, wear some funky tennis shoes.

12/3
Try your perfumes (if you have them), and see what makes you feel best.

11/3
Smile and be Friendly! This is the first ingredient for beauty.

10/3
Don't change your interests or values just because the outside of you is getting a makeover.

9/3
Don't worry if you don't have a perfect figure or flawless skin. Beauty comes in all different shapes and sizes.

8/3
Be yourself! Get over jealousy and comparisons to others. See what makes others look good. How do they accentuate the possitive?

7/3
Take care of your lips. Use a medicated chapstick, and add lip gloss when appropriate.

6/3
Confidence is one of the sexiest things in the world. Embolden yourself! Keep your posture straight and your head up.

5/3
Get enough sleep. This will help you to always look your best. Regular sleeping patterns help your body to effectively regenerate and feel great the next day!

4/3
Exercise. Looking great means feeling good about yourself and staying healthy.

3/3
Hot showers can damage your skin, drying it out. Try taking a warm shower, and eventually turning the water down to cool. This will help to close your pores after the warm shower.

2/4
Use a gentle soap like Dove for acne prone skin. It makes your skin a lot less oily because its PH balanced.

1/4
Pick clothes that flatter your body, but dom't go too far. People get the wrong impression if you show too much skin.

Make sure to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Make sure to floss at bedtime and use a cheap gum massage,
to get under the gum flap. You want to prevent the buildup of plaque, which can discolor your teeth.

Drink lots of water. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after every meal or snack to make sure no food residue is sticking to your teeth.

If you smoke try to cut down as much as possible and of cource it is better for your health to quit smoking altogether as you no doubt know.

Try to eat a better diet with lots of raw foods - fruits and veggies. Make huge salads. Avoid fast food and processed food as much as possible.

Make appointments to get your teeth cleand regularly!

Regular use of paste of bi-carbonate of soda with water removes the surface stain from the teeth.

Coffee and tea are notorious for causing teeth staining. Make sure to sip or rinse your mouth with water while you're drinking coffee or tea and after you're done. Colas and wine can also cause stain on the teeth.

Some fruits such as strawberries are excellent tooth whiteners. Strawberries can be rubbed on the teeth or mashed up in a paste and brushed on. Leave on the teeth for five minutes. Rince well.

Avoid drinking water with any added fluoride or using toothpaste with fluoride as it's been reported that it can discolor or stain your teeth.

Baking soda has long been used for dental whitening. Many types of tooth paste have baking soda in their ingredients because of its effectiveness.

Application of a paste of lemon juice and a salt in the yellowish tint of the teeth is a wonderful way of eradicating that dull color of the teeth.

Rubbing the inner white part of an orange peel in the discoloured teeth gives a lovely white shine.

31/8/2009
Regular physical activity reduces the risk for many diseases, helps control weight, and strengthen muscles, bones, and joints.

30/8/2009
Be active. The safest and most effective way to lose weight is to reduce calories and increase physical activity.

29/8/2009
Aim for a healthy weight. People who need to lose weight should do so gradually, at a rate of one-half to two pounds per week.

28/8/2009
Calorie balance is like a scale. To remain in balance and maintain your body weight, the calories consumed (from the food) must be balanced by the calories used (in normal body functions, daily activities, and physical activity).

27/8/2009
Remember to do squats! They strengthen all of the major muscles of the lower body.

26/8/2009
"Eat your fruits and vegetables." Healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and chronic diseases.

25/9/2009
Lift weights. It is a myth that women who lift weights will get bulky muscles.

24/3/2010
Did you overeat this holiday weekend? Don't feel guilty about it, because it is O. K. to let go every now and then. But, recommit today to eat well and keep exercising.

23/9/2009
Be physically active, at a moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.

22/1/2010
Hang a Food Pyramid chart on your wall to remind you to eat accordingly.

21/1/2010
Don't forget to drink plenty of water! When you are participating in vigorous physical activity, it's important to drink before you feel thirsty.

20/8/2009
Stay motivated! Surround yourself with fitness reminders at home, work, and on the computer.

19/8/2009
At times, you will not feel like exercising. If you're just feeling a little tired or low on energy, go ahead and try to complete your routine. The workout will boost your energy level and your mood.

18/8/2009
Enroll in a class, such as ballroom dancing, yoga, or even in pottery making.

17/8/2009
when you accomplish one of your short-term or long-term goals, make sure that you reward yourself well!

16/8/2009
Identify what you want to accomplish with your health, strength and weight. Set goals to plan for success.

15/8/2009
Want to stay young? Scientific research has shown that exercise can slow the physiological aging clock.

14/8/2009
Strength training is important for cardiac health because the risk of heart disease is lower when the body is leaner.

13/10/2009
Set a target weight for a specific occasion such as a vacation or family reunion.

12/8/2009
Do pushups, situps or other exercises during commercial breaks. Stretch during the show!

11/8/2009
Surround your self with people and things that remind you to live a healthy lifestyle.

10/8/2009
When older adults participate in strength training programs, their self-confidence and self-esteem improve, which has a strong impact on their overall quality of life.

9/9/2009
Eat breakfast so that you don't pig out later on.

8/9/2009
People who exercise regularly enjoy improved sleep quality. They fall asleep more quickly, sleep more deeply, awaken less often, and sleep longer.

7/8/2009
Join a sporting team with your friends.

6/8/2009
Who ever said physical activity is all work and no play? Participate in physical activities you enjoy!

5/8/2009
"Ultimately, I am what I choose to be; my self-esteem follows the same path."- Anonymous

4/8/2009
The key to making your muscles stronger is working them against resistance, whether that be from weights or gravity. If you want to gain muscle strength, try exercises such as lifting weight or rapidly taking the stairs.

3/8/2009
To improve your muscle endurance, try cardiorespiratory activities such as walking, jogging, bicycling or dancing.

2/8/2009
Good flexibility in the joints can help prevent injuries through all stages of life. If you want to improve your flexibility, try activities that lengthen the muscles such as swimming or basic stretching.

1/8/2009
"Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basic of dynamic and creative intellectual activity." John F. Kennedy