Weight update

I wrote in a previous post that I was ‘officially’ declared underweight by the doctor who gave me the physical exam.  I was around 4+ lbs underweight, weighing only 103lbs and standing 5′4.  This was last January 31, and I’ve been hitting the gym every other day and wolfing down 2 servings of rice each day since.  I reduced my meat and sweets intake, though.

Well, guess what?  I weighed again and I am down a kilo or 2.2lbs.  Pretty crazy, to think that I am eating a lot of carbs lately.  I guess my 30-minute cardio workout is burning more calories than I take in. 

Maybe I should increase weight lifting.  Or eat much more.  Or both.  But man…eating can be so expensive!

Financial decisions-filled Saturday

May I be honest with you? 

I said in my post right below that I will no longer sign up for a gym membership.  Yesterday, I up and did it.  The post here by FrugalDad made me feel better about it.

 Yes, dear friends, I am now a member of a respectable gym.  For P1,250 monthly, I’ll get an unlimited use of their facilities anywhere for a year.  Normal rates should have been around P3,000 but the guy gave me a special rate.  I guess he took pity on my flimsiness…or their memberships are dwindling.

I need to save up for 6.4 months worth of monthly fees while the 5.6 months will be covered by half the proceeds of the phone I sold (while the other half boosted my eFund). 

Also, yesterday, I opened two time deposits for 180 days and 30 days, earning 2.75% and 1.875%, respectively.  The 180-day deposit included the money I saved from my parents’ store and will be given back to them when needed.  Kinda like their very own eFund.  The 30-day deposit will be rolled over and increased with deposits each month.

I had a bit of fun analyzing the would-be interest income before I did the deposits.  Questions as to how much should be placed in each interest bracket were answered by my trusted spreadsheet.  As a result, optimum interest income will be earned (though pathetic, still).

Now, on to the regular show…

Forget anything politics! Promise, I’ll try, or I will have to start a new blog.  Now, if you will excuse me, a handful of pressing issues need my attention.

First up, gym.  I am a thin girl, and every test shows that I am underweight.  I am 5′4, close to 100lbs (should be, since I am pigging out a lot these days especially in the evenings).  I love to eat, but then the only thing that stops me from eating is the fact that every pound I gain goes straight to my tummy and lower abdomen.  My arms and legs and other parts that are supposed to be curved are left out and stays flat.  Flat as a wall.  My bra size is about 90% width of my back (not pretty!).  Now with that kind of body shape, I may as well be a pumpkin with arms and legs strapped on.  I have a pretty short torso, and on the wide side.  But if you look at me from the side, I am very thin, with my lower abdomen sticking out (gross! but it’s really hard to suck in).

My goal for going is to tone my body, get in shape, be able to eat healthy and not-so-healthy stuff without enduring the pumpkin look worry-free, build my strength and stamina.

On the financial side, I am figuring out whether to sign up as a new member which will cost me P5K as joining fee with P3.4K monthly for at least 1 year (lock in). Or…I can take up someone else’s offer of a free membership transfer, plus P2,040 upgrade charge, and P3.4K monthly for 8 months.  The guy offered to shoulder half of the upgrade charge if only to get the membership out of his hands.  He still has 8 months lock in, and he will have to transfer the membership before the health club unhook his credit card.

The need to upgrade in case I will take the guy’s offer is because the health club branch nearest my office doesn’t offer regular membership, and so I will have to use the other branches farther away and less convenient that the one I am eyeing for.  The branch offers platinum membership, which is useable at any branch, anywhere in the world (I think) with access to all facilities and free everything.

Well, if you must know, the health club I am eyeing is Fitness First.  My plan is to work out MWF from 6 AM to 7:30AM, shower, then go to work which is only 3 blocks or less away.  TTH will be dedicated to classes:  aero, kickboxing, yoga, etc.  This will be after work, about 6 to 8PM.  Alright, alright.  This schedule is just unrealistic, but hey, with the high monthly dues, I might as well try to use it every day!

Of course, I have to factor in the cost of workout stuff:  shoes, towels, clothes, decent gym bag.  They provide towels and shoes but then I don’t feel comfy using them.  Who knows what went in the washer with the towels.  I am paranoid.

Sidenote:  I can’t understand how a health club offer a free-flowing coffee, iced tea (from powdered mix), and soda?  Water is a given.  But the others? Not really good for you.