Paleo Challenge

The Paleo Challenge is a 30-day program at CFMNL wherein challengers follow the "paleo diet," also known as the "caveman diet." Huh, sounds like one of those weirdo faddy diets, I know. That's what I thought, too, until I started reading up on it. And the more I read about it, the more it made sense to me.

Basically, the paleo diet is eating meat, vegetables, fruit, and nuts. No grains (rice, oats, and the like), no processed foods, and no dairy (although I think some paleo people are more relaxed when it comes to this). Here's a great beginner's guide to paleo by Nerd Fitness. The end result is supposed to be increased energy levels and improved health and strength. Weight loss (if you're trying to lose weight) or a leaner figure is just a bonus.

I'm on Day 2 now, and have been strictly adhering to it. It takes time and effort to plan and prepare meals, since I'm the only one at home following the diet and everyone thinks I'm crazy. Those who know me know that I don't cook. Yet I find myself in the kitchen every morning preparing my own meals. During the weekend, I made baked sweet potato fries. It wasn't the success I'd envisioned it would be because some of the fries got burned and got stuck to the pan, but it tasted good.

Apologies for the blurry photo :)

Well, let's just see how this goes. So far, I'm feeling good, though.

Zero to hero, baby!

The Raya Razkals joined the 7-under division at the Zobel Football Festival in Alabang yesterday. We weren't really expecting anything. For us parents -- and I guess for the kids too -- it was just one of those tournaments the kids join to gain experience.

As we watched the games and saw how the team had improved, though, we started getting excited. And a teeny tiny pinprick spark of hope started growing... maybe they're going to do well, after all! They played against some of the teams that had defeated them before, and their performance was almost at par with these more experienced teams. They even beat the varsity team of DLSZ. How about that?

First game: Raya FC 0 - Alabang FS 2
Second game: Raya FC 2 - DLSZ 1
Third game: Raya FC 2 - Manresa FC 0
Fourth game: Raya FC 1 - Makati FS 1 (resulted in a penalty shoot out where Raya scored 2 and MFS scored 3)
Semi-final game (for 3rd place): Raya FC 1 - Atletiko Diliman 0

They were all so happy to get a medal!

When they placed third, us parents (and even Coach Sims) could hardly believe it! Maybe just a couple more years and they'll be playing like a well-oiled machine.

Posing with his medal

Yes, it was a tiring but happy day in the south yesterday.

Ako na lang

I stumbled upon this song by Ziya Quizon months ago while listening to the radio, and I think anyone who's ever liked a person who liked someone else would be able to relate. Such a cute, cute song.

Kung sino-sino pang tinatawagan mo, nandito lang naman ako

Kung saan-saan ka pa naghahanap, nandito lang naman ako

Two things

One: I've decided to create a separate blog for my fitness-related posts to spare those who can't stand reading yet another CrossFit- or running-related post. From now on, this blog will contain a minimal amount of stuff about (mostly) CrossFit. My other blog: http://almostprettyfit.blogspot.com.

Two: The family just got back from Boracay, and although it was fun, for the most part it was stressful. Not only because we had the kids with us but also because one of my sisters' baby girl and our elderly parents were also with us. We tried to make the most of it but I sure am glad to be home now.

And Boracay isn't what it used to be. What I remember the most the first time I went there back in 1998 was the powdery white sand stayed cool even at midday. You could walk barefoot the whole day if you wanted to. Now, you have to wear slippers when you walk around. It was also too crowded this time of the year (or is that my age talking?).

We still managed to have fun, though. I got to taste Jonah's banana milkshake again, we had a scrumptious seafood lunch at the talipapa, and we were able to try out the yummy calamansi muffins at The Real Coffee and Tea Cafe.

And now, here is one of our funnier attempts to do a jump shot on the day of our departure.

With my sisters and niece

January 2 WOD: Starting the year right

The family is leaving for Boracay on Wednesday, so I won't get to work out until maybe Saturday or Sunday. Today's WOD was quite simple, and the coach explained that's because he wants to ramp up the intensity. We were asked to choose if we were doing WOD A or B. The exercises were the same, except that there were more reps in B. Of course, I chose A. :) We did 15 mins AMRAP of:

- 3 pull ups
- 6 push ups
- 9 squats
- 20 double unders (or 40 singles)

I did band-assisted pull ups using the green band, push ups on my knees, and 40 singles. Part of the warm up was scap pull ins, where you start from a dead hang position and push your shoulders down then raise your chest. I think that helped me with the pull ups, and -- dare I say it -- I think I'm getting better at it. It's just putting on the band that's difficult.

Anyway, I was able to do 9 rounds + 3 pull ups. Yay, me!