I can fully understand how awful not being able to sleep is when you know you need it to function properly the next day. The worst is when you have an important meeting or interview early the next morning and you can’t afford to be out of it.
Fret not! Because here are some home remedies you can utilise to get yourself those precious hours of snooze time to get yourself bright and ready for the new day.
1. Using scents to get to sleep
Smelling a scent like lavender can help to relax you and bring the sands of sleep to your eyes in record time.
You can also consider putting a drop of jasmine oil on each wrist before you head to bed.
If you are someone who loves a good soak before bedtime, you can try adding 5 drops of lavender oil and 3 drops of ylang-ylang to a warm water bath to soothe and relax your body and mind.
2. Don’t eat the wrong food before bed
If you are feeling peckish, try having a glass of warm milk with a cookie or perhaps a banana to get tryptophan into our system for an easier slip into sleep.
Don’t consume spicy or sugary food before bedtime because spicy foods can irritate your stomach and cause you to toss and turn. Sugary foods will, well, make you too hyper to go to bed.
Just avoid eating right before you head to bed. Your body needs at least three to four hours to digest the food and doing so before sleep can not only cause nightmares, but you will also feel really uncomfortable and can’t get to sleep.
3. Keep to a sleep schedule
Make sure you go to bed at the same time every night. This will ensure your body gets used to when it needs to get to rest and does just that.
Try not to take naps during the day as it disrupts your body’s natural clock, causing you to not be able to sleep when the night comes.
[Press Release] Southeast Asia’s first official Pokémon themed fun run, Pokémon Run Singapore 2017 (Pokémon Run SG), saw close to 6,000 participants, between the ages of 4 and 76 years, get healthy and have fun, all for the love of Pokémon. Participants included families, couples, and friends who took on the roles of “Pokémon Trainers” and embarked on a 5km fun run adventure against the backdrop of Singapore’s scenic waterfront cityscape. Organised by Avex Asia and Infinitus Productions, Pokémon Run SG aims to promote bonding and a healthier lifestyle across all ages through Pokémon.
Excitement was in the air at the Promontory @ Marina Bay, even before the start of the run. Led by Pikachu, one of the world’s best loved Pokémon, the participants had a warm-up session to prepare themselves for a safe race. At 9am, Junior Trainers aged 4 to 12, kicked off the run as they ran alongside one of the most influential personalities in the Pokémon world – Junichi Masuda. The founding member of Game Freak, best known as a game director and composer for the Pokémon games, made his debut appearance in Singapore as the Guest-of-Honour for the run.
Pokémon Run SG brings to life the journey to train to be a Pokémon Master. Armed with their runners’ packs, participants embarked on an adventure to collect Pokéballs along the route, and stop by various Pokémon photo points to discover and take photos with different Pokémon.
The quest to be a Pokémon Master continued beyond the Finishing Line. A Pikachu Parade greeted the participants with their infectious dance, while 50 lucky participants won the chance to get an autograph from Junichi Masuda. Enthusiastic participants explored the Pokémon Garden and interacted with life-sized Pokémon cut-outs, including the starter Pokémon from Pokémon Sun and Moon. Participants headed to Pallet Town as well for games, activities, and Japanese gourmet delights.
“We decided to join the run as my son is an ardent fan of Pokémon. The weather was warm but we enjoyed the scenic route and the photo points along the way. It was a fun morning with my family, and we look forward to participating in the run again,” said Mr Chan Chee Meng, 43, who participated with his 8 year-old son.
On the run, Fujita Kazumi, General Manager, Avex Asia said, “We are delighted by the strong turnout for the inaugural Pokémon Run SG. Pokémon has been a phenomenon worldwide and part of it is due to values that transcend boundaries and cultures – from the importance of friendship, the love for discovery and the respect for nature. As participants enjoy the run today, we hope that this will be a great start as well to step outdoors, make new friends, and enjoy a healthier lifestyle as we step into a fresh new year.”
Jeffrey Foo, Managing Director of Infinitus Productions added, “We are happy with today’s turnout and positive feedback received for Southeast Asia’s first-ever Pokémon Run. We’re extremely grateful to all the participants who came down this morning, and hope all enjoyed their journey as a Pokémon Trainer. It was indeed very heartening to see all the happy faces as participants bonded over games and gourmet delights. Now it’s back to the drawing board, as we’re already looking forward to delivering an even better Pokémon Run experience next year.”
For more race information and updates check out www.pokémonrun.sg and www.facebook.com/pokemonrunsg17.
The annual NUS Bizad Charity Run 2017 has raised more than $140,000 for financially disadvantaged NUS Business School undergraduates and the Autism Resource Centre (ARC), a not-for-profit charity.
Organised by the NUS Business School Alumni Association (NUSBSA) and NUS Bizad Club, this year’s event attracted more than 1,400 participants. The event was graced by Mr Lim Biow Chuan, Member of Parliament for Mountbatten SMC and Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
“The NUS Bizad Charity Run has helped raise funds for those in need while promoting the spirit of giving back to society. Such a cause has not gone unnoticed by the public and this is why we have seen a record number of participants at the run who want to do their part for the community,” said Mr Ow Tai Zhi, Chairman of NUS Bizad Charity Run 2017. He graduated from NUS Business School in 2011.Over $100,000 will go towards NUS Business School bursaries and scholarships. The remainder will support ARC’s Employability and Employment Centre – Singapore’s first autism-focused centre providing services for people with autism to succeed in the workplace.
“This annual flagship event of NUS Business School provides a good platform for alumni to do their part for their fellow students and the community. We are proud of this tradition and look forward to doing it every year,” said Mr Sonny Yuen, President, NUSBSA. Mr Yuen graduated from the School in 1985.
Bizad Charity Run debuts new theme
The theme “Colours & Spectrum” was introduced for the 5km Fun Run to help raise awareness for autism. Specially created for this year, the route was a colourful canvas where runners donned decorative appliques and spray colours to celebrate the diversity of autistic conditions and individuals.
The annual NUS Bizad Charity Run takes participants through the university’s Kent Ridge campus, which has several slopes, turns and an elevation of 36.3m. Runners can take part in either the 10km Competitive Run or the 5km Fun Run.
About National University of Singapore (NUS)
A leading global university centred in Asia, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, which offers a global approach to education and research, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise.
NUS has 17 faculties and schools across three campuses. Its transformative education includes a broad-based curriculum underscored by multi-disciplinary courses and cross-faculty enrichment. Over 38,000 students from 100 countries enrich the community with their diverse social and cultural perspectives.
NUS has three Research Centres of Excellence (RCE) and 30 university-level research institutes and centres. It is also a partner in Singapore’s fifth RCE. The University has established many research partnerships and joint laboratories with academic institutions, industry leaders and government agencies. Research activities are strategic and robust, and NUS is well-known for its research strengths in engineering, life sciences and biomedicine, social sciences and natural sciences. The University also strives to create a supportive and innovative environment to promote creative enterprise within its community.
For more information on NUS, please visit www.nus.edu.sg.
About NUS Business School
The National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School is known for providing management thought leadership from an Asian perspective, enabling its students and corporate partners to leverage global knowledge and Asian insights.
The school has consistently received top rankings in the Asia-Pacific region by independent publications and agencies, such as The Financial Times, Economist Intelligence Unit, and QS Top MBA, in recognition of the quality of its programmes, faculty research and graduates. In the Financial Times Global Rankings, the NUS MBA was ranked 32nd in 2016, while the NUS-UCLA Executive MBA and Asia-Pacific Executive MBA are ranked 6th and 17th respectively in 2016.
In the biannual Forbes rankings for two-year MBA programmes, NUS Business School was ranked 7th among business schools outside the United States in 2015. Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has also ranked the school 12th in the world for accounting and finance.
The school is accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System), endorsements that the school has met the highest standards for business education. The school is also a member of the GMAC Council, Executive MBA Council, Partnership in Management (PIM) and CEMS (Community of European Management Schools).
For more information, please visit bschool.nus.edu.sg, or go to the Think Business portal, which showcases the School’s research.
You are getting ready for a big night out. You have got your dress right and your makeup right but as you walk past your mirror to leave, you see a jangle happening in your arm. Flabby arms are not only unsightly, they are also a sign that you aren’t working that part of your body enough.
If you are one of those who is worried about this, here are some exercises you can do to get rid of your wings and get toned and sculpted arms once and for all.
#1 Planking
This is my personal favourite. Simple, time-efficient and highly effective. Whether you want to do it before or after your workout, or even on its own in the comfort of your own home, planking works not just your core muscles, but also your arms to get you the toned gams you are looking for.
#2 Kettlebells
Working out with kettlebells can also help to build strong arms, a strong back and even your core muscles. Swing those kettlebells for as many times as you can handle and you will notice slim, strong arms in no time at all.
Photo Credits: Oxygenmag
#3 Overhead tricep extension
This is another easy arm exercise. All you need to do is take a dumbbell and hold it, with both your hands, over the back of your head. Let the dumbbell’s weight weigh down your arms while you pretend you are having a hard time pulling it back up. You will be able to show off those awesome arms soon enough!
Photo Credits: Indian Workouts
#4 Doing the shoulder press
This is probably the most common way to give your arms the workout they need at the gym. What you need to take note of is how much of this exercise you do each time. Just make sure your arms feel the strain or it won’t work.
Photo Credits: WorkoutLabs
#5 Bicep curl and Lunge
Working out your legs and arms at the same time may sound like commonsense but it doesn’t always cross our mind. You can try doing this by curling your arm towards your chest with a dumbbell and alternating it with a lunge. Several repetitions later will see your arms and legs feeling rightly sore and over time, tighter limbs.
With the Chinese New Year just around the corner, we thought it would be good to get to know your CNY cookies. Snacking on some CNY cookies can be pretty addictive – like those dried shrimp rolls. I probably could whack half a tub whilst watching some Hong Kong movie, but what – 10 of those are already a whooping 220 calories? Half a tub would mean I’d probably need to run a marathon to burn it off.
Get to know your CNY cookies before stuffing yourself!
It’s always nice to have a running companion, and what better than men’s best friend. Especially for the female, running with a dog can give you more security – even more so when you are running after work or school when the sun has already set.
Whether you are looking for a long run companion, or a running friend for speed – there is a dog for every speed. For instance, the Husky is the King of Endurance whereas the greyhound is the Speedy Gonzales. It’s high time you get yourself your running best friend!
If your 2016 was filled with many a day hiding in the darkness and comfort of your office and home, you may want to take your weekends this year outdoors and into the sunlight.
But if you are scratching your brains out about the things you can do, here are some activities to consider.
#1 Movies and Concerts
Photo Credits: Tygodnikplus
Instead of heading out to the cinema or sheltered theaters to catch your favourite movie or play, try enjoying one out in the open. Botanic Gardens constantly has a slew of theatrical acts that allow audiences to relax on the lawn and feast on a good picnic while taking in the performance.
Outdoor movies are becoming all the rage again in recent years and many nostalgic locations, even shopping malls, are opting to go down this memory lane. Movies can range from comedies to chick flicks to horror, depending on the theme of the event. You can either enjoy the screenings seated on a lawn or in your car. Hipster 60’s anyone?
#2 Food festivals and dinner parties
Besides the usual Pasar Malams we find sprouting up occasionally in our neighbourhood, you may have noticed many a themed food festival that have occurred over the last year or so all over the country. From Japanese food markets to curated food tasting events, we are now spoilt for choice when it comes to what we put into our mouths and stomachs.
Photo Credits: event-carnival
And then we have the outdoor dinner parties. When Diner En Blanc came onto the scene, everyone just went crazy over the concept. Still increasingly gaining in popularity even after so many years, it has seen an explosion of other types of themed outdoor dinner parties that you have to try to know what all the hype is about.
#3 Sports events
Make 2017 the year you and your loved ones get fit and healthy in the great outdoors together! Take part in the various running events and plan weekend mornings or evenings to be spent outdoors working out.
From hiking to running to doing vertical marathons, the list of such events has increased exponentially over the years, giving you a whole lot of choices and also several opportunities to put on your running shoes and go get the exercise you need.
Not only will you achieve your fitness goals, but you will also create a stronger bond and a healthier lifestyle for yourself and your family and friends.
IF I can have only one word to summarize Soh Rui Yong, Singapore fastest marathoner of all time based on IAAF certified marathon courses (2:24:55 at the 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon), it would be CONSISTENCY.
Wining big in front of home crowd – Rui won the marathon in the 28th SEA Games with a timing of 2:34:56 on 7 Jun 2015
Like most Singaporeans, I first came to know his name in a 2014 Straits Times report that says that he broke the national record of 10,000m in a new record time of 31 min 15.95 sec. The old record of 31:19 by P.C. Suppiah was 41 years old.
Tea or coffee? Rui chose hot chocolate at our first meet-up, 16 Dec 2014
On a few occasions, Doris Teo (my wife) and I had the privilege of sipping our favorite cup of beverage in a downtown café while we listened with great pleasure about his training stories including the one in Iten, a rural village in Kenya.
During each meet-up, he left us an indelible impression of a very determined young man who sets the benchmark so high for himself to a point that it feels ouch.
Thus we were not the least bit surprised that in his struggle to prove his ability in high performance sports he has had to overcome bumpers that come his way including a nagging plantar fasciitis – tissue inflammation at the bottom of his left foot in 2015.
Now, with the injury history behind his back, Rui is back running 6 days a week with 1 rest day.
As a high performance athlete, I was surprised when he told me that he plans his training in a 2-week cycle according to how he feels.
Waking up at 5.30 am on most of mornings, he starts the day with his workout before switching on his computer.
A typical 2-week training cycle looks like this:
Week 1
Mon – 90 min easy
Tue – high intensity workout
Wed/Thur – 90 min easy
Fri – tempo; Sat – rest
Sun – 2 hour long run
Week 2
Mon/Tue – 90 min easy
Wed – intervals
Thur/Fri – 90 min easy
Sat – rest
Sun – 90 min to 2 hour 30 min long run
Halfway through our conversation in his office at Sport Singapore, it suddenly dawned on me that at 25 years old, Rui is on track with what he wants to achieve in life. When I was at his age, I was still wandering aimlessly not knowing the purpose in life. For a moment, I felt embarrassed.
There are many valuable lessons one can learn from Rui even for someone like me who is double his age. After all, I have heard him spoke in 3 running clinics where his presentations inspired audience to run their best – one in Kallang Practice Track and twice in Young NTUC platform at One Marina Boulevard. To say that one understands the frustration, struggle, sacrifice and perhaps a moment of self-doubt in his running career is an understatement.
Run with Rui – Rui spoke to a group of avid runners in Young NTUC platform, 21 Dec 2014.
Consistency is the key takeaway point. Simply put, Rui was neither the fastest nor the most talented runner when he first started but with consistency, he made it out to be of what he is today.
Rui Yong inspired the audience by donning his hard earned 28th SEA Games marathon gold medal onto everyone to encourage them to run their best, 21 Dec 2015.
As I sip over a cup of tea in Fun Toast at Kallang Wave Mall, in retrospection, I couldn’t help but sensed that something is missing in his life.
I just couldn’t figure it out. But one day, if I do, I will share with you. Right now, I am practicing the art of being consistency.
Note: In my next interview with Rui, he would share with us about a special group of people in his life. Stay tuned 🙂
Obviously being the humans that we are, we are inclined to go with life options that are easier and not as stressful. But what happens when we become too comfortable is that we become complacent, and ultimately deemed useless to our ever-evolving society.
So in 2017, perhaps you may want to consider doing the things that you have put off doing for so long and put yourself to the challenge. See how far you can take it and thereafter, how much further you can bring it.
So what are the advantages of challenging ourselves?
#1 A stronger You
Photo Credit: Muscle and Fitness
And I mean it in all sense of the word. If you choose to step out of your comfort zone to elevate yourself mentally in your job or to learn a new skill, you will realise how mentally strong you can be. If you choose to push yourself to exercise more and attempt new workouts, you will find out how physically strong the human body can be.
#2 Put things in perspective
When you challenge yourself and push yourself to the limit, it will also open your eyes to varying ways of looking at situations around you. Your perspective of everyday things may change because you finally understand that achieving what you desire is not always so easy and we all have to work hard for it.
#3 Conquer our fears
Challenging oneself to get over one’s fears can also be a very good thing. When we agree to put ourselves in the way of our biggest fears, we are also telling ourselves that we are actually stronger than that. It may even make you realise that all along, your fear was nothing to be afraid of.
#4 We become better people
Not just physically and mentally, but also as a human being in general. People who are confident, strong and yet genuinely nice to those around them are the ones who are truly the strongest because they themselves have been put through enough challenges to know everyone deserves kindness.
Image credit: Fitnessrepublic.com
The bottomline is, when we put ourselves in the line of fire and challenge ourselves to outdo our own selves, we are actually making ourselves stronger and more hardy in the long term, whether it’s for work or play. It is only after you find out how far your mind and body can take you that you will appreciate every little thing that life gives to you thereafter.
We’re well into 2017 now and no doubt most of us have set certain goals for this year related to running. Some will raise the bar higher, some will maintain their performance goals as they have reached a predefined limit, and some will somehow mellow down due to reorganisation of priorities. Whatever your goals are make sure they contribute to something for the long run. Running, like most other disciplines, is an incremental sport and it doesn’t achieve much for the long term when pressured too fast too soon.
I am grateful to be invited to write for Just Run Lah! where I would like to share with everyone my journey towards running enlightenment. Yes, running has indeed given me a sense of purpose and motivation I didn’t have before, where it challenges my very core to achieve what was impossible just a few years ago. I’d like to share with you my passion which will include my preparations, techniques, plans and gears. Not forgetting my thoughts on popular beliefs and conceptions. I think whether you are a seasoned runner or a budding newbie there is much we can learn from one another. Knowledge sharing is, after all, a trait found in most successful runners & coaches.
So what gives for me this year? I’ve set 3 running goals (which I think can be applied to many of us). They are quite specific because I believe what gets measured gets done!
I will reduce the amount of races I join but instead focus more on a variety of training to meet a target mileage of at least 1000 km. Varying your training is important if you want to be a ‘complete’ runner. That means doing speed work/intervals, tempo, strength training and long runs.
I will attempt to increase my speed over longer distances in order to finish my half and full marathons faster (hopefully achieving Personal Bests along the way too!). Believe it or not an average pace of 6/km is doable for most people if they really focus on following a structured training plan. If you’re a natural born runner then it’s different (where a 5/km pace is norm) but for the average person, to maintain such a speed over 21+ km’s can be daunting and downright difficult.
I will aim to cross into ultra marathon category with a minimum distance of 50km. That distance is the very minimum and could go up to the mid-60s depending on how my training pans out. You see, you have to want it first and then working out the training plan will follow through naturally.
To make your running year interesting, do create your own list of goals. They should be stretched goals though, as a little challenge will incrementally assist you to achieve greatness over time. To be honest, in the end I may not achieve all my goals but I will definitely do my very best to achieve them, every single kilometre!
Join me in this journey of epic proportions will you?
Gatorade Run is one of the most awaited event I’ve been spotting on, since last year I wasn’t able to participate because of conflict on events.
Well the registration fee was a little bit pricey, 1,700php for 22km event, which includes Event shirt, finisher’s shirt, finisher’s medal & loot bag. But I think its reasonable because the shirts were from Adidas and I presume there’s gotta be a lot of Gatorade in all hydrating stations.
The event was held last November 27, 2016 and gun-start was 4am.
I reserved my energy in first few kilometers because this is my first time to run unusual distance, 22km. Each hydration stations had fresh cold water & Gatorade, and on last few stations had bananas & sponges. They had medical staffs to apply muscle sprays every 3km-5km. The weather was perfect too, cloudy enough not to get sunburned by 7:30am.
But the highlight of the event was the presence of cheerleaders from UAAP. They lively cheered all runners passing through them. You’ll gonna hear those drums from afar. It motivated me to push harder, faster even my legs already fatigued from long steady effort. The unique part was, you will jump to get your “Finisher” banner. You will choose the color of your banner, white or orange.
By the end of the race, they offer good post run stretching and it relieved some sore spots on my back. They also had free service that adds name of your choice on the back of your finisher shirt, only if you’re wearing Adidas running shoes.
The event exceeded my expectations and it was one memorable run for me. I crushed a new PR for my 21km.
Will definitely join for another Gatorade Run next year. 🙂
生活很好，传下去。
Life is good. Pass it on.
Race date: January 28
Race venue: SM by the Bay
Like organizer’s Facebook: Affinitea Run #CNYluckyrun2017#LifeisgoodPassiton#affinitearace
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Great news for JustRunLah! readers. We are happy to be giving away 5 Free Racekits for 8km participation! Fill in the form below to take part in the contest!
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Listening to music while you exercising is something that most of us would do; be it brisk walking, running, gym workouts, interval training etc. Music tends to influence our workout in one way or another. I listen to music when I go for my runs or workouts. Music keeps me going and sometimes motivates me to work harder!
I recently got a chance to test out the Sony XB80BS EXTRA BASS™ Sports In-ear Bluetooth® Headphones. It is one of four impressive additions to the Sony EXTRA BASS™ audio line-up. These headphones are designed for the active sports personwith extra bass sound to enhance performance. These headphones come in red, blue and black. I was super excited to receive the one in red as I love gears that make a statement! The headphones come together with a USB cable, a carrying pouch, Hybrid silicone rubber earbuds (SS, S, M, L x 2) and the starters guide.
Contents of the Sony XB80BS EXTRA BASS™ Sports In-ear Bluetooth® Headphones
Setting Up/ Pairing
Before I can bring the headphones out for a run or workout, I first need to set it up by pairing it with my mobile device. I’m currently using the Samsung Galaxy S6 which is built on the Android platform and has both Bluetooth and NFC capabilities. As with most wireless headphones, the MDR-XB80BS connects via Bluetooth seamlessly. The MDR-XB80BS also has the option of pairing using the Near Field Communication (NFC) function. I tried both methods and I was able to pair my mobile phone with the headphones easily.
Please note: Currently Apple iPhone mobile device and other Apple iOS devices do not support the NFC feature. NFC function is not compatible with Smartphone with Android 3. x operating system.
Different colours of the MDR-XB80BS – Photo from Sony Website
Features of MDR-XB80BS
This is the first time I am using wireless headphones when I’m working out. I really enjoyed the workout experience and here are some of the reasons why:
1. Freedom to move
When I wore the MDR-XB80BS for my run, I was surprised by the freedom I had in movement. Previously, I used wired headphones and the cables would always get in my way. It was frustrating because I frequently had to adjust them when working out. With the wireless in-ear headphones, getting tangled with cables or adjusting the cables are a thing of a pastfor me!
I also love the behind-the-ear looping shape because of the snug and comfortable fitwhen wearing it. During my run, never once did it fall off or move out of place. The design allows the headphones to stay in place while I move letting me focus on giving my best during the workout.
Besides being wireless and comfortable, the MDR-XB80BS in-ear headphones are extremely lightweight, weighing only approximately 27g; it is a feature you will love for a sport-friendly headphone model.
The MDR-XB80BS comes with a built-in microphone and an inline remote so you can make and take hands-free phone calls while you are exercising. While on my run that day, a call came in. Answering the incoming call was a simple push of the power button and the quality of the call was clear; both parties could hear each other clearly. If the call volume was too soft, a simple adjustment of the volume via the inline remote comes in handy as you need not reach for your phone.
MDR-XB80BS inline remote
With the MDR-XB80BS, I can just concentrate on my workout and not bother about uncomfortable headphone problems. It is pure freedom in movement.
2. Fantastic Sound Quality
I love the sound quality of the MDR-XB80BS, it is not compromised because it is a wireless device and the headphones did not lose connectivity with the phone. The MDR-XB80BS’s built-in LDAC enhanced codec support, which lets you stream the highest quality audio without wires.
After my run, I normally would do some body weight exercises such as squats, push-ups, sit-up etc., the powerful “Extra Bass” sounds were a welcome! With bigger beats, I was motivated to push and go further to complete the number of sets need for that workout. I could feel the burn of my legs as I did my squats and lunges but the beats gave me that extra energy and focus!
Me wearing the Sony MDR-XB80BS
3. Battery Life
This is one of the important features when choosing wireless headphones. There are two things the Sony MDR-XB80BS boasts, the first is a battery life of up to 7hrs when fully charged. Marathon and half marathon runners would appreciate this because you won’t want to be left without music halfway when you are working out or running. I’m looking forward to using the Sony MDR-XB80BS when I participate in my first half marathon event this year at the NTUC Eco Run 2017! I am sure it’ll provide me with the beats to keep moving!
The Sony MDR-XB80BS has ‘Quick Charge’ function which is super handy for people like me. I can be really forgetful and not charge my devices when I need to use them. With a 10 min ‘Quick Charge’ for 60min playback, I can just quickly charge the headphones and I can go for my quick runs or workout sessions!
Charging the Sony MDR-XB80BS is fuss free and easy; all I needed to do was to connect the headphones to the computer using the USB cable and it will automatically start charging.
Sony MDR-XB80BS Charging
4. Splash-proof and washable
Have you ever been worried that your headphones will spoil if they come into contact with water? I know I have, the MDR-XB80BS has an IPX5 rating which means that it is splash-proof and washable, you can wash it after exercising without worrying that you will damage it. No more dirty headphones!
Sony MDR-XB80BS Charging – Photo from Sony Website
Conclusion
Overall, I enjoyed using the Sony MDR-XB80BS. Features like their customizable, activity-specific fit, their rain and sweat resistance, and their audio quality features that optimise hands-free use are essential for sports headphones. They are clearly tailored to the highly active person. I love how comfortable and snug they feel when wearing them while providing the highest quality of music.
I would like to thank Sony Singapore and JustRunLah! for the review unit. It has been a pleasure testing the headphones. This review is based on my own unbiased opinion after trying it out. The Sony MDR-XB50BS is available at all Sony authorised retail shops with a recommended retail price of $119.
I wanted a break to enjoy the festive season and I got it. However, I did not get to enjoy the festive seasons because I had a really bad flu and cough. After two weeks plus of rest, I was finally back running.
I don’t usually get to run in the later part of the morning. However, I woke up late and sneaked out of the house as quickly as possible before anyone could cause me to stay back. I decided to run to Lower Seletar Reservoir. It has been a while since I did that to watch the sunrise.
When I got there, the sun was rising out. The orange yolk rose above the reflective, still water and the whole reservoir glittered from the bright orange light. It was such as visual treat.
Like a mirror, the still water reflected the colours of the sky and shimmered as the sun slowly rose out of the water.Like a true-blue social media user, I had to take a selfie with that lone boat on the calm water.
While I wanted to continue running, I decided to join in the many runners and cyclists who stopped to take photos. God knows when I would be able to run at this timing again. I have run here umpteen times but it was always dark.
Runners, passers-by and cyclists could not resist this beautiful sight. People stopped to take photos.
I finally completed my run after 9km (3km short of my planned run) as I was starving. For some reason, I completely lost my appetite when I fell sick. However, it is now back with a vengeance. I am constantly hungry and famished. See the emphasis?
At the end of this leisurely, beautiful Sunday morning run, my Brooks also decided to bid me farewell. My hubby got me this pair of shoes after I had my firstborn to return to running. It was one of the most comfortable pair of running shoes I ever had. The support was good and I liked the cushioned soles. I have three other pairs of shoes, which I rotate during my training and races. My Brooks is by far my favourite pair.
This was a photo taken in 2012 after giving birth to my son. Bye my dear Brooks. You have served me well.
It was sad when it finally gave way. I have grown sentimental with them and I could not bear to discard them. Thanks for giving me many good running memories and helping me get back into marathon running. You have served me well.
For now, I will rely on my On Cloud until I find another pair that fits me this well.
Whether you are a workout junkie, or just someone who is looking for something new to try in 2017, you need to know that in our current, highly volatile society, there is always something NEW that’s happening somewhere. And you need to go try it out!
Here are 3 crazy fun and new fitness workouts you can attempt to master in the new year!
#1 Wall Rope Yoga
Photo Credits: One Century Yoga
Have you ever attended a yoga class and while 90 percent of them are doing headstands like nobody’s business, you struggle even to get your head firmly planted on the ground?
If being able to do your yoga upside down is what you seek, then wall rope yoga will be something up your alley. Wall rope yoga, a style that involves the use of ropes, was pioneered by the late Indian yoga master B.K.S Iyengar in the early 20th century. But it gained popularity here only recently. If you would like to give it a go, the largest studio to hold such classes in Singapore is Pure Yoga at Ngee Ann City. Just so you know, there are only 3 studios in Singapore that do this right now.
If you think it is just hanging upside down with ropes against a wall and meditating, you may only be half right. Apparently, this form of exercise helps those who do it take note of the fine movements in the muscles and tissues.
#2 Boogie Bounce Xtreme
If you loved jumping on trampolines when you were a kid, and maybe still enjoy doing it now, this may just be the workout for you.
Photo Credits: Boogie Bounce
In a Boogie Bounce Xtreme class, you can be just like a Gummy Bear and bounce here, there and everywhere while burning away those damned calories. But bear in mind (excuse the pun), while you are encouraged to bounce, you need to be mindful of how high you go as the aim here is to jump in a controlled manner – to work the various parts of your body.
Do take note though that it’s not all bouncing throughout the class. There’s also a mix in of pilates and balancing exercises that are done in the beginning to ensure you get a well-rounded workout.
#3 Kararobics
The name says it all – literally! If you love to hit the karaoke joints and sing your heart out and you also enjoy working out, this is something you just HAVE to try.
The concept is simple. Basically you sing along to song lyrics while you move your body to the Zumba-like dance steps. Imagine being able to work out and move to that new tune by your favourite singer! If you are someone who wishes to improve your leg-eye coordination, this is perfect.
Photo Credits: Esplanade
Now you can experience how Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Beyonce sing and dance at the same time. Definitely not an easy feat but hey, if they can do it, so can you!
Let the year 2017 be one of trying new things! Life begins at the end of your comfort zone!
To many of us, experiencing our heart racing and feeling the blood rush to our feet may just be matters to talk and laugh about with our friends. For some people though, it may be a life or death.
What is anxiety and how what happens when we experience it?
Anxiety is felt by all of us when we are in stressful situations or when we are waiting for something to happen – and not in a good way. It can be a rather uncomfortable feeling that will cause us to feel cold in our fingers and feet or have heart palpitations that won’t cease even after countless deep breaths. The thing we need to know is that when we get anxious, our brain sends a ‘fight or flight’ signal to the rest of our body. When experienced in the long run, it can cause anxiety disorders where the affected person continues feeling highly anxious for months on end for no particular reason.
To bring this issue closer to home, remember the last time your boss called you into his office for a talk or you had to do a public speaking stint? The anticipation definitely didn’t feel too good did it? That’s exactly what anxiety is about. Besides causing you to feel faint and even pins and needles in your hands and feet, constant exposure to such anxiety inducing situations can result in you experiencing stomach, heart, and even bowel problems in the long run.
How can anxiety affect our health?
A short anxiety attack can cause our blood to drain to your feet, making us feel dizzy. Longer periods of exposure can cause us to experience breathless, make our stomach hurt when it shouldn’t and/or give us a heart attack (yes, for real).
Sounds incredible? Not so. As long as you have been in a highly stressful situation before, you will know how awful it feels when all you can do is sit there and wait for whatever is coming your way, especially when you know it isn’t going to be something good. You attempt to calm yourself down by doing breathing exercises or drinking cold water. Or you pace up and down and think good thoughts to take your mind away from the tension. But you realise no matter what you do, you are still thinking about what’s going to come your way and your body takes the brunt of all this stress.
But is anxiety all bad?
But as much as too much anxiety is bad for us, a little once in awhile can make us more alert and aware of the things that are happening around us. When we get a little anxious, we tend to start taking note of the things people around us are saying or doing. This is our brain’s way of trying to take the load off ourselves by finding out what we may be in for.
So the next time you start feeling signs of anxiety, don’t get too uptight yet. Just don’t let it go on for too long and too much and you should be fine.
Photo Credits: Indian Workouts
Photo Credits: WorkoutLabs
Photo Credits: Tygodnikplus
Photo Credits: event-carnival
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Photo Credits: One Century Yoga
Photo Credits: Boogie Bounce
Photo Credits: Esplanade
