Just before I left Singapore for a week-long Seoul trip, I was very privileged to be invited to the “Plus! Presents Zumba® Fitness” event, together with Melissa. The event is organized by Plus! Programme, which is the largest and most successful loyalty programme in Singapore, with growing 1.6 million Members and 1,000 participating Merchants outlets. LinkPoints is the currency of this loyalty programme (For more information about Plus! Programme, it can be found at http://plus.com.sg/aboutus). The event was held at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza and boy was I surprised at the turnout of the crowd! There were participants as young as 5-6 years old, all the way to working adults of 40-50 years old. In fact, majority of them are younger working adults aged 20-35!

As I had always been involved in many fitness programmes, I wasn’t surprised to spot some familiar faces amidst the crowd. It was such an eye-opener to able to see how passionate these Singaporeans are about keeping fit, whether it is through fitness programmes or in the gym. I’m very inspired by these participants in fact!

Held on the 23rd November 2014, “Plus! Presents Zumba® Fitness” is the first challenge by Plus! And there were 4 key types of rewards: Top Favourites, uShow, uBid and uExperience (More information can be found at http://plus.com.sg/rewards-main). Plus! Rewards also had a booth set up for Members to redeem instantly for “Night at the Museum: Secrets of the Tombs” using LinkPoints worth as low as $3.50. Also, Plus! launched its  “Wish Upon A Click with Plus!” an annual return back to society initiative where 3 Members’ wishes will be granted by Plus! and voters for the wish will be rewarded with LinkPoints.

Among other sponsors, there were also brands like Skechers and Kenko Fitness.

The event started at 9am with Zumba Gold, which is a slower-paced Zumba catered for beginners. We were struggling with the coordination, but quickly caught on, by looking at the fellow participants who seemed to be experts! :P

Honoured to be able to speak to and be introduced to CEO of NTUC Link, Mr Tony Tan and CEO of Health Promotion Board, Mr Zee Yoong Kang, whom so enthusiastically joined in for the main Record-breaking challenge in the later part of the event!

The highlight of the event was a 5-minute of Record-breaking Zumba challenge and we all did it so time for a massive selfie! This was the largest Zumba® Fitness event to be held in Singapore, with turnout of 1200 participants. With that, “Plus! Presents Zumba® Fitness” exceeds the current Singapore Book of Records for the category of “Largest Zumba Dance” which has a total of 990 participants. So stoked to see all the happy faces! Made my Sunday instantly better!

Plus! aims to extend its offering to members by presenting new lifestyle events to support active living and to encourage its 1.6M members to stay in the pink of health. “Today, Singapore families already enjoy over S$45M in LinkPoints, discounts and rewards from the Plus! Programme. We hope to do more to support our members by cultivating an active and healthy lifestyle through the various activities and events we will be organizing,” says NTUC Link’s CEO Mr. Tony Tan.

 Plus! plans to continue organizing similar events on a yearly basis and will also work with other partner organizations to promote its members health and wellbeing. “I am very happy that Plus! is taking this step to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle among its members. Social and family support is important in sustaining behavioral change for good health. Events like “Plus! Presents Zumba® Fitness” which gives Plus! members the platform to exercise together as a community is a good example of supporting Singaporeans’ journey towards good health and in creating a healthier Singapore,” says Mr. Zee Yoong Kang, CEO of the Health Promotion Board who was the Guest of Honour of the event. (More information of this event can be found on their website: http://plus.com.sg/)

Eye & Beauty Talk - Grand Straits Optical

I'm sure for everyone else with shortsightedness like me, our glasses-and-contact-lens-days dated all the way back to Secondary or even Primary School days. And likewise for many, glasses and contact lens are very essential in our daily lives and routines. I started wearing glasses in Primary School days and contact lens when I reached Secondary 3 (when vanity started creeping in). Both glasses and contact lens are super important to me because of my recurring eye infection (thank God its milder nowadays). I wear my glasses on 'bad eye days' and at home when I let my eyes rest from wearing contact lens, and I need my contact lens when I workout and when I go for events.

Read on, because I have a surprise for you guys at the end of the post! :)

Grand & Straits Optical

I'm very sure this neighborhood Optical will ring a bell! Established in 1984, Grand & Straits Optical had been one of the early trailblazers of the optical trade. Known for their quality-services and honest prices, they managed to expand adequately over the years. They focus very much on customer service, which had helped us maintain a ‘Family-like’ relationship with our customers where their regular customers often return with their families and friends to support. Not only that, they are conveniently situated at 7 main heartland areas!

So, I was invited to head down to Toa Payoh to select my glasses, before I went to the Clementi outlet to get my contact lens done. They had a huge array of frames to choose from, I think I took 2 hours to finally pick my favorite!

The Sales person, Karen patiently took me through my selecting process and explained to me that Grand Straits Optical carry a good range of frames suited for our needs and budgets. The higher-end brands on one sides and the more affordable brands on the other, so this helps in my selecting process too!

I actually love this Prada one, I know, too loud (LOL).

And I tried this pair from the affordable range and I was considering this as well!

There are more on display outside the store, and I think that was how I found the love-at-first-sight!

If you are looking for sunglasses, they have a huge range too!

After I narrowed my choice to the last 2 pairs, Karen sat me down again and I went into the details of the material used and whether it will fit me well. I have an uneven nose bridge so I always had a problem looking for a perfect frame.

Frames picked, degree check is the last process!

So this was my pick! How do you like it on me? :P

I was rushing off that day, after spending 2.5 hours at Toa Payoh so I decided I should pay a separate visit for my contact lens check. Headed down to the Clementi outlet to collect my glasses within a week. You can actually have your spectacle prescribed and collected in about an hour if you are in a hurry and the frames are in stock! Simply ask for the Fast collection service!

For my contact lens check, I had to go through 3 main checks:
1. Assessment of anterior eye health - To check if contact lens is suitable for me
2. Keratometry - To check the base curve (size of my eyeballs) of my eyes
3. Slit lamp examination - To check is there is adequate lens movement

As they already had my degree checked at Toa Payoh, the optometrist did the 3 checks for me and went through with me the dos and don'ts, aftercare and the insertion/removal of contact lens. It really helped to refresh my memory after wearing contact lens for more than a decade! She was professional, well-trained, friendly and made me feel comfortable sharing my concerns. Afterwhich, I collected my lens and left a happy customer! :)

So here is the good news!

I will be giving away a $50 voucher to the first 10 readers to answer this question:

Question: Name the 5 of the outlets of Grand & Straits Optical.

Simply email me with your answer and I will pick the first 10 emails I receive. Have fun! Do follow them on Instagram and Like the Facebook page as they have monthly giveaways and promotions and you might learn some eye care tips too!

Like Grand & Straits Optical Facebook

Follow Grand & Straits Instagram

Thank you so much for having me Grand (& Straits) Optical! :D

Beauty Talk - Beauty from within

Beauty Talk – Beauty from within

I have always had a problem area on my face since the aging started getting more visible as the years go by – the fine lines under my eyes, and the sunken cheeks, making my eye trough deeper and thus I looked very tired all the time. Having said that, I never thought I could do anything about it, until Dr Lim came to my rescue.

Went together with Jason to consult Dr Lim from Trinity Medical Centre (Marine Parade). He advised me to fill the cheeks up slightly and in the same process, puffen the under eye area and lessen the visibility of my fine lines and sunken eye trough.

So what is this Restylane?

Restylane is a FDA-approved dermal filler made of biodegradable, non- animal stabilised hyaluronic acid (NASHA). Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in all living organisms and provides volume and fullness to the skin.

This was a photo taken earlier this year before I visited Dr Lim, as you can see, I have slight fine lines around my under eye and sunken on my upper cheeks. I used to be very conscious when I smiled because I was afraid to expose the fine lines under my eyes and it affected my confidence level when in front of a camera, in fact, I ended up taking more photos not smiling at all.

I’m very pleased with the results now! I look less tired and am more confident than ever especially because I love to smile! :D

Feel free to comment if you have any burning questions about fillers or email me if you are shy! I’m more than wiling to share my experience! J

Trinity Medical Centre

87 Marine Parade Central

#02-500A

Singapore 440087

Tel: 6344 0027

Sports Talk - International Premier Tennis League in Singapore

If you are a fan of tennis, you are in for a treat! Tennis fans and entertainment seekers can now look forward to seeing tennis superstars Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, and Patrick Rafter teaming up with the Singapore Slammers for the Singapore leg of the inaugural International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), which is set to liven up the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 2 to 4 December, 2014. The second stop of the four-city tour – sanctioned by the ATF – promises a dose of exciting sporting competition with the Singapore Slammers vying for top honours and a US$1 million prize purse against the Manila Mavericks, Indian Aces and UAE Royals.

The IPTL brings together NBA-style entertainment and world-class tennis, featuring the best current and past ATP & WTA champions in a team tennis competition from 28 November until 13 December 2014. A star-studded line-up of 24 champions has committed to play in Singapore. In addition to current World Number 1 Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, and Patrick Rafter, notable players include Tomas Berdych, Daniela Hantuchova, Bruno Soares, Lleyton Hewitt, Nick Kyrios, Ana Ivanovic, Eugenie Bouchard, Daniela Hantuchova, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet, Goran Ivanisevic, and Carlos Moya.

This is where the good news is: In conjunction with the upcoming Halloween, I will be giving away 3 pairs of Category-3 tickets for one day (worth $98 per pair)! All you need to do is to dress up as your favourite tennis players and replicate their idiosyncrasies on Instagram in a photo or video (e.g. replicating Serena William’s grunt, Roger Federer's twirling racket habit, etc). Afterwhich, simply use the hashtags #IPTLSG, #ChangeOverSG and #SgSlammers!

You are free to post anytime from today till 2nd November and we will be picking our top 3 favourites on 3rd November, Monday! Have fun! :)

For more information about the event: www.iptlworld.com

For more information on Singapore Slammers: www.singaporeslammers.com
Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SingaporeSlammers

Tickets are also on sale at Sports Hub Tix on the Sports Hub Tix Website: www.sportshubtix.sg 

Health Talk – Omical Organic Milk Calcium Supplement

(Sponsored post)

I have always been a milk-lover until recent years when I started getting slightly lactose-intolerant (for no apparent reason). That could happen, according to my doctor, like any allergy. Since then, I started to cut down on my milk intake and decided to increase my calcium intake by taking milk calcium supplements. Well, calcium is a mineral that many of us adults are not getting sufficiently; even if you tell me you drink a glass of low-fat milk every morning.

Benefits of Calcium:

-       Healthy bones, teeth and gums

-       Blood pressure control

-       Proper blood clotting

-       Enzyme activation

-       Cholesterol regulation

-       Hormone function

So I searched high and low for the best form of milk calcium supplements and… That was when I found Omical, an organic milk calcium supplement, made from pure milk (which is the natural wholesome form of calcium that allows optimal absorption and low in lactose at the same time).

Most of the other calcium supplements that are made of calcium carbonate, lactate or gluconate are derived from sources such as crushed up rocks, shells and bones, which carry potential contamination with toxic substances like lead or mercury. Omical; developed from a natural food source, is free from steroids, antibiotics, hormones, as well as toxic metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic.

Omical contains all minerals that are natural from organic milk that ensures absorption. Only Vitamin D is added and so it is safe even for children.

I take 2 tablets a day, as suggested and each tablet contains 250mg of elemental calcium and perfect for absorption slowly into the bones! For those who have difficulty swallowing tablets, you may also crush the tablets for easier consumption.

Of course, I always recommend a well-balanced diet and regular workout as keys to leading a healthy lifestyle and keeping your health in check! Supplements, as I have mentioned in my previous posts, are as the names state, to make up for what your body lacks or cannot be attained from your daily meal intake. I choose Omical because of the natural and organic milk source, minus the fat I get in my regular milk-drinks.

Find out more about Omical! Each bottle of 60 tablets is retailing at $31.90 and available at Guardian, Unity, Watsons and independent pharmacies.

The great news for my readers today: Omical will be giving away 5 bottles to readers who are interested to try it out! All you need to do is answer this simple question in the comments section with your name and email address, OR, you may email me privately at Limaran@gmail.com if you are shy.

Question:

How is Omical different from other calcium supplements?

If you would like to try the samples, you can leave your details HERE and the sample will be sent to you!

Good luck on winning! Have fun everyone! Strong bones for all! J

Health & Fitness Talk - Women VS Whey

A lot of my friends were very surprised when I told them I take whey protein, in fact I take about 4-5 scoops of whey depending on the length of my day and activity level. Do not be too alarmed, because I'm going to tell you more about whey protein and why we women should not shun away from it. Of course, do check with your doctor for any allergies or intolerances that you have (which I will be sharing later).

What is Whey Protein?

According to Wikipedia, whey, also called milk serum or milk permeate, is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained. It is a by-product of the manufacture of cheese or casein and has several commercial uses. Whey is then thrown away as a waste product as a usual practice in the past. Over those years, researchers found out that whey protein is actually a form of high quality, natural protein that is rich in amino acids essential for good health and muscle building.

It is naturally found in mother’s milk and also used in baby formula, and also being considered for use as a fortifier of grain products because of its considerable health benefits and bland flavor. Although protein is also found in other foods such as meat, soy and vegetables, whey protein is proven to have the highest absorption (digestion) levels in comparison to all others.

Who should take Whey Protein?

Whey protein has many health benefits including immune support, bone health, sports health, weight management and overall well being. And as women, we need all the help we can get to keep our bones strong and supportive, whether you have given birth or not. It is important for us women to maintain overall health and better nutrition will keep the immunity strong too.

Moreover, because Whey protein is very rich in amino acids which are ‘building blocks’ for the human body, it is sometimes used by patients to speed up the healing of wounds or burns. The high quality protein that comes from whey makes it a recommended choice for those who need optimal benefits from restricted diets including diabetics, those on weight management diets and even ill patients not able to consume enough protein in their diet to assist with healing.

Of course, Whey protein is very commonly known to be used by athletes and especially bodybuilders. However, for us women, we do not have sufficient testosterones (male hormones) in our bodies that will allow us to grow muscular like men so fret not!

Benefits of Whey Protein for Women

Fat Loss
I cannot stress how important a high protein diet will assist in general fat loss and more often than not, you cannot get pure and 'clean' protein from your regular meals. Therefore, the best way to make up for the daily required amount of protein in order to lose fats, is to drink Whey protein. In fact, I sometimes like to replace my meals or top up my meals with 1 scoop of whey protein, if the meal I just had lack the amount of protein I need in a meal.

Lean Muscle Gain/Maintenance
I always like to associate fat loss and muscle gain/maintenance hand-in-hand, because the more lean muscles you have in your body, the smaller the fat cells get (simplified). Whey protein helps in muscle-building, thus shrinking your fat cells in the long run. PLEASE always keep in mind, MUSCLES CANNOT BE CONVERTED INTO FATS, FATS CANNOT BE CONVERTED INTO MUSCLES! So, stop deluding yourself by not working out because you are afraid that your muscles will be converted into fats when you grow older and stop working out (why should you stop working out when you grow older anyway?).

Overall Health Benefits
Protein in general, is classified as an essential nutrient, meaning it performs tasks that are necessary for your body's daily functioning. Proteins build and repair skin, blood, bones, muscles and cartilage so it definitely is beneficial for overall health and especially for women who are expecting. Do check with your doctor/gynae first though, before you start downing scoops of protein during your pregnancy.

Limitations

Whey VS Whole foods
As much as Whey protein is beneficial for us women (and men), do take note that the commercial protein powder that are advertised and consumed by me are still merely supplements. If you are able to get enough protein from whole foods and your daily meals, go ahead and do without the Whey protein powder. I do know of some athletes who do not take Whey protein powder at all.

Lactose-Intolerance
I have also heard of friends who are lactose-intolerant so the main range of Whey protein powder is a no-no for them. You can look for alternatives like soy protein, which may cause slightly higher but still as nutritious, or simply look for whey protein that are lactose-free!

Ways to make Whey protein taste better

Well, I'm not saying all Whey protein taste bad, but if you have to take 4-5 scoops or more daily like me, I love to do quick tweaks to my protein drinks to have more variety.

Smoothies
If you are someone who likes smoothies, simply add a scoop if you like! I love it with bananas, avocados, strawberries, basically most fruits. This way, your breakfast is complete with carbs, high protein and good fats (if you use avocados).

Protein bars
If you are someone who likes to snack and munch all the time, the OhYeah! protein bars are perfect for you. This is my favorite flavor, together with the Peanut butter Strawberry flavor. It keeps me full so I use these bars as meal replacements when I have back-to-back pt sessions, don't have time to eat or don't have access to healthier choices outside.

Protein drinks
On days when I have to rush out of home without breakfast, or when I have super early sessions, I will grab a bottle of OhYeah! Nutritional shake, which contains 32 grams of protein (perfect!). I love it because it is so convenient and yummy at the same time! Most importantly, it is lactose-free!

I get all my Whey protein powder, protein bars and drinks from www.richnutrition.com! Quote 'LA774' for an additional 5% off all purchases and there is free delivery for orders above $100! Happy shopping and live healthily! :)

Fitness & Fashion Talk - Vivre Activewear

Sylvia, founder of Vivre Activewear has been really kind to pass me some of her pieces to try and I have loved every single piece from Vivre! I know getting workout attire can be really expensive in Singapore and to me, looking good in and out of the gym is important. So, I need to share some of my favorite pieces from Vivre because they are affordable and of great quality! I don't only wear them for yoga but for HIIT sessions, as well as weight training since I workout in the gym everyday.

 Bra: Caged Sports Bra in Dazzled Apple

Top: Cool-off tank in Dazzling blue

Bra: Frolic Sports Bra in Chiffon Yellow

Top: Vivre Basic Tank Top in Persian Rose

Bottom: Full Length Active Tights in Galaxy Pink

Feel free to shop away at www.vivreactivewear.com and on top of the affordable prices, quote 'LA10PCD' at checkout for an additional 10% off storewide till End October! Follow @vivreactivewear too, and get updates on their latest arrivals and happenings!