The whole nine yards

The Whole Nine Yards: 

Everything. All of it.

I haven't updated this blog for almost a year and I have a legit excuse for it this time. Motherhood happened and the spare time I have I spend it sleeping, socializing offline and tying up loose ends.

Fact is, motherhood has taken up so much of my time that B and I decided that I can't work and be a mother at the same time. We've been asking for this blessing for a couple of years and now that it has finally arrived, I am willing to give up my 10 years experience in real-estate in exchange for being a newbie mother. It's my first time to admit that I am scared because it's an unfamiliar territory and a small creature will be controlling my waking hours from now on but this road is well-travelled already and I have a support system which is only a call or text away. 

For now, I'd like to post a throw back picture before Nate was born. This was taken during one of the many field works I usually do and I get very shy when someone takes a picture of me at public places..and here I am hoping that I could make some semblance of a #ootd entry 

Also, have you noticed that I like dressing up like a grandma? Must be my age. Haha

Of PCOS, pregnancy, cheating on my first trimester and trying to be fit

OF PCOS

I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was in my late teens. I thought that having irregular periods and inconsistent weight gains/loss were just attributed to my stress since I used to study and work the during my college years.

While not fatal, it is life-altering. The doctor made me take medicines that caused me to have mood swings and dizziness. I try not to take medicines and supplements as much as possible since I have a Duplicated collecting left kidney.  That being said, I had PCOS and was taking medicines whenever I feel like it so it wasn't much of a use. Two doctors have already recommended that I make a lifestyle change since my cholesterol were also off the charts. I wasn't so keen on the idea since I am prone to headaches every time I sweat and I HATE RUNNING. 

at 145 kgs.

Last Nov. 2015, I had a wake-up call courtesy of our company annual examination. I was at 66kg.-overweight by 12kg., my cholesterol was +50 over the normal count, I looked bloated in all my pictures and again, the doctor warned me that if I'm going to keep up with my sedentary lifestyle, I might be mandated to take OTC supplements on my early-30s,- exactly the same thing that happened to my dad and he died of a heart attack when he was still 59.

Dec.2015, when every one was readying up for the holidays, I decided to try boxing at Allsons' Inn. My cousin posted snaps of their boxing session there and I got interested since it's an aggressive sport and it makes you lose weight, fast. Nobody can help me, nobody can lose my weight for me and accepting that fact,I believe, is one step away from the solution. Again, I was worried that all those sweating will give me migraines but there's no way to lose weight but to exercise.

Dec. 2015, first week of boxing

I am very surprised that I loved it. It got so addicting to a point where I box for an hour straight for 5 times a week. I didn't do it because I want to lose weight asap but because it was aggressive, it lifts away my stress and it's basically a whole body work out. 

Here are some of my progress pictures as over the 7 months of continuous boxing, From last Dec. 2015 at 66kg., from July at 57kg.

Jan 2016

Feb 2016

Mar 2016

Apr 2016

May 2016

June 2016

July 2016

PREGNANCY

Since I officially started boxing last Jan. 2016, I was off Metformin and I've been menstruating monthly. I attributed it to a healthier lifestyle.  I was promoted last Apr. 2016 and with a new job comes a new set of responsibilities. I didn't mind that I missed my period for a month cause though I've been regular for a few months, the PCOS just won't go away. Last September while I was done with my unusual 6 rounds (I box up to 12 rounds), my coach asked me to take a pregnancy test since I looked bloated. I ALWAYS look bloated when I'm a few weeks late so for compliance's sake, I took THE test.. and I was so shocked.

 I've been hopeful during the first year of our marriage and we've decided to shrug off the pressure and just as when we made plans for the rest of the year til the first half, God laughed and showed us His plans. 

CHEATING ON MY FIRST TRIMESTER

The husband was away on a business trip when I tested positive, so I have to wait for 4 days (til he gets back) to break the news. During that time, I was unsure of what to do so I decided to take a break from exercising and slept as much as I can. As much as I'd love to post the video of Bryan seeing the PT for the first time, he begged me not to since he looks ugly when he cries (that's what he said). We scheduled for an OB appointment and found out that I was already 8 weeks pregnant. Basically, I did these things without knowing that I was already expecting.

went at Bohol when I was 3 weeks

Malapascua adventure at 4 weeks

Crossfit at 6 weeks

Rock trekking at 7 weeks

The OB has assured me that everything is fine, my baby is fine and that I just needed to take Folic acid. She asked me if I felt any pregnancy symptoms and I swear I have no food aversions, morning sickness and the like. Just that, I am feeling sleepier than usual. In fact, as I type this (12 weeks), I sleep thrice a day. 

Basically, my first eight weeks went by in a breeze and I am thankful for that. 


TRYING TO BE FIT

I've been getting a lot of negative backlash since I decided to continue my fitness journey even though I'm carrying. I don't blame people if their views are traditional but it doesn't make me less irritated. My doctor is highly familiar with the drills that I do and she has given me a go signal to do it. 

I would also like to highlight these important things:

1. I started exercising before this and if I stop now, I will go back to being sedentary which won't be good for me or my PCOS.  

2. My usual 12 rounds are now cut back to 4, with arm exercises and squats after.

3. I used to exercise 5-6 times a week, first every 6AM and then around 7PM, but when I knew I was pregnant, I cut it down to 3, once a day.

4. I won't do anything to endanger myself and the baby.

5. Exercise combats my pregnancy fatigue. The fatigue is real and though I am lucky to skip the experience of morning sickness and the like, the fatigue and hunger pangs really get to me.

I plan to continue my fitness journey for as long as I can and for as long as I am allowed. Rather than wait that something bad will happen to me and my baby just to re-affirm your no-basis belief that I should slack down and eat what ever I want, I will sincerely appreciate it that you wish for the best. 

at 12 weeks 

When it rains, it pours

When It Rains, It Pours: 

When something good or bad occurs, it usually occurs more than once and often within a short  period of time.

Are you on your quarter life crisis phase? I remember that I was having mine a few years back and it was a never heard-of thing. In fact, a friend just chalked it up to my PMS-ing. I felt quite misunderstood then but quarter life crisis IS REAL. I think that this moment in our lives stemmed from peer pressure, social media and the feeling of inadequacy in the midst of the environment which constantly remind us that we are far better than what we think we are. 

I am now 29 years old and I've been given a middle management position before reaching my 30s. Though I am 100% confident and competent job-wise, I can't say the same with the direction of my life and if you are like me, I want to assure you that IT'S OKAY. 

We are not supposed to figure out what our life would be 5,10 or 15 years from now because life will always be a continuous pursuit of what you like, what you want to do and what makes you happy. Death is a conclusion of what you have discovered about yourself and no one wants to live a life constantly finding out what's NOT for you.

OVERRATED right? 

IT IS.

But are you actually applying that in real life? Because the debate of chasing your happiness vs. being financially stable is always present. 

Do they even have to be against each other? Or am I being too idealistic?

In the end, it's a matter of perspective. You can either wake up on a Monday being grumpy that you have an 8-5PM obligation to fulfill or wake up feeling grateful that you heard your alarm right, you are awake, and you have a life which you can either make or break. Others are not as lucky.

In my previous blog posts, I've mentioned about the erratic weather conditions here in my island, I've also talked about having to don an appropriate office attire and this set is one of those I bought at ukay-ukay that only cost me Php20/each

I KNOW RIGHT?!

 I can name a few who always say that I don't dress according to my age (act is for another lengthy blogpost) I am not quite sure if that's a compliment or a dose of charity but really, how does one dress according to age? Perhaps it's one of those questions that I have to crowdsource for an answer. In an attempt to uhm, fit in to prevent the ire of the superiors concerned (also not to jinx my used-to be pending promotion), I decided to dress safely..and by safely I mean not showing my arms and skirt not two inches above the knees safely. 

Cotton Long sleeves: Brandless;Thrifted| Barathea A-Line skirt: Brandless;Thrifted|Brown Flats: Upper East Side-Payless