Pre-pandemic, I was already happy with my weight — all thanks to Low Carb and Intermittent Fasting (LCIF) way of life. Because of this lifestyle, I was able to lose 11kgs and maintain a 58kg body with no exercise or any physical activity at all. So I said, it’s all in the food intake (which is really true naman).
Then lockdown happened. Ube-cheese pandesal, dalgona, cinnamon rolls, and everything else happened. I gained 4kgs in just a few months. The left photo was taken on June 2020, I was at 62kgs — anxious, moody, tired of this pandemic, heavy. I was not feeling good about myself. That’s when I tried working out. At first I was doing yoga, following Youtube workout videos; but I found it too boring. I can’t keep up. That’s when I picked up my old jump rope (the one I used as warm-up for boxing back in 2014) and tried jumping. My jump was too high and heavy, form was bad, and all I could do was 50 jumps a day.
Then I set a goal of 100 straight, then 1000 skips a day. It made me happy and want to skip everyday. Then I reached 3000 per day. A friend suggested for me to learn tricks. Good thing, our condo allowed residents to go to the amenities area already. Took my chance and that’s when I started learning (albeit slowly) tricks.
Little by little, I saw and felt changes in my body. It became easier to move, easier to accept what I see in the mirror. I still eat what I want – chips, bread. No rice for me (since I am used to it already), but I am not depriving myself of carbs anymore. I still do Intermittent Fasting, 16-20hrs depending on my mood. Lost my quarantine pounds but weight plateaued at 59kgs. They said it’s because I gained muscles. Not bothered with the weighing scale anymore because what’s important is how I feel and what the tape measure shows. Hehe. Lost inches in my waist and thighs so who am I to complain right? Eating what I want, sweating almost everyday. Win-win.😄
From then on, I would jump 4-5x a week, drills on drills. Some days I am unlocking new tricks, other days, I am not. Some days, it takes me hours to learn, other days, it takes me weeks. I just keep pushing. Yes I get frustrated when I can’t unlock (hello DUX and Awesome Annie lol) but I keep reminding myself that my jump rope journey is mine alone — and I am not in a competition with others. Soo here I am, approaching my 7th month into this journey. Still a beginner, but definitely a happy learner. 😉
My initial goal was to jump for health, jump for my sanity, jump for happiness. Now I added a goal – to push one friend, one momma, one stranger to jump as well. Nakaka-happy sya I swear!
To those asking, I am using a pvc rope (well, pvc ropesss haha) from Jump Manila. I have yet to discover the magic of a legit beaded rope. Hopefully soon!!!💛
So there, this is my jump rope journey. To more jump challenges; to more new friends gained. To more hits and misses, whips and shin splints! Haha!😅➰