Healthy Living: The Night

So, I took the MCAT today. And I submitted it. Its been a long and hard struggle. From the very beginning and up till today, It has been one rocky rocky ride. I don't know what will happen now. But I know that I walked into that test scared and terrified. So, I prayed. I prayed that I would have the courage to step into my fear, the strength to continue this fight and a calm and clear mind to complete the task at hand.

And so, I went into to the test knowning that I have done all I can. I have exhaust the material that is offered to me at this time and used up all the time I have left to study. I have put in time studying the content, and spent time in developing the skill and strategy to complete the test. And today, I took the test knowing I really did the best I can to best of my abilities. And, when I finished, I cried. I don't know, it was an extremely emotional process just finishing the exam. I just pray I have a good enough score to get into medical school.

But after the long hiatus, I am back.

I don't know if I was really living in the last couple of months. I know down to the last 2 months, it felt very difficult to breath  and keep going. I kept having mental breakdown every few days. It was knew I cried a lot and did a lot of thinking. It made me question about my life and my decision and my goals. It made me realized more about the people around me and understand their plight. But I will delve into those talks later.

But tonight, I just want to be glad that I am finally back to this blog. I felt protected all throughout my test today. I not sure if I want to run you through the complete detai of how the test went. But I want to let you know I did the best I could.

As for now, What now... Well...I am staring a summer job this monday! I get to play and teach kids and get them excited about science! :)

Oh, And i'm going to hit the gym, clean my room, get a NEW DIGITIAL UPDATE UP.. and hm.. go watch that one movie on threater. Then, make that video about rivers protection.

And... with  all hope and prayers, I hope I may have the priviledge to apply to medical school this coming cycle.

Healthy Living: Productivity..Productivity..Productivity..

So, I am looking my schedule. Checking my progress. Analyzing my work habit. Checking the time of the day. Checking the time I have left. And all I can say is... there is a lot to be done. And yet, I cannot seem to make my day more effective.

I study mostly at home now so this mean I am always on my desk. This puts me off from my normal studying habit because I am at home with my home computer. This mean, I procastinate so much on my computer because I go on all my favorite website.

In conclusion, I am not using my time effectively. The MCAT is coming. If I don't fix this issue, I am really screwd.

With that said, I need to do something to stop myself from distraction & procastination.
So, I am coming up with a new tactic.

GOLDEN RULE:
1. Morning Run (400PT) : consist of a morning practice test simulation (Goal: meet number requirement)
2. BUNDLE CORRECTION (500 PT): a set of committed time to correcting papers w/o computer break/eating break  (systematiclly: 20 min each ps)
3. VB2x (100PT) : another verable run & correction [OPTIONAL]
4. BUNDLE APPLICATION (300 PT): translating test errors into notes & explore unsure progress
w/o computer breaks
5. **The clocking system** = 5 hours of work time per day. (timer certified)

DETAILS: 
1.ALL BUNDLE RUN: needs to be completed away from main computer.
2. No website can be open except for timer.
3. No replying to text.

Recording System: (Myfitnesspal)
1. Calories: Accomplishment point system
2. Weight: Clocked hours

Healthy Living: Wanting a change

School started. And you know what that means. I have new classes, new professors, and faces new problems. But there is an upside to all of this. I meet new people and get to know more about my old friends.

What happen is that I recently have classes with this on girl. And I am INSPIRED AGAIN! Omg!
She has the perfect body, perfect hair, and she even have a higher grade than me. She have the perfect taste in fashion. Basically, this girl look good. And... then, I look at myself. I don't hate what I look like or who I am. But she seem so much prettier and better. Its not like I want to switch team and wished I was her. I love myself and there are struggles I have faced in the past year that have made me even prouder of who I am. But gosh, this girl is LIKE... PERFECT.

I think this calls for an IMPROVEMENT on my part. I need to step up my game. Really!!!
I need to start BEING serious with my healthy living lifestyle and NOT dance around the topic. I need to keep track of what I am eating and putting into my body. I need to drink more water and eat more fruits. Also, I need to get a haircut. And I need to start dressing better.
Oh, and most important, learn other methods into studying more effectively!

She is perfect. I wish I can post a picture of her, but I don't have one.. and that would be just a little creepy on my part. But meeting this girl has MOTIVATE ME to be better!! I need to step up my GAME.

And, I know I'll never exactly the same as her. But I hope I will be somewhere better than what I am today.

I NEED TO HIT THE GYM. :((
NO photoshoot this week. I have a lot of studying to do. And thank you for the wonderful support! :)

Healthy Living : Coming of Age

Well, despite everything that happened this summer. I realized that something in me has changed this summer or "renewed". It's my sense of responsibility and the task that I need to do for my future ahead. I never really thought of this, but a conversation with an old friend yesterday, have startle me at something.

I asked her what she like more: high school or College. And she said highschool. IT's odd. Because, usually, people say that they prefer college a lot more because of the excess freedom. But my friend actually put that college is harder because it requires more responsiblity and task.
Unlike me, who freeload off my parents for many things, she have to actaully work to helped her parents pay the house mortage, gas to drive, food on the table, clothes to wear, electricity bills, water bills, and etc. All this sound foreign to me because I never really thought about it. I never really did. Because I never lived like that before. My responsiblity from high school to college only changed by the fact that I need to drive myself to school. But everything else, is just the same.

Now, I realized that I do have a lot more responsibility. I'm not 15 anymore where the worst thing in the world is that i got into a fight with my best friend. Now, I have to really think about my future and the life I want to lead.

I know for career wise, I am very interested in medicine and I'm trying to head down that career. But I haven't been investing. I need to start being more financially accountable for all my spending and keep record of my monthly budgets. I can't freeload off my parents forever. I need to get my academic grades together, study for MCAT, and also get my hospital volunteers hours in, research project published and presented, as well as getting letters for my MCAT school.

I also want some mentors. People who I looked up too, and people who I can come in talk to. I want to get to know more professors at school and really be more involved in clubs. I need to start holding office positions in club as well developing better study strategies skills. Oh, AND I NEED TO WATCH MY WEIGHT. GOSH -___- I kinda mess up in that department for awhile now. Let's hope I get my ducks all align.

I hope I can make this work. It's seeem like a laundry list from here and I'm nto quite sure how I'm going to get all of this done.


I need to start understanding the basic of  "INVESTING"
FINANCIAL WALL:
1. http://www.schaefersblog.com/
2. http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-investment-principles-every-young-person-should-know-1-time-value-of-money/
3. http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-investment-principles-every-young-person-should-know-2-pay-yourself-first/
4. http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-investment-principles-every-young-person-should-know-3-dollar-cost-averaging/

5. STUDYINGHACK: http://calnewport.com/blog/

here are some TIPS:

1.  Stay true to who you are and your values as it will be a compass.
If anything, your early 20s has probably challenged your beliefs & values as you’ve either ventured off to college or into the real world. Stay true to your beliefs and values  because it is a part of who you are.

Healthy Living: Body Buidling

Okay,
I just hit the gym today. burn nearly 700 calories. Feeling very very exhausted & dead.
But found this awesome website:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/

omg.. it's like a golden treasure here.
And the best part, it's has amazing forum.. and all this nice work-out routine and plans. And it's all free.
I'm gonna try to incorporate it into my work out setting soon.. but still a goldmine to keep! : )

Also, I'm 129! ^_^

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703981

Healthy Living: MyfitnessPal

So, last week, my friend introduce me to this amazing apps.

It's called "Myfitnesspal". And I can't have found a better bestfriend in my weightloss journey. It was crazy. This things does all of the caculation for me. It tell much how much calories i need to eat and exercise to be at a certain lbs and certain time. I feel really really motivated to keep on the track.

I think this app is amazing. I have already lost 2 lbs in the last 2 weeks b/c of it. It have kept be on track and serves as a constant reminder of what I need to eat and what I need to do to be a certain lbs. It's truly amazing.

Right now, I have been doing great. :) I have losing lbs, and I have started to clean my room. I'm moving soon. YAY! :) And, so, I'm started packing. Also, I'm going to start studying for my MCAT pretty soon. I'm really scared. This next 2 years will probably be hell. I'm kinda scared. But I came this far, I'm going to keep going.

My weight goals is on it's way. My life goal is in the making.

Here's a is motivating video of someone climbing~  haha :)
"Don't let me fall" 

One step closer..

Healthy Living Tips: Tea & weightloss

Does tea help you lose weight? 

"There is some research to suggest that drinking three or four cups of tea a day, or a cup of coffee every day, will increase your metabolism enough that you will lose about 5 pounds in a year. That's it. Green tea has the same result. Acai berry and other products do not do any more than that, and can actually be harmful.

Weight loss is an overall process and there are no magic answers. Pay no attention to weight loss supplements and pills and all the latest fads. You need to think about many factors but most of them are related to issues we've known about for a very long time. There are many sensible things you can do that will make a tremendous difference over the long term if you need to lose weight. It can be done in a healthy way. This is what has worked for me.

Keeping a food journal really does help. It will give you a much better sense of how much you are eating, and when, and why.

Make a few additional small changes - walk everywhere, always use stairs instead of elevators, walk on escalators, get up and move around at least once an hour if your work or your life in general is sedentary, walk every day, use a pedometer. Walking 10,000 steps a day is a really good idea. Build up to a long brisk walk everyday, or most days. Be more active and watch less TV and spend less time on the computer. Buy one piece of exercise equipment to have at home and be strict with yourself about using it. Sometimes you can find mini-steppers or exercise bikes at second hand stores and thrift stores for just a few dollars.

Start a weight lifting routine. Join a gym. Possibly you can find one that has someone who specializes in weight lifting programs for beginners. Weight lifting will increase your metabolism as well as improve posture and appearance overall. Even if you can't get to the gym you can work out at home using things around the house. Invest in a good weight training book. The Dummies series actually has a good one.

In terms of diet, cut out or reduce things like junk food, pop, fat, fast food. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, fish. Particularly if you choose a vegetarian lifestyle include natural peanut butter, hummus, dried fruit and nuts. Pay close attention to getting the nutrients your body needs to be healthy.

Make your portion sizes smaller. Use a smaller plate - in our society we have become accustomed to thinking that we need a large plate of food at every meal, and we don't. About quarter of your plate of food should be protein and at least half of it should be veggies.

Learn to count calories. At your current weight and activity level, you may possibly need about 2000 calories or more to maintain your current weight. So you will lose weight at a reasonable and healthy rate if you cut back to about 1600 or 1700 calories a day.

Eat small amounts frequently, rather than three large meals. Never skip breakfast. Include some protein in your breakfast. It will help get you through the day.

Drink plenty of water, at least 8 big glasses of water a day, and more if it is very hot, if you sweat a lot, or if you are exercising intensely, and eliminate fruit juices. Fruit juices have too many calories, so get your vitamins from fresh fruit, not the juice. You will begin to see changes in your body.

Vary your routines. Don't eat the same number of calories every day (vary your calories from 1400 a day to 1900 or 2000 some days), eat a variety of foods, and do different kinds and amounts of exercise. You will lose weight much more efficiently if you mix things up from time to time so that your body doesn't adjust to any one routine.

An area that many people overlook is getting enough sleep. You are much more likely to overeat or to binge eat if you are tired and not well rested, so get enough sleep.

Check out websites about nutrition, exercise, weight training, etc."

Healthy Living Tips #2

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*****
GOLDEN RULE: 

1. Set goals. 

Whether it is the way you eat or the type of exercise you do. Always set a goal

2.Create a plan

Plan of how you will get there.

Plan out: 
-how many time will you exercise & how long
-what type of exercise
-what type of food to eat
-what activities to eliminated & add on to your lifestyle.
-estimate how long until you reach this goal. (planned a due date)

Helpful Guidance:
-BE REALISTIC
-BE PATIENCE
-START SLOW & ADD UP
-AIM FOR REPITION & CONSISTENTCY
-HAVE POSITIVE ROLE MODEL
-HAVE A REWARD SYSTEM
-KEEP TRACK & RECORDS.


“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
― Benjamin Franklin

******
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Eat until you are satisfied but not fulled
--> By eating until your satisfied, you can save room for dessert, which should be fruits
--> try to eat slowly.. (i still can't do this )

7. Eat often & in small portion
--> Eat every 3-4 hours a day.
--> It helps your body digest faster when eating in small portion. It keep you from starving and overeating in your next meal.

8. Excerise after eating dinner
--> Allow for an hour to digest your food & then walk off your calories.
--> Hitting the gym at night is very useful

9. Bicyling helps give better legs! :)
--> 30 min - 1 hour of a day
--> Aim for repetition. Patel fast @ low level for a period of time.

10. Be Health Consious
--> Do thing throughout the day to keep your head concious of your healthy living style
--> Help you stay away from fatty food & fall into tempatin
--> Help make your day more active
--> (EXTREMELY IMPORTANT)

Healthy Living Tips: #1

So, I realized that over the past year, I have learned a lot about how to live a healthy lifestyle.
My weight have fluctuate greatly, and I'm currently back to my old weight again. (the one I originally started out to be)

I'm not exactly proud of it, but I realized that it's not the end of the world. I may have lost this round, but I have a gain a handfull of knowledge of what not to do to lose weight. Hahaha. Losing weight and living a healthy life style is not a task you can complete & quit. It's a battle that you will have to continuously fight with everyday for the rest of your life. Don't rush. Time & Patience is the key.

*I don't claim that these rule would work for you. But it work for me.

I wrote this page as a reminder for me to not forget the rules. I am the way I am right now because I neglected my own rule.

So, I"m going to list out a few rules I found. I hope you find them helpful

RULE OF THUMBS!

1. Drink 8 cups of water daily

2. Planned your eating portion before every meal
--> take under consideration what you have eating prior
--> take under consideration what type of meal this is (fatty meal w/ oily food or healthy meal)

3.  Drink a glass of water prior to every meal.
--> Or try eating soup as a meal starter.
--> The same method doesn't work while eating & drinking water. It could, but you have to eat very slow.

4. Keep Track of what you have eating so far throughout the day
--> it prevent you from snacking too often
--> I like using my cell phone to keep track of what I have eating so far...

 

5. NEVER SLEEP or SIT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME after a meal
--> try standing for an hour after your meal. It help you from falling asleep & allow you more opportunities to move around. 

Here is an explaination from a nutritionist:

"Yes, sleeping or sitting right after meals will make you gain weight. More if you a meal and then sleep for 8 hours and ill tell you why. Our body absorbs all the nutrients by our small intestines. It takes 1-4 hours for food to be broken down to chyme and be absorbed into the small intestine. Now, here is where the nutrients will be converted into glycogen or glucose. Glycogen (energy) is our fuel and is what we burn calories wise. So if your active (really any sort of movement) will keep your glycogen burning. Now, if your sleeping after a meal, it does not convert to glycogen but to glucose where it will be stored into fat deposits where later when your active will convert to glycogen and be burned. However, its really hard for glucose to convert to glycogen so I would recommend doing anything possible to avoid sleeping or sitting for long periods of time after meals. To wrap it up, yes you do gain weight if you sleep right after a meal."