Category Archives: Family

Diabetes has tripled over the past 18 years from 171Mn to a scary 451Mn this year. Often times, we read numbers like this, forget about it, and go about our daily business. But, for me, the threat of diabetes is real because it runs in our family.

My dad had type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes basically have higher than normal blood sugar levels and, for those with type 2, the body loses their ability to respond to insulin and thereby becomes insulin resistant. It’s a life-long disease. I grew up watching my Dad and Mom struggle to manage the illness, especially when it came to Dad’s special diet. My dad loved to eat so I was witness to several playful fights over sugary treats or fruits that Mom forbade Dad to eat!

As for me, I’m a relatively healthy eater, but my sugar has always been borderline probably thanks to my genes. It’s a constant reminder for me to be very mindful of my (and my kids’) sugar intake and to be knowledgeable about diabetes.

PREVENTING DIABETES

My dad passed away 10 years ago, just as I was starting on my wellness journey. I wish I knew then what I knew now because I could’ve helped him adopt a healthier lifestyle (and significantly reduce the diet arguments with Mom hah!) Here are simple changes you can do now to prevent diabetes:

Drop the weight. Being overweight increases your chances of getting diabetes. Just by reducing your weight, you can cut your risk for type 2 diabetes in half. Although this may sound a bit difficult, the truth is if you adopt a healthy lifestyle, the weight will just come off naturally.

Stop smoking. Part of living a healthier lifestyle is to rid yourself of this habit. Seek the help of a doctor or friend for support. You could also switch your addiction with cigarettes to something healthier such as taking a stroll around a park after a meal or climbing office stairs instead of taking a cigarette break at work.

Move. You don’t need to start running marathons to get healthy. Just be more active throughout the week because exercising moves your muscles, which then use insulin. Try walking for 30 minutes 3x a week. Better yet, if you can get a fitness tracker, aim for 5,000 steps daily and slowly increase that until you can reach 10,000 steps daily. You can also try different workouts – zumba, yoga, crossfit, pound, boxing, and more – until you find one that feels fun for you.

Eat well. Focus on eating healthy carbohydrates and high-fiber food, like whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and get your protein from heart-healthy choices such as fish. Avoid heavily processed food, sugary drinks, fast food and trans and saturated fats.

For a quick and easy healthy meal, you can try Glucerna. Glucerna is the only clinically proven nutrition formula for people with diabetes. It contains a slow digesting, low glycemic carbohydrate blend that helps manage blood sugar, heart health, and weight. It can actually control your hunger for up to 4 hours.

While Glucerna is designed for people with diabetes, I learned that even non-diabetics like me can take it occasionally as a snack or meal replacement. While it’s still best to eat a healthy and fresh diet, this is a better option to junk or fast food after a workout or when I’m in a rush. It helps that it’s delicious, too!

I was supposed to be running the Yamanakako Half Marathon today. But, the past couple of months, life (plus chronic hip tightness) got in the way so I decided to turn the booked Tokyo trip from a racecation into pure vacation with my son. Three days into the trip and I have no regrets.

Years ago, I would’ve been devastated by this. I always needed a goal race to feel like I was a serious competitive runner.  Having a race provided a target to aim for and gave order to my days with a training program to adhere to.  Without a race, I felt lost. But, I realize now (after over a decade of this lol) that this was so wrong.

Now that I see myself as a lifelong runner, I know that all runners go through the ebbs and flows of running. Sometimes, we focus on a PR race.  Other times, we bump up our running by adding swimming and biking into the mix for a triathlon.  And, other times, we’re just happy to be running 3 to 4 10ks a week along with complementing cross training workouts like weights and yoga (which I where I am right now.) 

Running, and not racing, doesn’t diminish our love for running. This doesn’t make us less competitive. This only proves that we are not defined by running or racing or our PRs.

Be the runner who is passionate about running, but has other interests outside of running.  Be the runner who can talk about running, but can also discuss family, current events, work, and pop culture.  Be the runner who isn’t known as just the runner, but the person (insert name here) who happens to be a runner.

Sometime soon, I shall start training again.  But, for now, I’ll enjoy my short runs while balancing everything else in life.  And, life now is about exploring more of Tokyo and eating more sushi! Life is good!

Anton at the starting line of his first half marathon at NYC Runs Flushing Meadows Half Marathon

Ever since I started running, I secretly wished (okay, maybe it wasn’t such a huge secret) that my kids would fall in love with running too.  I had visions of us running together on Sundays, joining marathons abroad when they were older, and throwing out words like fartlek and recovery every morning during breakfast.  But, I promised myself early on that I would never ever force them into the sport.  Doing so can backfire with them hating it  altogether.  And, I always believe in allowing my children to discover their own path and passions.

So, when Anton, now 16 years old, told me that he wanted to join a half marathon, I was pleasantly surprised.  I almost jumped out of my seat to do cartwheels, but, at the same time, an overwhelming feeling of fear and hesitation came over me. (more…)

– Li’l Miss TBR and I at Mommy Milkshake Run 2010 –

Yay, the Mommy Milkshake Run is back!  This run is a breathe of fresh air for the competitive runners.  It’s a run for the entire family (even preggies and babies) and it’s all in good fun.  I’ve never missed a Mommy Milkshake Run, not just because my sis Mommy Mundo organizes it (lol) but also because it’s a chance for me to bond with the kiddos.  Here’s how you can join too.  Hope to see you there!

Press Release – Mommy Mundo advocates a healthy family life and finds different avenues to create unique activities where families can bond, interact and create new memories together. With this objective in mind, Mommy Mundo is bringing back the Mommy Milkshake Run. Now on its 6th year, this family fun run was first organized in 2007, up until 2011. This year, on March 6, moms and their families, expectant couples are invited to celebrate family togetherness, fitness and outdoor fun. (more…)

– with my babies in bed #bestfeelingsintheworld –

My training for Osaka Marathon has officially begun.  Yes, just two short months before the race.  Crossing my fingers that this Hal Higdon Senior Marathon Training Program works for me!

To treat myself to a mini kick off (hehe), I thought I’d take up the offer from my friends at Seda BGC for a staycation.  For this family from the South, an overnight stay in BGC is a God-send, especially for this running mommy who runs long in that area on weekends.

And so began my perfect weekend at Seda which, by the way, means “silk” as they aim to provide a seamless accommodation for their guests. (more…)