Weight loss can be a very tedious process. And for those of you who have been harbouring such agonising thoughts or even been through it, you will agree with me that it's often a case of watching the figures on the weighing scale.

For most people, it is always when you start to lose that first kilogram that gets you excited as you know your efforts have paid off.

To lose weight is very realistic for almost everyone, and is achievable though some small changes in diet and incorporating more exercise. The vast majority of people, with their busy schedules, get little or no exercise, so even a small bit of regular exercise should be able to achieve noticeable results. If we don't have time to exercise a great deal, though, we're going to want to maximize the effectiveness of the exercise we do get, and a great way to do that is by exercising in the morning. 

There are three main reasons why you can more weight by exercising in the morning. Firstly, exercising first thing in the morning is much easier to build into your daily routine. One of the keys to losing weight by exercise is to do it regularly, which many people find difficult. Their most common excuse is almost always "it's hard to find time". Yet ask these same people and they actually have time to sit in front of the TV or idle their time away with gossip. As far as I'm concerned, I advise my clients to exercise in the morning so as to get it over and done with. Then you will be free for the rest of the day to do what you want to do!

Secondly, when you exercise in the morning, you'll have very little distraction. In many ways, you are literally "making time" for the exercise by starting your day earlier. What's getting up 30 minutes earlier each day if it makes you healthier in the long run? And trust me, you actually feel fresher and more alert throughout the day. How's that for raising productivity? Two thumbs up!

Thirdly, exercising in the morning is more effective because you will be burning calories from fat already stored in your system. This principle is based, of course, on the premise that you don't eat before you exercise. The way you're going to lose weight is by burning fat, and when you exercise your body normally burns both fat and carbohydrates. Now it gets a little more complicated: your body's main and preferred energy source is carbohydrates, so when you exercise you will (more or less) burn carbohydrates first, and then your body will dip into its fat reserves.

This is interesting but true. As carbohydrates come from your meals, when you exercise at a normal time of the day, your body will have plenty of carbohydrates to burn. So in order to lose weight fast, you have to burn fat instead. This can only be achieved by exercising in the morning on an empty stomach. Simply by making this switch, you're burning energy at a time when your body's carbohydrate levels are the lowest, and therefore more fat will be burned with the same amount of exercise. Research studies have suggested that over 250% more fat is burned when you exercise in this state.

Give it a try & update me on your weight loss journey. I'll be more than happy to hear from you!

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To be honest, I was a little taken aback when I walked into the seminar room today. Half anticipating a normally subdued crowd that needed some warming up, it was definitely not the case this time. Instead, I was bowled over by a super high energy group of about 43 participants from PCI Limited. And I was secretly happy because a high energy audience attracts a high energy trainer!





I applaud companies like PCI Limited as it allocates the last Friday of each month as their in-service day. This is the time when its staff are given opportunities for personal growth when external trainers, like myself, are invited to share with them our areas of expertise.

Maybe it had to do with the casual dress down Friday as almost everyone was in jeans that contributed to the relaxed mood from the onset. But whatever reason it was, I felt good doing the grooming workshop today. Despite comprising both ladies and men in the audience, it was evident that besides the high energy, the staff had a very good rapport, joking, cajoling and teasing one another when it came to group discussions and sharing sessions. 

But amidst all the fun and laughter, the participants were getting to know themselves better. Because only when you thoroughly know yourself can you look your best!

There's no need to be dressed in the latest fashion or to the nines as most of us do not find the latest fashion trends (think spring/summer collection or the recent fall/winter collection) suitable for office wear, weekends or daily wear!

Here's one important tip for everyone - Wear something occasion appropriate and that flatters one's body shape. That's how you can leave a positive first impression on others. You will then be your own style paragon!




He managed to make everyone laugh...I remember what he shared :)

Sharing on behalf of her team & getting all smiles around


First, check if the jawline is an angular or curved one


Joining in the discussion...


One group photo for keepsakes

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Each grooming workshop holds special significance in my heart simply because the participants are the ones who make it come alive. It tells of tale of our growth and sharing, of how we can all become style paragons in our very own rights as long as we know ourselves very well. After all, it's the confidence that matters at the end of the day.

This video is dedicated to the beautiful girls of Class 4N2 from Tampines Secondary School. Thanks again for the memories :)

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I've just finished another public run of my 1-day grooming workshop titled "The Visual Art of Looking Good." And from the happy faces of the three ladies who attended the workshop, I can tell they had lots of fun while discovering more about themselves which they never knew before.

All ladies aspire to be hourglasses. But the truth is that it seldom is the case. So it's important that we come to terms with reality and accept ourselves for whatever body shape we are. With the aid of my measuring tape, I helped the ladies determine their unique body shape. This was then followed by precise fashion advice as to what they should wear and what they should avoid. After all, measurements don't lie! 







Like what I always share with my workshop participants, it's not difficult to leave a positive first impression on others. It really boils down to how well you know yourself. 

Bearing that in mind, today's workshop was really a self-discovery journey for these ladies. Each step of the journey was an exciting one as there will always be little surprises along the way!







Everybody was all smiles after the workshop. Transformation for everyone starts the very moment they leave and put into practice what they have learnt :)

If you are keen to be like these ladies who are ready to blaze the trail, do join the next batch and sign up for the forthcoming workshop scheduled on 24 Sep 2010.

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When you next take the public transport (either the bus or train), do look out for some interesting moments that will entertain you. Seated behind this lady in the bus, I was literally invited into her world as she sought to put colour on herself. Don’t get me wrong for I wasn’t being rude and I certainly wasn’t intruding. Yes, she was applying makeup in the bus!

Looking at the way she applied powder, then the blusher, mascara and lipstick, this probably is not the first time she has been transforming herself in the bus. Never mind that the journey was less than smooth always and the bus screeched to a halt sometimes, her expert hands never failed her. In less than five minutes, she was done. One last look and she was satisfied with what she saw in her pocket mirror.

To me, applying makeup is a very sensual and intimate affair. If I were a lady, I would never ever do it in full view of the public. Why would I want others to know what brand of cosmetics I use and how I go about transforming myself from plain Jane to pretty lady? Just imagine if I were a novice and the bus halted suddenly, my less than skilful hands would mess up my face, and perhaps give me a crooked red smile thanks to the lipstick direction gone wrong instead of the full lips I had anticipated.

The biggest no-no has to be this. No lady on her way to work should be seen with her bedroom face. As I always share with my participants, this is one of the perennial image destroyers for a lady. If you show the world your bedroom face (which in essence is sans makeup), it just goes to show how lazy and sloppy you are. But I’m not asking you to get all dolled up like a geisha or Lady Gaga. All ladies need to look presentable is polite makeup – powder and lipstick. This is the minimum standard. And all it requires is just five minutes. Have your makeup on before you leave the house.

One last thing ladies – if you need to touch up quickly, please excuse yourself and do it in the washroom. This is basic social etiquette. 

It really takes just one-tenth of a second to leave a lasting first impression. Had I seen the lady with her makeup on, I would have been left with a positive first impression. But because I had witnessed her metamorphosis, I really had to deduct first impression brownie points from her.

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