Exercising while pregnant

When I announced my pregnancy last week at 20 weeks, most people thought I am at the end of my first trimester. Yeah, I know my baby bump is kinda small. I did not gain much weight until now. I am in the middle of my second trimester now. But I foresee all the weight will be piling in by the end of my second trimester as I have this appetite surge like nobody's business. Also at the same time, I am also scared of gaining too much weight. Banyak la bah pikiran kan.

And yes, I am still teaching Zumba like usual until now. It is just that I decreased the frequency of my classes tremendously. I used to teach everyday except Sunday with dance fitness classes ( Zumba, group fitness and other programs ). Ranging from minimum 6 hours of classes per week to 8 or 9 hours if with class replacements. Yeah, I was kiasu like that. But, now I am only teaching 2 hours of class per week and it is only Zumba Fitness. I also do have some help from my students to do all the jumping and what not.

Some people said I am crazy, stubborn and endangering the baby. Yes, I agree with them( Kasi iya saja, kalau sa mau bagi point sendiri terus tatap kana bom). Everyone is right. They are entitled to their opinion. I did not even stop during my first trimester. I just decreased class frequency and did milder movements until now. My mom keep bugging me to stop teaching classes. Every now and then, I heard hush hush talk behind my back about me still teaching. At times, I am actually affected by the negative vibes around.

To be honest, there are a few things that people do not know about me. Yes, this is my first pregnancy and I do not know much. But actually I am following all the guidelines that I know is right for me and the baby

• I am a qualified pre-natal and post-natal fitness trainer. I took the course last year. The knowledge helps me a lot when I get pregnant myself
• I have been doing Dance Fitness since like high school and I have been teaching Zumba Fitness for over two years. It is not that I started teaching when I got pregnant
• My gynae did gave clearance on continuing my fitness activities provided that I take extra care and look out for signs that might affect pregnancy
• It is actually recommended for pregnant moms to exercise. The type of exercise needs to suit the fitness level and needs of the expectant mothers as well. Just don't pick up new activity when you are pregnant. But the Asian mentality has this stigma against exercising pregnant moms.

I can go on and on and on with all the reasons why  I am still exercising and people who are opposing this idea also can go and on and on with their stand. Every pregnancy is different. Every expecting moms have different situation. Acknowledge that. I acknowledge that. I only need positive vibes around for now. If you have nothing good to say, save it to someone else who would actually listen to you.

Dance Fitness makes me happy! This is one thing that actually made me survive the trying times during first trimester with all the hormone imbalance and all. So, I am gonna do what makes me happy. 

p.s: Pre-pregnancy, I am actually very flexible. Splits are very easy all the hip opening poses are my favourite. But the relaxin hormone now is kinda killing me as it made my pelvic area to be extra relaxed during this pregnancy. Nah, start sudah la urang mo cakap tu. "nah, kan pa sa bilang bahaya bah mo esesais time bunting" - so what do you want me to do? Sleep and baring saja sampai beranak?

This pelvic support belt is my best friend now. I have to use this to hold my pelvis in place especially after my Zumba class. After a day with this, the pain will subside. I don't wear it during Zumba class because I find it restricting my movement so much. 

Getting ready

Now that the cat is out of the bag. Reality actually starts to sink in. Instead of preparing for my reinstatement back to my service being a teacher, I am more concerned on the preparation to becoming a mother. WTH. Hahaha. I am actually very worried because I really do not know what to do.

Just a brief of timeline of what's gonna happen for the first half of 2017

February - when I start teaching in school again but do not know where in KL or Selangor
June - expected due date for delivery and I plan to deliver in Sabah
July - new house will be ready and I do not know how to foresee the renovation or even decorating the house

Putting the timeline aside, I also need to be mentally and physically prepared for the baby. At the same time finish my thesis as well. Argh, I am so scared!

Banyaknya mo buat!

So, for the first time ever, the mister and I went surveying for baby stuff at several shops and departmental store. Baru pusing pusing sikijap sudah rasa bankrap. OMG. Why do baby stuff cost so much and it's like kicil only. WTH!

And I don't like all the cartoon-y stuff on the blanket and pillows and what not. Bulih ka macam tu? Haha. Is there anywhere that sells only plain baby stuff, I would like to know where. Pening sa nampak cartoon sana sini. Odoi.

How to fight laziness?

I usually wake up the latest by 7.30 am everyday. Earlier during my first trimester, I woke up around 6.30am to have breakfast. Just to fuel the body before the nausea sets in. But now, I would rather stay in bed until like 9.30am. Wasting my life away. In which mind you, I only have until the 14th of February to wake up this late before I started my service back in the education system. I should be slaving away to finish off my thesis.

BUT, I AM SO LAZY!

I haven't been doing much reading or even writing that contributed to the progress of the thesis. All I do all day is to laze around and just read whatever on the social media. OMG. Not good at all.

Macam mana la mau rajin ni?

It's an open secret

End of September 2016

When I did my home pregnancy test after my period was late for two weeks. Hey! I got the shock of my life. I was stunned! You know some people who have been waiting for good news, they will be like crying and jumping for joy and what not. I was just STUNNED. The next thing I did was not calling people up or even setting appointment with a doctor. I just sat there for a while looking at the result. Silence. It is a mixed of emotions.

Then I started contacting two fitness instructors whom I see as a mentor to consult them on being pregnant and continue teaching fitness classes in their first trimester. The next thing I know that I did was contacting studio owners to give a notice that I will not be teaching some of the fitness classes anymore starting for the next two weeks. Just with the reason that I am busy with my studies. I am just not ready to break the news to anyone just yet. Nobody should know just yet.

Mister came home and I told him the news. The reaction I got? Not the typical jumping for joy and hugging the wife. It is also just silence. We were both stunned! Hahahaha. Happily stunned? Is there even a word for that. LOL. We both know that our lives are about to change.

Life changing 

Only this year that we decided we should be trying to have kids but everything get halted since both of us were down with dengue somewhere in April and it took almost three months for the body to actually function like normal. I have to stay sober for almost three months after dengue just to make sure alcohol won't damage my liver. I lose my hair and all. Starting trying again and for several months, usually the pregnancy test will turn out negative and I will start to get frustrated. But I guess, good news will always come when you least expect it and God will actually grant you things at the right time and moment.

Well, THANK YOU GOD! (except that I shouldn't be drinking alcohol again until end of next year. huhuhu)

Did my first ultrasound in early October at around 5 weeks, just to make sure everything is ok and I am actually really pregnant. Haha.

Yes, doctor said confirm pregnant

In fact, I only broke the news to my family and in laws around this time. My mom is obviously overjoyed! Yeah, she has been bugging me to start having kids since like forever and the news really made her cry. My sister even took a video of that and whatsapp-ed me. That moment then only I felt like crying as well. WTH. Anyways, I broke the news to my family over whatsapp with a picture of the ultrasound along with a reminder NOT to tell anyone (extended family or friends just yet) and also don't ever try to stop me from doing Zumba.

First trimester

I am actually quite lucky not to be experiencing any major morning sickness. Just nausea and a heightened sense of smell. Any aromatic cooking, spices, garlic, korean sauces all those gonna kill me. It didn't make me vomit but it will be very unpleasant. Body odour and strong perfumes as well. Basically, I prefer to have a face mask on everywhere I go especially when there's a lot of people. Weird mouth taste that also made me brush my teeth 2 to 3 times a day. LOL. Sama memang sa cari mangga la. Yang berabis ni mangga saja. Makan yang asam jak sampai gastrik. Bongok betul.

Since in KL, it was kinda hard to find young mangoes. I am lucky to have scheduled all my flights going back often during my first trimester. It is just so to happen that I have to commute a lot KK and KL during October and November for my thesis stuff and also for the food court that I am managing. I breezed through my proposal defence in my first trimester too. Thank God for the easy experience. Except I need to have snacks in my bag like all the time to avoid feeling dizzy. 

Zumba are as usual but with decreased frequency of classes per week. I keep forgetting that I am carrying so at times I tend to jump around a lot like usual. Energy also running low since I no longer can take my energy cubes that contains high dose of caffeine. I am on my own. Adui. 

Not much difference. I didn't gain any weight for the first trimester as well

Second trimester

As I am typing this post, I am at 19 weeks pregnant. Went to Japan for Asia Zumba Conference at 12 weeks and I got my mom so worried. Still haven't tell any of my friends yet (yes, even my best friends) - I am just not ready to share the news. It's good news (I know right!) but I also know some of my friends have been trying to have babies as well. I know the feeling when someone over shared their good news. So, I am just keeping this to myself until photos on social media can be self explanatory.

However the ladies at the studio that I am teaching Zumba know about me being pregnant already. The owner of the studio announced it after she found out recently as well. Yes, everyone is offering me advice not to jump so much and taking it easy. I appreciate that a lot. But at times, I kinda feel trapped. You know what I mean. I somehow got their worried look all the time in class these days.

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I do not know when I will get this blog post out. I actually have announced it on my zumba blog and also on my Youtube channel but definitely not on mainstream Facebook profile. I am too scared of criticism as I still teach classes. Confirm kena kecam.

But when it gets posted, I just want to tell you all that I am pregnant. Hehehe. Expecting the baby to come out somewhere in early June. Tapi harap harap Kaamatan baby lah.

2017 Resolutions!

I will always review back my previous year's resolution before setting a new one each brand new year.

So. it seems like just number 1, which is the most important is not done yet. Adui bah! How la dis??

I must work harder this year.

Ok. ok. need to focus more. Keeping it real simple this 2017.

My 2017 resolutions:

1) Finish off my Master's degree

2) Keep a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise. Must not stop Zumba or any dance fitness.

3) Always be on a positive outlook towards everything

I think all of the above is do-able. Haha.

Make every moment count this year!

2016 Review

Looking back to 2016 in review. Been procrastinating way too much. Been so lazy since the new year. So here's the mandatory post on looking back on the year that was.

January

Hokkaido!

Hokkaido trip was awesome. One wishlist crossed out. Snow! Yeay!

Eye problem!

Had problem with my eye due to stress. Thank God! It went away after seeing the specialist

Pole dancing!

Tried pole dancing but after that it was like one or two sessions done and I stopped. I am too heavy for it.

February

I am 31!

I stopped counting my age actually. Hahaha

Salsation!

Tried out the new program for the first time

March

Zumba Kids launched!

Started my permanent Zumba Kids class at a studio in Subang Perdana but it lasted only for two months due to some problems. Short lived dream. It was fun though!

Krabi trip!
Won a lucky draw for a trip to Krabi. Hurray!

Sun, sea, sand and lots of fun!

April

Hot Hula started!

Launched the awesome class and it lasted the whole year until it slowed down in November due to my commitment with my studies

Sang on national TV!
Yeah like no kidding. Haha. I was one of the people in the choir for Rosario's Bintang RTM performance during the finals

Me on the extreme right

Met ZES Prince
Plus his wife. They are the dynamic duo!

ZES Prince from the Philippines

Dengue
Boo! It sucks. I blogged about the experience.

Not fun at all!

May

Little Mix Concert

Nice but full of kids. LOL

Tuaran Kaamatan Gala Night
I co-emceed it!

Gonna be on a long hiatus from emceeing soon I guess.

June

Family annual vacation
This time just domestic, minus Mimi cos she has to jaga our house in Tamparuli

Somewhere. Hehehe. I think for 2017, it will be just in Tamparuli for family vacation for June

Borneo Blog Party
Met some homies for this awesome party

Sambil rasmi phone OPPO baru kunun. Haha

Raya at home

Organized a get together for Raya at my house also. Fun times!

Dunno when is the next get-together as 2017 gonna be a busy year

July 

LC Bag
Bought my first ever Longchamp Bag

Ok baiklah! 

And still very much procrastinating on my thesis progress and I was having massive hair loss due to dengue aftermath, like three months after. Boohoo!

August

BRVFC goes live!
Finally the shop that we have been working hard on is open for business with tenants.

The preparation for the startup is really a life changing experience. Not easy I must say!

September

First ever FreeMarket in Tamparuli

New concept, very foreign to Tamparuli

UJAM Fitness

I got myself certified. Yeay!

Weehoo!!

October

Big Bang Concert

I guess it will be another long time to actually the full band perform again. Huhu. I am so framing that ticket stub

Did my proposal defense as well. I am like so happy with it despite the bombardment. Which it still remains unfinished until now. Oh well!

November

Asia Zumba Conference 2016

Yeap! It was in Japan. I traveled all the way there. Hehehe. Memorable experience.

December

Another FreeMarket organized

Christmas

Christmas with the family. With my mom and dad kana suruh jadi Joseph and Mary during Christmas Eve mass.

Open Mic
Curated an open mic session. First experience but it was fun

Ada gaya tauke ka nda? Hahaha

2016 was eventful I must say, very eventful. Life changing in so many ways. But I am also looking forward for a very life changing 2017 as well.

Thank you 2016 for being awesome.

Brain can't function

In half hour, it will be Monday back again. I am supposed to submit the correction for my Proposal Defence in like 72 hours. Well, I set the dead line myself and my supervisor sort of expecting me to show her something soon. I am so dead! I haven't start anything. Mind you, my Proposal Defence was at the end of October. I have been slacking off way too much. WAY TOO MUCH!

Truth is, I have been away for Asia Zumba Conference at the end of November. A day upon touching down back to Malaysia, I have to fly back to my hometown to actually "urus" the opening of the drinks stall at the food court that I am managing back home.

Crazy days.

Like really crazy. Super crazy.

After almost two weeks of Asia Zumba Conference, travelling, setting up a new business. The fatigue was too much. The momentum is lost and I am basically back to square one with no mood to even start writing. I literally have to force myself to sit in front of my computer and also going to the library.

CRY

CRY

CRY

Now that Christmas is approaching. Lagi la teda mood. Tolong!

Been so busy!

OMG! I have been so busy and have to be at so many locations recently. And there's a little bit time to update this blog. Also, one thing after another, here I am organizing another event for the end of this month. Am I crazy or what? Hahaha.

Christmas mood

Definitely in Christmas mood already. Although it is more than a month away for Christmas. Biar lah! I am planning to put up the Christmas decoration this coming weekend since for the next coming two weekends I will be away. It is indeed a busy busy busy year end.

So many things to juggle all at the same time.

• Opening of the drinks stall at the Food Court back home
• Asia Zumba Conference in Japan
• On going research work for my dissertation

The fact that I am going back to teaching in early February and I am only halfway for my dissertation work. OMFG! Ok ok relax. Panic doesn't get you anywhere.

Hmmmm. I think I should try out a christmas color theme for my Christmas tree this year.

Navy and gold perhaps?

photo from http://www.zsazsabellagio.com/merry-christmas-eve/#.WC5g7Pp96Ul

Santai

We bought a sofa bed recently. Got a good deal since it is a second hand furniture. It belongs in the living room definitely. I kinda hate it to be a sofa because I don't find it comfortable. Haha. So, put it in a bed position and here I am!

Siang malam lepak sini. Hahaha. Macam sarang sudah. It is like my nest. Hahaha. So comfy!

Proposal Defence!

Finally. Like since forever. Finally. I am being called in to defend my proposal next week. Thank God!

The thing is my plan for my research is very much like a kamikaze method already since I have been waiting for so long. All this queue-ing and what not. I already plan to just jump in the data acquisition phase without waiting for the approval from the faculty. This is because the school holiday is approaching soon and I don't really have much time. So much for all the planning and planning. Sometimes last minute just work better than anything. I think I just have to accept that!

Anyway, I already planned to go back to my school for conducting the research this 27th October since the students aka my samples will be having their exams until 27th. 28th October sounds like a good time to start. Lo and behold, guess what the?! The ministry decide to announce that 28th October is extra holiday for Deepavali. Luckily my samples said okay to having the program on the 28th as well. Okay, keeping my fingers crossed for their full cooperation. I will be depending my life so much on their goodwill.

SO, coming back to proposal defence. It is being scheduled on 31st October. WTH! Okay okay I know, beggars can't be choosers. Its better now than never. I have to buy another flight ticket to come back to KL for the presentation. All is good! All is good! I can do this. Come back to KL on 29th October and flying back to KK again on 31st itself as well as I need to continue on my data acquisition on the 1st of November.

Hello life! Hahaha. I am happy!

via GIPHY

This really calm me down now. Hehe.

For any consolation. I know Christmas is coming soon. It is just around the corner.

BIG BANG MADE VIP TOUR

Yes, we are BIG BANG VIPS. Too bad si Otet nda dapat ikut sebab dia praktikal di Sipitang. Anyways, it is also because TOP nda datang jadi nda la semangat dia mo pigi. 

I totally didn't know that Stadium Merdeka is under renovation. Everything was such a mess. There were only two entrance. Left and right. Luckily, we went down on the correct entrance if not we have to take monorail to reach the other entrance. WTH! Such inconvenience. It was a construction site like literally. The queue you can see in the photo above and along the queue line were people selling fake Big Bang merchandises.

Since there is nothing much to see or rather shop around, we just went to line up like everyone else. 

And hey look at the trash left by the irresponsible fans. Tsk tsk tsk. Big Bang won't be proud of you all. Hmmm. Seriously!!

And here I am dressed like an Ahjumma taking picture. Comfort over everything else. Some dress up as though GD will actually look at them. Oh c'mon!

We got free handfans sponsored by Yonder Music. Yeah, there were promoting while giving free things to people who like their facebook page. Miahaha.

We were seated in the field. (Well, the grandstand tickets were ALL SOLD OUT). I guess because it offers a better view. Definitely definitely a better view.  Hence, we can't really have a good view of the stage. Tsk tsk tsk. 

Overall, it was OKAY la. Since this is not a concert, just a fan meeting concert. More games and just a simple performances from them. I personally don't really like this concert because they do not use live music to accompany the live performance. It really made a huge difference when they use live music. If only I know, I wouldn't be so eager to attend this concert.