Muse: the Body speaks

First and foremost, I have to identify myself - I am a GIRL.

So, since I'm born female, I'm usually surrounded by girls who feel insecure about their body and weight.
That being said, should they feel insecure about their size??? So, after my roommate (who is insecure about her body) raised the issue about being fat a-g-a-i-n... I think it's about time I post something to educate girls out there about their body.

First and foremost, GOD didn't make woman to be the same shape, same size and same person.
For example, twins may be brought up together but do not share the same characteristics. So, we are born or made with differences even if we have the same organs (hopefully), same parents and same environment. So, do not expect you and the woman sitting beside you to always have the same body shape!

I found a link with good pictures on the different body shapes, so if you're interested for more details, go here.

Types of Body (Women)

Then, moving on the weight issue. 

GIRLS should NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT!

Seriously, the weighing scale just gives you numbers and gives you the weight of your body. Weight of your body includes your fats, muscles, organs and water weight. 

So, can you be light and unhealthy? YES

So, can you be heavy and unhealthy? YES

Why do I say so? I remembered an article similar to this, but this will do for now... hehe

Being underweight or severely obese did cut life expectancy.

WAIT... So I can be light or heavy and still be unhealthy? YES yes YES! SO how can I be healthy?

Simple, just eat healthy and have a healthy lifestyle. =)

I know, healthy food is expensive compared to fried food (easiest cheap unhealthy food example). Why not? Supply meets demand. The people have been demanding fried food as compared to healthy food (since most prefer to make their own). Hence, the price would definitely drop (fried food becomes cheaper) to increase demand of fried food and increase the chains need to supply the public to meet that demand. So who's to blame. You yourself. BLEK. Don't point fingers... it's worthless. You have to educate everyone on healthy eating to reverse this trend and too bad I'm not the Minister of Health to make this change. 

BMI

So, everyone likes to use BMI right? So, I'll give you a BMI answer first.

What's a healthy BMI? Since I'm Asian, I'll give an Asian answer because most of the BMI readings out there are not for Asians. The research by the WHO is here. 

I know you'd be lazy so I had skimmed through it and found this at the 

conclusion and recommendations... at page 161.

1. The WHO expert found that Asians generally have a higher percentage of body fat than white people of the same age, sex, and BMI. Also, the proportion of Asian people with risk factors of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease is substantial even below the existing WHO BMI cut-off point of 25 kg/m3. Thus, current cut-off points do not provide an adequate basis for taking action on risks related to overweight and obesity in many populations in Asia (except for Northern Chinese and Japanese whereby the cut-off could be 5 units higher).
2. In considering BMIs of less than 21, it should be borne in mind that the lower range of BMI might reflect under nutrition in populations with current or recent widespread under nutrition.
3. They recommended that Asians population have this new BMI reading.

Underweight at less than 18.5

Increasing but acceptable risk at 18.5 – 23

Increased risk at 23 – 27.5

Higher high risk above 27.5

So, is BMI the end all. Definitely NOT!  

At page 163, scroll all the way down and there will be a comparison between two persons with the same BMI, with different x-rays, and different body fat levels. (Men were used)

BODY FAT? 

Is that a new word? No... It's an old word. So does that make a difference, yes it does. 

But to know more about it, read here.

DO NOTE! There is a difference between low body fat with muscle and no muscle.

MUSCLE MASS

Why?

If you are too skinny (cause you don't eat much and you work out sometimes), your muscles won't form, if it does; it goes inwards and you'd get to see skin and bones. Then, if you're a woman, you may have hormone imbalance and not have period. *Personal experience (didn't have mine for a year until I took hormone pills).

That being said, I didn't really take pictures in bikinis to show you guys, so I've got other experts data and pictures to prove my point, here.

My conclusion and advice

1. Don't fret about not being able to fit those clothes (body shape)
2. Don't fret about the weighing scale. (Muscle mass + BMI + Body fat)
3. Fret about not eating healthy food.
4. Fret about not having a healthy lifestyle.

Worry about the right things. Live your life as you want it and not as what the public wants it. After all, the public is not living your life and understand your troubles. You do, you live it and you experience it. Don't waste your life. =)

My Virgin FULL Marathon

Me, at a Toastmasters Area Contest, a day just before the marathon.

Can still smile! X)

I'm no sports enthusiast but I do love exercise as it helps my mood and stress levels; other than the fact that it allows me to not be on a restricted diet! XD Oooh Yeah!

So, with that in mind, how do I keep myself motivated to continue exercising?

Well, I favour jogging so I DO marathons! This year, I've ran 3 marathons.

My latest run is actually, TO-DAY! It's the Women's Day Marathon centered at i-City which is approximately 5 - 10 mins. from my mum's office; a reason not to miss and it's held on the weekend my semesters break starts; another reason not to miss.

Then, here comes my point of view of the marathon as I ran the race!

Well, I listened to my senior's advice and ate lots of carbohydrates on Thursday since my run's on Sunday. Thank God I did, I wondered what would have happened to me if I had not listened to her! XD

On the day itself, I woke up at 0300 hours since my race starts at 0430 hours (42+ km **was it planned? XD), got my milo, (since I ate a heavy dinner) and reached there approximately at 0330 - 0345 hours, did a short aerobics session ( to warm up) and moved on to the starting line (just like any other normal marathons). Surprisingly, nobody was crowding the starting line (maybe cause it's bloody long). Then I ran.

I was basically at the front line of the marathon. That being said, after 2-3 km, I started to slow down (probably no pacer/ motivator) and walk(hehe). Then, runners from behind me would motivate me, "Run sister run! You can do it!" Then, somehow out of nowhere, my legs could move further and faster; alas it was short lived. That said, the guy (pacing for his girlfriend/ wife/ daughter) moved on while I lagged behind again. Then, out of nowhere, a girl in black shirt and short pants touched me. That small touch made all the difference. I paced with her pacer and her up to the 20^th km mark (with another small touch – hehe). Then, all hell broek loose as my legs failed me and I just lagged behind after that. Believe me, it was awful. I was basically limping as the balls of my feet ached, the heel of my feet ached, the sides of my feet ached, my leg muscles ached, and my butt felt like it’s going to shit anytime soon (there were many movable toilets but I didn’t want to use it since I doubt the cleanliness). What made me terribly irritated was that I still had the stamina to go further but the physical incapacity to complete the race AND it reminded me of Marcuz cousin's experience, "Limping through the marathon". HUHU... It had to happen to me too? TOO??

So I limped around the Mosque (part of the race route), did stretches on my feet now and then and continued limping until I thought there were too many people cutting me. Then I asked the runners, “What length are you running?” The reply was, “21 km, we still have 2 more kilometres to go, let’s do it!” Listening to her enthusiasm, I almost took the easy way out; after all, I still had 19 more km to run. So, I walked and jogged with her near her turning until I heard the call for 42 km runners to take the U-turn. THEN, instead of taking the left turn back to my house, I took the U-turn. I TOOK THE U-TURN! I’m shocked at my own stubbornness and relentless desire to finish the race but when I did the U-turn, I knew there was no turning back anymore. After all, I had devoted MYR 100.00 to this race, like it or not, I’M GOING TO FINISH THIS! DAMN MY LEGS AND GIVE ME MY PRIDE TO FINISH THIS RACE!

So, I basically limped and walked and jogged. I realized I was walking cum limping quite slowly (because people who were walking rather slowly were cutting me), damn my competitive streak; I can’t run anymore and I’m not going to call for an ambulance to save me from the excruciating pain. So, I reached the end with pride even if it’s a turtle’s pace, 6 hours 30 mins. to 7 hours. Pathetic but possible since I limped and walked more or less 5 hours of the race.

However, I do realize me completing the race wouldn’t have been possible if not for the motivators (the guys, aunties, young adults and performers; including the running nurse). Thanks! A LOT! Now I can proudly say I ran 42 + km thanks to  you!

There were other freebies, but this was in the Finisher's bag with 2 bananas and 3 apples. 

Lessons learned from the race

1.     Be armed with power pack (chocolate liquid stuff) **experienced the difference when given at one of the water stations – it allowed me to run just a tiny bit of  a distance with those aching legs, and most of the runners do have it with them

2.     Wear better shoes – so the shock my legs receive is less

3.     Wear good socks – same as the above

4.     Stay hydrated – with isotonic and water at the stations, and get sprayed by water when possible.

5.     Eat bananas – keeps you sane if you’re a monkey (LOL- no, for the energy)

6.     Train  your legs to not incapacitate you (at least regular trainings of 30km)

7.     Tablets (if you’re really serious to prevent cramps and et cetera)

Personal thoughts on the race

1.     I hated the scenery, it was dull, ugly and repetitive (the mosque and lots of other areas – did a few U-turns).

2.     The parking cost me MYR 10.00.

3.     They did not publicize how to get the discount at MYR 10.00 and had me limping to and fro the ticket counter and the marathon counter.

4.     There was good guiding (bicycles, ambulances, police, supporters, and volunteers).

5.     Frequent water booths.

6.     Good timing devices (not too big and scary)

7.     Very positive and supportive atmosphere.

Temporary Battle Scar

My Results!