More of Me
June 3rd 2011 14:36
:
Eating, Exercise and Weight Gain
I have lived in Penang for almost 3 years now and have become a slightly different person. I quit smoking about 4 years ago and that combined with living in Penang, with diffrerent food, have led to a sizeable weight gain, Back home I would usually eat oatmeal for breakfast, a salad or mainly vegetables for lunch and a dinner comprised of veggies and fish or lean meat. Here in Penang it is different. Most Asians don't like raw vegetables like salad, so salad bars are rare here. When you do order vegetables here they are usually stir fried in oil or covered with a greasy sauce.There is no such thing as broiled meat or fish here. The closest you can get is grilled. Grilled is healthy, but most eateries use a ton of oil when grilling. Most of the grilled meats are covered with greasy gravies. Even steak, which can be expensive here is covered with a sauce. Malaysians don't know how to enjoy a nice tender steak. All of this delicious food combined with rice at every meal leads to weight gain.
Breakfasts here in Malaysia are totally different than in the west. No eggs, bacon, toast or cereal. Breakfast here is the same as lunch or dinner. Just a different name. A variety of fried noodles, rice dishes and deep fried fish or other greasy dishes. It took me quite some time to get used to having spicey and greasy food for breakfast, I suppose it is just as bad as having bacon, sausages and donuts or pancakes for breakfast, I usually eat oatmeal for breakfast at home or I have rice porridge when eating outside. I try to eat light lunches such as porridge or a sandwich at home. Dinner time is difficult because Kevin and I eat out with neighbors and friends. I just don't have the will power most of the time.
In order to lose weight and to improve my overall health I joined Fitness First fitness center at Island Plaza, across the street from me. After a year I actually gained weight. I then decided to engage a personal trainer to force me to exercise. I have had the same personal trainer, Gary, for over a year. I must admit I feel much better. I have more energy and my back and joints feel quite a bit better. I now also attend pilates 3 times a week and yoga for 2 times a week. Three days a week I use the TRX, lift weight and do aerobics. My physical activity has definitely doubled since I have been here. But I still haven't lost weight. All of this exercise and torture has made me look a litttle thinner, according to some friends, but there is no actual weight loss. It's very frustrating.
I think my problem is a combination of age, different food and lifestyle and a much warmer climate, which adds up to a lower metabolism. When you throw in a great love of food and not a lot of will power it makes losing weight very difficult. Even though I haven't shed any pounds I feel a lot better than I have in a very long time. I will just keep on trying.
NTPFTR2JNPYM
Breakfasts here in Malaysia are totally different than in the west. No eggs, bacon, toast or cereal. Breakfast here is the same as lunch or dinner. Just a different name. A variety of fried noodles, rice dishes and deep fried fish or other greasy dishes. It took me quite some time to get used to having spicey and greasy food for breakfast, I suppose it is just as bad as having bacon, sausages and donuts or pancakes for breakfast, I usually eat oatmeal for breakfast at home or I have rice porridge when eating outside. I try to eat light lunches such as porridge or a sandwich at home. Dinner time is difficult because Kevin and I eat out with neighbors and friends. I just don't have the will power most of the time.
In order to lose weight and to improve my overall health I joined Fitness First fitness center at Island Plaza, across the street from me. After a year I actually gained weight. I then decided to engage a personal trainer to force me to exercise. I have had the same personal trainer, Gary, for over a year. I must admit I feel much better. I have more energy and my back and joints feel quite a bit better. I now also attend pilates 3 times a week and yoga for 2 times a week. Three days a week I use the TRX, lift weight and do aerobics. My physical activity has definitely doubled since I have been here. But I still haven't lost weight. All of this exercise and torture has made me look a litttle thinner, according to some friends, but there is no actual weight loss. It's very frustrating.
I think my problem is a combination of age, different food and lifestyle and a much warmer climate, which adds up to a lower metabolism. When you throw in a great love of food and not a lot of will power it makes losing weight very difficult. Even though I haven't shed any pounds I feel a lot better than I have in a very long time. I will just keep on trying.
NTPFTR2JNPYM
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