Ramadhan is coming!

Starting a new entry to rejuvenate myself and makes life move on. 7 busy months of year 2010 have indeed make my healthy life a miserable one. With not enough sleep, not enough rest, over used physical condition and a lot of emotionally, psychologically and anatomically unfit condition have somehow or rather threatened my healthy life style.

Alhamdulillah, Ramadhan is coming, I really need it. Rejab has passed, and now we are in the beginning of Syaaban month...this has indeed help me to put myself back. With years of determination to perform the 3 months fasting regime, finally I have put myself composed to do it this year. Have gone through it for 5 weeks and it really give me the wow factor. It give me zest in life, the usual headache, stomach upset and joint pain...slowly go away.. and the most wonderful thing is ..no more fatigue, no more heavy head, no more sleepy eyes and no more bulges on some spotted area on my "one upon a time" good looking figure... hahaha...

I shred off 4 kg and looking forward for another 8 kg in 2 months time.... I can still manage to do my 15 to 30 minutes walking four times a week which I have left for so many months... having to wake up early in the morning for my "sahur" (early breakfast for fasting people) allow me to start my house chores earlier...and yet I still have time to do everything on the go....

I wish I can continue doing this through out the year..even after the fasting month of Ramadhan ends.....

Syndrome X

Belly fat is a common issue for many women—and it’s one of the biggest risk factors for Syndrome X, also known as metabolic syndrome. Syndrome X is a conglomeration of health factors that are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Do you have Syndrome X? You may if you meet three of five criteria, some of which include high blood pressure, low HDL (or “good”) cholesterol levels, and belly fat.

So....why wait?...Start losing some inches....How?..You know it yourselves...Of course...GOOD EATING & EXERCISE HABIT....

so....hut..hut..hut...time to work out..and watch what you eat...Please don't end up like her..............

Hot weather!!!!!

To keep up with your daily routine in these hot days...you really have to go for more and more water..If not...dehydration and fatigue will be your problem...

The speed of your fan and air-conditioner is at its high and maximum...right...a natural breeze of air is better...keep your windows and doors open (with security measure please...) to let the ventilation of the air in your house..But do watch out for the mosquitoes..

Please do bring and keep a bottle or two of water in your bags, cars and everywhere within your reach..Quench your thirst without at anytime without hesitation

Exercise???...do not let yourself exercising in the hot weather...reschedule it early in the morning or at night...before, during and after your exercise...please..please and please drink more, and more, and more..more water...

Take care!!!!

House Chores....Take it easy!

Most career women when asked...seem to have problem with their house chores..
"I've got no time to clean my house, I'm so tired to cook for my kids..I just buy them fast food..I have to pick up my laundry...."..and so....

Those who can afford to pay a maid to help will have no problem in settling the problem...but for those whose income do not allow them to hire a maid and whose house could not give space for a lived-in maid..will find the problem of doing the house chores...cleaning (sweeping, vacuuming, mopping), cooking, gardening, helping the kids with their school works....and the list will go on and on...

Let me share with you how I overcome the problem...

Though I had the experience of having a lived-in maid several times..I still make sure, I do certain house chores on my own..

Having a maid...I still..
a) cook...prepare meals for my kids and husband, I will wake up early to prepare my kids breakfast and food to be taken to school. I cook in the evening when I came back from work for the family dinner...and some will be saved for tomorrow's lunch (preheat by my maid..for my kids when they came back from school)

b) clean and wash ...I clean my own room and bathroom...my maid is not allowed to enter my room..I wash my own and my husband clothes...I fold my own and my husband clothes..even if my maid has already folded them..I will refold them..as I want them..according to my standard..my maid will only clean the other part of the house..and wash my kids' clothes (actually done by the machine)...I iron my own and my husband clothes...my maid only iron the kids' school uniform...and at time I iron them on my own...especially when I want them to be perfect...

c) gardening...I have my own herbal garden and maintain my house garden...I water the plant..I plant flowers and cut the grass and unwanted leaves on the garden's trees..both of us..(me and my hubby) love gardening so much....which we take it as our hobby...

d) spend quality time with the kids....I make sure...I check my kids' school work everyday...even through the phone...take time to set up a schedule for your kids...which you must make sure your kids follow it even when you are not around...

With all those...you might think that I am so demanding...and rigid at doing things...but the things is...you have to TAKE IT EASY!...Don't make it too hard for you..it is what actually make you always on the go..

Since my kids are already grown up now...the eldest is 14 years old and the youngest is 5 years old...things get much better...

With no maid...(I give the money which I paid to my maid before...as an allowance to my kids)...I have a handful help from my four kids...We share doing the house chores together...even my husband..(who is good at cooking and gardening)...lend their helping hand...as a motivation and appreciation..I am now giving a reasonable allowance to my kids.. (an amount which is good enough for them to buy their favourite story book and magazine)

I really enjoy doing the house chores with my family...indeed it makes our bonding better, our life happier and ourselves healthier...WHY? HOW?..because..you are actually exercising...without fail...with all the stretching and workout you get out of doing the house chores...you can dance while you are vacuuming/sweeping/mopping the house...you can plan a good and nutritious meal when you cook your own meal...you can sharpen your mind while helping out your kids with their school/college/university work (trust me.... a standard 1 science subject...is not the same..like we learnt it 25 years ago...)

No more worries...you can just try doing it at your own phase...make it as a wonderful thing to do..share it with your family...

ALHAMDULILLAH - MY GRATITUDE TO ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY

Alhamdulillah, 2007 has come to an end, 2008 is just around the corner. Thanks to the Almighty Allah for giving me such a good health! Thus, I have no problem in performing the duties as a good muslim, InsyaAllah.

Having a healthy physical and a healthy piece of mind, and at the same time being able to pursue a good and an active life have always been in my yearly diary. I will always make sure, all these will be the essence of my yearly resolution. Only by having all these I can go on doing everything necessary for my family and my career. HOW and WHY?....you must be wondering...

How can you be promoted to a new position if you are not physically and mentally healthy? How can you further your study and excel in your study if you are not physically and mentally healthy? How can you pursue a great life with your loved one and your family, if you are not physically and mentally healthy? AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING is HOW CAN YOU BE A GOOD SERVANT OF THE ALMIGHTY ALLAH if you are not physically and mentally healthy?

I have been holding to this Arab proverb, which means - a healthy and sound mind comes from a healthy body. To go on with your life, you need to feel good and stay healthy. Come on ladies! Who are going to look after your husbands/kids/families if you can't even look after yourselves? You have to be a living example to your loved ones, nourishing them with the essence of a great and happy life, showering them with the most wonderful feeling of loves one can ever give and creating the most indulgence ambiance of moments in life.

For a start, this might be a good help/tips for everyone...

DAY
MONDAY - FRIDAY

ACTIVITIES

to include in at least 20 - 30 minutes exercise routine

can be done while you are performing your prayer - "Praying : the movement while you are performing your prayer/solat is also considered as one type of exercise"

you can always move your body while you are cleaning the house, gardening and while sitting on the chair at your office - please at least do a 5 to 10 minutes stretching when you are at the office

spend at least 15 - 30 minutes of a quality time with your loved ones/family

always find ways to do your 10000 steps walking, you can at least try to use the stairs instead of using the lift, you can always try to park your car far away from your usual parking space, you can always do some push-up or sit-up while watching your favourite tv programme and many more....

always remember to watch at WHAT YOU EAT....


DAY
SATURDAY - SUNDAY / PUBLIC HOLIDAY

ACTIVITIES

to include at least 30 - 60 minutes exercise routine

go out and enjoy God's creation - go out with your loved ones for a walking, jogging, swimming, hiking, jungle trekking - indulge in aerobic activities that boost up your stamina and energy

pamper yourselves with activities that promotes a better feeling to your life as a whole - have a manicure or pedicure, going to a spa, going for a good massage, going to a beauty salon....and so much more to do...

spare a time to have a good outing with your loved ones/family - one day picnic, a movie, a good and healthy eating out, vacation ...more and more

look up for activities that can add up some spices to your life - go for line dancing class, grooming course, beading course, cooking class - you can commercialized things when you have all these skills - extra earning is on the way....

and don't forget... YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The Secret of Healthy Women Series - 2

Activities to stay healthy, keep fit and maintain your beauty

Always feel free and obligated to engage in activities that will keep you moving, from as simple as cleaning up the house to as difficult as climbing a mountain. "Keep your feet move" - that is the secret.

The best way to get going is by having at least a partner to do the activities together, if you feel uncomfortable doing it alone. Some women tend to feel uncomfortable doing such activities on their own. You can ask your husband, kids, friends or neighbours to join you in your morning walk. Wake up early in the morning and add in the morning walk activity in your morning routine. A 30-minutes walk will make your day different from any other day. Make a record on your progress, from 15-minutes to 30-minutes to 1-hour, at least 3 times a week. Invest some money in buying a good pair of walking shoes and a pedometer that can record your steps and distance. Set your target to do 10,000 steps per day. Trust me, if you can do this, you will have the type of figure you want and the less number of times seing your doctors for not feeling well.


What a Pedometer do?

It depends on the type of pedometer you have. The basic one will record your steps, distance and calories burnt.

The advance one can record your pulse to keeping up memories up to one week of your exercise routine.

It is easy to wear and handle.




Ever heard about the best exercise for women? SWIMMING......."OH MY! OH MY!" perhaps this will be your remarked. Yup...find ways..to learn how to swim...attire?...this will be not a problem anymore. There are a lot in the market..that cater to every one needs..Muslim women can no longer feel uncomfortable to go out and swim in a public pool. It comes together with a head gear "tudung/scarf".

Bulges? Flabby arms? Big Tummy? You should not worry anymore. Swimming can tone up your body. Being a mother of four, people always mistakenly think that I am not married and if I told them I am married with four kids, they will ask "what is your secret?" "how you do it", my answer is "Swimming, I swim almost everyday, 20 to 30 laps/day (1-1.5km/day)". You will be physically and mentally healthy when you took up swimming. Water therapy is one way to reduce your stress. Enjoy the calmness and coldness of the water. You will surely get better and better in your health and look younger and prettier. For a more adventure, engage yourself in scuba diving. No words can describe the experience of being there in the open sea, observing God's creation.

So, what are we waiting for? Gear up! MOVE YOUR FEET! there are means and ways to get active. I am ready to share my experience and knowledge with every women out there. Feel free to contact me through my email.

Me & Family

Me & Family in Langkawi on top of Mat Cincang Mt.( yr. 2005)

My 4 active kids - always on the go

When you stay fit, eat healthy, enjoy your life - you will be the best example to your kids.

He wanted to have this snake for his birthday!