Thursday, October 31, 2013

I couldn't run, so I walked.


The late sinseh had mentioned before that brisk walking is the best exercise for us. Back then, I thought it's so Duh to walk when I could run or jump and kick about in fun classes at the gym.

Years later, age has caught up, body condition has changed.  The recent problem with the back involved injuries to deep muscles in the back, hip flexors, hamstrings, etc...all inter related.  Any exercises that require exertion to the back and hip or even leg muscles would be uncomfortable.

The osteopathy said he can make me better but it's up to me to reassess my lifestyle, exercise options, sitting and sleeping positions, etc.  He said that exercising is an important aspect, but when there are injuries we gotta learn to adjust appropriately.

Will touch on what Osteopathy is all about at a greater length in future. 

In summary, I (we) need to exercise in one way or another.  

Before I got active in the gym, I used to go for regular massage sessions, the masseur said that I was only paying her to help me exercise !

Similarly, relevant articles on Osteo also mentioned that no treatment will help if the patient goes back home and be a couch potato.

I have been a good patient this time!  Treatment cost is expensive, better not waste it :D

I was away from the gym for about 2 weeks, now back to only twice or thrice a week.  I skipped the Adidas KOTR last week and won't be running at the 2xu run this weekend too.

Whenever I feel stiff, I'd go for a walk. In fact I've learnt to enjoy walking. But I need my music though. It's quite fun and relaxing especially when he weather is good.

I've learnt to enjoy stretching too. I stretch religiously for 30 mins or more every morning and after a run or walk or class at the gym.  Really helped to lengthen ans strengthen the muscles.

The Osteo said its important to start doing what I used to do again to test  what I can and cannot do, it will be good info to him too, if I need to go back and see him again.

It's all up to oneself actually.  For me, ya, I cannot be as active as before.  I used to be able to go to gym classes everyday.  I should be running 15km this weekend.  I can't now.  But staying totally away and inactive is not a solution either.  Any 'movement' is good for the body, even the brain.  It doesn't have to be a 10km run or any rigouros regime,  

In fact, I was thinking..I could just to a 5 mins walk over to my brother's house instead of driving.  That's good enough to relax the joints and muscles.  

Some articles recommended..walking up and down the stairs at home. Haha. That could be an options...but a bit too close up and boring for me.  I prefer outdoor..that is if weather is good.

Let's get active!






Best Blog Tips

Monday, October 28, 2013

Me Photographer?


A long lost  friend befriended me on FB and stumbled upon my not so active photography blog at : http://elifejustphotos.blogspot.com/ and then asked if all those photos are "for work requirement or pastime achievements".


"What do you mean?" I asked, cos I wasn't sure what photographs she was referring to.


"Are you a photographer or something? or you are one of those with DLSR hobbies"  were some of her of the subsequent questions.


Hehehe..so Flattered lar.

I don't even own a DSLR..I told her shyly.

Hmm..may be I should have gone into photography eh?



Best Blog Tips

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Positive Angle



I was behind a car that was going extremely slow over each bump, and we were on a road of many bumps.  So, it was a very very slow speed ride.  Good thing I  left my house earlier that day and I had plenty of time to spare.  Still, it can be quite irritating when the car in front stops and roll over each an every bump at zero speed.

I could have cursed and and swore while trying to overtake it. Overtaking it was quite hard as it was a narrow and dark road.  In the end I chose to remain calm and instead looked at the positive angle of the situation.

1. It's really quite funny and enlightening that one could be so gentle to his/her car (it wasn't a new car, by the way). So, the driver must be a very gentle person.

2. Lead by example..why not I follow suit and be as gentle to my own car as well.  If I can go as gentle as the car in front, it benefits my car too!


Coincidentally, my friend recently blogged about a similar topic HERE.  Great minds think alike?

So, the next time you face a situation....try to find the positive angle before starting to curse and getting all agitated. ok?

*Peace*









Best Blog Tips

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Style vs. Practicality

Choosing a car can be as complicated as choosing a man.



I was very close to reaching a final decision to go for this.

Photo Credit : http://www.ford.net.my

STYLISH, YOUNG, COOL, MODERN, FUN-LOOKING, AND MANY MORE.
Whenever I look at this I feel like a young girl falling for a handsome looking young and cute dude.
*Muaks muaks*








Today, I met another guy.  It was highly recommended by trusted individuals.

Photo Credot : http://www.volkswagen.com.my
-.-
I only have two words to describe this man.

MATURED.
RELIABLE.

BUT..matured and reliable men are...erm.. boring right??




Jokes aside, both are very similar in terms of features, interior specs, more importantly price are quite close at the 80-90K range.  In fact the VW could go even cheaper at RM82K++ (unconfirmed).


BUT..from an Aethetic view point....I really like the "Younger Man" more!

*Sighs*




Best Blog Tips

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Is WSL #### v2.0 worth waiting for?


If not because of the wait for ownership transfer of the WSL number plate, I'd be cruising around with a brand new car by now.

Is the plate really that meaningful? I've wondered many times.  Well, it's my name initials.  How often would one get to have their name initials in your car plate? Almost never. I'll never get one again in this life or next life if I let it go now.

So, I decided to wait.

What's the wait about?

Oh, the procedure goes like this:


1.The car was declared a wreck now.

2. The insurance company had already paid me the proposed and agreed amount.  The amount was not too bad actually.  Quick check on current resale value of 2009 Nissan Latio Sport is between 54-60K plus minus.  And I was offered around 58K. After settling the outstanding loan amount with the bank, I'm still left with a good sum for downpayment of next car :)

3. The insurance company will now offer the wrecked car for tender.  Normally, car repairers will buy over the car for a few thousands (apparently), repair it, get it inspected and approved by the Roads Department and then sell it off.


4.  I can do the ownership transfer only after the repaired car passed the inspection process.

So..I shall wait.

Ideally it's better to get a new car towards the year end and have it registered in 2014.  That's what everyone's saying.  While waiting there may be more new and good models arriving to the market.  Or even better year end promotions.  Who knows..


waiting..patiently..





Best Blog Tips

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Blogging Still?


Looks like I've really slowed down.  In my last post, I blamed my aching back and the change in working conditions for blogging less.  Were those the right reasons, I've been wondering.

I used to blog every other day..every other day I'd have some stuff to excitedly blog about.  Well, those days, whatever stuff I blogged about, I thought they were worth blogging about.  Now, reading back to some of them makes me wonder why I bothered blogging about them at all. Ha ha.

Somehow, it seems harder now to have something worthwhile to blog about.


May be my life has become so boring that I don't have anything to share anymore?

Have not travelled for some time..so no travelogues.

Food blogging? Nah..too many out there..and I'm quite active on foursquare and foodspotting.

Photoblog? Nah..have not touched my camera for a long time :D

:-o  Oh no


May be I should stop blogging :(


Or shall I start a brand new blog :)

There's still new blogging platform called GHOST


I'm very tempted to give it a try..in fact I've already signed up.

Now..to decide ..what would be the title, theme, content...

Shall I move to a new home?




Best Blog Tips

Monday, October 07, 2013

Why I haven't been Blogging

I actually have quite a bit to blog about.

On my next WSL XXX.
On why the decision to let go the wrecked car.
On the status of my strained back.  And that leads me to my recent visit to the Osteopathy.

Yet, I couldn't get down to pen my thoughts as frequently as I'd like to.  Mainly because my back doesn't allow me to sit down for long.

Plus, being so called self employed, I don't need to be seated in front of the work desk to be 'seen like working'.  With the back condition, the more I shouldn't force myself to sit when there's no reason to do so.

So, I've been moving around.  When there are no urgent desk work, I'll take the opportunity to go out to run errands or meet someone. Or,when there are no outside errands to run, or no reasons to meet anyone, I'll be alternating desk work with 'household' tasks like cooking, cleaning, etc.


Anyway, in summary, WSL XXX version 2.0 is pending.  Gotta wait a bit to get the process going to transfer the old plate to the new car.  All because I'm not willing to let go the having my name initials as the car plate.

Because of that, I still have some time snooping around showrooms.  Although, I've more or or less decided, I think.

As for my back, after seeing a GP, a tit tar, an osteopathy and taking into account all my previous problems, could be as far back to damaged nerves from 20 years ago) to recent overuse injuries, etc...the conclusion (for now) is that there are three major issues to deal with.

.. slightly mis-aligned or twisted at the L4-L5 spinal vertabrae hence compressed nerves causing discomfort to the sacrum region esprecially during sitting

.. Hip flexor strain -  due over exertion from activities like running and knee & kicking realted activities. ahem..

.. back muscles inflammation from all the above I guess.

..and  blockages eg bad circulation..around the back area - I believe this is a pre-existing condition due to damaged nerves.  Haven't been accupunctured ever since the sinseh passing :(


And..conclusion? Is it over exertion? Is it something serious?

No, it's nothing serious from a medical viewpoint as there are not major fractures or dislocation.

Rest is needed.  It's important to continue being active but .. care should taken when choosing the type of exercises to do.


Very obvious...I should stop doing 'certain' exercises for he time being..and continue maintaining the muscle strength by swimming, yoga or as simple as walking.


*feeling down*





Best Blog Tips

Friday, October 04, 2013

Don't try any clothes before a meal


I bought a tee today at a Brooks clearance sale today.  Well, I have enough running or gym wear from all the runs but thought this is kinda cute. Liked the slogan "Run Happy" and I like the blue.  Plus I can use it for casual wear too.  Not necessary gym wear.

My normal size is M but it 'was' loose when I tried it at about 12ish, Before Lunch.  So, I took "S" which fitted perfectly well during that time.

Yup, that was Before Lunch and breakfast was only some cereals.

I happily put it on in the evening to try it out while I go out for a hike, and wohhhh...there's the spare tyre bulging out very obviously .

Damn...never try anything fitting before eating!

This was taken with tummy tightly tucked IN. 





Well, looks like i can only wear this in the morning and don't eat and breath for the rest of the day :D



Best Blog Tips

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

To be Bitter or Thankful - It's your choice

This guy has been quite popular.  The guy without limbs, he's a motivational speaker, he is a believer, he inspires, he swims, he surfs, he golfs, more importantly..

He chose to be Thankful of what he has instead of being bitter about what he doesn't have.




So, think about Nick the next time you feel down or sad about life.





Best Blog Tips