To the healthy lifestyle or weight loss journey

Hnin Lai Wai Oo
Nov 3 · 5 min read

“I am so glad I made the decision to improve my physical and mental health. It was not easy. I was struggle with challenge to get to the healthy life.”

The photo of 2016 vs 2019

I was born as a healthy baby having normal weight. Being first born child, my mom fed me all the good foods, like all the first time parents do. Every kids has their own habits and behaviours. Mine is craving for eating and sleeping. Being a Burmese, rice and curry are main meals. So with my mom’s great cook, I became chubby. Of course! everyone loves chubby kids.

My whole middle age was chubby. I went to gym regularly but I didn’t have knowledge about healthy lifestyle.

As lifestyle changed from couple life to family life, stress level changed and I stopped going to gym. I noticed heavy, dizzy, headache. After I gave birth my two girls, I gained weight to 83kg.

In 2015, I started to go to gym again doing simple exercises. But I didn’t watch out my food intake. As a result, it lose only small amount of fats. I went to gym off and on until August 2017. Then, I got the wake up alarm in my mind to get out of my comfort zone.

I used to walk to office most of the morning depending on the weather. I always meet one Chinese old lady on the way. She has minor spine curvature and walked very slow. One day, I got something in my mind that what if I’m at her age with this weight? I can’t imagine myself in over my 50s. I set my goal to be getting fit before my 40s. I started exploring how I can control my food intake. I ate low carbs diets from Sep 2017. I spent at least 2 hrs at gym. Most of the exercises I did was cardio like elliptical, rowing machine, bike. I did some cardio:

  • Elliptical 45mins to lose 400 calories
  • Rowing machine to lose 200 calories
  • Weight lifting 20 mins
  • HIIT 15mins

I know it is boring to do cardio. With my over weight, I began elliptical with 60rpm and it took about 40 mins to lose 200 calories. Then, I increased rpm and incline level and reduced the timing. After 6 months, I did level 4 incline with 73 rpm to reduce 400 calories in 40 mins.

I felt so good at the end of year 2017. I lose 5–8 kg which is water weight and bloating. If you started doing exercises, you will see 5kg lose. Then you won’t see any more results even after 2 or 3 months. Don’t give up at that time. Most of the people give up when they are at that point.

I started intermittent fasting 16:8 from Sep 2018 with low carbs diets. Depending on your lifestyle, you can choose which type of fasting you want. I chose 16:8 which is better fit with my mom of twos lifestyle. I eat anything within 8 hrs window and I fast 16 hrs. I started eating from 10:30 am with one/two hard boiled egg(s) or protein berries shake. I chunked my meals into small meals. The first month was the terrible month. As I’m food lover, I couldn’t bare the hunger. After a few weeks, my body adept with new routine. Everyone is unique. Don’t forget to listen to your body.

I had veggies with chicken/beef/fish salad or veggies with meats stir fried for lunch. But I ate normal portion of rice with veggies and meat for dinner. My last meal will be before 6:30pm.

I avoid eating unhealthy food as much as I can, like

  • Oily curry paste
  • Pork
  • Deep fried
  • Fast food
  • Process food
  • White grains
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Low fat milk

I prefer eating whole food and whole grains. Now, I’m not skipping lunch but my lunch is a slice of whole meal bread or a cheese scone with handful of fruits. My snacks are various nuts, fruits, home made protein balls.

The important thing is drinking at least 3 litres of water a day. I used to drink 3 to 4 cups of green tea a day with combination of 2 litres of water. Drinking water also helping losing weight too. I didn’t believe that fact before. Believe me it’s true.

Another important thing is sleeping at least 7–8 hrs very nights. I know if you are mom of baby, it is impossible. When my kids were very young, I couldn’t do those routines. When they are old enough to sleep through night, I started the routine. I wake up at 5 o’ clock in the morning and go to gym and come back at 7 o’ clock. It’s my kids waking up time. My kids sleep at 8 o’clock at night. I sleep at 10 o’clock at night. I never go beyond my routine unless I have something to do at night or Friday drink.

Once you control your food intake with healthy options, you will start seeing the result. I didn’t do any other diet like keto. I ate what ever I want within healthy range. I got 63kg from 83 kg on December 2018 over a year I followed healthy habits and lose 20 kg. I did it but I still have fat in the muscles. I am still doing the same routine until now. I didn’t lose any weight in 2019 but fats replaced with muscles. It’s worth it.

When I don’t see any weight loss, I feel like I’m not doing enough. I always find inspiration around me. I followed some women who showed their exercises at Instagram. I used to see one old woman in late 60s who is always running on my way to gym every morning. She is thin but strong for her age. My home to gym is 5.8km and about 11 mins drive or 1 hr walking distance. I was wondering what time she started and how long did she go. After two months of seeing her at the exact place at exact time every morning, I figured out. She runs same distance as I drive to gym. It’s huge effort especially in early winter mornings. Even it is raining, I saw her running. She is one of my biggest inspiration person. Because of her, I can wake up early morning whatever weather it is.

In conclusion, if you are trying to lose weight, please don’t give up at any point. Your reward is waiting for you at some point. Consistent and encourages are keys to healthy life. Whenever you feel tired or giving up, you can find any inspiration to you. It doesn’t mean you should look at models or fitness models. I don’t look them as inspiration because it is their professional job. Their lifestyle and my lifestyle are different. Inspiration should be real life one.

Hnin Lai Wai Oo

Written by

Working mom of two girls. Wife of supportive husband. Love to explore new things. Trying to get fit and healthy lifestyle. Learning to write.

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