True Test of Character

As I have always believed, it is so ugly to lose. In whatever form. In whatever way.

I am just saying that it is ugly but do not take me wrong because I welcome failure and losses.

With a 9-0 start, seeded number 2 in the pool/division and then losing 3 straight games with the last one being the most important game of the week, it really is tough to lose.

I am a great competitor. I am fierce to myself and to my team mates as well. I do care what say about me regarding my attitude during games but I care the most to our team. With a great start that we had with the recent tournament, it is quite harsh to admit the reality bites. And it is hard and painful. Up until now, it aches so much that after 24 hours I could hardly believe that we are not on track with the recent tournament.

But no matter painful and difficult a defeat may be, it does not fail to teach us certain lessons.

Losing teaches us to the true meaning of sportsmanship.
A true sportsman is measured not by the character that he shows in winning but in defeat.

Losing teaches us not to be complacent.
Our greatest enemy is not someone on the other side of the field but in our side. Remember to not make competition with other people. They are great friends. And comparing yourself to your friend is a burden that you will be carrying all throughout your life. Hence, compete with yourself each and every waking day of your life. Because the only enemy that you have is yourself yesterday and your inspiration is yourself tomorrow.

Last but not least, Losing (SHOULD) brings out the fire in each and everyone of us.
It is your burning desire to turn that negativity to positive one that will prove how much you want it and how much hunger you have to achieve that specific goal. Work your ass out. Know your own SWOT and capitalize on it. Just one step at a time.

These bumps on the road, callouses and scars are just obstacles to overcome.

A great sportsman, a  great ambassador of the game of basketball and a fierce competitor himself, Michael Jeffrey Jordan, the 50 year-old man once said, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games, 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Think Fit, Be FIT

Yes! I feel that I am fit enough to do almost anything that I wanted to do.

But then again, feeling fit is not enough, I strongly believe that you have to feel and look fit. :)

VITAL STATISTICS:
Age: 24 y/o
Height: 5' 6"
Weight: 160lbs
Status: Overweight
Normal body weight: 145-155lbs
Target weight: 145lbs
Chest: 39.5 inches
Waistline: 35 inches
Hips: 39 inches
Shoulder: 21 inches
Biceps: 13 inches

Why am I doing this? To publicly challenge myself with a hope that after 30 days, positive changes will start to occur. And with this, only healthy food shall be eaten and increase daily work activity shall be done.

This will be my daily / weekly / monthly journal to reach my goal.

 Join me as I take this step to a better and healthier version of me.

Next shots will be after 30days.

Cheers!

Being a Freeman

It took me for a while to realize this. How free I am right now?

And it took me six long years to realize.. How free I should I be? Up to what extent?

Yes. This maybe insane but I somehow felt that I am caged in an invisible cell not because someone made it but because I chose to be. I chose to be imprisoned - subconsciously. In a world where the only constant is change, we should know when and how to adjust, to cope up and to keep up. Because if you lose this ability, you will be in great danger of slowly detaching yourself from yourself. How? I also do not know. But what I do know, whatever happens, do not let yourself depend on other people. Do not ever let your happiness be held by anyone other than yourself.

Be your own happiness.

Agree? You may find yourself wondering, what the hell am I talking about? How is that even possible? Every person can shed their own light for you. But as far as I remember, we all have the ability to deflect or accept that light. Yes, others can make you happy but it is up to you whether you will be happy or not. Find anything that will make you happy. Life is too short. Do not waste it. Grab every chance. Spread your wings. Fly and be in a state of invisibility where you can feel that you are the king of the world. Find your happiness and once you have it do everything you can to hold on to it. Do not let it slip away. Dahil sabi nga nila, "Minsan, isang beses lang ang biyahe, baka wala nang susunod."

Enjoy the ride. Have fun. And be happy!

Cheers!

Insanity: "Are you insane enough?"

It all started when I wondered what is happening. What is happening with my body?

I think we all, at times, should ask this. Yes, I used to be a 180-pounder guy but I also used to be a 158-pounder. So, what happened? I also do not know. All I know is that this year, I am very focus and determined to lose all those extra flabs whatever it takes. Yes. WHATEVER IT TAKES!

I started playing Ultimate (Frisbee for the most) August 2011. If you are not familiar with the sport, this one is a serious one. It is not just about throwing the disc. It is, for me, the best team sport. No superstar. No one on one. Pure team play. And chemistry is very crucial. And as a player, it requires you to run up and down the field. Hence, carrdio resistance is needed for you to be able to play in a top level.

Taken last December. First tournament. More to come.

How can I do this if I have these extra flabs? And this leads me to be insane. Haha! Some of my teammates have been telling us about this workout. The Insanity work out. I asked for a copy and poof I have one already. I do not know anything about the work out aside from it is effective and it is insanely difficult. That really gets me interested.

Finally today, I get to experience the work out first hand. You have to believe the title. It really is Insanity!!! It was only the fitness test that I did today and I just found out how out of shape I am. From here on, I made a promise to myself that I will finish the program all the way. Just 2 months and a week in between.

This is not to scare you but to motivate you. Please ask yourself, 'What is happening with my body?'. If you are already satisfied and happy with what you have, I will be happy for you. But if you feel that you are out of shape and wants to improve your body holistically, it will be my honor to hand you over a copy of this work out. After all, nobody will prioritize you other than yourself. Let's all do this.

A Year of Learning - 2012

It is the first day of the year 2012. An annual 'New Year' reunion was held in our humble abode. Kids were running around everyone. The not so kid anymore finding things to be busy about. And the kids at heart just expressing their ideas and emotions.

When I was the kid in the family, I just enjoy running around. I do not care back then whatever is happening around me. All I care about is to play with my cousins. By the way, I have 24 cousins. But only a few are here. After this celebration version 2012, I know now what role I will play in the family.

I hope you enjoyed the first day of the year as much as I did. Have a great 2012!!

Have a blast everyone!!!

The Year that Was and Will Be

As another year unfolds, we shall bid goodbye to a year that was. A year full of excitement. A year full of realization.

I started the year with a huge decision. A wrong one. And I will forever regret it. I created a mess, which at first, should not be there. It was not part of the plan. A decision that is very impulsive.

Moving on. Yeah. I said I wanted to forget about it. Totally.

And as I close another chapter of my life, I will now officially write a chapter full of hopes and dreams. And that chapter is 2012.

It is yet another year to come but it is I who decides what will happen. It is with open arms that I welcome the challenges and hurdles waiting for me. It is with great courage that I face all the adversities in work and in personal life. And I will swear to accomplish the 23 great things that I plan to do this year of the Water Dragon.

1. Be on time every time. I have this tendency not to be sharp.
2. Follow what is planned. This one and the first one are connected. Haha!!
3. Do the best that you got every time. This one is a must.
4. Improve the Ultimate skills. :) Wooh! Throw some discs! Lezgo!
5. Save some for the future.
6. Pledge twice the amount that I give to Mama every month.
7. Attend mass every Sunday.
8. Hit the target. This is why I work.
9. RUN, RUN, RUN. Log more mileage.
10. Build some muscles. :)
11. Go to Boracay Open in Summer.
12. Spend quality time in Thailand.
13. Buy a Leica!! Must bring back love!!
14. 155lbs of 15% body fat!!
15. Read at least 20 books! That's a lot as for the moment being.
16. Blog everyday as possible. Make it a habit.
17. Juggle better. Just the time. :)
18. Widen the network. Be assertive.
19. Be the Lion. Find the courage in you.
20. Get a tattoo!! (I am now waiting for the violent reactions. Haha!)
21. Read the golden book everyday.
22. Bring something back to society. Reach out more often.
23. Be the better me.

Enjoy your New Year's Eve. Be ready for the year to come. Be the strong person. Be the BEST YOU!!

Constant change

As the old adage goes, change is the single most constant thing in this world.

I think you know what I am up to for writing this post. As of the moment, all I want to do is do something great, something way better than what I am doing now. It is not about doing different things. It is about doing something different with the things that you already have.

From now on, I swear to run and sweat it out every morning after waking up at 5am. Whip my ass out every working day. And do my best in every chance that I have and grab it. Do not just dream, make it happen. And make it happen now.

"If you want different results, do something different from what you are already doing." -Anonymous