Midnight Workout and "Cheat" Meals

Today was my cheat day (I don't really like the word "cheat," but what else can you call it?)... haha. I had planned on it beforehand as I knew my mother was going to be making me some crab rangoon (one of my favorites!). I dislike most fried foods... but have a sweet spot for some crab rangoon. I typically allow myself more leniency/cheat days when I'm on my... uh, cycle. Which started today. Yay me!

For the most part, I didn't do too horribly. Um. Maybe?

Beverages: 1 cup of coffee, 1 cup of green tea, water, 1 cup of hot chocolate.

Breakfast: Same as a few days ago, 1/2 an avocado, Frank's Red Hot, lime, sea salt, pepper, raw organic white cheddar.

Lunch: Crab Rangoon! Not incredibly healthy, haha. Fried, 1/3 fat cream cheese, crab and ginger. I probably ate too much, I don't know. Too much for me, anyway, as I'm fairly certain that I'm slightly lactose intolerant. This has been recent, the past year, I believe. I used to be obsessed with dairy - used to drink glasses of skim milk a day, love cheese, yogurt, what-have-you. With my current diet, I typically use coconut milk and almond milk on a daily basis, but still use cheese and yogurt with no side effects (I usually only eat small amounts of these). Anyway, my stomach was making some obnoxious sounds after consuming these, haha.

Dinner: Chipotle! Chicken burrito bowl w/brown rice, black beans, fajita veggies, pico, cheese and lettuce. One of my absolute favorite restaurants. I love that they use antibiotic-free chicken and try to use local produce when able. Plus, it's absolutely delicious.

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I didn't get home until midnight. Which is why I'm writing this up at 2:30. Anyway, my sister and I spent the day together. It helped ease the stiffness out of my body. Yesterday's workout didn't felt a little easier than day 1, but I forgot all about the stiffness and soreness that I don't normally get with my normal workout routines. Sure, I get sore. But this morning, it hurt to walk to the kitchen. In a good way though. Once I had been up for an hour, it was pretty much not noticeable.

 I wasn't planning on eating out, as we were at the mall's food court, and was just going to make salmon at home... but she suggested Chipotle... Both of our weak spots. Yum. I'm glad we grabbed it, as she didn't eat all day. Both her fiance and I get on her about it, but she's stubborn.

So, at midnight I realized I didn't fit my workout in today. Oops. Didn't think I'd be getting back so late. So, I turned on Insanity's Cardio Recovery and got it in. It's pretty relaxing with some yoga/strength moves, so hopefully I can fall asleep after I finish this post. I just set out my mat, tried to do it in socks, but was uncomfortable... put on my sneaks. I probably looked like a hot mess with my boxers, sweater and sneakers on. Ha. No matter.

I didn't sweat! Even with a sweater on. I remember I used to break out in a slight sweat to this, but not today. No siree. I sweat so easily, so that was nice. My face did burn up a little. I really like the plank moves, the squats and the very end with the balance moves. Not a huge fan of the lunges. Probably because they hurt the most for me. Especially the pulses at the end. Though, I think the Blogilates' Lolo Lunges might hurt more. Might have to try that one again sometime to compare. It's more cardio and less static. I don't really know which is harder for me.

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So yeah, food-wise, not the best. But I'm human. And just to warn you, this week's meals might run along the same lines. Not only because I'm on my monthly, but also because I have a birthday party that I'm going to and a get-together with college friends this weekend. I'll probably avoid cake, as it's not my favorite. If there are cupcakes though... Or pizza. Another junk-food favorite. :) Though, of course, I'll not overdo it. Leave some for the rest of the guests. ;) And I don't want to exacerbate my skin-issues since I'll likely have some hormonal cysts coming in... I can already feel one. Eww.

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Love always,
Marie

Insanity Day #2. Oh gosh, moving pushups!

Insanity Day 2: Cardio Power & Resistance. Oh gosh. I feel like the first 10 minutes of Insanity I'm like, "okay... I want to stop." Haha. But Shaun T pushes me and I don't want to give up. So, I don't. It gets better and I feel amazing after the workout.

It's been... about 1/2 a year since I've done Insanity, I think (with the exception of yesterday). I forgot all about the moving push-ups. I'm so uncoordinated. Oh, how I hate those. Insanity actually helped me get stronger/better at pushups.

Normal push-ups aren't my favorite, but they're fine.  Triangle pushups are fine. Moving pushups...not-so-much. I just have so much difficulty coordination-wise. Also, there was another quick move that I had trouble keeping up with. I know I'll get better with time. Motivation.

The jumping/plyo wasn't so bad. I remember the first time I did month 1 of Insanity, I struggled immensely. Now I'm able to keep up with them. Afterwards I did the ~13 min Blogilates' Victoria's Secret Ab Workout.

I've done this several times before in combination with other Blogilates workouts... But following Insanity, I had difficulty in keeping my legs straight. Or even up. I still want to do a short Pilates workout right after my Insanity workouts though to stretch and get more flexible as well as add in some more strength-training. I was going to try to do another ab routine of hers afterwards, but my arms and body were shaking too much, haha.

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Beverages: 1 cup of coffee, 1 cup of green tea, several glasses of filtered water. Going to drink 1 cup detox tea before bed.

Breakfast: 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 1/2 TB peanut butter (Trader Joe's All Natural PB is soooo creamy), 1 spoonful of stevia, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 TB of cinnamon, 1 handful of walnuts, 2 TB of flaxseeds. Topped with pepitas (pumpkin seeds), drizzled with raw honey and topped with almond milk. I prefer steel cut oats, but this is really easy/quick to make.

Snack 1: handful of almonds.

Lunch: Whole wheat penne. A little over 1/2 cup. I measured out 1/2 cup, but there was about 1/4 cup more, so I just added it in. So full. Anyway. Sauteed 2 tomatoes, 4 garlic cloves (um.... I really like garlic), and 3 cups of spinach in 1 TB of coconut oil with some red pepper chili flakes. Added in the pasta and added a squeeze of lemon, some EVOO, salt and pepper, shredded a little bit of Raw Organic Cheddar Cheese and topped with toasted pine nuts.

Snack 2: Green smoothie. Juiced 2 carrots and mixed that with filtered water for the base. Added in 1 scoop of Trader Joe's Very Green Supplement Powder and 1 scoop of Muscle Milk Light Vanilla (not my favorite... too sweet. Can't add bananas when using this. I want to use it up though). Then added in raspberries, 2 strawberries and blended. I usually like to add in flaxseeds if I use berries (the texture doesn't change), but had some for breakfast... and like to use cucumber for the base with some almond/coconut milk but ran out. :(.

Dinner: Not so hungry as lunch was sort of big for me. Ate the other half of the block of Trader Joe's Organic Sprouted Tofu with some soy sauce and ate 6 broccoli florets raw.

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Overall, I felt I ate fairly healthy today. I used to eat pasta all the time. Now,  I can't remember the last time I had it. It was comforting on this rainy day though and love how fresh it tastes with the lemon, garlic, spinach and tomatoes. I tend to avoid sauces, as they red ones can be full of sugar and the whites ones, well, you know... tend to have more saturated fats, etc. and they're more processed, which is something I try to avoid. I have been able to find a few red sauces that don't have much sugar... but they tend to be fairly expensive.

Grocery shopping tomorrow to pick up some more veggies. And almond milk. 

I might start adding pictures for the food section. I don't know yet. I usually eat really, really simple meals. If I do something more complex, I usually make a lot so that I'll have leftovers. I'm thinking of trying to "meal prep." I've never been so good at meal planning, but this would make it easier (though my meals don't take me a long time to prepare...).

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Oh! And I checked my measurements today. Basically, my body's stayed the same proportion-wise. I lost 1" in my thighs though! I thought they'd be the last to start budging (they barely budged at all, even when I was losing weight all last year) as I tend to hold some weight in them.

My weight's been all-over the place this week, but I think that's because I'm getting my workouts in again and building muscle, etc. I went up 6 pounds one day and then it went back down to 139 the next (I always check mornings, before eating/drinking). However, the scale doesn't reflect much. I'm just curious, haha. I don't let it affect my mood/workouts/eating habits.

I tried on a jacket that a few months I couldn't button and it's my perfect size now. Score! Best feeling in the world.

I have another "goal" piece of clothing now. So, I ordered jeans online. Something I never do, but Vanity was having an amazing sale in December and most of my other ones are too large. I ordered one in a 6 and another in a 4. The 6 was a perfect fit, when I got them. They're slightly loose on me now. The 4 I ordered mainly due to the fact that they were sold out of all other sizes and I adored them. One was $9-- and the other was $12--- (originally one was supposed to be $60 and the other $79, so this was a great deal). Best jeans I've ever owned. And I don't even like jeans, but I now I'm always reaching for the 6 pair. I feel Vanity's jeans' sizes are slightly smaller than the other jean brands I own, but that tends to happen. Sizes can vary drastically from company to company. Like, for instance, my other brand jeans that are a 5 are much bigger than Vanity's 6. Anyway, I can't wait until I can wear the 4 comfortably, as they're so adorable! I can wear them now, but they're tight and give me a "muffin top." Not at all flattering or comfortable. So, they wait in the closet until I can wear them.

Anyone else dread jean shopping? I think part of the reason is because different companies have different sizes, so you have to try on a few and to me, they're not as comfortable (but in the winter, they are warm, I'll give in to that). I hate when I try on a pair that are too small, because I get this claustrophobic feeling. Or maybe I'm just a weirdo. Haha.

Do you keep any "goal clothes?" My first one was a dress I ordered from Forever 21. It was a form-fitting zip-up dress. I ordered it online, but it was too small and wouldn't zip up. It ended up staying in my closet for 2 years. It finally fit me last summer. Love wearing it, and it makes me feel so proud, accomplished and confident to wear it as it reminds me of the hard work I went through.

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I have some things I need to get done tonight. Good night. :)

Love always,
Marie

Updates - Workouts: Insanity!, Food Journal

So, this past week I've started getting back into my fitness routine of working out ~1 hour for 5-6 days a week. Also, I've been cleaning up my eating, for the most part.

For fitness, I did one day of Tae Bo (now I have that body bar that he uses! I used to use just plain separate hand weights). I did the Fat Burning Amped one. My arms were so sore the next day. The bar isn't that heavy (half as heavy as the weights I used before), but it worked my arms out differently.

I went to the gym once - did the 30 minute Les Mills CXWorx class for the core (lots of planks, some mat work and some work with bands). My sister and I used to go every Monday, but we stopped when our schedules got too hectic. Afterwards, I ran on the treadmill (intervals of 3.5 speed w/15 incline, 7.5-8 speed w/1 incline and 30 second sprints of 12 speed w/1 incline). I ate beforehand (not a good idea, but I went with my sister who didn't eat all day and I didn't want her working out on an empty stomach at 6pm), so called it a day after half an hour as I thought I was going to be sick. I usually try to work in some weight training, but since I started CXWorx again, it's recommended to do cardio and not weights afterward.

CXWorx's Info (go here to find a gym that has this class near you:  http://w3.lesmills.com/global/en/classes/cxworx/about-cxworx/ )

The next day, we had a lot of snow and sleet. I shoveled for 2 hours. I could really feel my abs bracing and they were sore from the day before. With the sleet on top, the snow was really heavy... I think it was about 4 inches. That was my workout for the day. I was drenched by the end of it. And not by snow. Work hard, sweat hard.

The rest of the days, I did the new Blogilates' series HIITilates and some segments from her DVD. Love her and her videos - she keeps me motivated with her happy-go-lucky upbeat personality.

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I made the decision to get started on Insanity again! I took some photos to see how much muscle I had lost during my winter "hibernation" and noticed that I had lost some of the definition in my back. So, back to Insanity. I think it'll help me get fittest the fattest (say that 3 times fast! haha) by summer. Not only because of the program itself, but having the schedule helps me not skip a workout. I think I'll be skipping the "fit test" until the end though and just sub another workout in for that day. I did it before, but stopped after the 1st week of Month 2 as I kept getting sick and was sick most of winter (my antibiotics for my skin really weakened my immune system and my sister's a nurse who is allergic to the flu shot... so she got sick often and I would catch everything). 

My first day was today. Good gracious. I didn't think it would be that hard, since I did Month 1 before. Wrongo. I always feel like the warm-up is one of the hardest parts. Also, the part where you're in the static stretches and you work on your hip flexors - bend one knee and lift the other behind you and pull it into you. For some reason, that one is so difficult for me. Also, I want to work on my speed. I'm fine with the normal Heisman, but with the 3-2-1 Heisman (I think it's called?) and any of the ones where you do "quick feet," I tend to fall behind. And the pushups. I mean, these were only the Level 1 Push-up Drills and I thought I wouldn't be able to get through them. I did, but geez (Level 1 Drills remind me of burpees... but with 4 push-ups followed up by plank mountain climbers when you're on the ground). This makes me really want to get back into shape, haha. 

Afterwards, I did an 18 minute arm workout from Blogilates. I absolutely love this workout. I did this really often last year when I was trying to tone up my arms (even though I still need to burn off some of the fat on top... but muscle helps burn it... so... eh).

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Food-wise, I've been eating fairly well since mid-January. I think I'll start to keep a food journal here for reference or if anyone's interested. It's not going to be perfect, but I am trying to eat clean most of the time. This will also keep me accountable.

2/24/2013 Sunday

Beverages: 1 cup of coffee, 1 cup of green tea, several cups of filtered water (usually drink about 5 16 oz cups), 1 cup of detox tea. I'm typically very well-hydrated, haha. 

Breakfast: Half an avocado with some lime, a pinch of sea salt and pepper on top, and then a few drops of Frank's Red Hot Cayenne Pepper Sauce with some Raw Organic White Cheddar cheese on top and broiled. Not super healthy, but you get healthy fats from the Avocado.

Adapted from the recipe here: http://morselsandmusings.blogspot.com/2011/09/grilled-avocado-w-melted-cheese-hot.html

Lunch: Leftovers, haha. Brown rice cooked with some flax seeds and chicken tikka masala. I used about 1 tsp of coconut oil, 1 bag of skinless chicken breasts, nonfat greek yogurt, 3 jalapenos, 1 can of Trader Joe's Light Coconut Milk (in place of heavy cream), 1 minced onion, 5 minced garlic cloves (...I really like garlic), 2 diced tomatoes, 2 cartons of tomato sauce (I prefer cartons... canned tomatoes taste metallic and the acid from the tomatoes can release some harmful substances from the can itself) and added some tumeric to the chicken (for the added health benefits). Makes a ton of servings that I'll be digging into all week (unless my sister stops by... she'll likely devour a good portion). Did not add any salt until the end... and I only added 1 tsp to the whole thing as it's plenty flavorful without.

Adapted from the recipe here: http://allrecipes.com//recipe/chicken-tikka-masala/detail.aspx

Snack 1: Handful of raw almonds. I've also been eating these as they're good for your skin. Just don't overdo it. 

Snack 2: Protein Shake (1 scoop of ON's Natural Whey & Oats Vanilla Protein Powder, 1 scoop of Trader Joe's Very Green Wheatgrass/Alfalfa/Barley/Spinach/etc. mix, handful of frozen raspberries, 2 frozen strawberries and filtered water). This followed immediately after Insanity and before Awesomesauce Arms. I  usually add more to it, but knew that dinner would follow not too long after.

Dinner: half a block of Trader Joe's Organic Sprouted Tofu cooked on the pan with a tsp of coconut oil. Used some soy sauce to dip the ends in for flavor while eating (careful, if you're watching sodium. I don't eat a lot of sodium, so I usually don't worry, but I usually don't use a lot of soy sauce). Ate this with a baked sweet potato (baked on foil for 40 minutes @ 425 F) and a roasted beet (drizzle washed beet with olive oil, wrap up in aluminum foil, bake for 1 hour @ 425 F).

....I ate less greens than I usually do, but all in all, I don't think it was too awful for my meals for today. I might snack on some spinach or something later, haha. Yes, I'm a total weirdo.

I'll work on some beauty/skincare hauls later tonight or sometime tomorrow.

Love always,

Marie

Motivation Monday: 10 Fitness Tips That Helped Me Shed 30 Pounds

To preface, I am not a dietitian/nutritionist/personal trainer. These tips come from my own personal experiences from the past year.

Everyone will have different reasons and goals, but I feel that these 10 "rules" really kept me on track. I've been on "maintenance" for the past few months, but I find that that can be an obstacle in and of itself especially during the winter/holidays. Now I'm back in it to burn some more fat and build muscle and these will become more important than ever.

1.  The greatest thing that has gotten me this far on my journey: STAY CONSISTENT. I cannot stress to you enough how important this is. Remain consistent with your diet and exercise. This doesn't mean that you cannot have off days. In fact, most people need them. You need a day off from exercising so that your body can repair itself and build lean muscle mass. Sometimes, you also need a day to eat something that might not be the healthiest, but that you've been craving (within reason). Otherwise, you might end up binging because the cravings get out of control. I've also heard that throwing your body a curve ball can actually increase your metabolism if you're eating clean the majority of the time.                                    
2. Eat clean! No, this isn't always for everyone. But I strongly believe it's one of the healthiest approaches to eating. By eating clean, I mean: cut out the refined, processed foods (especially refined sugars). Most of this actually wasn't all that difficult for me, personally (my personal struggles dealt with my sugar addiction - more on that at a later date; also, white rice! I've almost always eaten whole wheat everything, but since I'm asian, white rice took a while to switch, especially since I used to fail miserably at making brown rice, haha), since I was raised by an Asian mother who told me what too much fast food can do to me. She told us how unhealthy frozen meals/canned foods were and we always had a home-cooked meal growing up. I do understand that not everyone has that. Some people are raised to eat differently and it's difficult to break out of that cycle. Or, sometimes, regardless of how someone's raised to eat, they end up having tastes for something completely different or rebel. For instance, my sister, she's been obese most of her life. I'd say about 95% of the food she eats is processed. That's not how we were raised, but that's how she eats. She was able to successfully drop 40 lbs for about a year limiting her caloric intake (similar to something like Weight Watcher's). I find this approach easier for those who find eating clean too daunting. I prefer eating clean, because I don't like to count calories and I don't personally think this is the healthiest way to lose weight. I suppose it depends on the person and what their goals are. My goals were to be as healthy as possible with the added benefit of losing weight. If I don't get enough veggies in, I'll usually throw in a green smoothie or juice into my day to up my veggie intake tremendously (usually not a problem in the summer. In the cold months, I tend to struggle with getting enough veggies in, unless I'm conscious about it). Shoot for: drinking plenty of water, eatings tons of veggies (and leafy greens), get your proteins in and good fats and you should be solid. Regardless of what approach you take, keep in mind: you cannot out-exercise a poor diet! Weight loss is: 20-30% exercise, 70-80% what you eat. Check out Tosca Reno's books if you want to learn more about Clean Eating.                                                        
3. Which brings me to my next tip: Remain conscious of your goals. Whatever your goal is: lose fat and gain muscle, to run faster, to increase endurance, to fight an illness, etc. I believe it's paramount that you remain conscious of what you want throughout your journey. I found that when I lost sight of my goals, I would stumble.                                                    
4. Surround yourself with supportive family/friends. It's difficult when someone you love isn't supportive. I've actually lost touch with people and never bothered to keep in contact because they were negative and would make me feel more down just being in their company. You don't need that toxicity in your life. If it's a family member or someone you cannot live without: talk to them. Tell them how you feel and how they can help.                                         
5. Motivate yourself. This can be a long journey. It's important to stay motivated. I've done this in several different ways. 





1. Social networking sites. Pinterest especially. I "like" or "follow" positive fitness pages/people/what-have-you, so it's usually the first thing I see when I go to any of my social forms of media. On Facebook, I made a "list" of liked pages and categorized them into different groups, one of them being "Health & Fitness." When I don't want to see all the Facebook drama (haha), I just click on this list and just get updates from those people/groups. On Pinterest, there's already a Health & Fitness category, though I also follow many fitness/health fanatics/boards. On Tumblr I do the same (though I don't really keep up with Tumblr... haha. Oops).
2. Progress pictures. Sometimes your weight won't budge, but you are changing. Other times, it's just nice to have a visual of how far you've come. I like to do it from different angles to see where I'm gaining muscle/lost fat. 
3. If you're on Pinterest, you've probably seen the "pounds down" jars. I did something similar, as visual motivation, but made a poster. I don't have a specific weight in mind to get to, but it's gratifying to see how much I've accomplished.
4. Motivational poster! You can make a collage of whatever motivates you. Images, quotes, whatever. I found some images of fit/toned girls who have the same body type as I do and put those up along with motivational quotes.
5. Watch a weight loss/healthy living show. I particularly like Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition and The Biggest Loser. I usually do this in workout clothes and the show will usually get me itching to work out. I sometimes do this during, or I'll watch for 15 minutes, turn it off and get into my workout routine for the day. I mean, if those contestants can do it, why can't I? When I watch, I realize how much more they have struggled than I have and how difficult it must be for them to do this at four-hundred some-odd pounds (or however much they weigh). I don't agree with all things said/done during the show by some of the contestants or trainers (and oh my gosh - the product placement in Biggest Loser! : )  ), but I take it with a grain of salt. It's just amazing to me to see the contestants transform so drastically in such a short amount of time.                                                              
6. Be patient. It's not going to happen overnight. It might take a while to see any physical differences. Don't obsess over the scale. If you're feeling impatient, check out your progress pictures and see a visual of what's changed. Measurements are also great to keep track of. Muscle weighs more than fat, so I find measurements and progress photos my best tools. Sometimes it's difficult to keep going when you don't see any changes, but I promise you, it's worth it. It's not only about how you look, but how feel. I do see physical changes, but what's more, I feel stronger, more alive, energetic and have more endurance.                                                               
7. Accept and love yourself. Your self worth is not defined by your physical attributes. Yes, it is an amazing feeling to see yourself accomplish your weight loss/health goals. However, regardless of how you look, everyone has some beauty inside of them. It means nothing if you reach your goal weight/fitness goals, but don't love yourself. I personally find the most beautiful people are the ones that are confident, regardless of how they look; that remain positive through and through; that are happy with themselves.                               
8. No excuses! A 1-hour workout is only 4% of your day! I know how it feels to want more hours in the day. Believe me, I know. But if you're truly serious about living a healthier lifestyle, you will find a way to make that happen. I used to think I had so many limitations keeping me from being active. However, I was persistent and found ways around those obstacles. I know that you can too. There are working mothers, people who work crazy-long shifts, students who work, elderly people, people with disabilities, etc. that are able to find a way to fit in their workouts and eat healthy. There's always going to be someone busier than you or someone who has more obstacles in their path that is able to keep up their hectic schedules and work out too. For me, this meant some time-management, but it's been worth it. Now I'm also more productive too, which always helps matters (thanks to the extra energy! :) ).                                                                                    
9. Do not compare yourselves to others. What's that quote? Comparison is the thief of joy. Abso-posi-lutely! Everyone loses weight on different time frames and in different ways. When my little sister lost 40 lbs, she started to look long and lithe. I don't compare my body to hers, because I know that mine could never look like that. And I don't want it to. I love my short, somewhere between and medium and petite figure. Sure, that will mean that I will put more weight in my thighs and that a small amount of weight gain will show on my body, but you know what? I don't care. If you're on this journey with someone of the opposite sex, you might notice that men typically lose weight faster than women. If you compare, it might just dishearten you.                                       
10. Be accountable. Don't blame others. Don't blame the dryer. Or your circumstances (goes back to the excuses rule). You are in control of your body. These are different ways to stay accountable.
1. You can join forces and start this journey with someone. I chose to start this journey with my sister. We both have some kind of health concern that makes it difficult to lose weight. She has PCOS and I have hypothyroidism. But we keep each other accountable and remained so for a year. She moved out into a house with her fiance a couple of towns over, so it's more difficult... but we still check in with the other's progress, even if we don't work out with each other any more. And guess what? It works out. When I started slacking, she'd ask me about it. When she started gaining weight, I told her (okay, this might be difficult with friends, depending on your relationships, haha. We're honest with each other and she appreciates this kind of thing), gently though. She actually didn't notice. She got on the scale and then realized she had gained 10 lbs and got back on track. I don't however, hound her about it, because that can have a negative effect on relationships/weight loss/gain depending if they are an emotional eater, etc. etc.
2. Telling your friends or loved ones keeps you accountable. 
3. Also blogging about your experience keeps you accountable. Especially if you are more private about your weight loss/what-have-you.
4. I used to use SparkPeople to keep me on track (though, I'm not a fan of calorie counting. I don't mind short periods of doing this, to break through a plateau, but for me, it's too time-consuming in the long-term). You can find supportive groups/forums on there, though.

Remember: You are accountable for your actions. No one can lose the weight for you or choose healthy options for you.                                                                                                                                           ------------------------------------------------------------

I hope that these tips will help you all achieve your goals!

Love always,

Marie

Korean BB Cream Round-Up Reviews

There has been a complete BB Cream craze for quite a while now and it has finally crept into the Western Market about year ago. If you're unaware, BB Creams (or blemish balm/beblesh balm/beauty balm) are touted as an all-in-one beauty multi-tasker. They are purported to treat and cover up an array of blemishes. 

In fact, the BB cream was developed by a German dermatologist in order to protect her patients' skin after surgeries (eventually moving to the Korean market where it went viral, especially due to celebrities use of the product). Many are also whitening (usually meaning that it will help give your skin an even tone over time), anti-wrinkle and contain SPF. I also find that I don't need to wear a primer when I have BB Cream on (yet another step in the skin regimen/makeup routine removed!).

If a tinted moisturizer and a foundation had a baby, I think you'd get something along the lines of a BB Cream. I bought the above four at the end of 2011 and thought I'd give my insights into how well these creams performed. 

I chose Korean ones as the Western market was pretty sparse at the time and more costly. Also, I figured the Korean ones would match my half-asian skin tones more effectively. In addition, I've also heard that the Korean ones outperform the Western ones (this may just be due to the length of time the BB Creams have been on the Korean market, therefore allowing them to perfect their solutions more), so I don't really think I'll be trying any Western ones soon (I did try the L'oreal... or was it Garnier. I can't remember, but whichever one it was, it did not work with my oily skin. So shiny and slid right off mid-day. It might work for dry skin tones though). 

Note: Many Korean BB Creams don't tend to have "shades." The formula is meant to oxidize and match the wearer's skin tone. 

I wore these interchangeably. All of these provide a medium amount of coverage. When I first started wearing these my skin was extremely acneic. None of these irritated my blemishes at all or clogged my pores. My skin cleared up and perhaps my use of BB Creams sped up the process of healing for my hyperpigmentation (as some people call them, "scars," though they are not). 

I really did not notice any of the "anti-wrinkle" benefits, but I don't really have any wrinkles as of yet (slight laugh lines and very slight crow's feet when I smile). Once my skin cleared up, I usually used this with concealer, set them with a mineral powder and then a translucent powder in my t-zone when I ran errands. If I met up with friends/went out, I would use this as a primer for more coverage and add a liquid foundation and set it with powder. While I'm at home, however, I wear this and only this. Alone, they usually feel akin to wearing a creamy moisturizer, at most. With all that said, let's get started into their individual ratings and descriptions.

1.  Liole's Beyond the Solution BB Cream Rating +++++ Price: $26 (thebbcreamshop.com)

    This, by far, was the absolute best match for my skin! It's creamy, but melts right into my skin. I have severely oily skin in the warm months and this kept it at bay. I did have to blot (I always do, regardless of what I'm wearing), but not as often as I do with any type of foundation. This kept my skin fresh and brightens up my complexion. It also works in the winter months and isn't too drying (though I do prefer Skin79's Gold Plus in the winter).

PrettyandCute.com's Description: "Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream’s main functions are Whitening, UV Protection, and Wrinkle Care. Arbutin ingredients naturally brighten skin and create a more even looking complexion, while plant extracts help boost cell regeneration to smooth out fine lines. The SPF contained in this product doesn’t only protect skin from harmful UV rays but also improves the results in the other two main functions. UV light causes dark spots that makes skin tone uneven and breaks down connective tissue such as collagen, which leads to wrinkles; SPF prevents both of these. This BB cream also moisturizes and nourishes the skin to improve over health with yogurt and hyaluronic acid ingredients."

TheBBCreamShop.com's Description: "Lioele Beyond Solution BB Cream is a long lasting product using Bisaborol, Licorice Root, Allantoin and Jojoba Oil to moisturize, soothe and rejuvenate skin. The highly functional formula achieves clean and natural skin tone by regulating sebum secretion thus creating a fresh make up base providing for long lasting cosmetics. Allows for quick application as no additional make up base foundation is needed. Vegetable collagen along with Hyaluronic Acid speeds up the hydration process and keep skin moist and smooth. Apply a sufficient amount after the final stage of basic skin care, spreading evenly across face. "

2. Skin79's The Oriental BB Cream Plus Rating +++++ Price: $27 (thebbcreamshop.com)

I like the Liole better for summer, but this is my preferred BB Cream in the winter. In the winter, I have combination skin and will get dry patches under my nose and on my chin. I feel this is more moisturizing than Liole's, but kept my t-zone oiliness under control. Again, I'd have to blot, just not as often as I would with foundation (and a little bit more so than the Liole version). The color match was spot on and it felt very light (the lightest, I believe, in comparison to all of the others).

I know that Skin79's Hot Pink Label is supposed to be better for oily skin types, but it was too dewy/ashy for me and the Gold+ is suitable to my skin (even though it's not usually advertised as one of the best for oily/combo skin types). On forums, I've heard from other oily-skin types that the Gold+ has worked for them.

PrettyandCute.com's Description: "Skin79 Oriental Gold BB Cream Plus is the ultimate blemish balm, it protects and cares for skin in three separate ways for a flawless complexion that glows with health. Adenosine and Arbutin promote a fairer complexion while reducing existing lines and wrinkles. Gold and caviar extracts nourish skin for a dewy and smooth finish. Natural UV protection deflects UVA and UVB rays to protect skin from premature aging. Apply on skin prior to powder or makeup."

TheBBCreamShop.com's Description: "Skin Oriental Gold Plus BB Cream Tube is a luxurious emulsion, caring for dull looking and ageing skin through high technology and concentrated ingredients. Benefits include clearing of irregular skin tone, anti wrinkle care and whitening plus the added advantage of UV protection. Patented Oriental Tea Newplex and Peptatox Complex works to refine dull and unclear skin texture as skin is softened and feels hydrated. Gold and Caviar extracts help create a firming effect as Oriental Sue formula rebalances skin and helps it maintain its optimal condition. It’s a perfect touch up tool as the built in lip gloss compartment is a convenient bonus. "

3. Skin79's Super+ BB Cream (Pink Label) Rating +++ Price: $21 (thebbcreamshop.com)

I was expecting a lot out of this one, since I'd heard how hyped up it was. However, for me, it didn't work out. It was so incredibly pale at first (I'm a Light/Medium shade). It eventually oxidized and was alright with powder over it, but it felt heavier than the aforementioned ones and I had to blot as much as I do with a foundation. There was nothing particularly wrong with this, I just didn't feel like it lived up to the hype or my expectations. It might be different for another skin type/tone, but I felt it was a tad bit ashy even after having oxidized. I tried giving this to my mom, but she's darker than me, and this wouldn't oxidize to her shade (she's usually a medium to a dark medium).

According to TheBBCreamShop.com, there is a new formula, so I don't know how similar the new formula is to the old and if it functions better. If anyone's tried the new versus the old, I'd love to hear if there have been any visible differences. Below is an advertisement displaying the new upgrades to the formula (click to see it larger).

PrettyandCute.com's Description: "The Skin79 Hot Pink Super Plus BB Cream is one of the hottest selling BB Creams on the market! With its whitening and wrinkle-free formula along with its UV protection SPF 25, this product stands out from others and has been one of the most-loved BB Creams available. Its whitening ingredients which is made of Adenoisine and Arbutin, is effective in whitening and brightening the skin for an even and lively skin tone. With its SPF 25 function, it intercepts ultraviolet rays UV A and UVB to protect your skin while it is exposed to sun. What's special about this BB Cream is that it contains the new concept Osmopur ingredient made of mined sunflower, rice bran and ivy extracts to protect the skin from various harmful conditions. Additionally, this BB Cream contains Phyto-Complex which is great for skin moisturizing and is soothing to your skin."

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For the Skin79 products, I'd recommend the tube. I bought the Hot Pink Jar (40 ml) and the Gold Plus Tube (40 ml) to compare. The jar (cannister? I have no idea, haha) is nicer/more expensive looking, but the problem I've found with it is that you don't know when you're running out of product. Also, if you're traveling, the tube is less bulky. And there's a lid on the tube.

4. Missha's Perfect Cover BB Cream Rating ++++ Price: $22 (thebbcreamshop.com)

This was the one I liked least for my skin. I think it's probably because it goes on sort of grey and takes quite a while to oxidize and is as heavy, if not heavier, than the Skin79 Super+ Hot Pink BB Cream. This one does offer shades, however, and a bit more coverage than the others. I find it very creamy and too moisturizing for my skin. 

However, for my mother's more mature/normal skin, which is also much darker than mine, it's her absolute favorite and holy grail makeup item. It just goes to show how everyone's skin reacts differently. She loved how it didn't look like she was wearing any makeup. It wouldn't transfer when she would blow her nose (haha, she was so excited about this, especially when she was sick). People would be asking her about her new skincare regimen, asking if her daughters spoiled her with a new cream : ) . It brightened up her skin and covered her sunspots. 

So, for me it was (+++), but for her it was (+++++)... so, it evened out to a solid (++++). This would be ideal for those looking for a BB cream with more coverage, but feels lighter than a foundation and for those with darker skin shades (I'm not sure I would recommend any of the above for darker skin tones... At least not the Skin79 Hot Pink Label).

PrettyandCute.com's Description: "Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream gives an even and natural-looking coverage with the soothing, moisturizing properties of a cream. It is suitable for all skin types including acne-prone skin and can be used as a makeup base or foundation. Blemish Balm, also called BB Cream, is known to have been formulated as an after-treatment cream to help patients who have gone through laser skin surgery to soothe and regenerate the skin."

TheBBCreamShop.com's Description: "Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream offers ultimate coverage for acne prone, ageing and discoloured skin. Long lasting, even coverage is achieved as it conceals any imperfections, discolouration and hyper-pigmentation. At the same time it protects from strong UV rays with the high SPF 42/ PA +++, it also moisturises and gives skin the nourishment it needs to stay fresh all day. Comfortable to wear and letting skin breathe whilst it provides premium wrinkle fighting benefits making ageing skin appear less noticeable. Whitening ingredients lighten and illuminate skin, ensuring an all day luxurious glow. "

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Application: I find it best to "pat" it in and cover with a translucent powder to set in oily areas. I've always heard that it's best to "pat" it in for a more natural application (I don't do this with foundation, but for BB Cream it really works). Using a brush/sponge soaks up more of the product than it normally would with foundation (I suppose since it's thinner).

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In conclusion, for my acne-prone, oily/combination skin, I will most likely repurchase the Liole Beyond the Solution BB Cream and Skin79 Gold Plus BB Cream for myself and the Missha for my mother. 

I don't personally believe in a one-in-all/miracle product, but I do like using the BB creams on a day-to-day basis. I look at it as a heavier tinted moisturizer/primer that's not going to cause my skin to be an oil-slick mid-day and it performs well. For me, it replaces 3 steps: moisturizer, SPF and primer (I've heard for some that BB Cream can be an added step, but it depends on your prior routine. For me, it eliminated 2 steps, since I previously wore a moisturizer with SPF). 

Most of the BB Creams are scented with a soft, floral scent. I neither like it or dislike it. However, if you are sensitive to fragrances, beware.

Also, I just purchased the Rachel K CC Cream (moving up from BB Cream to CC Cream... and I've heard rumors of a DD Cream, though that's strictly for feet/body, so I'm not sure if that counts... or if it's just expecting to buoy off of the success of BB Creams). 

There are a few brands coming out with their own versions. I heard amazing things about it and am looking forward to using it (reasons such as: it's non-comedogenic, water-proof/smudge-proof, more mattifying/better oil control, less irritable for existing blemishes, etc. - see chart below). 

Once I've used it for a while (over a month), I'll write a review on how it's worked out for me. They both retail at about $39. The Rachel K one has received so many rave reviews, I'm hoping it works out. I realize that companies "up-sell" their products to make them seem flawless and miracle-workers, but I do hope this is a step-up from the already amazing BB Cream. 

Let me know if you've ever tried any of the above products and how it's worked for you (or if you've tried any Western brands and what you like/dislike about them).

Love always,
Marie

An Introduction: Skincare & Beauty

So, now that you know my fitness background, I thought I'd give you an idea of my skin/beauty background.

Although I've struggled with my weight, this in no way compares to my struggle with my skin. I've had moderately severe acne since I was 13. For the most part, it's been hormonal cystic acne, blackheads, and horribly: backne. Ugh. As anyone who struggles with skin knows, it's no picnic.

My doctors have always just put me on 10% benzoyl peroxide wash. It helped with the whiteheads that would rarely appear, but didn't do much for my cystic acne or blackheads.

I started wearing makeup in high school to cover it up. I didn't really know what I was doing and am pretty sure at least a couple of the foundations were oil-based, which only exacerbated my already oily/combo skin. At the start of college, I realized I had to veer from oil-based and really look and make sure my makeup products are oil-free.

I've tried sooo many over-the-counter medications: Proactive, MaxClarity, Murad, Clean & Clear, Clearasil,   Neutrogena, etc. etc. the list goes on. The only thing that I kept going back to is the 10% benzoyl peroxide creams. It does help, but can be fairly drying.

At the end of college (yes, I had "adult" acne), I went to see a dermatologist. She put me on a birth control for the hormones (really, really helped), an antibiotic and a retinoid cream (for night. Drying, but it helps). It severely reduced my breakouts. I would have the occasional breakout, but they were mild and not extreme.

But, the thing that really worked for me? Eating clean. I was eating clean to be healthier and to get down to a healthy weight, and this extended to my skin. I cut out dairy (I noticed a correlation between it and my breakouts... I drank soooo much milk) with the exception of greek yogurt and also cut out refined sugars (I used to have a huge sweet tooth. Also a huge contributor to my breakouts). I used to think coffee was the culprit. I used to buy those Starbucks Frappucinos all the time in college. My friends and I would stock up for midterms/finals and drink them like crazy. I'm pretty sure it was the high sugar count in combination with elevated stress levels for midterms/finals. My skin has been clear for over a year and the hyperpigmentation (what some confuse with "scars," the dark spots left after a blemish that takes forever to fade) was nearly gone and the oil was severely reduced.

Until recently. I messed up the birth control (skipped a few days accidentally) and had some sugar over the holidays and had a huge breakout after Christmas. It's still recuperating, so I've been avoiding makeup for the past month and a half. If I need coverage, I use BB cream (will post about this later). I did, however, have a makeup haul recently that I will post up. Once I start using it and have continued doing so for about a month, I'll post reviews.

Because of this skin fiasco for the past month or so, I have just purchased several new skincare products to try (will add them into the regimen one by one, so I can tell which ones are working) and will do a haul post on that as well. It's finally healing.

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Makeup-wise, I tend to go towards more natural looks. Though, I do love smokey eyes, I usually will do a brown/taupe smokey eye. I almost always wear eyeliner and mascara to try and "widen" my half-asian eyes. I also contour with bronzer and put on some blush and highlighter on my cupid's bow and cheekbones (if I'm not having skin issues). I usually prefer nude/lipsticks/glosses that are similar to lip color, though I have been trying some new colors/products. I do enjoy wearing falsies for photos.

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I know that skin and weight issues can be incredibly trying and stressful. Everyone has different bodies/skin that reacts differently to different approaches. Hopefully, though, something in my posts will help any of you who are going through similar struggles. We're in this together.

An Introduction: Fitness

Hello, everyone! I've been wanting to start this blog for quite a while now and have finally decided it's time. I've taken a winter hibernation from my fitness schedule and have been eating not as healthy as I was last year, but with the weather warming up, my body is craving workouts and healthier fare.

So, some background. First, let's start with fitness.

I've always been slightly overweight/chubby. I was 150 lbs, wore Medium tops (my weight distributes rather evenly, except I tend to gain in the stomach region... so my tops are smaller than my bottoms) in Juniors and size 9 jeans from middle school until my third year of undergraduate school. I always ate fairly healthy (or what I thought was healthy at the time and healthier than my teeny friends) - I didn't drink soda, didn't eat fast food (with the exception of a few times a year) and didn't like fried foods.

I graduated from college in 2011. My last year of school I gained 12 pounds. Missing my friends and moving on to the next phase of my life, I ended up gaining another 7 pounds. I was feeling severely fatigued all the time, yet I had trouble sleeping, felt foggy-headed and felt uncomfortable with the extra weight. I couldn't fit into my size Small school/sorority t-shirt tops (they're Hanes tops, so they run larger than Junior tops) or my jeans. At 169 lbs, I thought it was time to see my doctor. I had never had any blood taken before, but for my full checkup, she thought it would be best. The results came in and she diagnosed me with Hashimoto's Disease, which is a form of hypothyroidism. She put me on a synthroid and the weight slowly came down and I started feeling alive again, with the exception of a couple of "down days." It is difficult with hypothyroidism to lose weight, but it is possible.

To facilitate this I decided it was time for change. I had more energy and felt up for it. I tried many times through my teen and college years to try and lose weight, being unsuccessful each time. What I didn't realize was that focusing on vanity couldn't keep me going. I wanted to see results fast. When that didn't happen, I'd always go back to my old habits. Sure, I'd workout. But I wasn't consistent. This time, not only did I want to at least fit into my old clothes, but I also was focusing on health. I wanted more energy. I wanted to feel healthier. I wanted to avoid the heart disease that has run rampant throughout my family history. And the weight started coming off. It was like a lightbulb went off in my head and suddenly I realized what I've ignored in the past. Now I'm 11 pounds lighter than I've ever been since middle school. I am currently 139 pounds, wear size 5 jeans, small/medium tops and small swim/panty bottoms. I've taken a short hibernation for winter, just maintaining the weight loss, but am getting back to this and making this a lifestyle change. I want to be stronger, faster and work on toning and building muscle. I still have more fat to lose, but with this lifestyle change I know it'll follow.

Progress is progress, no matter how slow.

This is my mantra. This quote keeps me going.

Below are some images of my progress thus far. I accomplished my weightloss by eating "clean" 85% of the time (which makes preparing meals so much easier) and working out to various DVDs, running (outside, preferably, but on a treadmill as well) and weightlifting. I also took some progress pictures, measurements and tracked my results in a journal. Some of the DVDs I kept coming back to are Insanity, POP Pilates/Blogilates Youtube videos, Jillian Michaels DVDs and Tae Bo (have been doing this one since high school). As I continue on my journey, I will keep you all updated. If you ever need help, I'm always here and will try to address your own concerns/questions as they come.

Back difference. Also, a skin difference from when I eliminated dairy/refined sugars from my diet.

~165 lbs --> 142

A "flexed" difference in my back. Sorry the first image I'm sort of lopsided, which, um, accentuated that roll, haha. But I was happy to see a difference in muscle via this photo.

My greatest trouble spots: my tummy and arms. They started slowly shrinking. Remember: you can't spot-reduce. Note: the lighting is different in these two photos. And, I have a wrist! : ) haha. I never really realized I was missing one (not really "missing," but it was covered by fat).

A dress difference. I think there's only about a 5 lb, if even, difference in these shots (July->January), but I notice a slight difference. Again, to be noted, I don't workout much in the winter and eat more refined carbs (which I stayed away from during the year) in the winter as the cold crept in, so there hasn't been any weightloss from November to present. I included 2 image shots for July as the first image didn't have flash, and the lighting shows differences. I used to be uncomfortable wearing these type of dresses, but now I don't mind. I still have some trouble spots, but I don't dwell on those any more.