Healthy Lifestyle Efforts for 2026

Adulting is surreal, but it's interesting, really. Never have I imagined that I would be this much health-conscious compared to what I was during my childhood. I never even care what I eat or how much I eat--because I never thought I would ever gain weight. When I was in my teens, my weight was just ranging from 50 to 55 kg and that's it.

After I had my first baby, everything was different.

My metabolism slowed down. I began to gain weight; I had double chin, I started having excess fats no matter how much I exercise, body aches became frequent including occasional headaches. 

Little did I know that my blood pressure started elevating during my pregnancy.

So, that's where it all started, having an elevated blood pressure. With this realization, I started exercising regularly again, 3 years after (2023). Why only in 2023? Oh because you know, tending to my little one when my daughter was a newborn, I barely slept. She's waking up every 2 hours! It's tiring; plus work, taking calls (working from home during the pandemic), and not to mention, the household chores. 

Okay so I decided 2023 when she's 2 or 3 years old, I started working out. Mini stepper workout at home, brisk walking and jogging, etc. Also, I started becoming conscious of what I eat, I slowly became 90-95% vegan. This is when I thought of buying a food scale to monitor how much I eat for my calorie deficit.

My daily limit is 1500 calories so to achieve a calorie deficit here's what I do: 

1. I only eat rice once a day, a maximum of 120 grams per day

2. I measure my calorie intake using the food scale above

3. I eat more veggies and fruits

4. I veer away from soda, pork, and junk food 

5. I exercise 20 to30 minutes to 1 hour everyday as much as I can, I need to move everyday to keep blood circulating

And the result, I slowly lose weight. From 74kg, I managed to lose 7 kilograms. I know what you're thinking. With all that effort just 7 kilograms? I haven’t told you that I have PCOS, which is why my hormones are getting in the way of my goal to lose weight. My doctor prescribed medication for it, and I think it has helped regulate things.

My period is regular, I'm slowly losing weight and I realized, if not for my cravings for salty food, I should say calorie deficit really works. So, for me, it's good to invest in this food scale because "Health is wealth" We can do a lot of great things when we're healthy and fit. Also,  I'd like to share with you that by doing these fitness lifestyle, I also developed this habit of monitoring my blood pressure. 

I have to be extra careful with this because my late mom and dad had the same health problems when they were still living. So, with diet, regular exercise, and calorie deficit efforts, I also invested in buying a reliable blood pressure sphygmomanometer. 

Oh, this one's a treasure. It's not very expensive but the results are reliable. How did I know? I compared the blood pressure readings I have at home and the reading in the hospital every time I got to my yearly health checkup. Guys, make sure to have a regular check up at least once a year with your physician/doctor. 

Also, you will notice that my blood pressure is not that high anymore. Yes, as you can see, it's now "normal." I got medicated to treat the high blood pressure, it's important as my doctor explained that I care about this because the veins, (mostly hereditary) are small to handle the blood pressure (if it gets high) and if this is not taken care of, it could lead to serious health problems: stroke, brain aneurysm at worst. So, a few bucks won't matter to ensure my safety and good health. 

My tip:  Don’t be scared to take medication when it’s prescribed by your doctor. 

Trust your doctor because they know what's best. If you're worried about getting kidney or liver issues, I suggest you schedule a yearly lab test for the health of your kidneys and liver. Be honest with your doctor about this concern. They will give you a small dose to treat your elevated blood pressure, and if you need more, they will carefully increase the dosage if necessary. In this case, it’s really important to take your medication.

Alright, our health, is our wealth and so let's prioritize wellness. Bye for now and see you later.