Diastasis Recti and our PostPartum Mega Belly: Exercise Do’s and Don’ts

September 6, 2017 By Leave a Comment

“Wow! I didn’t know you’re pregnant,” a friend excitedly beamed. Well, I’m not. This has been a constant source of embarrassment for me and a good number of people, from well meaning friends and acquaintances to massage attendants and theme park staff.

You see I am small-medium sized in all parts of my body except for my tummy which is ginormously big. It started after I gave birth to my first child and went down hill from there, increasing in size with every child. I have been trying to lose it for the longest time. I have been diligently going to the gym for 15 years now, doing cardio work, muscle strength and doing hundreds of crunches and planks, and yet the pouch remains bigger than ever!

I finally decided to wave the white flag and visited a cosmetic surgeon to help me. He said I have a condition called “diastasis recti.”

What is Diastasis Recti? [Read more...]

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Olay Miracle Duo: 2 Steps to Younger Looking Skin

May 20, 2015 By 2 Comments

Admit it or not, everyone, moms especially, are concerned about aging.   Whenever my mommy friends and I get together our train of conversation will start with the kids, husband, a little bit of work, hobbies and end with fashion and beauty tips.  As a mom who is over 30 hahaha, bakit over 30 naman talaga ako?:-),  I make an extra effort to keep myself younger looking.  It's not because I'm not comfortable with aging, but it's primarily because it perks my mood when I look pretty (walang kokontra;-)) and youthful.  And God knows we need the energy of youth when we are juggling motherhood and work:-)

According to scientific studies done by Olay, one of the world's most trusted skin care brands, as we age the Skin Cell Energy in our skin declines leading to dullness, fatigue and aging.

Olay Miracle Duo Skin Cell Energy

Skin Cell Energy is the cell responsible for producing and maintaining radiance, firmness and hydration. The decrease of Skin Cell Energy affects skin’s ability to fight signs of skin ageing and its ability to absorb anti-ageing treatments.

It is with this revolutionary finding that Olay proudly announces another product breakthrough - the new Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence. It is designed to boost the penetration of anti-aging actives of our moisturizer to increase skin cell metabolism and renewal for stunning, youthful skin that looks up to 10 years younger.

Olay Miracle Duo

The Olay Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence promises:

  • To boost cell energy by 35% to strengthen skin’s inherent young power
  • To trigger self-collagen production for bouncy, younger looking skin
  • To renew a million surface cells to visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, pores and firms the skin

And because Olay Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence boosts penetration of anti-aging actives of our moisturizer, it is best paired with the award-winning Olay Regenerist Micro-sculpting Cream.

Olay Miracle Duo

Together, the two products form the new #MiracleDuo to give us:

  • 2X key active penetration into epidermis;
  • Skin that looks up to 10 years younger.

Olay recommends using #MiracleDuo after cleansing and toning, twice a day: once in the morning after bath and before bedtime for best results.

How to Use Olay Miracle Duo

My next beauty discovery contribution in my next lunch with my mommy friends - #MiracleDuo.  Can't wait to finish up the bottle and look 10 years younger!  Happiness!

You can get your New Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-essence (SRP: Php1399) exclusively at Lazada.com.ph/Olay starting May 2015.  Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream (SRP: Php1499) is available in Lazada, leading drugstores, department stores, and supermarkets.

Quoting Olay, "I love my age. I just don't want to look it."

Disclosure:  Thanks to Olay Philippines for sponsoring this post and for providing me the #MiracleDuo.  Although this post is sponsored, opinions expressed here remains to be my own.

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Clean is the New Sexy

May 2, 2015 By Leave a Comment

I have mommy flabs.  Lots and lots of it.  But as I grew wiser in years, I have come to accept my body, all its flaws and pluses.   I have learned to work around it.  I think I have nice shoulders,  I wear halters.  I have a big, humongous, gargantuan tummy, I wear clothes that are halters but hide the tummy.  But one thing that makes me feel good about myself is when I'm clean.  And clean, as BETADINE Feminine Wash espouses is the new Sexy!

BETADINE Feminine Wash promotes sexiness, we moms can easily execute and carry.

BETADINE Feminine Wash

What can we do twice a week?  We step up our intimate area cleaning routine beyond our regular feminine wash and include washing with BETADINE Feminine Wash TWICE a week.  BETADINE Feminine Wash is an anti-septic feminine wash with a stronger cleaning agent than regular feminine wash.

Last April 28, bloggers and media people were invited to witness the SEXY CLEAN REVOLUTION BETADINE Feminine Wash is bringing to life.  We had a relaxing afternoon at the poolside of the Intercon Hotel.

Flawless had a mini-golf booth where I got a birdie!:-) And I had a foot massage and pedicure by the poolside by Posh Nails.

Flawless had a mini-golf booth where I got a birdie!:-) And I had a foot massage and pedicure by the poolside by Posh Nails.

The event set-up was posh, with white couch chairs dotting the garden by the pool, pool lounge chairs spread out with Posh Nails attendants giving us foot and back massages and pedicures and manicures.

Betadine Feminine Wash Sexy is clean revolution

After all the pampering, BETADINE Feminine Wash provided a very informative talk on feminine care, that we busy moms sometimes take for granted.

For moms who just gave birth, our intimate area just went through surgery! BETADINE Feminine Wash, contains Povidone-Iodine (same ingredient in the Betadine wound disinfection solution) will help aid in faster healing of our post-pregnancy stitches.

For moms who are in their menstrual period,  blood is flowing out there and we need something stronger to clean that up:-)  BETADINE Feminine Wash will make us ultra-squeaky clean during those red days.

And for those regular days, when we are just out there - climbing the corporate ladder or running a business, running after our kids or sweating it out in the gym in this hot, hot weather of our beloved Philippines,  using BETADINE Feminine Wash TWICE a week can help us stay clean and protected.  It contains PVP-Iodine that kills bacteria, viruses and fungi - the common causes of irritation, itchiness and odor in our intimate area (Please visit BETADINE's official website for more product details).

To further encourage Filipinas to get into the twice a week habit, BETADINE Feminine Wash partners up with Flawless and Posh Nails.  For Flawless, just present the receipt and box of BETADINE Feminine Wash 100ml and get 20% off on Flawless All Natural Ultimate White Facial and Cell Booster Infusion Mask.

Betadine Feminine Wash Promo

For Posh Nails, present box and receipt of BETADINE Feminine Wash 100ml as well and get 10% off on all Posh Nails' services (excluding basic manicure and pedicure services).

BETADINE Feminine Wash wants all of us to stay clean, during and even beyond our red days.  This is the movement that BETADINE Feminine Wash hopes to bring to life.  It's a SEXY CLEAN REVOLUTION!  Do it Twice a week!

Clean is the New Sexy!

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Mommy Bulges and Kids’ Leftovers

September 19, 2012 By 2 Comments

Image credit wn.com

One of the zillion reasons why I can't shake off my last 10 pounds is because I consume the leftovers of my kids.

Excuses, excuses but I bet other moms with post pregnancy bulges sticking with them even after 10 years of post pregnancy (post pa ba yon???) will agree.  You see I was raised thinking that the hunger issue of the children of Africa rests solely on my shoulder.  I can still hear the words of my mom echoing [Read more...]

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Outbreak Manila, BGC Jul 2012: Horrifying Fun Event!

July 31, 2012 By 10 Comments

Zombie Mania! It's more fun in the Philippines!

Death is freedom.  I never thought I would utter these words in my lifetime.  But I did say it when the ghoulish zombies grabbed my last life flag in the Outbreak Manila last weekend.  Yes,  sadly,  I did not survive. [Read more...]

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My Sexy Revolution Starts Now

May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sorry couldn't help but snicker at the title because a sexy me is like a wild vision! Eternally aspired for but so dang hard to get!

But as they say,  most resolutions fail because of lack of accountability.   We resolve to lose that last 10 pounds but we only say it to ourselves and it falls into oblivion as we are faced with the crispiest of Crispy Pata!  But if we make a bet with a friend,  announce it to the world,  which I am doing now, I am accountable to my friend or the world for this matter!  Most likely,  the shame factor, which is quite a strong motivator, will push me to the revolution I so desire.

My battle against the bulge is never-ending!  I exercise quite regularly, yet my weight fluctuates like the Stock Exchange.  Minus a few pounds and eventually correcting itself back to its starting position.  At the end of the day,  my weight remains a horrific [Read more...]

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Bali Ready

April 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I have been meaning to go on my second round of cabbage soup since that successful week sometime Nov 2011 only to cave in on every attempt at yikes! day 1!   Now,  I have a propelling reason to do it again.  I'm going to Bali with my high school friends this weekend. All the diet alert signs are [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fitness & Beauty, Motherhood

Cabbage Soup Diet

November 28, 2011 By 4 Comments

Image fr faithfulprovisions.com

 

I lost 5 pounds in just 7 days!  Ok,  before you switch the channel thinking you clicked on an infomercial,  it's not an infomercial.  I just thought I would share with you how pleased I am of the 7 day Cabbage Soup diet I recently did.

Just days shy of December I am scrambling to lose the pounds without breaking my wallet (sorry can't afford Cohen).  Enter my friend Elaine,  who just lost 7 pounds in a week.  She said she tried the Cabbage Soup Diet.  I think I heard it before but I didn't give it a shot because I'm no soup fan, with a few exceptions.

And cabbage soup was an exception.  It's not a clear cabbage soup as I thought it to be. It's tomato based and the finished product tastes like minestrone.

Below is the general overview of how the diet goes. [Read more...]

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Battle with Post-Pregnancy Bulge

June 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Photo fr womansday.com

Today is my first day back in the gym. It’s been exactly 12 months since I hit the gym and my enthusiasm is as good as a January 1 new years resolution!

Getting into my old sports bra was already an exercise in itself and I look horrendous on the gym mirror but I was beaming with pride. I was so gung ho I did a hip hop and a weights class! I may look like a 1 pound burger squeezed into a mini pattie but I just gave birth via CS (March 1) and the countdown just started!

Before all the pregnancy pounds kept piling in I was a limber 100 pounder. When I gave birth to my first kid I settled at 110, 2nd kid 118 and now 3 months after giving birth I am a hefty 133 momma in a 5 foot frame!

The task at hand looks daunting as I attempt to lose 15 pounds in a year considering my 6 foot male appetite. But that is what is great about beginnings – they hold the golden ray of hope that it just might work!

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my athletic peak

March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I went to kick boxing class today and i felt really pumped and primed up.  At 30 plus I feel I have never felt stronger than before.  Sure I am 10-15 pounds overweight for my size but I feel strong and toned.  I can kick high,box hard and carry heavy.  I can endure long,  jump to exhaustion drills and ask for more!

I cannot claim I am fit with extra pounds still sticking on me. Plus that huge tummy pouch but if feelings and endurance can determine fitness level - I'm at my athletic peak!

*Image fr somersetkickboxing.co.uk

Filed Under: Fitness & Beauty, Motherhood

Endowed with a Keg

October 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I don't have a six pack. I have a full keg in my belly. For some reason, I am naturally endowed with a big tummy. Ever since I was a child my front pack is always sticking out. Now that I'm still little but years older, it seems to have grown into an enormous mass. Massage attendants often run after me to remind me pregnant women can't be massaged. Grrr!

People often walk up to me with smiles pasted on their faces, "Hey, you're pregnant! How many months na?" After a sigh, depending on my mood I tell them I'm not. Sometimes when it's a stranger asking me nicely I say a white lie, nod my head and tell them I'm 3 months pregnant. I have already gone to the doctor to check if she left a towel inside and she says I'm perfectly fine. She then discusses my extreme options - liposuction or tummy tuck. Yes, that extreme!

So for now I try to sit up straight and suck my breath till I feel my chest is actually bigger than my tummy. My yoga instructor taught me if you tilt your pelvic bone slightly outward it will tighten the hamstrings and make you look taller and slimmer – for now that would do.

Filed Under: Fitness & Beauty, Motherhood