No, this is not a post that will try to sell you things! This is a happy post because I’m happy :)

So the last few months, I was getting fed up trying to lose the holiday weight I put on when I went to Vietnam. I was losing faith in myself and was very close to spiralling into the world of carbs and staying there for all eternity. Cue Samsung to the rescue! I found a super awesome feature on the Samsung Health app. It’s called ‘Weight Management’, simple and to the point. Basically, what it does is tracks the calories I’ve burned and my intake (I log everything I eat) and tells me if i’m in the ‘good zone’ for the day. I need to be in the good zone (or under) if I want to achieve my target weight. 

As i started using the Weight Management feature, I also made sure I was exercising regularly and started intermittent fasting. Yoga classes throughout the week and this time, I added gym time for cardio and some weights. I realised that I would eat just because ‘it’s time to eat’, not because I was hungry. So I chose a timeframe that worked for me and have stuck to it regularly. I didn’t have to stop eating a certain food group, or go on a crash diet. Just showed self-control and discipline.

I usually don’t have New Year’s Resolutions, because every year i have them they don’t usually last. So this year I decided I’ll do whatever I want! I’ve decided these aren’t ‘New Year’s Resolutions’, just things (habits?) i want to do for myself. I don’t remember when i started to do these , and i’m hoping that will trick my brain to thinking that there’s no end date. All i know is I’ve started them and now i’m doing them everyday. Well, i’m hoping to do them everyday.

1. Make my bed everyday.

I know. Probably majority of people in the world make their bed everyday. But I, a 27-year old adult, didn’t used to. I’ve accepted that I am a lazy adult and that needs to change. It’s also because i watched this video of Admiral  William H. McRaven’s  2014 Commencement Address. He says “If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day and will give you a small sense of pride and will encourage you to another task and another and another... and if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made. That you made. And a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.” #alltrue

So I bought a couple of new sheets because #adulting means having a sheet set + a matching duvet cover. And...So far, so good! I’ve made my bed everyday for around about four weeks? I used to wake up and just leave my bed, no looking back. Now, I get up and the first thing i do is make my bed. YAY! 

2. Have a night time skincare routine.

My mum told me some time last year that I needed to start using anti-aging skincare since i’m close to my 30′s. I panicked a little because i don’t even use skincare! I used makeup wipes to remove my makeup and sometimes used a proper cleanser and toner. I did moisturise, but not regularly. So the second thing i decided was to create a night time skincare routine that works for me. Every night for the last three weeks I go through the following 6 steps:

Remove my makeup using Dermalogica’s pre cleanse balm.

Clean my face using Aesop’s Amazing Face Cleanser. This was actually a present from a good friend. Stoked i got to test an Aesop product! I’ve been wanting to, but my wallet has been saying no... 

Then I use my Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-extract toner to tone my uneven face.

Moisturise phase #1 using Drunk Elephant’s night bright duo. This is technically two steps because there’s a night serum and a facial oil.

Moisturise phase #2 using Korres Black Pine 3D sculpting, firming & lifting night cream

3. Go to at least three yoga classes every week.

I started this about 6 months ago. Yoga is great! I love it! It keeps me calm and helps me control my stress and anxiety levels. A great side effect is gaining strength and flexibility, and learning to focus and quiet my mind.

I stopped going to at least three yoga classes every week when I hurt my ankle. I tripped down the stairs and basically had to see the physio for 6 weeks to get better. I tried going to my yoga class but felt defeated when my ankle would hurt while doing poses I used to be able to do. So i stopped going, and went to the gym to cycle/jog instead. My ankle’s about 95% healed so I’m back at the Yoga Academy three times this week. Well, i’ve only been twice, but i’m going to a weekend class, so that’ll make it three.

Happy to be back,

If you know me, you’ll know that nothing gets me more excited than the thought of great and yummy food in my tum-tum..

Yesterday was the first  of many Friday lunch adventures with a work friend. We share a love of food and finding new restaurants. We both agreed we needed something to take our minds off the workload and something to keep us going during the week.

So we had yum char at Dragon Boat restaurant on Elliot street in Auckland CBD. It’s one of my favorite yum char places. And what’s funny is one of the servers remembered me and said ‘Nice to see you again’. hahaha. i need to find a new yum char place, looks like I go there too often! Anyway, lunch was great. We enjoyed the dumplings and duck and went back to work ready for a nap!