My First Sundown Marathon

I was never a runner in my school days; as much as possible, I would try to avoid running during PE lessons. I mean, who wouldn't?! Little did I know, I will pick up running only at the age of 35, and ran my first half-marathon when I am 37! Talk about late-bloomer.

It has only been barely two years, I have seen myself from almost getting killed by a 800 m run to completing two 10 km race last year with good timing for beginners (under 1 hr 20 mins), so this year to set the mark high, I went for 21 km at the recent Sundown Marathon.

Running along side of me was my dearest hubby, who kept me company for the first 5 km. During the initial 10 km, I was doing great. My energy level was high and my body was in good condition. The real challenge only kicked in after the 15 km. I had never ran anything past 14 km in my training. I knew it was a bit insane to jump directly for a half-marathon, when I didn't even know what my limit really has been.

True enough, after the 16 km, my left sole was hurting so much, I had to shift most of my effort to my right. Then not long after, my right leg threatened to give away with occasional, but mild, cramps. I had slowed from a brisk walk to nearly a limp. My mobile phone had long ran out of batt. I had no music, no apps to keep me going. It was truly tough to get moving.

I kept pushing myself, even though I was beyond exhaustion. Along the route, I saw many runners dropping off like flies; some were sitting down and others had wondered off course. I would never give myself up like them, I told myself as I dragged on.

At the 18 km mark, I was experiencing so much pain from my back to my pelvis to the soles of my feet, doubts started to set in. 

Why the hell did I sign up for this?! OK. Just this once and never again. It was an agonising 3 km to the finishing.

After 3hr, 29mins and 32 seconds, I finally crossed the finish line. The feeling was simply awesome. I only had one thing on my mind - I AM FAMISHED! I WANT MEEPOK NOW!

Would I do this again? 

If you ask me on the day of the race, my answer would have been a very firm NO!

Ask me now, 4 days after the race - "Hmm... maybe... maybe not..."

Ask me again 6 months later - Perhaps I might just go crazy again and say "YES!"

I am not trim, I am not athletic, but hell, I just did a 21 km!

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Cheated!

Like many people, I have had leveraged on group voucher purchases to enjoy offers on food, beauty products, hair and nail services and many more. Most of my experiences are good, if not great, but recently, I had some horrible encounters with both the vendor and the group voucher company itself, which left a really bitter taste in me. *pui!

Let's talk about my first unpleasant experience. I bought a voucher from Streetdeal for what the merchant claimed as 'Cryolipolysis' slimming treatment.

From my understanding Cryolipolysis or better known as CoolSculpting is defined as using a medical device to destroy the fat cells through freezing and it is also a trademark registered by ZELTIQ Aesthetics, Inc..

I was excited to find such a good deal. I bought it and subsequently book the appointment with prestiousolutions at Cuppage Centre.

On the fateful day, I turned up at the salon on time and was really looking forward to finally able to try out CoolSculpting after many months researching on this non-invasive slimming, which is as close as it gets to liposuction. As usual, I had to fill up some forms and then the therapist led me into a room to change for the treatment.

When I was done changing, the therapist pushed a machine into the room, I instantly recognised that the machine looks nothing like what ZELTIQ produces. The therapist proceeded to chill me with a cooling probe attached to the machines which felt exactly like the cooling facial massager that my beautician would use on me for facial!

The therapist, while she was at it, tried to sell me the so-called 'slimming' treatment; explaining to me how this cooling effect would heightened my metabolism to help me burn up the fat. I know this is TOTALLY BULLSHIT! I know how adipocytes (fat cells) work, way better than YOU!

The true CoolSculpting works by freezing the fat cells and causing fat cells to crystalize and then die, not some enhancement of metabolism crap! This is definitely not going to achieve the same result because the temperature and the duration of the treatment is never going to be good enough to ever come close to it.

Although it only cost $59, but it's not entirely the money loss that I am upset about. I am pissed with how unscrupulous this merchant is, trying to cash in on the popularity of CoolSculpting and promoting a service nothing like it and most probably which will not ever work! I wasted one hour of my precious time for something I could have done on my own, at home with a bag of ice-cubes. WTF!

The second disgusting experience came from GROUPON! Surprise?! I always regarded GROUPON as being one of the most reputable and reliable group voucher company around, but regretfully they are just as crappy. On the same day, I bought the 'Cryoliposis wannabe service' from Streetdeal, I had also purchased a similar service voucher from Groupon for $128.

After being duped by Streetdeal and its merchant, I became very skeptical and decided to call up the vendor, Sure Solution and asked them about the device that they are going to use, because in their advertisement with Groupon, they had posted a video which shows ZELTIQ's CoolSculpting.

I was greatly disappointed when I learned that they, too, are not using the CoolSculpting device from ZELTIQ, even though the person on the line tried to convince me that their machine is similar. But when I pressed on, she started to hem and haw. Not a good sign.

I had done enough research to know that there is NO generic device that can replicate ZELTIQ's CoolSculpting's result as of current. I suspected this deal is going to be quite like a 'scam' too.

I wrote to Groupon to ask for a refund because I felt I was being misled and the vendor (and maybe even Groupon) had intentionally misrepresented the fact. I seriously regard this as false advertising!

At this point of time, Groupon had refused to do the refund, but they don't know who they are dealing with. I AM CINDY CHEONG. If you think I will just let it go so easily, you are so fucking WRONG!

It's not about the money anymore, it's about demanding to be treated right!


UPDATES:
As of 12 Oct 2012, GROUPON has agreed with the refund and offer to help if I have any further questions. I am satisfied with their service recovery. And being a fair consumer, I would definitely consider to patronise GROUPON in the future.

But I can't say the same for Streetdeal. They are truly disappointing. After I contacted them through the almighty Facebook, they agreed to investigate. Then shortly later, they posted this:

Click to enlarge

They argued that they have only stated using CoolSculpting technology through Cryolipolysis and not stated that the merchant is using the medical device by ZELTIQ Aesthetics, Inc. Therefore, they have not misled any customers.

OK. You might think well they do have a point. But wait till you hear this from me:

Click to enlarge

Apparently, both the term 'CoolSculpting' as well as 'Cryolipolysis' are trademarks belong to ZELTIQ. By using trademarks in their advertisement, how could they be still so adamant that they are not trying to misrepresent the facts. Disgusting bunch of morons!

The saga will continue...

More about its ugliness here!

My Old Blue Dress

I have an old navy blue dress from Mango, bought donkey years ago, which I really liked in the past because it had fitted me very well.

This was me, in my ex-company's D&D in 1998, wearing it.

Then I had it stashed aside because I never have an occasion to wear it... Oh okay... I admit, I became FAT!

Years later, I will see this dress peeping at me from my messy wardrobe from time to time. I have taken it down to try on, at least three times but didn't manage to zip it up because I had put on so much weight, especially from giving birth to my two monsters lovely children. Sadly, even lipo couldn't save me.

But for whatever reason, I just never wanted to give it away or discard it (even though, I had gave away hundreds of pieces of garments). Maybe, I believe one day I would be able to put it on again.

Just now, I saw it beckoning at me again. It was as if it's begging for me to try it on. I took it down and hesitated for a moment, dragged my feet to the bathroom, striped naked, slipped on the dress and zzzzzzippp!

I COULD WEAR IT! I COULD WEAR MY 14 YEARS OLD DRESS AGAIN! OMFG! IT'S UNBELIEVABLE!

I guess, all the miserable days of eating low-carbs and working out is paying off, finally! Woohoooo!! I am a happy woman. Tralalalalala....

Now, all I need is an opportunity for me to flaunt it. So, anybody wants to date me?

Back on 'Drugs'

I said it before, I say it again, I have an addiction! God help me, please!!

After 4 months of dodging bad bad carbs, I don't believe I actually fell into this sugary trap AGAIN!

Just like any real druggies, I crave for carbs all day and all night. On good days, my will power rules, I could somewhat fight off the addiction, but I have been feeling really really shitty recently. One bad carb leads to another, before I knew it, I had an Italian gelato melting in my mouth!!

MMMmmmm.... It was sinfully delicious! The Salted Caramel Brownie just killed me!

ci gusta! YOU REALLY HAD ME!!

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My Jurong Lake Run

Last Sunday, we woke up very early in the morning, left our cars at home and took a train to Jurong East - all geared up for the Jurong Lake Run 2012.

Since my first competitive 10KM some months back, I have been itching for another. Unfortunately, I was unwell the entire June and became rather apprehensive about running this race, as I didn't train for it at all.

But luckily all turned out well. I finished the race without stopping or walking. The moment I started running, I didn't have any thoughts of giving up the race. "Impossible is nothing. Impossible is nothing." I drummed this into my head with every step I took.

As always, Mr Hubby was there to encourage me. He ran the first 2KM at my pace. Running had certainly drawn us closer, even though we don't always run together.

The result was out. I didn't do too badly. Despite 'nua-ing' for one month, I clocked 1hr 18mins (just 3 minutes slower than my first run at RUN 350), beating 327 other women in my category.

Right after the finishing line, was a MASSIVE MASSIVE jam! The organizer really need to look into ways to improve the drinks and medals collection. I was stuck in the Q for more than 15 mins just to get into the area to collect my medal. And the sun was already up, threatening to burn me, this vampire to ash. I WAS SO PISSED!

Having said that, I still did enjoy the run, hopefully, next year it will be less chaotic.

Everybody is running for a cause, so am I.

I run to eat more without gaining weight!! I am shallow, whatever! Hahahahaha....

Addiction

I have a confession to make -I am an addict, on a 'drug' more addictive than cocaine. It makes it so much worst because it isn't illegal and every corners I turn, there it is, there, there, everywhere!

I am hooked on carbs. Bad, sugary carbs. Cakes, ice-creams, chocolates, breads, pastries, burgers, pastas, I couldn't function without them, I crave for them constantly; when I don't get them, I don't feel good. When I eat them, I get momentary 'high', however shortly after that, guilt creeps in, makes me feel a whole lot shittier than before.

I knew I am addicted when I kept finding excuses for myself to have carbs. Just like any addicts, I kept telling myself, this would be my last bar of chocolate, my last piece if cake, my last this, my last that, but there is just no end to it. The worst I feel, the more I reach out for carbs.

Despite, running frequently and working myself crazy at the gym, I am still not moving the scales, all thanks to this damn carb addiction!

I am miserable yet I have no control over this addiction. If there is a rehab for this 'drug', let me be the first to check myself in.

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Becoming Gym Rats

For the last couple of months, Mr Hubby has suddenly transformed himself into a fitness fanatic. He would hit the gym or the pool almost every evening. And he seems to have become quite narcissistic too. I watched as he sucks in his tummy and admires his own reflection in the mirror.

Hmmm.... So I had to ask him, "Why are you suddenly so into working out?"

"Because I want to attract younger and prettier women." came his reply.

Gosh!! So, is my marriage heading for trouble??!! Should I be depressed??

Guess what, instead of letting insecurity slowly murdering me and our marriage; I have decided to become Mr Hubby's fitness partner.

Few days back, we were chilling out by the pool after our gym session, Mr Hubby let me in to the real reason for starting to get active. He said he was mortified by the fact that many people around him (including myself) were struck by diseases and he didn't want to lead a sedentary lifestyle, wanting for diseases to manifest anymore. And he also wanted to be a role model for our children, encouraging them to grow up healthy and active.

OK. So my marriage is not doom after all. Perhaps, I should keep away my track shoes and go back to my ice-creams and telly. NOT.

The above picture was taken by Mr Hubby on my first day of fitness partnership, which he posted to his FB page with comment "New workout partner, hope she is not making guest appearance only..."

It has been 4 days, and I must admit, I am feeling GREAT!

1 Month, Almost 4 Kilos Gone

From 64.0kg to 60.8kg in 31 days.

I have lost close to 4kgs (3200g to be exact) in my first month of diet. *grinning. And I could still have my feast of crabs for dinner earlier! Salted Eggs and Creamy Pumpkin Crabs! Low-carb, no guilt, fingers licking good!

*********************

Mr Hubby hand-made me a poster, actually it was meant to be used for cheering me on at the Class 95's Stiletto Race, but I caught a cold a couple of days back and decided not to run for the race.

Because the poster is so beautifully done up by my sweetest hubby, it would be a waste not putting it into good use, so I would pretend that it is meant to cheer me on for my quest of weight-loss instead. Hmm... where shall I hang it? Right in the middle of our living room? Hahaha...

7kg more to target! GANBATEH to myself!!



14 Days Later

That picture below was me, 2 weeks back, weighing in at 64kg at the start of my diet!! If you had been following my blog, you would know that I was 63kg, when I decided to lose some weight, but in just 24 hours I put on another 1 kg. No kidding! My weight skyrocketed as though I was a balloon and someone was blowing air into me so quickly.

So my diet officially kick started on 1st Mar. I am to restrict my in-take of carbs, which means goodbye to all things nice and sweet. No more desserts, breads, rice, noodles, crackers, chips and so much more.

So what have I been surviving on? Water and air?

No. These are what I had been eating. No, not just salad. Scroll down further.

Grilled Chicken with lots of greens, makes good lunch or dinner any time.

Chicken Mayo sandwich, without the buns - my favorite choice of snack.

I hadn't expect the Pan-fried salmons and broccoli to taste so yummy!

My hearty breakfast of turkey breast, bacons and eggs.

Fast food? No problem. Low carb burger from Carls Junior is something that I can enjoy while dieting.

Although I had stay away from tidbits like potato crisps, I found a delicious alternative - seaweeds!

Without ice-creams, my low-carb cocoa drink with whipped cream is the closest I can get.

I am eating all those and more, up to 5 times a day. When Mr Hubby saw the way I was eating, he asked, totally bewildered, "Are you sure you are on diet?"

Of course, I am on a diet, if not, how do you think I was able to lose 2kg in 14 days!

I went from 64.0kg to 61.9kg eating what most people on diet would stay far far away from. Unbelievable? Believe it!

My weight-loss battle continues...

D for "Do or Die"... or "Diet"

I must have be soaking up just way too much bliss to put on THREE freaking kilos in one month. Blame it on CNY, V'day and my B'day, all happening in the month of Feb.

Although it was tough shedding those 20kgs that I had piled on having Leonitus, a year ago, my weight was coming down slowly in snail's speed. But at the very least, it had always been dropping not increasing. This is the first time for the last 12 months, the scale goes up instead of down. I am devastated! So devastated!

Quite frankly, I had been eating and eating and eating CARBS, CARBS and more CARBS recently. It was like suddenly, I developed a sweet tooth. I can't get enough of chocolates, cakes, bubble teas, ice-creams, pastries or anything and everything that I used to stay away from.

Now instead of having only three more kgs to go before reaching my pre-natal weight, I have SIX goddamn fucking kgs!!!

IT'S TIME TO GO ON A DIET!!!

My goal is to go from 63kg to 60kg by April 2011. And then go further down to 53kg before Dec 2011. Yes, I am stretching my goal to go down four more kilos, beyond my pre-natal weight, to a weight that I had never was for the last five years.

That would means losing 10 very impressive kilo before the year end. So... could I do it?

YES! I would do everything I possibly can to achieve this seemingly impossible mission.

So people, from 1st March 2011 onward, please help me by NOT offering me anything to eat. Thank you in advance!