Khmerbeauty 1 Life 1 Destiny

I love the highs and lows of life, don’t you?  Grrrrrrr.  It’s ok though, I just go with the flow.  After rockin’ it yesterday and enjoying my soreness, I’ve been fighting a fever all day.

Rod’s mom got sick and we took her to the hospital, on the way there, I knew I got what she had, which was a fever and a mean cough - started with a runny nose.

DR. ROD also known as Rodney, made it mandatory that I stay in bed and have been it seems like the last 24 hours.  I tried sneaking on to BS to read blogs earlier in the day when he went to pick up my medicine.

So all day it’s eating raw garlic round the clock, popping olive leave capsules to boost my immune system, eating rice porridge and drinking hot green tea, and living in my SWEATBOX, my bed.  I stink!  I’ve been sweating it all night and all day today.

My honey is the best dr./nurse.  He’s been tending to my every need around the clock.  He’s really great.  Oh, and the massages, totally needed for my sore and aching muscles.

So no gym for me.  Which, I’m sure is needed but I really wanted to go to kickboxing and yoga before I got sick.

No IMPROV comedy night either.  We were suppose to go with my brother and his girlfriend.

On top of it all AUNT FLOW shows up.  I’m happy but Rod is a little sad - he’s always  hoping we get pregnant soon.

Now it’s back to my sweatbox to sweat it all out.  The saddest part of it all, I did not lose my appetite.  Still eating.

Hope to be on more to support you guys tomorrow.  I miss catching up daily with you guys.

Before I get into my blog, I want to thank Kama for being a wonderful buddy, leader and a good friend.  Sweetheart, my heart goes out to your for your loss this year.  I’m so sorry you lost your dad earlier in the year and now your mother.  Words can not express my sorrow.  You are in my heart my dear friend.  Please take care of yourself.  I Love you.  We all love you!  She’s in a better place, she’s among the angels now.  BIG HUG!  I will talk to you soon.

Thank you buddyslimmers for your kind support on  my last blog.  I never thought of myself as a strong person. I called it survival.  From nothing comes everything.  I have so much and blessed with so much love.  I never take anything for granted.  I enjoy what I have and not lust over what I don’t.  I am in complete peace with myself. 

Yep!  I did it!  This was the day I was waiting for.  I wanted to see how much I can get in today.

I did a total of 4 hours! :)  Pushing beyond my own limits.   Despite spending last night and early morning at the hospital with Rod and his mom, she was sick last night, I still woke up and ate for a weight class.  My only gripe with the class, she stopped 45 min. into it and did abs.  Darn it because I have Pilates for that.

I went to a different gym for my 3 hour marathon.  I had fun with Zumba.  Holly and Tracey - girls, I did it with you two in mind.  I have two left feet but  I did my best, stuck with it and had a ton of fun.  I’m going to try it again on Friday after my kickboxing class.  I’ve always been shy about dancing; yah, I can do a little damage when I’m drunk, but dancing and choreography is hard for me.

Right after Zumba I had my kickboxing class.  The gym I went to is the West Coast flagship Sports gym.  The Group X room is decked out almost like a club with lights and all.  It’s fun doing kickboxing with only the strobe lights and some good loud music.  It’s a new routine and a ton of fun.

Right after kickboxing comes Pilates.  By this time I’m tired.  Even though I ate a lot of complex carbs, protein, green tea and water before my 3 hour push, I needed fuel.  So I grabbed a bar and ate half of that.  Pilates was great.  I stuck with it all.  Have to, can’t give in now right? 

It’s been 11 years today since I buried my dad.  Although he was my stepfather, he was my daddy nonetheless.

I was born during a genocide in my home country.  Nearly 2 million of my people were killed by the hands of Pol Pot’s Communist Regime.  We called the killers Khmer Rouge - Red Cambodian - merciless killers.  My mom and dad were together since they married at 15 but didn’t have me till 13  years later.  Soon after they had my brother, also born during the reign of the Khmer Rouge and living under their killing eyes day in and day out.   I lost many relatives to Communism and to these people.  I try not to think about it alot because it’s very painful.

But we escaped.  My grandfather heard via rumors that my whole clan was next for killing.  We escaped much like those in the movie “The Killing Fields.”  My mom and my  newborn brother, my father’s other wife, me and all my extended family traveled through fields full of dead people, drinking water filled with the dead, through mountains and into the camps of Thailand.

In 1981, 2 years later, we got our green card to come to America.  My dad, failed the test because he had two wives, no go as bigomy is not accepted here.

SO my disabled mom, my little brother and I came to America with nothing but the clothes on our backs.  My mom the survivor, did what she had to do to keep us alive and make a new life in a strange land.  She met my stepfather, my daddy a year later.  He became my rock.

He too is a survivor of the Khmer Rouge  regime in a different camp.  My father introduced me to Christianity and made a good life for us.  Although we were never rich, on government aide, frankly because they never got over the horror of what they saw in those years spent under Communist rule, I was rich with love.

When he got sick during my high school years, I spent most of those years in and out of hosptials caring for him.  I gave up a full ride to Berkeley to take care of my parents.  Instead went to Cal State Fullerton.  That wasn’t enough as he loss his battle to lung diseases at the age of 62.

A part of me died with him 11 years ago.  Since then my brother and sister turned to drugs and never full recovered from losing their dad so young.  I lost my father, my best friend.

I know I have to go visit his gravesite, but with $0 in my pocket, I can’t do it.  Can’t walk in there with no flowers, nothing in my hand.  God blessed me with a wonderful father.  My boyfriend, is so much like him.  In a sense, I’m finally at peace with his death because a piece of him lives on in Rodney,my brother, sisters and nephews.

Thinking about that great man made me realize how important religion is to me.  He’s with God now, an angel.

Rod and I are going to a 3 hour sermon on New Year’s Eve…..a new way to ring in the new year, with renewed faith.

Today I have a lot going on in terms of running errands and 4 hours of workout planned.  I missed all the morning weight class but will make it to the noon one.  Then I have a ZUMBA class, kickboxing and BOSU Pilates to do in the evening.

I think I’ll visit him first thing when I get paid.

OK, done and wiping all the tears away.  Really have not eaten all day although I should after working out.  Food isn’t satisfying anything at the moment.

Hope I feel better tomorrow.

Two weeks ago I blogged about my right shoulder pain.  Since then I eased off the push-ups to allow it to heal.  After 3 hours of exercise yesterday I was worried about that shoulder, my inner groin area (tore some muscles there), my bad left knee and my torn hamstring injuries.  I wondered, did I push too hard. So today I got up, felt all parts of my body that worried me - GOOD NEWS! I’m good.  My shoulder, groin area, knee and hamstring are all ok.  The parts of my body that aches were the muscles used during the exercise.  Because I stretched properly and cooled down properly, as I’m always cautious of overdoing it, I am on the road to a good week.

I thought about how much exercise I plan for the next few days.  I decided I have to take today off from my workout and let my body recoup.  Starting tomorrow, I have 2 to 3 classes per day for 3 or 4 straight days.  This will be the only day I get to relax before I started taking off like a racehorse.

I’m always cautious about what I do to my body.  I’ve injured myself enough to know when to back off. ie the shoulder pain.  2 weeks into it, it is pain free.  Push-ups, will start back on those in a week or two.  I did about 100 yesterday; so I know going for 400 again is ok.  BECAUSE I have the right form down pact, my shoulders shouldn’t bother me.

TO offset not going to the gym, I have not eaten as much as I did yesterday or the past few days for that matter.   Just taking in lots of water,green tea and veggies.

I can’t wait to get back to my exercise tomorrow.  Even one day off gets my spirit down a little.  Sunday is one of my favorite days.  I’m going there 1 1/2 early to get weights in then my kickboxing class.  Nothing like a good weight and cardio routine to start off the new week.

My personal formula for preventing injuries, keep old injuries at bay - proper food, water before exercising, a good warm-up and cool down routine so my muscles don’t hate me for torturing it.  I thought 3 hours yesterday would be pushing it.  BUT my body says, it’s ok.  As long as you respect me - I will serve you right.

Crazy, I’m talking to my own body.

Oh, today Rod said the nicest thing before he left for LA - he said, wow, I can really see you getting smaller hon.  I remember when your hands used to be chubby.  Now I see all your tiny fingers.  This is nice coming from the one person who does not want me to lose a single lb and been fighting it since day one.  For him to acknowledge my weight loss feels good.  Usually it’s ahhh, you lost your ass honey.   I miss my pillow.

LOVED TALKING TO YOU JOURNI!!!  We woke Rod up but that’s ok hon!

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9:30 am update - Did my kickboxing class.  My honey kept me up all night.  There was no way I can get up at 4 eat, then leave for the gym at 6.  So I got there for the cardio part only.

Will go back later to do weights. 

I’ve been thinking about becoming an instructor more and more these days; I have a few personal demons that are holding me back.  Maybe one day I’ll teach my favorite formats - yoga, kickboxing, weights and pilates.  It takes time and money - two things I don’t have.  For now I’m enjoying the thrill and rush I get from doing it for myself.

My boyfriend, mom and sister couldn’t believe I went out there and kept working out.  I have to.  I’m not blessed with good genes.  My sis is.  She has two babies and even at her pregnant weight, never made it to 146 lbs.  Almost 2 years later she’s already at 120 lbs without exercising for one day of her life.

Me, let me get lazy for 3 days and the weight creeps back on.  So, I do what I must do to get myself to goal.

I ate well before all my classes;two hours ahead of time - good mix of protein, carbs and fat and  plenty of green tea and water.  It does make a difference in the energy level I had.  I used to never eat before I work out and found I was always too tired to do the whole class.

The Shadowboxing class was hardcore MJ!  It was so much fun.  The moves are all from boxing.  Oh and yah - 3 1/2 minutes of conditioning done between each combos.  First was push-ups.  I have to say I was the only girl to keep up with the guys and did regular push-ups for all three 1/2 minutes.  Then a new combo and 3 1/2 min. of jump roping.  At this point I can feel myself slacking; but I refuse to give in and went for it.  We went like this for the whole hour.

So Saturday  is another day of fun.  I pray CHRIS shows up for Bootcamp.  I plan on doing the SET class and Bootcamp tomorrow.

I’m exhausted.  Will certainly take another nap after I get done reading and replying to blogs and forums.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

I have to get to blogs and the forums soon.  Hope everyone enjoyed the day with the family.

Rod and I “Slept” in till noon.  It’s the best way to spend our 2nd Christmas morning together.  I gave him my gift - me wrapped in a big red bow.  He loved it.  It was priceless. 

We went to his mom’s to enjoy a traditional African dinner with his cousins who just immigrated here from Kenya.  They are great people.

We had the usual soul food, but real soul food.  TO die for.  Everything from the veggies to the meat was made with love and ahhhhh, I’m surpised I only ate one plate.

In honor of her niece and nephews, she made African goat dishes.  Yah, tried that once and I had to pass.  It was way too gamie.

I am proud of myself - Just one small slice of cheesecake and 1 cookie. 

Tomorrow I have a plan of attack!  3 hours of exercise to get rid of the cookies, chips and other stuff I ate the last few days.

I’ll be up a couple hours early to eat for energy for class.  First is kickboxing in the morning to jump start my metabolism.

Then home to eat for the next 2 hour block of exercise.  2nd class a new class SHADOWBOXING lead my the manager for group X.  To finish off the day, 3rd class is a yoga class to stretch out all of tired muscles.

I am excited that Christmas is over.  Now it’s time for taste testing all the classes I don’t normally have time for because of work.

The best gift I got, was from my sister.  She crocheted a beautiful scarf for me.  This time it has more meaning because it symbolize how far she’s come from being a drug addict to being sober for 2  years and being a mom to both her boys.

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Update! It’s 3pm  - GOAL ACCOMPLISHED.  I’m tired.  The shadowboxing class kicked my ass.

All three classes in.  I’m going to take a shower and take a nice long nap!

If it wasn’t for the fact that they practically dominant this area with clubs, I would of switched to LA Fitness.

I’ve been with 24 HR Fitness for well over 10 years, of which 4 years I actually used my account on a regular basis.  For as long as I can remember, the employees are incompetent.  98% of their front desk people are pretty Californian girls and boys with nice tan, nice hair and nice bodies.  Front desk EYECANDY is our nickname for them.  I think they hire them as greeters more so then anything else.  Boy, don’t ask them for anything.  We have a joke - among my instructor friends, other hard core exercises that if you ever need anything, need anything fixed or have a complaint, don’t take it to the 24 HR fitness team members.  They only have one anwer “I don’t know”  Let me ask management.  Guess what?????? Management rarely if ever respond to the members.   If they lose customers, it’s because of Customer Service.

Example: Today I went to my first “Cardio Mix” class.  Not having any idea what it’s about other than a cardio class, I looked for the class description they have posted with the weekly schedule.  Not seeing it on there,  I looked around and saw 3 employees 2 pretty girls and guy standing chattin’ leisurely.  I went up to them and asked “Can you tell me what Cardio Mix is about?”

One girl’s answer, “Ah, isn’t it on the class description?”   I held it up, “No, I don’t see it on there.”

Then handsome boy says “I have no idea.  I think it’s an aerobic class.”

Me, “No duh, Really?  I thought it was a weight class.”

He shrugs and went back to talking with the girl.

Hello?  Don’t cha think I would know before I came here it’s an aerobic class.

Example:

My girl, who’s an instructor now, slid on a puddle of water and banged her shin agains the dumbell rack.  She went to their management to do a report and let them know that the room, with NO AC, gets humid, fogs up and sweat pools all the time.

Their answer:  Ahh, you have to be careful and wipe up after yourself.

Hello - it’s not her sweat - previous class people!

Example:

My friend, another kickboxing instructor taught at one of the worse 24HR in terms of Group X room having no AC.  As he’s popular, he gets many many people in class - always maxing it.  Well, with no AC, you know how bad it can get.  Well, he opens the Emergency Door whenever he can.

24HR management wrote him up.  He stood his ground and said that the safety of his people was more important.  He had to fight that case for a long time - taking it to a revew board.  Yes, he stopped teaching at that particular gym.

Anyhow, just have to vent about how dumb the people who works there are.  No wonder their members, don’t know how to use the machines properly.  The workers don’t either.  hehehehe

Ok, so I made up for yesterday’s lack of Salsa.  The cardio mix class is a dance class.  It was fun but not something I would add to my weekly routine.  Then my instructor from Sunday’s kickboxing class taught the weights/cardio class called SET.  Completely killed me with it.  I left a very happy women.

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!! EAT WELL, ENJOY YOUR FAMILY AND FRIDAY IT’S BACK ON!!!!!!

Rod and I did a blitz shopping  trip to 3 stores for 5 children.  No presents for the adults.  We did well as we shopped for all the kids and all done under 2 hours.

Problem…I MISSED MY INTRODUCTION TO SALSA!  I am really upset right now.  See, whenever I set a goal, a daily goal, I expect to get it done.  My boyfriend is telling me to chill but I’m just so mad I missed it.  The next opportunity for this class is next Tuesday.

 I guess  I will count this as an off day. :(  :( 

So now I’m going to make up for it on Wednesday.   In the morning I have 1 hr Step followed by 1 hr Cardio Mix - new class, I don’t know what it’s about.  Then it’s back in the evening for Pilates.

There is no gym on Christmas so that’s another off day.  I am going to rev it up and get it all in tomorrow.  So on Christmas I will do some strength conditioning at home.

I shouldn’t be this upse but I am.  I was so pumped up to take this class.  OK over now.

I don’t have to travel anywhere for Christmas.  All of my close family is here.  Rod’s family is 20 min. away.  So I get to be at home and with you guys. 

We may go to Knotts again this weekend.  We shall see because it’s been raining quite a bit out here.

I’m off from now until January 5th!  For the next two weeks it’s all about taking different classes and experimenting with new classes and new instructors.  I can’t wait.

 OHHHHHHHHH TO TOP IT OFF - I ate like 5 pieces of cake today!   Ahhhhh only good thing is that I was so busy I didn’t eat as often and less of everything else.

About 2 or 3 weeks ago I wrote a blog about something and mentioned I’m a biter.  Tina, you still got me girl.  She thought it was something juicy base on the title but it turned out to be about biting nails. hehe.

Anyhow, I got a lot of feedback.  You guys, my foundation, suggested nail polish - thx Deb!  Did do and to stop biting all together because it’s gross, thank you Dagny, Holly AND Shan said each bit is like 350 calories; besides it messes up your teeth.

Oh, almost forgot - Holly babe, you challenged me not to bite and I did.  I owe you one!  -Yah no eggrolls for you! :)  hehe

So my dear buddies, listen did I to your advice.  See the pictures - IT’S all because of you!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

My teeth doesn’t hurt as much anymore.  You are right Holly, let them grow and wear them naturally.

It never cease to fail; if I blog about silly things on my mind, somehow, you all come up with the simplest yet effective solution.  Also, knowing that I’m not the only biter helps.  So much love to all the people who supported me with something like this and look at the result!

I wanted to do a 3 hour block of Step, Kickboxing and Yoga but it’s a no go.  Carpooling is the culprit.  So it’s just kickboxing and yoga. Had a ton of fun in both class. My clothes was drenched in sweat when I was done.

Back to the gym - not sure if I want to watch my fellow buddies anymore.  Well, maybe with one hand over my face and peeking here and there.

Today- SALSA time - this dedicated to my girls HOLLY, DEBBIE and DAWNIE for inspiring me to take that dance class even though I will feel like a fish out of water!

Stay on track guys!  We can do it - Thanks Debbie for being our motivator for the day.

Addendum:

Look, I’m just going to put it like this, this is my blog - what I say is not meant to offend anyone, what I say are my thoughts and my observations.  Again, I am not Captain Save a Ho’ and I’m not going to be the BODYGUARD for every person working out in the gym.  I may laugh AT what they do, that is different from Laughing AT THEM.  SO please, should you CHOOSE to read the rest of this, read it with a sense of HUMOR and remember - these are not NEWBIES but people I have seen around for months already - I already said in my title - this is not for sensitive people!

My original blog

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As most of my buddies know, I am a hard-core exercise fanatic.  I have been one for the past 4 years going on 5.  The only time I did not work out was the 9 months spent away from it all because of some injuries and my nasty “I want it all” or nothing attitude.  I wish I had you guys’ back then to kick me around a bit.  Even though my lower body was off limits, I refuse to work out my upper.  I couldn’t stand being at a gym because I was extremely jealous of healthy people.

I’ve been back at it once again for the past 9 months.  I can’t be happier; it is my second home.  The last few months or so I’ve been switching things up.  Mixing classes with my own strength routine and using the elliptical and treadmill again.

Do I miss the elliptical, stair masters and treadmills?  Not really.  I love my classes.  What I do miss is the ENTERTAINMENT I get from watching my fellow gym people go on with their daily routine.

Please, don’t come to my blog and attack me or criticize me for anything written onwards.  This is MY EXPERIENCE AND MY OPINION.  If you have a sense of humor stay, if not – you can bounce….bounce bounce away. 

This morning I jumped on a treadmill and did a slo mo ½ mile before my kickboxing class.  From the safe harbor of my treadmill I watched my fellow gym goers and was completely amused.

Stuff that gets me rollin:

Lady and the EllipticalLady comes in from the cold.  Puts stuff down for kickboxing.  WITHOUT WARM-UP, jumps on the elliptical and starts swishing her hips back and forth in a side to side rolling motion as she rides her machine.

PROBLEM: NO CORE USE and NO WARM-UP period!!!  This is not new.  I know her.  This is something she’s been doing since Mary gave birth to Jesus.  Because she never talks to me, stands right next to me 98% of time in class and dared move MY sh** over one day when she knew I was out the room, I can’t stand her!!!!! If you want some room – ask me and I’ll move my own stuff!  So of course, I watched with humor as she spent a useless 30 min. on the machine!  I always talk to people, but if you act like a bia*CH oh, I’ll treat you like the bia*ch that you are.  The proper way to use an elliptical – use your core muscle, keep your body steady – let your legs do the work and your core to stabilize it.  If there’s handle – use them, if not DON”T hold on to the bars!

Lady and the Treadmill

I love cute old ladies who are so dedicated to their body.  They are my inspiration.  There’s a ton of great ones.  Then there’s the two or three, who I just look at and shake my head.  This tiny 4’10” lady is on the treadmill with the incline set to the max and a hand towel all laid out like a professional.  PROBLEM: SHE’S READING and She’s holding on to the handle bar for dear life!!  MY gosh, what’s the freakin’ point????????

     I watched her, for 30 min. – not one sweaty t-shirt, not one bead of sweat on her brow.  Yes, she never let go of those handle bars once! ROFLMAO!  I’m sorry, so not effective and honestly a waste of 30 min.  If you need to hold on to the handle bar – change the incline!!!!

Lady and the Lat Pull down machine

So after watching these fine ladies enjoying their morning, I turned my head to my right only to just try my darn hardest to keep my eyeballs in my head.  I wonder to myself, is this what she does every time she uses this machine?  She settles in and sets her weight, then one two three starts doing her reps. PROBLEM: Way too much weight, to the point where she overextends her back to get one rep in.  That is so not effective.  One must set the weights in a range where it can be done with proper form.  If not, then injuries can occur.  I feel sorry for her back.

Guy and his beloved jump rope

Guy who does the same freakin’ routine, day after day, after day after day.  Have you ever wonder why some people actually work out?  This guy – he’s obese and in the 9 months I’ve seen him at least 3 times a week, has yet to progress to a point where he lost noticeable weight.  I kid you not – he looks the exact same way.

 Every time I have an early morning class he is always there before our class starts.  In the back, he’s jumping rope….not “jumping rope” jumping rope.  He does this thing where he swings the rope over his head, let it stops, hops over it and the process repeats itself.  Don’t get me wrong, he sweats, but other than that nothing else.  We’ve never talk and I’m sure never will.  I admire him for his efforts, but kinda wonder why he doesn’t do anything else.  Yes, he leaves right after, no cool down and right to the car and drives off.

These people I’m talking about are the same people I see at the gym weekly.  I’ve learned throughout my own weight loss journey, that there are those who are willing to listen and there are those who don’t care about your opinion.  Oh, I know these people don’t want to hear what I have to say….I would love to give a few pointers or two, but hey, who am I right?  That’s not my job.  My job is to be there to take care of me. 

You see, I used to be these people –not the jump rope guy – at one point or another.  I’m sure there were people watching me who thought, my lord, what is she doing?  The difference between these ladies, and me I use my senses – all my sense to adapt.  I watch people.  I watch how they use their machines, the ones who look good and strong and have proper form and technique – I copy them.  And if there is someone better – I copy him or her…and so forth.  If I don’t know how to use something- I ask.  There is nothing wrong with using your mouthpiece to learn the proper way to exercise.  Because the longer they continue doing it wrong, the slower their progress.  

Just my two cents nothing more and nothing less.  :)