Last Friday, I reluctantly enrolled in the trial session offered by Bikram Yoga in Timog Branch. I arrived an hour before our first session in time for the one-on-one briefing with our instructress. Just like other bikram yoga instructors (yogi), she was also trained by Bikram Choudhury himself. Here’s what I learned during my first try:

A day after my trial session, I can’t bend my back and I can hardly walk upstairs.. But after a while I felt better and lighter. So, am I up for the challenge? Let’s see ;)

Labels: wedding

My attempt to be healthy will start soon. :)

Haven't decided though whether to take Bikram Yoga classes or to enroll in Fitness First. To help me choose which fitness regimen should I pursue, my officemate and I visited both facilities.

First stop was Fitness First in MOA where they offer lower rates for Fitness First Passport since the MOA fitness centre is yet to be opened come October this year. A one-time registration fee of Php1,850 plus a monthly fee of Php 2,200 for a minimum of one-year contract is all you need to pay. I have to decide asap to avail of the pre-selling rate otherwise I shall be paying an additional Php 5,000 membership fee plus the regular monthly rates of Php 2,400+. Pros: Aside from the tempting pre-selling rates, FF has several branches around the Metro (MOA, Robinson’s Manila & Lopez Drive in QC are the most convenient branches), flexible work-out schedule, modern equipment and several work-out alternatives such as dancing, pilates, yoga, etc. Cons: Though I AM committed (or so I think), im still in doubt whether I will stick to the work-out schedule and given the minimum contract of one year, my credit card is again on the verge of danger! Haha… I know FF is known for being strict to membership cancellation or even just freezing the account. I have previously experienced this last year when I helped out my cousin in terminating her membership. Hay, naku ang hirap kausap ng kanilang AE’s.

Another option is the Bikram Yoga. We dropped by at the Tomas Morato branch in time to see an actual yoga class. Peeking from the frosted glass door, we saw how the students sweat inside the heated room as they try different yoga postures. Hmm.. I think I can do that too! They offer an introductory package for beginners at Php 1,000 which allows 3 classes over a 7-day period. After which, one can choose from several packages available depending on the preferred frequency of classes. Pros: I have been experiencing back pains for months now (due to stress – wedding prep perhaps?) and bikram yoga promises to help ease out the pain aside from other benefits such as promoting weight loss, building strength & flexibility, increasing energy. Cons: It only has two branches (the other one is located in Makati), relatively more expensive compared to FF rates.

So which one should I choose? I only have more or less 7 months to loose extra pounds, tone my muscles (dream on) and gain some energy. Our wedding prep is by far the hardest task I’ve ever been given. At the end of the day I feel so exhausted and drained na yet I still can’t sleep at night as there are 101 things to-do’s running through my head! Hay…

Labels: wedding

My bebe’s birthday is coming up and I want to give him the list of our wedding accomplishments so far. One of the major suppliers we need to finalize is the bridal couturier. And after my visit to Veluz’s shop right after my Palawan trip, I’m hell bent to find an alternative couturier as I find her price quite steep. But mind you, Veluz is really, really good. I find her creations very Monique Lhuillier as it comes out very elegant and ethereal with her lace or piña gowns. Oh, I would so love to wear a Veluz gown but felt a pang of guilt knowing that I would just wear it once. Besides, I wanna show Loel that I really made all efforts possible to find the most affordable but reliable suppliers.

So after reading several good reviews on FL Concepts’ creations, I immediately asked for an appointment and dragged mom to Makati. Tina, the owner of the shop [which is also known as New Yorker], is somewhat snob in the beginning. She is a pretty mestiza who went straight to business when I introduced myself. Of course, I brought with me my precious black folder where I keep all the photos and designs of gowns I find pretty and all other clippings for our wedding. Sort of a wedding bible sa dami ng articles, hehe..

Tina sounded intimidating, as she shoots down my description of what my dream gown would look like. But that’s fine with me. So long as she can deliver well. I was thinking baka nga I was quite confusing giving her tons of photos and some hazy sketches. =)

After discussing our wedding details, Tina warmed up and she ushered me to the dressing room to try on some of her available creations. I’m glad mom brought our digicam so I was able to document the gown designs. The purpose of this trial is to check out which bodice and skirt style will fit my body frame. And as evident in the photos, I so enjoyed the whole process. It gives you the feeling that, “yes, I am indeed a bride!”

Showing off my Palawan tan! I have to shed some pounds though as we can’t zip up this size 0 gown! :(

Can I instead wear black to look slimmer? Hehe.. Kidding. Just imagine this in white sans the gigantic ribbon. Surprisingly, Loel liked this 3^rd one best. He said, bagay daw pala sakin trumpet style kahit bottom-heavy.. Hmmm..

Labels: wedding

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