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Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Sick and tired

Literally.

I was recovering fairly well after my knee surgery. Until I decided to eat my neighbor's leche flan. I was contemplating on what to get for dessert one night. Magnum classic or a tub of ultra sweet leche flan - that has once (or twice) wreaked havoc on my throat, opening a portal for a host of diseases (mainly flu) to vacation in my body.

Against my better judgment I chose the latter of the two desserts, becoming a five-star superhost, once again, to my favorite visitors: tonsilitis, cough, and colds. Fever usually comes in with them but I've been housekeeping with Paracetamol so it couldn't get in.

For a week I toiled between relieving my sore throat by taking cold drinks, and relieving my flu by not taking cold drinks. It's a damn hassle living with both. I couldn't function properly at work. I couldn't talk. I have a mouth sore that sits on my lower lip, directly touching the top of my tooth that it stings all the time. 

It's been painful. But mostly over.

This sucks.

Should've gotten a Magnum.

Thursday, October 30, 2025

SHAPELLX 4 Top 5 Butt Lifting Shapewear Pieces to Enhance Your Curves in 2025

As a woman in her 50s, I’ve gone through many stages in life, but one thing I couldn’t escape was the changes brought by menopause. Suddenly, my belly became harder to manage, my butt lost its firmness, and I felt uncomfortable every time I looked in the mirror before heading out.

One morning, while getting ready for my friend’s daughter’s wedding, I stood in front of my closet with a deep sigh.

“Oh dear… nothing fits the way it used to,” I muttered to myself, pulling out a dress I hadn’t worn in years.

My daughter, who was scrolling on her phone nearby, looked up.

“Mom, why do you look so stressed?” she asked.

I shrugged, holding the dress against my body. “It’s not the dress, honey. It’s me. Ever since menopause, I feel like my body isn’t mine anymore. My belly, my hips… they all changed.”

She walked over, smiled, and whispered, “You know, there’s this thing called shapewear. It’s not about changing who you are—it just gives you a little boost. Like a secret superpower.”

At first, I laughed. “Superpower? At my age?”

“Yes!” she insisted. “You’ll see. It’s like a best friend that keeps everything in place while you shine.”

That night, I gave in and wore shapewear under my dress. To my surprise, it wasn’t just my clothes that looked better—it was me. The dress hugged my body in the right places, I felt more put-together, and when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I smiled for the first time in a long while.

Walking into the wedding hall, my friend leaned closer and whispered, “You look amazing! What’s your secret?”

I chuckled softly and replied, “Let’s just say I’ve found a little silent helper.”

The truth is, shapewear did more than smooth out the lines of my dress. It lifted my confidence, reminded me that I could still carry myself with grace, and helped me walk out the door with my head held higher.

Shapewear Is Not Just About Looks, It’s About Confidence

There’s a common misconception that shapewear only exists to hide “flaws.” But in reality, shapewear is about support—both physically and emotionally. When your body feels tighter and more defined, your mindset naturally shifts to something more positive.

For me, shapewear has become a part of self-care. Just like skincare, light exercise, or eating healthier, shapewear helps me feel comfortable and confident in my own skin—without forcing myself into extreme diets or endless workouts.

Why Black Friday 2025 Is the Best Time to Shop for Shapewear


When it comes to shopping for shapewear, the 2025 Black Friday shapewear sale is simply unmissable. Discounts are massive, new collections are released, and you can grab premium-quality shapewear at much friendlier prices.

Especially for butt lifting shapewear and tummy control pieces, which usually cost a bit more, Black Friday is the perfect time to stock up and invest in pieces that will last.



1. Shapewear Bodysuit: The All-in-One Lifesaver
If I could only choose one shapewear piece to wear daily, it would be a shapewear bodysuit. It hugs the body, providing support from the belly and waist all the way down to the butt.

As someone dealing with menopause belly, the bodysuit is my secret weapon. Dresses fall more smoothly, blouses no longer cling awkwardly, and my butt looks naturally lifted.

2. High Waisted Shapewear Shorts: The Menopause Belly Solution


For skirts, jeans, or fitted pants, nothing beats high waisted shapewear shorts. They don’t just flatten the tummy but also give the butt a subtle lift without that suffocating feeling.
I wear these often for work or casual outings. The fabric is lightweight, yet the effect is powerful: my belly feels flatter, and my posture improves instantly.

3. Shapewear Leggings: Lift Your Butt, Shape Your Legs
I never imagined shapewear could come in the form of leggings, but once I tried them, I was hooked. They don’t just lift the butt, but also shape the thighs and calves, making the legs look longer and leaner.

Perfect for coffee dates or casual strolls, shapewear leggings make me feel both sporty and feminine at the same time.

4. Tummy Control Shapewear Panty: Simple Yet Effective
Sometimes, you just need something simple. That’s when I reach for tummy control shapewear panties. They’re easy to wear under jeans or casual dresses, but they still deliver results: a smoother tummy and a perkier butt.

They’re the type of shapewear you can rely on daily without feeling like you’re trying too hard.

5. Full Body Shapewear: A Confidence Booster All Day
For special occasions—weddings, reunions, or even photoshoots—I go for full body shapewear. It’s a little more “serious,” but the results are unbeatable. My entire silhouette feels sculpted, my butt looks lifted, and I can go through the day radiating confidence.

How to Choose Shapewear That Fits Your Body

After experimenting with different pieces, I’ve realized there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to shapewear. The right choice depends on your needs:
  • Struggling with belly fat? → High waisted shapewear shorts
  • Want full-body support? → Women’s Shapewear bodysuit
  • Active lifestyle? → Shapewear leggings
  • Looking for everyday wear? → Tummy control panty
  • Special occasions? → Full body shapewear
And always remember: breathable materials matter. Comfort should never be compromised.

Lifestyle + Confidence: How Shapewear Became My Menopause Companion


For me, shapewear isn’t about hiding weaknesses—it’s about reclaiming confidence in this new stage of life. Yes, our bodies change with menopause, but that doesn’t mean we should stop caring for ourselves.

Shapewear is my “quiet companion” that helps me show up in the world with self-assurance, without constantly comparing myself to how I looked in my 30s or 40s.

Conclusion: Black Friday 2025—The Perfect Moment to Invest in Yourself

If you’re looking for a small yet powerful boost of confidence, give shapewear a try. And with the upcoming 2025 Black Friday shapewear sale, now is the perfect moment to invest in yourself without overspending.

I believe every woman deserves to feel beautiful and confident—at any age. Shapewear is just one of the tools that can help us embrace that truth.

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

I'm okay

Knee surgery was a success. Thought it was going to be a difficult recovery but three days later, after the anesthesia has worn off, I don't feel so much pain. I only needed crutches for a day but the following days I'm able to walk around the house, albeit limping. I was hoping to get two months WFH approved but I think I'll be back to normal in no time. I hope so.

I've been eating fast food a lot the whole time I was confined. Thanks McDo. I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. A night longer than expected. I wasn't cleared for discharge on the same day of my operation since the anesthesia has not completely worn off and I'm still being observed. 

So what happened to my knee? I have a lateral meniscal tear on the right knee and a cartilage defect. I underwent chondroplasty to smoothen and reshape the damaged cartilage, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy to remove the damaged part of the torn meniscus, and debridement to remove any damaged tissue around the wound. So much damage lol.

I'm looking forward to recover fully because it's Christmas season and it's gonna be so busy I don't want to miss out. 

My surgeon sent me a photo of my intact ACL and inner meniscus which is good news. I don't know which is which in the photo I only care than my ACL is good. Yey!


Thankful that my HMO was able to cover everything in full (except for a very minimal miscellaneous fee). The final bill amounted to 180k+, with Philhealth covering around 60k. ☺️

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Yet another knee surgery

I'm scheduled for right knee surgery on Friday. Please pray for me. I have a meniscal cyst that needs to be cleaned up. Then possibly they could also repair my meniscus. Stitch the torn part together. I don't know. My knee started locking frequently this year. By frequently I mean it happened five times since March. It's super painful when it happens. Like 8/10 💀. I've mentioned it a couple of times in this blog. The pain has been worrying enough for me to consult about it. After an MRI we've confirmed a cyst that's big enough to cause the frequent dislocation of my knee. 

Hopefully I recover fast. The procedure isn't as complex as my ACL reconstruction so hopefully I'd be walking in no time. Hopefully. It sucks that I have to pause coming to the gym for this. I don't want to waste all the progress we've made when we started with Coach Gene. It's been great working out. I've never felt this good with my body despite still being on the obese scale haha. I feel stronger and leaner. I really wanna be in shape and become fit. I need the strength. At the state of my knees I really wanna grow old strong.

It's sucks that I already have osteoarthritis this young. Really limits my movement. Then again, it's kinda my fault my body deteriorated this early.

Anyway, I've been working 8 hours straight this isn't me. But also I don't wanna stop? Urgh.

Gotta sleep.


Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Time check

It's office day today! New company policy says we have to leave 10pm onwards if we want to be eligible for the shift transport allowance (STA) which is like Php300 something per day. They used to be very lenient with this, as long as you clock in the office and stay at least 4 hours you'll get an incentive. But now they're being strict. Oh well! Guess I have to wait then!

Time check: 7:27PM

Just got back from dinner and a leisurely stroll. Had pho and spring rolls at Em Ha Noi next door, then walked to Muji to look around. I was gonna get a foot massage at a nearby spa but realized I have a meeting in an hour, and also, I need to work haha.

Pressure

I just finished two low priority items recently and was excited to start with this one big task that I've been pushing off for so long because I wanted to do away with the easy stuff first. Now that I'm ready to sit down and pour my brain into it, my manager told me to prioritize something else! Hahaha 

So this new priority involves exploring the AI capability of the Power BI dashboard I created last quarter. It's a really curious task, except that they wanted to present this to the higher ups next month so there's the pressure. Whew.

Time check: 9:16PM

Normally I should be home right now but I have to wait for 10PM, also I have a call then so haaay. I've never stayed this long in the office. It's usually pretty quiet during the early EMEA hours, but when the NA shift starts people start pouring in and taking calls left and right. It's noisy!

Time check: 10:23PM

GTG!