Trying to Lose Weight... Again!?

For those who know me well, you would know that I have been struggling to lose weight and build muscle for ages. In fact I have stopped blogging about fitness for many years now.

I can give you various excuses such as work, time, baby, personal issue, family and the list goes on and on. Every bloody year I make the same resolutions. Nothing changes. I gain weight every single year and my cholesterol level doesn't look good either.

Last months or so, I found out about Herbalife through my relative. I was quite curious about it as he had some success. So I wanted to try it out and document a honest review of the product. So I started a new blog site - www.herbalifechallenge.net. If it works out, I will continue to update fitness and weight loss related post on the website. Check it out.

Knee Injury Part III

I have stopped going to my physiotherapist about 5 months ago. Now my knee is much better, although there are minor pains. I can't run or exert myself and I keep to just walking for cardio.

After the fasting month, I am planning to swim more often. Overall, I am happy that I have avoided the surgery.

Been hitting the gym regularly for the past few months and there is obvious sign of growth. It's great to hear from people "You work out?". Means my training is working out. I will share my training tips perhaps on the next post.

For the fasting month, I have stopped going to gym. It's getting more and more obvious that my muscle is shrinking and stomach getting bigger. I do not have time to hit the gym for this one month, and will be hitting back as soon as Raya starts!

Gym

I just realised that I haven't done a gym review in ages. Honestly I have even stop going to gym due to injury, work and now the baby. 

Yeah, I know it is all excuses. But I gotta start back again. Tomorrow! I vow to hit the gym again (that what I said few months ago). 

Btw... I am going to Celebrity Fitness these days, I will post up the reviews soon.

Knee Injury Part II

On my cousin’s recommendation, I visited Dr. Suresh George of Sunway Medical Centre. Upon seeing my MRI result, he said there is no need for a ACL surgery. What a relief! Although there is a slight tear, but doesn’t justify an ACL surgery. Cool! I am glad to hear that.

Now I am on medicine and doing physiotherapy 2 twice a week. My physiotherapist is Ghazali, a sport medicine graduate from UITM. Used to work as a personal trainer in Celebrity Fitness.

So far, although the pain is there, but I can feel it’s getting better now. I haven’t visited the gym for the past few months. Work and injury is the culprit.

Knee Injury

Its been sometime since I blogged. I have a very good reason. My knee was giving me a lot of pain and it got worst in the recent month. I decided to have it checked. 

I was referred to Apollo TTDI Medical Centre to a Datuk Dr. Selva. I was told to do a MRI after the first consultation. He suspected me of having a tear around my knee area. I did my MRI at Lourders Medical Centre in Jalan Ipoh. As feared, I have a Meniscus tear at the knee which requires me to do a ACL surgery. The doctor injected me with Synvisc to help with the pain, however I felt later on this was not necessary. I have this wobbly feeling now while walking. The cost of the injection was around RM 1.5K. I was charged a total of  RM 4K for the consultation. I am getting doubts about this treatment.

More or less, I have to do a surgery and my knee will not be the same anymore. I have to accept that fact. Now I am looking for a the best surgeon and physiotherapy centre. This is going to cost me a bomb, I hope my insurance can cover this. Guys, go easy in the gym. Injury sux and costly.

Tiger Wood had one of this surgery as well.

Recovering

I have been out of action for 2 months now. The hand injury is getting better, but emotionally I am healing as well. Cryptic? Simply put, the past month, I had endured some painful setback in life. It's one of those event that really changes your life as you know it. You are paralyze emotionally and you need to step back and re-look at your life.

I am not good a dealing with emotional breakdowns, as usual my life breaks down together. Finally after a month plus, I have pieced up my life together, although some part of it is still missing (eventually I'll find it).

As of present time, my body is back to where it was 6 months back. I need to refocus on my gym and nutrition again (been feeding on pizza, ice-creams, chocolates like nobody's business). I need to refocus on my career and family again. Lets put this way, its Ganee 2.0 booting up soon.

My Protein

Left - Old, Right - New

Just got my tub of protein powder from EgoNutritions.com. Its a new improved Whey 100% Gold Standard. Out of curiosity, I was comparing the the old tub against the new one. Right off is the weightage, the new one is 5.15lbs while the old one is 5lbs only.

There are a few others differences as below...

Left - Old, Right - New

Eventhough the protein is up 1 gram, but the cholesterol and sodium is up. I wonder what new ingredients they have to put into this protein powder. Maybe its time to switch to another protein?

Out of Action

Arghh... the worst thing to happen to anyone training with weight.. INJURY. I sustain a wrist injury. Its been there for sometime but as the last workout, I think I went in abit aggressive. I had to see the doc after I notice the pain didn't go away and there was a clicking sound around the wrist area.

He slapped around bandage and told me to lay off weights for 2 weeks. That sux! Guys, injury sux and can set you back for sometime. So go easy and listen to your body. Now then, tomorrow is shoulder day.. hmm....

Gym for bunnies and yuppies

I just gotta blog about this. In the US, there is this gym named "Planet Fitness". Their tagline is "judgment Free Zone". Using this tagline, they tailor their gym for Cardio bunnies and Yuppies. Why do i say this? Several reasons

• They do not have squat rack
• They do not allow deadlifts
• No T-bar rows
• There is no dumbbells heavier than 40lbs. What!?
• If you drop your weights or make noise they will slam of the LUNK ALARM - its kindda loud siren to embarrass you. - I don't like the alarm idea, but I agree on this rules, although you ought to be allowed at least a grunt.
• Bodybuilders are openly discouraged to sign up with their gym

Understand why now? I seriously believe they shouldn't call themselves a gym. What kindda gym that doesn't allow bodybuilding? Sissy club?

You seriously gotta check out their radio commercial. Damn funny.

Now it makes me worry, I just hope FF does not follow the same steps in the future. Right now they are looking more and more like "Planet Fitness".....

Gym buddy

Currently I have a gym buddy.. who is actually my boss and my competitor. Kindda ironic? Anyway, he is cool and I find that having a buddy in the gym does help alot. How?

• You are able to share knowledge on exercises and tips
• Someone to push you further
• Someone to correct your mistakes
• Create a close rapport among your friends/colleague
• The guilty feeling you will have if you don't show up, so you are committed to the training day

However there is also some bad points :-

• You are unable to follow your training plan
• Changing weights, especially if the other is stronger / weaker than you
• You spend quite a bit of time chatting

So in order to get the best of both worlds, I train with my gym buddy 1 day a week, and the rest of the days I work out alone.

Currently I am learning how to swim, so far only 4 classes. The instructor keeps on postponing the classes. Hopefully I can learn to swim fast in order to burn my fat and get some solid back muscle.

Ain't growing anymore

For the first time in my life, I have been religiously going to the gym for the 3 months straight. Now there is a record for me. I have never been to gym so often in my life. At least its an improvement on my commitment.

Result for 3 months? There is growth. I can see some muscular shape here and there, however so sadly, I believe I have stopped growing. Whenever I am in the gym, it just makes me wonder, how the heck all this guys got big? Damn look at those biceps, how they hell he got such a big chest? Wow, huge forearm... I am like the tiny twig in the gym, trying to grow into a tree...

Anthony Ellis transformation - Body for Life

Anthony Ellis has been kindda my role model, however I still can't believe he did this in 6 months.

I am pretty much in the same size and still got my tummy. Man all this workout is not easy. Not to sure, whether I am not pushing hard enough or not eating right?

Right now I am trying to compete with my boss in terms of fitness and shape, however it seems like he is ahead of me by light years. HELP!

Birthday celebration in the gym

Thats it... thats the last straw. It has happen.... I couldn't believe it. A bunch of fags gathered around and celebrated birthday... not just any place but in the GYM! Can you imagine that!? In a gym!

Sigh, its official now, the fags have conquered the gym. I can't believe it when I was working out, suddenly out of the blue - "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.... " I was like WTF?

This is a gym! A place to workout. Where testosterone get pumped and stinking sweat get splashed around, not a sissy birthday place. After that, I practically lost my mood and went home. Sigh....

If you notice, more and more newer gym are catered for women. Celebrity Fitness in SJ, has a vanity corner for women, and their locker room is 3 times bigger than the men's. Looks like we have to go back to the old days, like rusty metal plate get thrown around with the sound of "klang, klang", big huge men huff and puff. Nay.....

Gym Etiquette

Its been 5 weeks since I have been hitting the gym. There is some growth here and there, but nothing noticeable yet. Gotta try more harder and eat well.

I would like to share with you guys about gym etiquette. I have been in and out of gyms for about 3 years now and I have seen a fair share of behaviours. What is even more suprising is, its becoming worse over the years. The gym should be more proactive instead of signing on ppl to join, educate them!

Below are the unwritten laws of gym etiquette. Learn it and do it! Its just sickens me whenever I see this selfish, self-centered, clueless, arrogant ppl. You are paying for the gym fees, so am I. We are all sharing the facility so lets just do that! SHARE!

• Put the weights back where it belongs! It isn't that difficult. Put the dumbbell back to the rack. Its makes everyone's life easier to work and look for weights.
• Do not hog the machines! If you are using it, use it fast. Then move on. Don't leave your bloody stinky towel on a machine and chat away in the juice bar.
• If you come in a group, do remember that others too need the same machine. The machine doesn't alone belong to you and your friends. Another note, don't waste time and joke around. Get to work and leave. Sigh....
• Stop dropping the weights! Can't you read the sign on the wall. You think this is your father's gym ah? It doesn't make you stronger or macho by dropping the weights, it just create more attention that you are weak.
• Hair dryer... to dry your hair not your body!
• I am pretty uncomfortable looking at naked man in the locker room. Do not assume everyone is a gay like you.
• Shower place is to take a shower, not to pee or cough out out your lungs..

There is few other things, you can read it at http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/betteru20.htm

The hunt for a Fitness Center - The End

Last Stop : Fitness First
In short:-

• I reviewed The Curve and Uptown 5.
• 10 clubs in Malaysia
• Operation hours - 6.30 AM - 10 PM. I heard from the lady starting January extending to 11 PM.
• Parking: Varies according to location. Uptown - MPPJ parking and private car park. The curve its about RM 1 per entry i think.

Reviews:-

• I do agree with some of you that FF has the worst customer service. Celebrity Fitness had much more better tour guide and explanation given. Well, they can afford to be snobbish since they have 10 clubs around Malaysia.
• Facility wise, Uptown 5 is in an aging state. The other branches have better, newer equipments and bigger space area. I like the The Curve free weight area, alot of benches to use. After looking at the rest of the spanking new gyms - Uptown is such a sad place to work out.
• Free flow of drinks and VCD rentals.
• Tissue and plastic bag provided - very useful for me!
• Exercise machines, OK lah.... I am more to free weights anyway.
• The shower room in The Curve is smaller than Uptown 5. But no curtain! Glass doors - hooray!
• Locker room -don't need to bring your own padlock.
• Standard classes - body pump, body combat, yadda yadda.... no Capoeira though. :(

Price:-

Home
Joining Fee - RM 500 (Can bargain)
Admin Fee - RM 95
Monthly - RM 147 per month

Passport
Joining Fee - RM 500 (Can bargain)
Admin Fee - RM 95
Monthly - RM 175

FF fees are pretty standard. I checked out about 3 different location. Just a note, don't expect the sales ppl to negotiate terms/bargain with you or throw is further discounts to intice, if you don't like it, you can "belah"! Ohh well.........

Final Review:-
I decided to signup with FF because

1. Its the nearest to my office. Much practical for a lazy me. No parking hassle.
2. It has about 10 branches I can hop around. Somehow I kindda regret taking passport... sigh.
3. Free flow of drinks.
4. Most of my friends are in FF.

So thats it folks. I have decided to contract myself to FF for the next 12 months. Yes, I can hear you ppl crying aloud - "NOOOOOOOO!!", but I kindda used to FF and I don't really have much of a choice in terms of location. So wish me luck!

For those folks who ain't as lazy as me, you should really give Celebrity Fitness a try. Looks cool.

The hunt for a Fitness Center

As for every new year, there is a new new year resolution to be made. This year, for me, there is one

START LOSING WEIGHT AND BULK UP YOU FAT MORON!

I have been a Fitness First member for few years now and my shape has stayed pretty much the same. In fact I am about 3 months pregnant now... and I ain't no female. To cut the long story short, I am in a freaking bad shape and I have terminated my FF account.

So, the quest for a Fitness Centre begins! For full comparison of fitness center, please click to http://xfile007.blogspot.com. He has done a fantastic job on trying out all the gyms in Malaysia and I do not want to recreate the wheel. I just wish to complement his reviews.

The reviews on the gyms in my blog are purely for my own record keeping and I guess it might help a few of you to decide.

First Stop : Celebrity Fitness (24th December 2005)

In Short:-

• Location : 1-Utama (Petaling Jaya)
• Parking : RM 1 for first 6 hours, subsequent hours is RM 2. It kindda difficult to get parking during weekends and public holidays.
• Operation hours : 6 AM - 12 AM.
• Other branches : Indonesia, Subang Parade and Gurney Plaza (Penang).
  

Reviews:-

• Upon filling up a survey form, a sales lady brought my wife and me around for a tour.
• The place is huge, kindda have a disco feel to it. Pictures? please refer to http://xfile007.blogspot.com/2005/09/free-trial-at-celebrity-fitness.html .
• Changing room is spacious but the shower room is small than the one I was used to. Bring your own padlock.
• Upon coming in you get 2 towels! I think it was the gym and shower towels.
• Plenty of cardio equipments.
• Can't remember whether there is free flow of drinks.
• No VCD rental, who uses it anyway?
• A huge place for classes. They have one interesting classes - Capoeira!
• Free weight area - Kindda disappointing - the lowest dumbbell they had is 17.5 kg. Arghh..! They have about 5 benches, 2 Smith machines, I think 1 bench press and few other stuffs. I felt the area could use a bigger space.
• Alots of exercise machine, the lady claims that all machine are customed for Asian.

PRICE:-

Home
RM 199 - Joining Fee
RM 99 - Processing Fee
RM 149 - Monthly Fee
3 years contract - RM 26XX. This translate to no joining fee and processing fee, and the monthly comes up to RM 70-75 per month.

Passport
RM 199 - Joining Fee
RM 99 - Processing Fee
RM 188 - Monthly Fee
3 years contract - RM 3141. This translate to no joining fee and processing fee, and the monthly comes up to RM 80-90 per month.

The promotion ends 31th December 2005. I guess you can cut the fees here and there, depends on your negotiation skills.

Final Review
The place looks good, clean and nice. The only thing troubling me is the location from my work and home, the parking and also the pricing. The free weight area looks abit off and there is where I will be most of the time. Kindda worried about the shower since your door is an unlock curtain. I like the operation hours and classes.

Next review - Fitness First. (Since Mun almost got sued, I guess I have to keep it either very positive or used the word "Censored").