Q&A with Doc Pao: On maintaining a healthy heart this coming year

With Christmas just being around the corner, we felt like it was time to touch base with our favorite doctor and ask how 2016 has been for him. Doctor Paolo Bellosillo, our favorite nature therapy doctor answers a few questions for us this season of giving. Read on and learn more about what he has to say.

It's Xmas season once again, how has 2016 treated you in terms of health and spreading the word about your advocacy?

The Mission of helping people Live A Legacy this 2016 has been a blast. Starting of the year of 2016, many came for the need to detoxify and lose weight. Towards the middle, chronic and degenerative diseases of the heart and kidneys started piling with comorbidities existing in every individual. The third quarter received much need to address cancer patients while cascading various preventive medicine techniques to senior citizens and the youth. Lastly the fourth quarter starting with October became a preparation period for those who have chronic stress and fatigue who are usually exposed to much pain due to inflammation, mostly professionals who experience pain in the areas of the head, spine both cervical and lumbar and lastly of the chest which is usually circulation based. You can say that a lot of people are indeed in need for some healthy ageing.

What is the one thing you wish people would make as part of their NY resolution?

Knowing we only have one life, it is so valuable that in hope, I pray others would reduce all practices that will prove to be a threat to life. An example is smoking, drinking alcohol and eating beyond one’s capacity of unfriendly fats and too much salt and sweets. Perhaps being mindful of one’s gift, Intellect Will and Soul, sound decisions can be made. So think of yourself and others too.

Do you think there will be more heart related sickness in the future and how can people avoid it?

Well policies exist as well as institutions to help mold the awareness of people about what’s good and what’s not but certainly there are big factors that are at play, personal decisions and dispositions, societal norms, product and activity fads created by media cascade dependent on the period and season, ways and means to cope with stress, urban and regional existing interplays of land uses and activities which actually affect the movements and living of people; there may be more but these certainly are factors that will dictate how much heart related sickness would occur.

What's one thing that people need to do to make sure they maintain a healthy heart?

Know who you are. You are God's child and have been given one heart. Once it stops beating you are gone forever. Know your role, you’re a team player in your family and community. Others need you. Know your limits. Master yourself. You can’t manage something you can’t measure. If it’s about health, see your holistic medicine or integrative medicine specialist who will view your health as a whole system and not by parts. Commit to good sound and safe change in your lifestyle, be it nutrition, fitness, sleep, relationships and of course spirituality. Talk to your specialist for a customized program. Believe the truth that while stem cell therapy can help repair and regenerate tissues even that of the heart, on an acute episode or attack, stem cell may not right away regenerate the infarct part of the heart, that part of the heart will die and its function will be diminished to an extent that you might lose your life hence knives and scissors would be the only way to help you- surgery. If you can stay away from knives and scissors, do so, although it may help on emergency cases much uncertainty is also present when one is opened.

What's one thing that people need to avoid to make sure they don't trigger a heart attack?

Stress brought about by lack of appropriate sleep, diet and exercises. When you sleep, sleep without the phone the noise and the lights which hamper proper sleep. When you feel like celebrating this season with cheese, protein preservatives like ham and sweets like cakes, pastries and ice cream, making these part of your daily diet is a no no, it will just cause more problems for your heart as these substances will eventually cause the hardening and stiffening of your arteries. Lack of proper coping with stress can cause surge in stress hormones which eventually may cause rise in sugar and lipid levels which further increase your cardiovascular disease risk, due to the inflammation they bring. Going out on a daily high consumption of pro inflammatory food without exercising at least for 30 minutes may cause build up in plaque within your arteries and other blood vessels. All these things mentioned put your heart at risk, because you failed to live a healthy lifestyle- live to the fullest by making sound and calculated decisions that increase your life expectancy and longevity.

6 Anti-aging tips from Dr. Pao Bellosillo

Dr. Juan Paolo Bellosillo, International Fellow of Integrative Medicine and American Association of Integrative Medicine, sat down with us one rainy afternoon to discuss and talk about one of the biggest concerns of beauty lovers: AGING.

Doc Pao, as he is fondly called, was kind enough to give us 6 tips on how we can age gracefully or if possible, stop time from showing on our skin.

1. LIFESTYLE CHECK. Since aging is a process we all have to face as we grow old, we must ensure that we start from within: our being. Beauty is definitely not just skin deep. It emanates from within. The stress we encounter daily will show up in the form of eye bags, dark spots, wrinkles, and what not. To ensure that this can be avoided, do a lifestyle check. Your lifestyle choices will reflect on your wellness. No amount of moisturizer can ever beat clean living and a peaceful mind. Anti-aging should start at the biological unit, our cells.
2. BE REALISTIC. There is nothing in this world that can really stop your skin from aging. It will happen. However, you can delay it with the right skin care and the right ways of living.
3. YOUR HEART. The one thing a lot of people overlook when they yearn for anti-aging is their heart. Your heart is the one solely responsible for pumping blood into your body and if it’s not healthy, you will definitely see the results on your skin. We only have one heart. Once it stops beating, we are gone. This is a saying that I often remember and it reminds me that on top of everything, my heart is the first one I need to take care of the most.
4. STRESS. Every time you allow stress to impact you, it actually becomes a threat to your life and this could even lead to death. When someone is stressed, it shows on their skin. When someone is stressed, it will show on their hair, eyes, lips, everything. Never allow stress to make an impact on you. Learn to control and let go.
5. NON INVASIVE TREATMENT. With Doc Pao, you can get photoplethysmography, a method that determines the age of the artery which has been impacted by lifestyle and exposed to many stressors. This will allow you to truly gauge what changes you need to make and what maintenance you need to follow.
6. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT AND WHAT YOU DRINK. The food and drinks we take in affect our body. There are many foods that yield good vitamins and these are the things we should eat more of. Berries, salmon, almond, walnuts, spirulina, and green leafy veggies are a must if you want to achieve that youthful glow. All the food mentioned here also have anti-inflammatory properties that will help reverse the ageing of the artery. Acai drinks that come with banana and spirulina have high anti-oxidant and free radical battling properties that can actually reduce the inflammation or stiffening causing factors or thrombus formation in arteries.

In this day and age where everyone is obsessed with looking young, always remember that to look young on the outside, one must feel young on the inside. Be wise. Live a legacy before you leave a legacy. When you take care of your heart, you take care of everything else from within and this will always give you the youthful glow you desire.  

The Yoga+ Makati Experience

If I were to sum up my first formal yoga session in one word, it would be INTENSE. 90 minutes, 50 poses, and a room heated to 37 degrees - that's how Hot A Yoga works. I was very excited to try it, but later on the class I had to recall what kind of evil I did to deserve such punishment. It was a painfully funny exercise for me, and I took consolation at the fact that I stayed at the last row, where I could hide and no one would notice me dying. Kidding, it was really hard, but at the end it's very fulfilling. Will definitely do it again.

Here's a quick tour!

Upon entering the studio you're required to go barefoot by leaving your shoes at the racks in front of the elevators. Shiela, the receptionist, was very nice and helpful and gave me a tour of the place :D

Yoga+ Makati has two yoga rooms, Yin and Yang. The Yang room (below) is the bigger of the two, the ceiling is filled with panels of heaters, and two sides of the room are filled with mirrors. This is where we did Hot Yoga. Students are entitled to use yoga mats and mat towels, as well as posture aides like blocks and belts. Bath towels can be borrowed from the towel room for free but you have to deposit ₱100 along with an ID. Pwede na!

Here's the Yin room,

Both rooms have wide windows and are equipped with Ozein Air Purifiers. Sosyaaaal. Inside the women's changing room are seven shower stalls, one dressing cube, and a clothes rack. They also have shampoo and body wash available, as well as hair dryers. The toilet area is separate. Didn't check the men's haha

Very spacious changing room,

The long hallway leading to the yoga rooms are lined with lockers. They're free for use but you have to bring your own padlocks, otherwise you may put your things on the empty shelves across the lockers. Valuables like wallets and cellphones may be deposited at the counter, they'll give you a number for it. :) Beside the shelves is an alkaline water dispenser, bongga. Bring your own bottle k.

They also sell yoga apparel! 

Love their waiting lounge!

Pa-effect lang,

Hot yoga virgin no more

Eto na, the experience! It was crazy hard for a first timer like me. Like in most sports and fitness activities I'm interested in, I suck big time lol. But that's okay and totally expected. I was actually inspired to get better, especially after seeing how the first rowers could tangle their legs together and plank forever. The goal is to friggin go from figurine left to right in no time! Weeeh!

It helped a lot that our instructor, Chi, gave an orientation for us hot yoga virgins, lelz. These were the tips I got from her, and also from the beginners guide they let me read when I signed the waiver:

1. Hydrate big time the day before a hot yoga session.
2. Do not drink too much before the session because it will be harder for the body to get warmed up
3. Wear less clothing. Most of the students were wearing sports bras, tanks, shorts, cyclings. I was wearing a large drifit shirt and leggings nubayan, also socks but I took them off haha. Note to self: need to get a pedicure
4. Resort to Balasana (Child's pose) to rest if the poses get too intense for you. I personally prefer resorting to Shavasana (Corpse pose) but as I've learned, I have to reward myself with it. What peace it brings to realize that death is a reward. Naks all these yoga terms are elevating my spirituality, charot.
5. Push yourself with the poses. While options are available, try to aim for the advanced versions too
6. Enjoy (the pain and suffering)! 

Because of the hot environment, not 5 minutes into the workout and I was sweating like a pig already. Every asana was a struggle. As the minutes pass by, the poses get harder and harder and it was becoming more difficult to keep my flat foot grounded on the mat. There was a moment I felt really dizzy I wanted to die (Corpse pose) but I fought it out like a true warrior. Char. 

While on our last Shavasana, Chi put some muscle relief cream on the back of our necks and oh my gulay I just found my new favorite thing! After the class I learned where she bought it; it's Muscle Relief Rub from Messy Bessy Glorietta. Got myself one on the way home, you should get yours too, ka-adik.

Try Yoga+ with Fit Access PH

Thanks to Fit Access I was able to try this life changing practice huwaw. After the class I felt so alive and invigorated, who wouldn't after escaping death? No seriously, I wanted to do it again I searched up online for hot yoga videos on youtube and was shocked to see the results. Tip: search for "hot yoga workout" instead of just "hot yoga" and spare yourself from glaring cameltoes and NSFW thumbnails. My goodness.

Sign up with Fit Access for discounted rates and access to different studios! 

Related: Go Gym Hopping with Fit Access

Yoga+ Rates and Classes

Rates
Drop in (1 class/anytime)	₱799
Drop in (1 class/daytime - weekdays before 6pm)	₱599
2 Weeks Unlimited (First-timer rate)	₱1,499
1 Month Unlimited (First-timer rate)	₱3,399
10 Classes	₱5,999
10 Classes (daytime - weekdays before 6pm)	₱4,999
50 Classes	₱19,950
50 Classes (daytime - weekdays before 6pm)	₱17,450
1 Week Unlimited	₱1,699
1 Week Unlimited (daytime - weekdays before 6pm)	₱999
1 Month Unlimited	₱6,499
1 Month Unlimited (daytime - weekdays before 6pm)	₱3,999
1 Year Unlimited	₱47,988
2 Years Unlimited	₱86,376

For a complete and updated list of prices, check here. Their class schedule is also regularly updated at their website.

Location and Contact

Yoga+ Makati is located at

3/F Cambridge Bldg., Tordesillas cor. Gallardo Streets, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Phone: (02) 847 0697

Hours: 6am - 10pm

Web: www.yogaplus.ph

YogaPlusPH

How to get there? I took a bus labeled LRT Ayala Leveriza and got off at Paseo de Roxas bus stop. Cambridge bldg. is just some 500m walk from there. It's across the side of Makati Sports Club. :)

Namaste.

Go gym-hopping with Fit Access

Sometimes, a change in environment is all we need. If you could get a subscription than enables you to visit multiple gyms in a month, versus one that locks all your visits in a single gym, what would you choose?

Here's the perfect solution for fitness enthusiasts who easily get tired of routine and want a more customized fitness program, and a variety of studios to visit.

From Unsplash

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Manila-based startup Fit Access launches a booking platform that caters to tech-savvy millennials and on-the-go professionals and encourage them to find their joy and passion in fitness.

Fit Access allows members to enjoy a wide variety of fitness activities every month in all its partner gyms and studios. Members can choose from different workout categories that suit their mood and match their fitness level.

Co-founders Ia Hernandez and Natalie Cruz, are both athletes who want to share their love of fitness and help others find the workout that fits their schedule and taste.

“As athletes, Ia and I know that fitness is more than just a lifestyle but a way of life. With Fit Access we hope that Filipino professionals can incorporate any fitness routine they like into their weekly schedules,” says Natalie Cruz, a Girevoy (Kettlebell) Sport athlete, IKSFA Level 2 Coach, and a current student of ACE Personal Trainer Certification.

Fit Access, a mobile-friendly website, was created for individuals at any age and fitness level. Whether you’re a busy professional planning to start a new fitness regime, a fitness enthusiast wanting to try something new, or an athlete looking to cross train, the platform has all the fitness activities and group classes you can possibly think of. With 30 (and still growing) partner studios, Fit Access is the perfect place to discover new workout options. Members can check class schedules and book a class at their favorite studios with just a few clicks, making it doubly easier to attend a session. Its accessibility and user-friendly interface makes finding a class a breeze. Nobody has to call in and book their workout sessions anymore!

What makes this new platform different from its competition? Fit Access offers the most flexible subscription plans that suit individual needs. Fit Access features three membership options ranging from 6-12 visits per month, all designed to bring you the best service possible. Co-founder Ia Hernandez says, “Our monthly membership plans are perfect for those who might already have an existing gym membership but would like to complement their workouts with new activities. If they’re thinking of picking up a new sport, Fit Access is definitely a great platform for that as well!”

Beyond monthly classes, members will also receive exclusive deals from partner establishments such as discounts on gym membership packages, fitness workshops, and free invites to health and fitness events. Visit www.fitaccess.ph to know more about their partner establishments and subscription plans!

Is #BalikAlindog on your 2016 goals? Are you planning to break the monotony of your fitness routine? Then Fit Access may just be the one you need. What are you waiting for? Join now and be part of a dynamic fitness revolution!

How it works

[Quick Tour] Kinetix Lab at UP AyalaLand TechnoHub

Last year, the space at 2/F TechnoHub was occupied by Quantum Fitness (quick tour here)! I thought it would motivate me to work out, but it never happened (what's new). A year later, the sign was put down, the ring was taken out, and they reopened as Kinetix Lab. They started renovating - installing rows of warm pin lights, restructuring the facade, expanding the lounge. I can tell cos I usually see the construction going on every night whenever I walk out for lunch (or midnight chow, considering my shift). It looked really inviting. I felt my fats tremble.

A few days ago, I chanced upon this promo on MetroDeal offering 30% Off One Month Unlimited Access at Kinetix Lab for P1820 and thought it's a good reason to check out the gym! Kinetix Lab sits inside our business park complex so it's ideally located for someone like me who's too lazy to go anywhere to get a sweat. I thought a super near gym would help me push my weight loss goals and inspire me to take this Biggest Loser challenge I got myself into with my teammates more seriously (like I would), but yeah, we'll see!

I was disappointed to learn that they took the ring out, they probably lost the Elorde franchise (I don't know). Sayang 'cos I think it's a good selling point. I've always wanted to try boxing pa naman, charot.

Anyway, facilities!

But first, their current rates and group exercise time table. Sorry for the size, feel free to zoom in by clicking on the picture.

Currently they offer the following group classes: Cycling, Bootcamp, Zumba, Yoga, Hiphop, Cardio Kickboxing, Circuit, and Piloxing. If classes are your thing, I think their schedule is packed enough.

I dropped in around 12 midnight, I thought they were open 24hrs but the guy at the reception said they're getting there soon. He's also overseeing the construction so the lights are still on. He was kind enough to let me in to take pictures and also explain about their facilities though, yey. :)

Here's the lounge. It used to be smaller and has only a couple of high chairs, not quite for lounging, so this is definitely an improvement!

This is where the boxing ring used to be,

Weights area,

Spinning room for cycling classes,

The space outside the studio,

Aaand the ongoing locker/shower room renovation. Their lockers are digitally locked by the way!

That's it! 

I personally think it's still a tad bit too expensive, but not if you're after the group classes. If you manage to be present at least 5 days a week and is on the ₱2,600.00/month membership plan, each class would only cost you ₱130.00. Not bad.

If you want more affordable options, you may check MetroDeal if the promo is still open (last time I checked it's valid til September 30). Quantum Fitness is also a KFit partner establishment, I'm not sure if it was reinstated as Kinetix Lab, but there are still active classes available for booking in their site. :)

Location and Contact

Kinetix Lab
2/F UP - AyalaLand TechnoHub
Commonwealth Ave., Diliman, Q.C.
info@kinetixlab.ph
Kinetix Lab

Supercaffeinated

Mondays are slowly becoming bearable in that it gives me another chance to restart my weight loss agenda after failing week after week, so yeah I feel quite hopeful. Here's to wishing I don't disappoint myself again. But to be honest, I don't mind. Damn, I should learn to be hard on myself in this regard.

So this week, I'm back to diet pills. I have three different bottles sitting in my drawer, and today I decided to try Hydroxycut. The others I have are MySlim and Herbalife Total Control.

I bought Hydroxycut at Walmart when I was in the U.S. but delayed on using it after thinking I don't need another supercaffeinated diet pill that's gonna overwork my nervous system and give me headaches. But what have we, I never learn.

I actually have a mild headache right now but I don't mind. What I can say is that it's really good at curbing my appetite. I just don't like that I'm feeling more nervous than ever but the thing is, apart from the 1 cap I took around 9pm, I also drank caffeinated green tea so there goes the extra push.
Ah, can't wait for the elections to end. Watching the VP race results is stressing me out. #LabanLeni por favor.

Giving juicing another chance

Or the other way around cos it's really me who doesn't want to give up on losing weight the easy (but expensive) way. Last week I ordered a 3 day juice cleanse package from Pure Jus. And in fairness, it's one of the best tasting blends I've ever tasted. Sly Diet still tops the list unless they've changed ingredients. I also tried Sexy Detox last month and it sucked big time cos I think they gave me expiring bottles. Not three days in the chiller and it smells rotten at the lid. Eew. Do not buy there. Their Hulk Green is slimy and gross (which is weird cos it's not the first time I ordered the hulk green. This last one just tasted repulsive), the only drink I enjoyed was their Grape Jolt.

Anyway, I'm on my 3rd day of taking Pure Jus and I haven't lost weight lol. But that's because I can't hold my cravings. On my first day I cheated a lot already, eating snacks with my juices. It wasn't a pure juice diet for me but I sure didn't eat a lot that day. I mean, even you combined all my Day 1 cheats (2 packs of crackers, half a brownie, 2 small cheese bread, 1 pandesal, banana, this is embarrassing, mango caramel bar, daing, I should stop, and corn soup), it's still not halfway the amount of food I ingest on a regular day. Argh, why is it so hard to eat less.

Disappointing as it seems, that's how it went for the next two days. I already ate rice on my second day in the form of two onigiris from Family Mart. On the third day my self-control became worse as I ate two rice meals. haha. I should feel bad about myself after wasting almost ₱6,000 in hopes of shedding off even a pound, but for some reason I don't. Does juicing make you this optimistic? Or did 6k just seem like barya to me? Charot on the latter of course. :P
I can attest though that I felt better, albeit not lighter, than how I usually feel working the graveyard shift. I wasn't sleepy at work (though I was expecting I should as a form of side effect) and my mind was active. I DIDN'T CRAVE FOR COFFEE. Day 1 was my proudest day, cos I only ate snacks throughout the day and my tummy didn't fill up that much. I think I could follow up on this!

2 out of the 6 bottles I have to take everyday are lemon maple juices, which are very easy to make. I think for my next attempt at making fad diets work, I should retry the lemonade diet and modify it so that I get to eat solid foods still. Day 1 kindof worked for me in a way cos I drink and eat lightly every 2 hours.

Now that I've disclosed my future diet plans, let's forget about it.

Fitbit Alta unboxing and review

So I bought a fitness tracker (my first) in response to my rotting motivation to live actively and limit my attachment to my office chair. And so far, here's what I have to say with my first two weeks with the Alta...

Previously, I shared about how to setup your Fitbit Alta for the first time. In this post, I'm sharing an unboxing (of sorts) and a review (kindof) having been using the fancy bracelet for two weeks (and counting).

UNBOXING

The box contains four major items:

1. Fitbit Alta fitness tracker (small)
2. Rubber strap (attached to the tracker) -- or is it silicone?
3. Charging cable
4. USB wireless dongle

Detachable straps

Back view lol

Just another shot haha

Other items include paper stuff and warranty notes in multiple languages that nobody really reads. Instead of a comprehensive setup guide, a note in the box suggests you go to ww.fitbit.com/setup to get your gadget up and running. I did just that and had quite a few hiccups but I eventually got over the initial setup hullabaloo. So don't follow the note, read my setup guide instead haha.

Related: Setting up Fitbit Alta for the first time

REVIEW (pros and cons)

Pros (you know, features I like):

Aaaah love the size

1. The form - It's functional and stylish at the same time. I got the small black version which I found perfect for my wrists. There's also a larger version available. The main reason I decided to go for the Alta is the form factor. The band isn't too wide and the straps can be swapped, though for now only Fitbit sells them and they're horribly expensive. Don't worry, I'm sure eventually 3rd party sellers will come out with better bands and more colors to choose from.

10k steps orayt + my sensored belly lol

2. It tracks steps quite accurately - I tried walking 10 steps while watching the step counter on the Fitbit app and holey moley it's perfect haha. I'm thinking it has something to do with the observer effect (naks very quantum physics) which changes the behavior of the activity being observed (in this case, the tracking) just by the mere act of observation. Don't we all try to act perfectly under close watch? Joke lang lol. It tracks well enough for me not to doubt my activity for the day.

3. Silent alarm - before you call it stupid, here's the magic word: vibration!

4. Move reminders - 10 mins before every hour (within your designated time range) it reminds you to walk 250 steps para cool. On the first day of using my Fitbit, I was so amused by this feature that I really took it to heart to walk 250 steps every time it reminds me to. Anyway, it will only remind you to walk if you haven't met the 250 steps/hour goal.

5. Call and text alerts -  as long as my bluetooth is on, the phone with push call and text alerts to my fitbit. It shows the sender name and message in a marquee which I find very useful specially when I'm out on commute and my phone is buried in my bag.

6. Good battery life - I was able to use it for a good 4 days before I received a notification (vibe and email) that my Alta's running low on juice. At my current settings (no silent alarms, no all-day sync), I only need to charge once a week.

7. Auto sleep tracking - which is super cool. Fitbit logs your 'restless' and 'awake' minutes and takes all that into account to calculate your sleep quality based on your #sleepgoals lol. I set mine at 7hrs a day and so far I'm averaging at 8. It's not really something I would check myself so it's good know a gadget is tracking all this for me.

9. Clock faces - with various display options

10. Water resistant - it doesn't mind me washing the dishes with it, but I take it off in the shower to be sure.

Cons:

1. Short charging cable - it's awkwardly short and a hassle to use. I hope the cable can be detached from the cradle. Good thing I only have to charge the Alta every 4 days or so. yey for long battery life.

2. No HR monitor - This doesn't monitor your heart rate. No biggie cos I'm not particularly looking for this feature, but I thought I'd tag it as a con so you'd know. I'm thinking Fitbit has plans to release a HR version of the Alta sometime in the future I'M NOT SURE. But given that it could compromise the size, who knows.

3. Move reminder - the move reminder is limited to 5-14 consecutive hours WITHIN THE SAME DAY. Working the graveyard, I wanted to be reminded from 9pm to 5am, but it won't let me cos it's crossing the next day and I figured it'd mess Fitbit's daily reporting chorvabels. I wish they'd enhance this feature to allow adding multiple move reminders instead.

4. Screen isn't scratch proof - I plan to buy screen protectors but I'm not sure if it will affect the tap efficiency haha. The face of my Alta has a tiny hairline already huhu.

5. Limited 3rd party app integration - Fitbit has partnered with quite a number of health monitoring apps (see here) but I don't see Nike+ Running yet which is weird cos it's too popular haha. It's where all my runs are logged and I would love to be able to integrate that with my fitbit data. Counts for better estimate of calories burned.

6. No GPS - I would love the Alta to have GPS without sacrificing its already perfect form factor. I've read about super small GPS modules, I hope they could find a way to get a small receiver that wouldn't compromise Alta's size.

7. I developed rashes - Taray! And it's not because I have sensitive dugong bughaw skin, but because I'm dugyot most of the time and the strap has turned into a cozy abode for bacteria. Now, I keep it a point to clean the watch every once in a while specially when I sweat a lot haha. It's really just a matter of sanitizing haha.

8. Hard to put on - Amazon reviews contain a lot of griping about how hard it is to put on. If you see the image on Con #1 you'll see how it's supposed to be strapped on. Unlike the Charge HR or the Blaze, it doesn't have a buckle strap, you have to push the two pins to the holes to set it in place. I have to agree that it's hard to put on, but that's only at the beginning. Eventually the holes will loosen up and make it easier to lock in the pins.

In summary:

This Fitbit is really not for the active type, if you're already familiar with the range of Fitbit trackers, the Alta offers literally nothing new except for the form factor. The older Fitbits have sported the same set of features, step counter, silent alarm, sleep tracking, fitness goals, etc. so if you're looking for something new minus the form factor, you can check out other trackers instead. Seriously though, this is (IMO) the best looking and most functional fitness tracker there is for people like me who is mostly sedentary.

Has it helped me in my seemingly eternal weight loss journey? As with any tracker, like a fitness trainer, it's a good motivator. Looking at my wrist sporting a fitness tracker kindof pushes me to live up to my fitbit goals naaaaks. But of course, a gadget can only be as effective as the one who wears it. I really need to be more disciplined haha.

:)

Pricing and availability

I bought the Fitbit Alta Fitness Tracker, Silver/Black, Small at Amazon for $129 when I was still in the US. I'm not sure if it will be available locally.

Setting up Fitbit Alta for the first time

Got a new Alta? Here's how to set it up the first time :D

My Fitbit Alta just arrived in the mail yesterday and I was super excited to try it but I got so frustrated setting it up the first time! It just won't sync on my phone! But after a bunch of googling and almost hitting that 'refund' button on Amazon, I was able to solve my initial setup problem, thank you Lord!

So here's how to setup your Fitbit Alta for the first time :)

Short answer: 

Sync it using your PC and wireless dongle FIRST. Then it would be easier to pair it with your mobile next.

Short (story) answer:

I turned on the tracker by hooking it to the charging cable. It started alright: Fitbit logo, version number, and a message that says 'fitbit.com/setup'. Okay, so I came to the link, and followed the setup instructions for Android. I downloaded the Fitbit app, registered a new account, and went on to add the device.

As per instructions, I kept the tracker plugged, charging, and nearby while the app tries to search for my Alta. Unfortunately, it just won't pickup. I restarted my bluetooth, restarted my phone, tried to setup using my tablet, to no avail.

My heart was getting heavy cos I just recorded an unboxing video haha and was excited to shoot a 'hands on' one next. Clearly, not much hands are needed on a defective product so that's frkn saaad.  Anyway, what's extra saddening is having to comb through this difficulty knowing that I can only have it refunded. I can't wait any more days to get a replacement since I'm leaving the US this weekend. I really want this thing to work.

Google eventually led me to a solution, which is to sync using the PC instead. The Fitbit Alta came with a wireless USB dongle you can use to sync your tracker to your PC, you just have to download an app. Apparently, while the OP was able to sync on her PC, it still wouldn't sync with her phone. Much to her dismay, it looks like she can only sync all her Fitbit data on a PC. That makes her Alta a defective one.

And so I tried. I installed Fitbit Connect on my PC, plugged in the wireless dongle, and prayed hard for this solution to work. 

And it did! My Alta finally appeared on the list of devices on my dashboard! Yayyy!

But that doesn't end my problem, the real moment of truth is validating whether it would sync via Bluetooth, otherwise I would have to return the item. I unplugged the dongle and refreshed the Fitbit app on my phone to see if it has listed the Alta as well. It did! And after a couple of clicks, MY ALTA FINALLY SYNCED! Thank God!

That's pretty much it, if you're having trouble setting up your Alta for the first time, use your PC instead. I'm thinking it's the real proper way of setting up your Fitbit.

Hope this helps and sorry for the excessive blabber!

Next up: Fitbit Alta Unboxing and Review

5 Diets that will Jumpstart your Weight Loss Journey

It's easy getting me to try anything as long as it promises weight loss. And if you know me well enough, you're probably laughing at me right now for attempting to create a post like this. But who's gonna stop me?

I've had it with gyms, pills, slimming teas, and impossible workouts that never really got me to my desired shape. So in this entry, I'd like to focus on healthy diets. After all, don't all the fitness gurus say a healthy lifestyle is 80% diet and 20% exercise? HAHA.

Image source

Here are 5 different diets I've tried that have surely helped me jumpstart my journey to a healthier me, except that I wasn't able to maintain them and found my sorry ass rolling back to the start.

Should we rephrase the title?

5 diets that didn't work for me

(that could work for you)

1. Juice Cleanse

This is by far the most effective diet I have ever subscribed to because after 3 days of nothing but pure juice (plus some sneaky crackers and cookies), I lost a noticeable amount of weight and didn't feel deprived at all. I felt strong, clean, and renewed. And true enough, I was ready to take on another buffet treat, bwaha (joke lang)! Too bad it's a pain to maintain cos a day of juice cleanse would hit at Php 1,300/day. Oh well, health is wealth.

Read about how my 3-day experience went!

2. Master Cleanse 

aka Lemonade Diet aka Beyonce Diet

This requires a lot of pre-meditation as it will consume you physically, mentally, and spiritually (when you're already on the brink of life and death, and the image of your goddess Beyonce is beckoning you to the afterlife, kidding). This diet is damn hard I quit on Day 1 pa lang 'cos I didn't prepare for it. Well, I did read the Master Cleanse guidebook but that's all I did as far as preparing myself went. After reading the book I was so sold that everything my body needed to reboot itself is contained in lemon juice, grade B maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. My bad that I didn't follow instructions and failed to gradually decrease my food intake and stuff so I suffered terribly on Day 1, feeling so weak and hungry, giving in to my cravings and eventually putting all my money and efforts to waste.

Here's my failed attempt at doing the Master Cleanse. To be fair, even though I have long concluded that this diet is not for me, I believe that it can really jumpstart your weight loss journey to an extent that will motivate you to live healthily ever after!

3. Calorie counted meals

Photo from Lunchbox Diet

The goal in subscribing to calorie counted meals is to accustom your body to eating balanced meals in correct portions. 1200 calories a day, they say, is enough to promote weight loss if sustained for long periods of time. I personally have tried Lunchbox Diet and Princess Kitchen and both have proved helpful if you have no time to plan your meals and don't trust yourself with the portions (like I do). I would suggest subscribing to this after finishing a Juice Cleanse to extend that feeling-healthy feeling while introducing solids foods again to your body. :)

Don't forget that sometimes it's not enough to rely on these diets alone to stay healthy, you have to supplement yourself with vitamins too! This is the least you can do if you find it hard to commit your entire meals to a specific diet with meager portions. What's one tablet daily for a productive day?

I take Enervon everyday, as suggested by most friends and family, specially since I'm working the night shift. It's effective in keeping my immune system intact and providing me with energy. Diets tend to make us weak on the first days or so, so don't skip on your vitamins, you'll need it!

4. Soup diet

Yummy tomato soup!

We've been constantly rolling our eyes over infomercials cos they sound like a load of crap. But heyy, for the first time we bit into the trap (stepped onto the crap) and purchased the Soup Mate Pro (basically a hybrid of a blender and a water heater). It came with a 7 Day Soup Diet booklet that contains recipes for a variety of totally tasteless and foul looking soups. Why do they have to look so delicious on screen? Oh, right.

Good thing is, it's easy to alter the recipes so we kindof added pampasaraps to lighten the burden of getting into this diet.

The result? It's good to know we're being consistent with eating vegetables. That's all. LOL. Will make a separate review of the Soup Mate Pro one day! :D

5. CGN diet (Chrono-geno Nutrition Diet)

Source

Oh this. I remember being so excited to try this because it's personalized based on my blood type.

I had to pay to have access to a portal containing a detailed meal program complete with grocery list and recipes, an active forum of dieters, and an effective customer support system manned by their very own nutritionists and dieticians. They really answered all my questions, encouraged me to keep up with the program even though I kept on complaining that I have no time to do the grocery, cook my food, let alone shell out more money than I paid for the membership HAHA. I was so whiny. And fat.

But then I liked this program. Looking back, the recipes aren't that hard to cook and meals are quite easy to prepare. You'll get used to it. Plus, it's really masarap. I don't usually cook and this forced me to cook my own meals and I loved it. Char.

I chronicled the days I was in this diet, and apparently I failed (HAHA) but I had no regrets. I would gladly do this again!

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The ultimate goal of these diets is to promote good health and quite frankly, weight loss is just a consequence. Take this list as a form of suggestion if you're looking for ways to jumpstart your journey to good health. :)

Live healthy and get rewarded with Philam Vitality

Insurance companies today aren't simply in the business of ensuring you're protected enough with savings products in case something goes wrong *knocks on wood*. To show you how we really care, we're now rewarding you for being healthy! 

Image from www.philamvitality.com

Today’s fast-paced urban lifestyle has exposed many of us—from young adults to professionals alike—to many stressors that have a huge negative impact on our health. Heavy traffic on the daily commute, long work hours, a sedentary lifestyle, the proliferation of processed and fast food choices, stress-induced drinking and smoking—all these contribute to higher health risks that can affect our family’s quality of life.

According to the UK-based Oxford Health Alliance, around 60% of deaths worldwide are caused by four “epidemic chronic diseases: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, and some cancers.” In order to prevent premature death and incapacity due to these diseases, we must be able to address three major risk factors: tobacco consumption, poor diet, and physical inactivity.

With these realities in mind, Philam Life, the Philippines’ premier life insurance company, has introduced Philam Vitality, the first in the market, science-backed wellness programme that rewards its members for getting healthy. As a global brand, Vitality is present in several countries with millions of members and makes use of incentives to encourage members to adopt and sustain healthy behaviors. By bringing Vitality to the Philippines through the Philam Vitality program, Philam Life pioneers giving real focus on healthy living.

Philam Life CEO Axel Bromley and CMO Jimmy Javier welcome media guests to the Philam Life Vitality launch

“People normally associate life insurance with protection and savings products to prepare them for life's uncertainties. At Philam Life, we are committed to take it further by helping people live longer and healthier lives so that they could spend more time with the people who matter to them most,” shares Axel Bromley, CEO of Philam Life.  “Philam Vitality will empower more and more Filipinos with the information and the tools to know and improve their health, and to enjoy longer and fuller lives.”

Philam Vitality comes with three simple components to help people live healthier lives:

1. Know your health. With Philam Vitality Health Review, users will be able to take an online assessment through their desktops, laptops, tablets, or smartphones, and see if their Philam Vitality Age matches their actual age.
   
   Members can also assess their current state of health through partners such as Makati Medical Center (for check-ups and vaccinations), Hi-Precision Diagnostics (for laboratory procedures such as blood tests and X-rays), and GAOC (Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center) for dental care.
   
   “These assessments help you find out which parts of your over-all health are on track and which areas you can improve. It’s very empowering to know your health status so that you can take control of all the facets of your life,” says Jaime Jose D. Javier, Jr., Philam Life Chief Marketing Officer.
   
2. Improve your health. With Philam Vitality, members can achieve better health for less, at partners such as Gold’s Gym for gym memberships; Toby’s Sports, Garmin, and Polar for fitness gear and other devices; and Makati Medical Center for smoking cessation program.
   
   Members start with Vitality status of Bronze and move their way up to Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels as they earn points for every assessment test and activity done within the program.
   
   “The more points you earn, the higher Vitality status you achieve, and the greater your rewards,” explains Mr. Javier. “We’ll take care of tracking your points through our integrated systems so that all you’ll need to think of is to get better and fitter each day.”
3. Enjoy the rewards. While better health is already a reward in itself, Philam Vitality offers members more opportunities to enjoy precious time with their family and loved ones, through discounts on tickets to SM Cinemas and Enchanted Kingdom, and on bookings at Marriott and Seda Hotels.
   
   Vitality members also earn discounts on premiums of selected insurance plans. By purchasing a Philam Vitality Series insurance plan from Philam Life or BPI-Philam, members can get upfront discounts on first year premiums and continue to enjoy discounts in succeeding years by improving their health.

“Philam Vitality is unprecedented in the Philippines. We are grateful to have our esteemed partners on board as we encourage members to take charge of their health. Ultimately, a full life should be healthy, fun, and rewarding, and we want to be part of that process.” says Mr. Bromley.

To know more on how you can live a healthier lifestyle, visit philamvitality.com, email ask@philamvitality.com, or call 528-2000... OR you can also talk to me about this! I'm a registered financial advisor with Philam Life and our team of financial wellness experts (well, me and my parents) are always ready to for inquiries. Ping me using the Contact Form, don't forget to leave your number! :)

Love your heart with ATC Coenzyme Q10

Winning streak no more.

We can’t always be on a winning streak, sometimes we’re faced in situations where it’s just not our day, and worse it can be a week, or a month but one thing is for sure, tough times never last but tough people do.

Sometimes, just so we cope up on days like these we resort to stress eating which is totally understandable, but when it becomes a habit, it can be a dangerous cycle, it can harm our body, especially the functions of your heart.

ATC Coenzyme Q10 is great for the heart, it improves the hearts ability to pump more blood and lowers the viscosity of blood, making it even easier for the heart to function normally. Don’t wait for a heart attack, always keep in mind that you are what you eat, take ATC Coenzyme Q10 for a healthier heart!


#ATCCoenzymeQ10 #YoureInGoodHeart #ATChealthcare

Make a sweet life with BitterGo Food Supplement

Food is the number one stress reliever for most of us. So, how sweet would it be if we are able to eat anything we want without worrying about our blood sugar? Being in control of your blood sugar without depriving yourself from food is a struggle for some, but that shouldn’t be a problem with BitterGo. 

BitterGo is a dietary food supplement that is a combination of Ampalaya powder, Luyang Dilaw Powder, and Bawang Powder. The combination of these helps manage your insulin levels and assist in lowering your blood sugar levels.

Living a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to be a punishment, satisfy your sweet tooth in moderation with the help of BitterGo.

BitterGo is available at Mercury Drug and leading drugstores nationwide for P 7.50 per piece.

For inquiries, you may contact ATC Healthcare at these numbers: 516-8888, 0909-3333333, or 0917-5623333.

Group exercises you can join at Quezon City Memorial Circle

have you ever wondered what group classes you can join at Circle?! I did! and i searched all over the web for schedules and stuff but found none. so this morning, i braved a serious case of tamaditis and went to inquire at Circle about whatever group classes they have there. i know they have one, because my parents used to always go there to join aerobics. sometimes they take my sister and i with them, and we'll bike around while they dance, then afterwards we'll eat lugaw and buko juice and go home sweaty and filled! happy times :D

so here you go, in total they have 3 classes operating regularly (as far as i have asked) and i went to each of them to inquire:

1. Zumba

Location: People's Hall
Rate: P50/hr
Schedule: Mondays -Thursdays (7am, 8am - that's 1 session per hour), Saturdays and Sundays (7am, 8am, 9am).

i'm actually excited to try everything HAHA. i'm curious about the different types of zumba you know. i mean there's zumba gold (is this for oldies?), fitness, sentao, and toning. XD shocks, naexcite ako bigla. HAHA

there are chairs on the side you can use to put your things on. :)

2. Aerobics Forever

Location: Planas Garden

Rate: FREE

Schedule: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays (TThSSun) - 6am

This is probably the least attended one even though it's free, maybe because it's not covered (apparently, it just rained). one of the sweet girls there told me they have color codes per day and today is purple day. XD they do accept donations too, but of course it's all optional. then again, there must be a cost to running this thing, especially that they seem to intend to do this forever! :D

there are tents on the side with a few chairs, and there's a small roofed stage at the front of the garden. you may leave your things there, in case you're wondering where to put your stuff.

3. Aero Sport

hey peepers

Location: Basketball Court

Rate: P20/session

Schedule: Daily at 6am

I think this is where most people go. the place is big, the music is lively and so are the steps! i can't wait to try this too! :D

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so far that's what they have! let's push this! i wanted to get in shape so bad because night shift's a bitch, when i'm up all day i'm eating almost 5 meals a day. CRAAAAP! huhu