2015 Goals

This post is way overdue but then I thought its never to late to share my thoughts and goals with you guys for this year. My 2015 started off really good, compared to how I started my 2014. There were so many issues and such back then and I was fixing it through out the whole year. Although I may have given up on some but its never too late to try again.
Anyways, my 2014 ended with a bang and I gotta say, I've been blessed in so many ways.
In 2014, I started university and currently taking up bachelors in international travel and tourism majoring in hospitality and I must say, so far so good. Im happy with what im doing and I cant wait to graduate and get a job in line of my degree. I still can't believe that Im off to my second year already! It has been a mixture of ups and downs but im looking forward to whats ahead of me. In 2014, I was also blessed to have given the opportunity to have two jobs, considering that I am also in Uni then and it all worked out pretty good. And to have my family support me all the way, from picking me up after work and also dropping me off and lending me the car when I do finish late at work. Also, I am proud to say that I am in a stable relationship with my Boyfriend and without him, I dont know how I'll be able to control my life sometimes. Although, I went downhill with fitness, Im satisfied enough to have learnt so much about health. It opened my eyes to what Im consuming and Im thankful for the people that inspired me to keep going.

My goals for 2015 are simple. They may sound cliche but these are the things that I need to work on the most.

1. Rekindle my faith.

"A thousand times I fail, still Your mercy remains." I go by these lyrics cuz its just on point. This has got to be the very first one on my list. I haven't been embracing my faith as much and I do feel bad about it. Im definitely working on this goal this year. 

2. Go back to fitness

Left photo: 2012 Right photo: early 2014

Believe it or not, I lost a total of 10 kgs ever since I started gyming and eating clean. But I lost all motivation towards the end of 2014. I really looking forward to going back to fitness. Slowly getting there. 

3. Keep up a B average for 2nd year in University

I actually did pretty good in uni for my first year even though I struggled to fit in, I struggle to adjust, I did better than I expected. Now, I just need keep doing what Im doing and oush myself harder. This semester, Im not really familiar with any of my subjects but I just need to pull myself out and do what I can do. 

4. Travel

Yesssss! Me and my girlfriends have been planning to go to Australia this year to visit one of our closest friends who is currently in Melbourne! and from there, we'll go to Gold Coast! I've always love the idea of travelling with a group of friends! Im looking forward to all my future travel endeavours! And with this on my list, Philippines is also in my list. The last time that I was in the Philippines was back in 2012. I'd really like to visit the homeland anytime soon. And with travelling on my 2015 goals, I really do need to step up my game in terms of saving money. 

5. Discover New Zealand.

My family migrated in New Zealand back in 2007. Its been 8 years since then and I do want to explore New Zealand more. I can pretty much say I grew up in New Zealand. I was only 11 back then. Though it was a tough move as we found it hard to adjust, culture wise. I want to discover New Zealand in so many ways. New Zealand has so many beautiful places that I have yet to discover. And im hoping to do so with my boyfriend. 

6. Read more books
I've got a lot of books in my room and I've only read a few of them. Some unfinished. I still think that reading is better than watching, though I do watch a few TV series every now and then but im not committed. Sometimes I watch a few episodes and wont continue to watch the rest. Same goes for reading. I read a few chapters and then I neglect the book. I need to read more books this year.

7. Be minimalist
There are some things that I need to change this year and that includes being minimalist. Things such as alcohol or clubs dont amuse me anymore. Also, I need to put my phone down a lot now and less social media. Hence the new facebook where I have less friends so less interaction.

Thats all for now :)

From Plain to Dots

Hey guys!

Summer is here and I am currently working two part time jobs. Though I still dont know how I feel about having two jobs but Im happy I can afford to buy Christmas presents for my family and friends. Perks of earning money from two jobs is that I also get to save up for a plane ticket to the Philippines and Im kind of hoping to go sometime next year. Though next year I am hoping to travel a lot from the islands to Australia, taking it one step at a time. Also hoping to see Queenstown during winter next year. 

My birthday is just around the corner. It hasnt hit me yet but I feel like I have more responsibility now that I work to earn money. Its a lot of responsibility in terms of helping out with financial stuff at home and also personal stuff. Theres also that part when you work so much that you feel like you deserve to buy something for yourself. Kind of like a reward. I am currently working on resisting to buy myself a reward due to the fact that Christmas is just around the corner and I do have to buy presents for my loved ones.

I also feel like this year went by pretty fast. Though im not gonna lie to you, 2014 was so good to me. New house, new phone, new car, 2 jobs, a caring boyfriend, 1st of uni done and dusted, met Kathniel in person and lost 12 kgs in 1 year and went down from 34% bodyfat to 18%. I couldnt ask for more. I have everything that I need and I have achieved my goals for 2014. I can't wait for new adventure to come next year. New year, New goals, I cant wait to show you guys that experience.

Anyways, heres an irrelevant outfit post :)

Outfit details

Top from Supre

Shorts from Valleygirl

Shoes from Rubi

Sunnies from NZ Sale

Lipstick shade Viva Glam III by Mac

Thats all for now :)

Love lots,

healthy smoothie

Hey guys,

I thought I'd blog about food today. Smoothie is still counted as food right?
Well anyways, i love making homemade stuff. I prefer eating homemade salad instead of spending $10 something or maybe more on salad at a food place or something. Personally, my favourite is Green Juice. I have been watching Benji from "itsjudyslife" on youtube and he always makes green juice for his family. It may look a bit odd but trust me its hella good!

My green juice consist of baby spinach, cucumber, apples, lemon, kiwi and sometimes I put berries but it really depends. For addition, I put ice and honey to sweeten it up and also add some coconut water when I have one available. This year is the year that I have really cut down on a lot of food. I dont eat any fastfood but I do crave for some fries every now and then. When I do, I kill it in the gym and I go on a strict clean diet for a week. I feel good about my body now. At first, I was really insecure about my thigh area and my arms. Now, seeing what eating clean and doing fitness really does to my body motivates me to do even better. Looking back to where I was before, Im pretty proud of my progress although Im currently on that stage where my weight wants to play around and go up and down. I know sleeping well helps and trust me, I dont have that. Yeah, I eat well and exercise atleast 3 times a week but sleeping for 8 hours is really hard for me now that I have two jobs. Im not complaining though.

Anyways, today, I made a different type of smoothie, and it is so good, you must try it! I have never tried it before but Im glad I did!

Whats in it?

Frozen organic mixed berries, pineapple juice, 1/2 cup of rolled oat and honey.

And then you just blend it until everything is blended together and you're done. Its so good and healthy! Its something I would have for breakfast or even an after workout snack.

Thats all for now!

P.S I used my habitual fix jar because I couldnt find my mason jar :(

6 simple routines that I do .

Hey readers!
firstly id like to apologize for not updating my project skinny due to busy schedules. I had assessments to finish and work to follow and it got in the way of my workout schedules.
but im back on track now. It'll probably happen again now that exams are coming up and with work, it'll be a little hard to find time to go to the gym but thats not an excuse because I know I can do some at home.

Anywhooo~~
Im here to just drop by 6 things that I do to stay "healthy" or "fit" even though we all know that im not the healthiest nor fittest, this is what I do to keep me on track.

1. Drink lots of water!
Just like every fitness guru would advice, go for water. Water is actually good for you as it helps boost your metabolism and it also helps you keep hydrated for a longer period of time. As for me, I put lemon and/or orange in my water. Drinking water helps my skin glow nicer.

2. Exercise whenever you can!
Even walking counts as exercising. When I know I cant go to the gym due to busy schedules, I make sure I get my 2km walk done. As for me, I walk quite a lot in town. To and from britomart to get to uni. And also, I joined a gym. And because I pay for it, I make sure I dont waste my money. I spend a good 1 hour and 45 minutes max at the gym whenever I can. And the maximum times that I go to the gym is 3 times a week if im busy and can only do 1, I make sure I do some at home.

3. Cut down on the processed food that you eat!
Back in 2011, I used to go straight to BK and buy burgers. I'd have some every day afterschool. And it wasn't healthy. Now, ive cut down so much on fast food. Ironic how I work at a fast food restaurant yet I dont eat them. I learned that by eating fast food, which are mostly processed food, it is harder to lose the amount that you ate. Have healthier options such as home cooked meals. Believe me, its actually hella cheaper! Also have some fruits everyday. Get that in your system.


4. Motivate yourself! 
Follow fitness pages on instagram and/or twitter. Trust me it helps! Just try not to get to insecure about what you see. If you want it, you'll work hard for it. As for me, I also follow fitness food pages which actually helps me look at food in a different perspective. And when you're working out, fight for it. Dont stop because you're tired but stop because you're sore. Be your own motivation. It helps a lot too :)


5. Get enough sleep
With Internet and everything else that could bother you from getting a full 8 hour nap, try turning of your wifi if you know that you have to wake up early the next day. Sleeping is essential as it provides energy for you to last the whole day. Feeling energize for a long day can get you motivated to do so much in one day. By the end of the day, it'll just be perfect for you to go to sleep.


6. Have a cheat day!
reward yourself from all the hard work. My cheat day for me still doesnt include fast food but its more like the dessert. Dont go to hard on it as it can be really hard on the next time that you work out or it might make you feel bad. Go ahead! Have a cheat day! But dont make it a habbit. My cheat day is probably once every two weeks.




And thats all for now! I will leave you all with this progress shot from december 2012 to may 2014. 61kgs to 53kgs.

Next post will be a food journal :) 

love lots,

Nina ♡