August 19, 2012. Written by Leila Ruth Novales.
More interests but still staying in balance
It has been almost a year since I last posted. The challenge of being in China is being able to penetrate through the Great Firewall of China. It was just too ma fan–-localese for incovenient and troublesome-–to access WordPress as it’s on the list of blocked sites in China.
But I think that’s just an excuse for me to not blog. I have been quite busy as well, too. I know, I know…I’m not supposed to get myself stressed. Bad for the blood pressure and overall health. I am happy to say that I have not been feeling stressed beginning this weekend. I’ve finally put all my documents for my Shengen tourist visa application for my upcoming trip to Paris and Barcelona and have gone to the Spanish Consulate-–well, that was quite an adventure but that’s a totally different story so I’ll get into that next time if there is an opportunity to do so.
I do have good news! Even though I have not been able to update this blog for almost a year now, I am happy to say that I have so far lost 16 pounds! That would have a positive impact on my blood pressure, not to mention my overall health. I do feel better and lighter now, not to mention happier. All my slacks are now loose on me so I have bought two pairs of jeans -– yes, jeans! For those of you who know me personally, you know that I do not like jeans. I find them uncomfortable and hot. Well, I got myself two pairs and, wow! They were not uncomfortable at all! They were quite comfy. It must have been all that extra weight I had in the past.
I have not had a chance to take my blood pressure yet — yeah, I have not been keeping track because taking it everyday actually stressed me out! — but I will soon when I finally buy batteries for my blood pressure monitor! LOL
So how did I lose weight? It was mostly accidental. I started taking salsa and bachata lessons under a good friend who does it for free. I found it truly enjoyable, and much to my surprise, I was actually able to dance! This led me to explore other dance options to kinda scope myself out and see what I can do when it comes to dance. In my younger years, I had studied ballet for 9 years. Of course, that was half a millenia ago… Anyway, my younger daughter is an amazingly gifted dancer. She has been dancing since she was two years old. Taking her lead, I joined her Hip Hop and Jazz classes. Of course, she found it weird that her mother was in the same classes as she was. Surprisingly again, I found that I enjoyed it although it was way more difficult and taxing than the Latin dances I was learning. I found it challenging (just imagine a 44-year old woman trying to keep up with twenty-somethings!) but decided to plod on through several classes. By today’s class (the first being some time in April), I was finally totally relaxed and hardly had any trouble following the steps in the dance routine being taught. In addition, I finally got the body roll down pat! After more than three months of trying to learn it! Yay me!
All this dancing really inspired me and, with the help of my two girls, I would practice in the house or sometimes even in the park outdoors –- well, with my daughters, of course! And before I knew it, I was steadily losing weight -– 2 pounds, then 4, then 6, till finally 4 months later -–15 pounds! This was just last week so I decided I really have to buy batteries for my blood pressure monitor to see if my blood pressure has improved.
I’ve also been eating healthier—more home-cooked meals and much less frequent restaurant food, hardly any junk food and pastries AND no fast food at all! Yay me again! And another good thing…my older daughter, Krystle Lane, has decided to go vegetarian! Which is wonderfully fantastic because Dana (my younger daughter) and I are avid veggie people — though not vegetarians, but we will eat vegetables over meat almost any time!
I’ve also gone back to doing yoga regularly in the mornings. In the evenings, Krystle Lane has been motivating me with Pilates abs exercises. I’d like to strengthen my abdominal muscles to support my back better. And of course, who wouldn’t want a flatter stomach?! Now if only I can find a decently-priced pool nearby. I sorely miss swimming…
I’ve started another blog about cooking (http://lacocinadecorvina.tumblr.com/), with emphasis mostly on Spanish cooking as I’m trying to learn this. I am also trying to learn more Spanish with the same good friend who is teaching us Salsa and Bachata. As you may have noticed, there’s a lot of Spain stuff going on as well.
I also have a new vision for life forming in my head but that will be for later when I finally have it fully formed.
And there you have it. What’s new? Dance. Healthy eating. Fitness. Back to blogging. Learning new things. Basically, an invigorated life and still in balance!
