Butt what?

Lately I've been feeling a bit lazy when it comes to the gym. I used to get off work and actually look forward to going. Straight to the gym, without any hesitation, right after work. When I first started though, I would even get up super early and go to the gym before work! I haven't done that in a long time...mostly because the mornings are too cold to want to be out early. hehe Maybe once the summer rolls back around, with warmer mornings, I may try it out again. But back to my laziness...

I've still been going to the gym whenever I can. Just doing my usual half hour on weekdays and hour on weekends. I don't like to do too much, just enough to keep me active and healthier. Who knows, maybe down the road I may try and push myself a bit more and hopefully actually tone up my body! Miracles can happen, after all! But now, when I leave work, I just feel like going straight home. I try finding ways to convince myself that it's ok to skip the gym. I try harder to ignore those thoughts! lol Fortunately, I've managed to keep going. Once I'm actually there and start working out, it's all good. Just getting myself there after work is what's been feeling a bit more challenging lately.

Sometimes you just have to find ways to motivate yourself. Think of the benefits you get out of going. Losing weight, feeling better, looking better, etc. And there are other benefits as well that they won't tell you in the brochures. Specifically all the hotties you can check out. I mean, come on...you know you all do it! You're working out at the gym and there, in front of you, is someone running on a treadmill, in their shorts or workout pants, with that butt jumping around in the air, as if to say "Look at me!" It's funny...I was never a butt guy before. Didn't really pay too much attention. But now that I've often found myself working out with some nice butts in front of me to observe, I've come to admire the beauty in them. And with that...I've come to start feeling a bit more self conscious about my own derriere, or rather...lack thereof. :( I used to accept it, think of it as no big deal. But with all the nicer ones I've seen, I can't help but wish I had one too! Grrrr. Maybe I should just go out and buy myself a friendly little donkey. Why? So that I can proudly say, "Yes, I do have a nice ass."

Active Me - Week 3

Almost three weeks ago, on June 21st, the first day of summer, I began my new gym routine. I'd never been to a gym in my life...at all! Not even for a day trial or anything. So needless to say, I was in pretty bad physical shape. I knew I had to go, but like many other things I just kept putting it off. Finally, Juan came to me with a deal I couldn't resist. The price was right, so to speak. "Sign me up," I said.

Three weeks later, I've been going almost every day! I've only missed three days so far, usually because I didn't have time those days. But each other day that I do have time, I've gone. During the week I go bright and early in the mornings, and on weekends I just go at whatever time is convenient. Weekdays I don't get to work out as long as I'd like, but I try to get more done on the weekends. Overall, I've been enjoying it. I don't see it as a hassle like I thought I would. I've worked it into my routine, made it a part of my daily to-do's, right up there with eating, breathing and sleeping. hehe

It's still a bit early for me to see any physical changes in my body. But hopefully it happens! hehe To be honest, even if it didn't change too much, just getting some physical activity on a daily basis has helped me feel better. It's a great feeling. Actually, I did already lose a few lbs. Not a huge amount, but it's working at least. Maybe over time I'll try more of the other equipment, and maybe even hit some of the weights. I'm still a bit self-conscious about doing weights, because I seriously have no muscle and can barely lift anything. But that'll be later on, if I decide to try it out. For now I'm sticking to my cardio. :)

Drinks and Robots

Oh what a weekend! It just seemed to come and go so damn fast. I got off work around 5 last Friday, went home, ate, showered, changed and then waited for Juan to arrive. Once he did, I drove us out to the hotel where Felipe & Co. were at. Luckily, I found a good parking spot right in front. So I grabbed my iron from the trunk (he'd asked me if I could bring one) and we headed in search of the room. Then I find out he'd also told a couple other people to bring one, just to be sure. So there were three irons there. lol And here I had this whole little dumb joke planned out about how they could call me "Iron Man" lol j/k So anyway, we hung out there for a while, having a couple drinks, taking pictures and listening to music. We then got into a taxi-van, six of us in total, and took the short ride to the club. At that point I was already feeling a bit tipsy. It was the first drink that did it for me. I never mix drinks and don't know what's strong and what isn't, so when Juan was making mine I told him to pour more vodka in it. lol So it ended up giving me a big buzz right off the bat. Needless to say, I was pretty buzzed all night. But I had a great time! I usually drive so have to limit myself and can't really "let loose". lol So it was nice to just enjoy myself after the long slow work week. Plus it was fun celebrating Felipe's bday with some of our friends and meeting a few new people (his friends). Everybody was cool. There are still bits and pieces that kinda seem fuzzy from the night. lol But I remember most of it at least, which is good. When we ended up going back to the hotel, I started getting sleepy. I didn't fall fully asleep though until everyone was all tucked into the beds.

Come morning, I got up around 7:50 because I had to move my car from my parking spot. After 8 am the parking was no longer free. I was still feeling slightly out of it, but I knew I could handle moving the car around the block. What I didn't know was how much trouble I was going to have parallel parking. lol Even when I'm 100% myself I struggle, so add to it a slight morning hangover buzz....took me a few good back and forth motions to get into that spot. lol At least nobody was around to make fun of me. And I was able to find a spot literally around the corner, on the other side of the hotel. So it was perfect. Later that morning, around 11, after we all spent some time reminiscing about our favorite childhood TV shows, it was then time for us all to leave the hotel, so we headed out to breakfast at a restaurant in West Hollywood. I had an omellette, which I never get but it just seemed tempting this time around. Juan got a salad...but barely even touched it. lol It was nice having breakfast with the group after a fun night.

The rest of that day, after Juan and I came back to my place, we mostly just chilled and regained our energy. Come nighttime, we were ready to head out. But no drinks though. lol Instead we went to see Wall*E. That was such a great movie! So sweet, so heartwarming, so cute, so funny....just well-done all around! I mentioned elsewhere that if I had to use one word to describe it, I'd say "emotional". It was very touching, and that's even with the lead characters being robots! Who knew that animated robots can bring more emotion to a film than some human actors can? lol I loved the movie a lot. It made me wish Wall*E was real so I could have one of my own, kind of like what I felt when I saw Gremlins for the first time and wanted my very own real Gizmo.

Sunday was my usual day of running errands. But we also hit the gym for a bit. I'm really loving going to the gym now. I've managed to work it into my routine so that it's just become part of my daily things to do. I don't get grumpy when it's time to go, I look forward to it. I just hope that this feeling is permanent! I want to keep going for as long as my body can take it! lol I've only been going about a week now, I started on the first day of Summer, June 21. But already I'm feeling a lot better. I'm not worried too much yet about whehther I physically see results, 'cause I know that takes time to develop. But when they do start to appear (hopefully)...I'm sure it'll be even more motivation for me to keep on going. :)

So yeah, that was my weekend in a nutshell, surrounded by people I love. That's what makes life worth living after all, right? The people in your life that mean a lot to you. Those are the moments I always look forward to the most.

N-R-G @ J-O-B

So...I've finally been able to get to work in the morning feeling more awake and with some energy this week. I started doing some morning exercises, after 28+ years of being a lazy ass! It was time to make some changes. So far I'm loving it. It really does make a big difference through my day. But...of course, it just so happens to be a slow week at work (so far) with not much work to do. Go figure!

Sneeze-O-Rama

I woke up yesterday feeling pretty much "OK" for a Monday morning. Sure, I had my usual grumpy mood just because the weekend was over and it was back to work for another 5 days. But what can I do, right? It's gotta be done.

It was a slow day at the office, many people were out and not a lot of work came in. For most of the day I felt ok. I even ate my lunch while I was still working so I could just use my actual lunch hour to go out for a nice one hour active walk. You know...what with me trying to be more "healthy." lol So there I was, out in this hot weather, going for a walk. And what happens? Damn allergies is what happened! After I got back, I came back with a runny itchy nose and watery eyes and just felt like crap! So those last two hours of work were no fun at all. Later that night, J and I went to have dinner and then to Target, so I got some allergy pills there. I still woke up feeling allergy-crappy this morning. But now I've taken a pill and as of this minute I'm feeling a bit better than I was an hour ago. I hope I can pull through the day without feeling all crappy and hazy. I wanna be like those Claritin commercials where they take the people out of their funky hazy feeling. lol Still...I didn't use Claritin. But it better still work. lol

Is there such a thing as being allergic to the sun? I seem to notice that many times when I get this allergic reaction is when I'm out on a sunny day. Like one time I went to Disneyland, feeling normal, but by day's end I felt like tearing my nose and eyes out! lol Same thing happened once at a beach, I felt normal and then later on felt crappy. I guess it's kind of a good thing then that I don't have to work outside. But kinda makes me think twice about whether I want to go back out on my lunch hour walk today. I was doing so good with that all last week! I'd hate to stop now. But is it really worth it if I'll come back again feeling crappy afterward? But hmm...maybe this allergy med will help. Honestly, I'm not even 100% sure I have allergies. lol But based on what I've felt and how it just hits suddenly, I'm guessing I must have some, albeit maybe not as often and as strong as some other people.

Fat, be gone!

I hate you! You annoying dirty little son of a bitch! Why won't you go away? Why must you always cling to me, being a constant pesky presence and reminder of my failures as a human beign? Why can't you finally just go away, shrivel up somewhere and die like the worthless piece of crap you are? Why, why, why? Just leave already! Damn you! Yes, I'm talking to you...Fat!

So yeah...I'm sick and tired of feeling "fat". And I have to admit, I use the term "fat" loosely. If you look at me, you probably wouldn't think of me as fat. I'm kinda tall and have thin arms and so I do look like I'm thin all over. But I do have a tummy troubles, though...just like many of us here in America. Usually the clothes can hide it pretty well. But once it's just me, alone and naked...that's when the secret's out. lol Plus, there are times when I stop caring much and just eat whatever crap I want...then it starts to show in my face. People start to comment on how I look "bigger" and I start to notice it in my own pictures. That's usually when I'm reminded I need to do something. Like I've just started to again this week.

I've already been eating a bit better for a while. I no longer go out to fast food places every day for lunch like I used to. I bring my own food from home, usually something light and healthy. And I can usually finish it pretty quickly at lunch, which would then leave me time to just play on the net and browse around. But no more of that! I'm going to try to go out for a 30 minute walk outside the office, after I finish my actual eating during lunch. And when I get home, I want to go back to doing some exercises. I don't really want to go jogging at night around where I live, lately just doesn't feel as safe anymore with what I've seen in the news. So I'm just doing it all at home for now. Maybe once I see some results and feel more "active" I'll try a gym, too. Another thing I'm working on is watching what I eat when I do go eat out. Instead of the stacked up greasy burgers and fries, I'll try to eat lighter dishes, grilled chickens, salads, etc. I also need to cut down on all my sugary drinks. I love smoothies and lemonades when I go out to eat...but as Juan pointed out water is way healthier and cheaper (i.e. free lol).

In the end, I have nobody to blame but myself if I don't like how my body looks. I don't necessarily want a big buff toned body, although hell...that WOULD be nice! But honestly, I just want a flat tummy and thinner face....just to look better, healthier. I see guys in magazines, in movies, in ads, jogging out in public...all over...with the nice healthy in-shape bodies that I've always wanted to have. It just kills me when I go home and it's still just me...Mr. Out-Of-Shape and always lazy and tired. lol

Will this be the one time I finally stick to my new lifestyle choices and get in better shape? Only time will tell. Maybe I need to do something dramatic. Like take pictures of myself in my underwear and then say that if I don't reach certain goals within a time frame, they'll be released to the public. lol I saw that somewhere....was it Oprah maybe? I don't know...but seemed like a good idea that would work on me. The threath of having those gross pictures released if I don't keep in shape. lol

Oh well, here we go...day three of my latest goals. I should weigh myself soon so I have a starting point to look back on and compare later.

New Brazilian AIDS Awareness Campaign

A new AIDS awareness campaign launched in Brazil earlier this week. A poster featuring a naked man, laying down on hundreds of red condoms (reminiscent of American Beauty), is sure to attract attention...which is always good, right? Sex sells. Let's just hope that safe sex sells, too. The main message above the guy translates to something like "Do What You Want, But Do It With A Condom."

(click for full size)

From the official site:

"For the first time the Brazilian Ministry of Health has launched an action plan to contain the incidence of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases among gay men, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transvestites. During the launch of the plan, on Tuesday (25), Health Minister José Gomes Temporão emphasized the importance of the measure. “It is fundamental to recognize the magnitude of AIDS among this population and to prioritize effective actions in this area”.

The plan has eight objectives for gay men and other MSM and six for transvestites. The document prioritizes issues such as the reduction of the vulnerabilities associated with sexual orientation, guaranteed access to AIDS prevention, increased information regarding this population and guaranteed actions by all three levels of government. Behaviour studies commissioned by the Ministry of Health indicate that gay men and MSM are 11 times more likely to become infected with HIV than heterosexual men.

During the event an education campaign for this specific public was also launched. 100 thousand adhesive posters and 500 thousand folders containing information on STDs, AIDS and correct condom use will be distributed. The posters and folders will be sent to the State and Municipal Health Departments, which will be responsible for distributing them locally.

The graphic materials centre on the language and identity of the target population. Posters and folders will be distributed in gay bars, nightclubs, parties and other places frequented by gay men, in addition to civil society organizations that work with this public."

To read more about this, visit www.aids.gov.br

The Sniffles

I just can't win! Uggh! I started feeling a sore throat coming on earlier this week, and then yesterday I was especially feeling it. That nasty scratchy feeling in my throat that even hurts a bit if I eat. Last night I fell asleep pretty early, so I got plenty of rest. I forgot to take my medicine but luckily I woke up around midnight and took some. Come morning, my throat felt better. I was relieved. I thought, "Nice! My sore throat's going away!" And for the most part, it has. My throat doesn't hurt as much now. BUT...now I have the sniffles. They started to come little by little through the day, and now it's Mucustown in my face! Yeah, not cool. Fortunately I only have a couple hours left of work and then I have the weekend to recover. I think by tomorrow I'll be ok. Usually when I get a cold like this one the sniffly part only lasts about a day. ...I hope!

Cough, Cough

I really wanted to stay in bed this morning! Well, OK...I want to stay in bed EVERY morning. Anything to get out of having to go work. lol But today I woke up with my throat feeling a bit scratchy/itchy/sore. No fun at all! I started to feel it yesterday and totally forgot to take some medicine (home remedy or otherwise) before I went to sleep. At times this feeling just goes away after a day, but I woke up this morning and still felt like I'm getting a cough or something.

My family has been running around with coughs lately, along with the people at work, so I'm really not surprised that I also seem to be getting sick now. Like someone said yesterday at work, it's "the gift that keeps on giving." I wish I was a little kid again, so I could just stay tucked in bed, have some chicken soup and watch cartoons all morning while my friends have to go to school. lol

Hey maybe I should take some Airborne! I've heard wonderful things about it! It's this cool miracle cure for the common cold! Oh...wait...never mind. ;) Turns out they just settled a lawsuit ($23.3 million) that was brought against them for "false advertising." But seriously, if you really looked closely at the label you can see it's not really a "cure" but more of a "preventive measure"...in other words, tons of vitamins and stuff that's supposed to help boost your immune system. It's pretty much like taking a daily multivitamin, which I already do, actually. Plus, that stuff tastes nasty! It's like Alka Seltzer, which I also hate! I don't like that whole fizzy-bubbly-mediciny crap!

Some times we really just have to slow down a bit, take some time and look at things closely and not just blindly believe what they might be telling us...or insinuating...in the ads. After all, give me a bag Lay's potato chips and I bet you really CAN eat just one! ;)

A Close Shave

You would think that after so many years of having facial hair I'd have figured out how to give myself a nice, smooth, cut-free shave by now, right?
Well you'd be thinking wrong, then! I remember when I first started shaving I would use those crappy plastic razors that came in bags of ten or so. Looking back now, in comparison...damn those sucked! Later on, somebody recommended I try using the Gillete Mach 3.
So I did. And ever since then, I've wanted nothing more! I don't want no battery powered vibrating quadruple blade razor that plays music and has flashing lights and bluetooth technology. lol Give me a good ol' Mach 3 and I'm a happy shaving man! There are even some new models similar to the Mach 3 that have an extra blade on the other side, for those closer detailed spots, but even those I don't like much. I have the habit of flipping the blade over and using that edge to wipe off excess shaving cream. Old habits don't die quickly, so I can imagine myself forgetting that extra blade is there, flipping it over, and giving my self some unwanted shaves. lol I was at the Target earlier this week, and all the Mach 3 blades were sold out. They'd been on clearance. I really hope this isn't the beginning of the end for my favorite blade!

So the Mach 3 is my weapon of choice against those pesky facial hairs. I prefer the clean shaven look. I don't have a moustache, goatee or any type of beard. Well...actually,I tend to be lazy when it comes to shaving some mornings, especially when I'm rushing in the morning before work. So during the work week I'll often end up not shaving for a few days and having a very noticeable beard. lol But eventually I shave it off. But I could never really get that nice smooth as a baby's butt feeling on my face. I'd always have a few bumps or microscopic ends of the hairs sticking out. And I know why this is. It was because I always shaved before I showered. My thinking was that I liked shaving first so that I could then just clean up and freshen my face in the shower after. I'd always read that it was better to shave after you shower, when your skin was warm and the hair follicles more open or whatever. But I tend to be very stubborn and want to stick to my ways. Then a few days ago, I don't know how, but I ended up reading some article on shaving and the majority of people said they'd gotten the best results shaving while showering. So I tried it. I've shaved in the shower the last two times now, and I love it! I really do notice the difference. Even while I'm actually shaving it's a lot easier. And once I'm all done and out of the shower, I've really noticed how smooth my face feels. I can't stop touching myself! My face...that is. You pervs!

I know I haven't exactly discovered any miracle of life here. lol But still, I don't know why I was stubborn for so many years to make this change, even though I knew I was never fully satisfied with how I was shaving. Especially since my facial hair grows back pretty fast, so if I can get a closer shave and not have to shave again as soon, I'm all for it!

So how do you shave?

Almond Joy

I keep telling myself I need to eat healthier and exercise. Who doesn't nowadays, right? But then I keep doing nothing about it. I don't think my walking up and down the stairs at work every day, instead of taking the elevators, is really doing much to help. But hey...when you think of it, at least it's something...right? I know I should do more...a LOT more.

I guess it's all in steps. Can't expect myself to completely change my habits overnight. For example, I bought some almonds not long ago and keep them in my room as something to snack on. Whenever I get an urge to eat something, I can snack on a few nuts. I figure it helps me keep away from pigging out on cookies, chips or other similar snacks. But then I end up liking these nuts and eat a whole bunch. Kinda defeats the whole purpose if I'm going to eat a crapload of them at once. lol

To be honest, as I've been growing older, the whole "getting in shape" thing for me is starting to become not just about wanting to look/feel better...but also due to health concerns. I realize that I'm at an age where what I eat really matters and can impact my health not just now...but in the future. I can't just shove whatever crap I want into my mouth and expect not to have consequences down the road.

But yet there I am...almost every week...eating those burgers, fries, pizzas, etc. They are so damn good! I'm weak! I can't resist!

But I must.