By just glancing at my updates on this blog or all my social media profiles, anyone can easily point out and safely assume that I live a very active lifestyle comprising sports and working out in the gym. That is correct.

But only those who really know me well enough would know that I love taking part in charitable causes and helping the less fortunate.

Because really, it's not something you can document everyday.

Keeping track of the distance I've just ran with my new companion on my iPhone.

Ergo, I was delighted when I found out that I could combine the benefits of running and being charitable at the same time, all in a single app on my mobile phone.

Guess what I was introduced to?

Enter: Rexona Move.

After downloading it, you get a little walkthrough on what Rexona Move is all about and how it works

Basically, this app is a fun initiative to yank you out of your seat and be active. Work up a sweat, baby! 

Our movements will be turned into distance to help underprivileged children in every state in Malaysia – yup, your help will be channeled nationwide!

How? You ask.

It records our distance when we move from one point to another via GPS, tracks them, and turns them into contributions. Yeah, it calculates and submits all the contributions for you.

All you need to do now, is to get up MOVE.

I selected the 'running' mode yesterday evening to accompany my daily runs.

So far, I’ve been using it for a lot of different activities like shopping, running errands, jogging, walking home from the nearby grocery store and especially when  I do my runs around the neighbourhood.

So let's see how I fared on my first run with Rexona Move.

As a heath and fitness enthusiast, I always encourage stretching those quads and hamstrings before a run.

Warming up will do you good!

Another muscle group that will be heavily used during this run are the ones in your calves!

Staying hydrated before my run!

And it's time for the flag off! Am I ready for this race despite being the only participant? 

So it's me against myself. I will show no mercy.

Run like the wind!

You know what I really love about this Rexona Move app?

It rewards me with badges whenever I hit a new milestone. Yay! Such gives me motivation to run and walk more for the sake of achieving more distances.

Got my first badge! 

Taking a short break while exploring the app further

Let's continue running!

Rexona Move on my iPhone is snug in the palm of my hand.

Even if you are not an avid runner, don’t like any form of sports, don’t like sweating, you can still be part of the cause by just living your life as per normal, doing the things you like.

It’s zero effort to help others. Why not?

There are a variety of activities available that won't impose on your daily activities

You walk, and climb the stairs at least once a day, don't you?  Heck, there's even a 'shopping' mode!

By doing absolutely nothing additional, you can go about your daily lives while simultaneously being part of a huge, collective effort of charity for underprivileged children across Malaysia!

Malaysians are amazing! Look at how much we've travelled so far!

Apa kata kita berganding bahu untuk menolong kanak-kanak yang kurang mampu?

Sounds like a pretty noble (and easy!) thing to do, if you ask me.

Running one swift step at a time!

I urge all of you to follow my footsteps (quite literally LOL) and download the Rexona Move app for the greater good of people in need. 

Rexona Move is available on your iPhone’s App Store and your Android’s Google Play store.

Install it and make a difference to others. I sure did!

Haha I like this photo. It looks like I'm running straight towards an oncoming vehicle, right? LOL

The aswer lies in camera angles. SO don't worry at all; I'm obviously not attempting suicide.  

The lovely rainbow I saw across the sky that evening.

It's a good sign, innit? Heaven approves 

Nine minutes into my run!

Hi. 

Remember, it doesn’t matter if you’ve ran a 10 kilometre marathon or walked for 5 metres just to cross the  road to buy some food, because each movement counts… it matters! 

Every little contribution is donated to help all the underprivileged children in Malaysia.

Sedikit lama-lamanya akan menjadi bukit, kan? 

All tired out after running for almost 10KM!

But I know it's worth it. 

It’s that effortless. Can you imagine hardly lifting a finger to contribute to charity and to turn someone's life around for better days ahead? 

Anymore preaching and I'll feel like Mother Teresa already.

So you get the drill, right?

Hand-in-hand with Rexona Move, let’s do this together and sweat to change lives… so get moving!

———————————————————————————-

For more information on Rexona Move, you can:

Visit their official website at: www.RexonaMove.com.my

Have you ever been challenged to do something ordinary, BUT in a very extreme, out-of-the-ordinary way?
Well, I might just have.

A few nights ago, I was asked to up my game and to take a challenge in sharing this competition with you, dearest readers, and to produce a video of myself playing badminton – as creatively as I can.

Taking a short break during the shoot.

Truth be told, I am no skilled badminton player, but I’ve had my fair share of badminton almost every week during Physical Education lessons back in school and of course, the once in a blue moon, casual badminton session with my family.

So I suppose it is safe to say that I can play badminton quite decently, should my skills not betray me. I might be rusty!

The next morning, I had to borrow a badminton racquet and a few shuttlecocks

from Mr.BFF and we began shooting it over the weekend.

I gave it a long thought on what video I'm going to come up with, for my own version of upping my game.

Considering the fact that I often push myself to the limits and up my game with every gym session, I decided they were of similar nature which I could relate too. Combining these two together would be a brilliant idea! (At least to me, la :P)

After more than an hour of shooting and several hours editing + rendering the footages & video, here’s a VLOG and the video I managed to come up with:

Hope you like it!

Everyone in the gym were were giggling and giving me awkward stares. The nicer ones were asking what this was about, so I had to explain, as I was causing quite a racquet in the usually-quiet gym. (Haha. Geddit geddit?)

Now, I'm contemplating posting up a compilation of blooper footages that didn't make the final cut. It's so ridiculously stupid, I can be such a monkey sometimes.

So, that was how I upped my game. What about you?
Produce a creative video that shows your passion for badminton! It’s time to put your thinking caps on.

Watch the few teaser videos here to get your creative juices running.

I personally LOVE the Badminton in the Dark one.

Major madness!

Prove your worth by taking this challenge at www.AxiataCup.tv!

Show your badminton skills (or lack thereof!), your creativity, showmanship, any unique talents you possess or anything badminton-related that exemplifies your passion for badminton, for a chance to win amazing prizes.

Prizes:

• GOLD: Cash Prize Winning of MYR 5,000
• SILVER: Cash Prize Winning of MYR 3,000
• BRONZE: Cash Prize Winning of MYR 1,500

All winners also get:
An exclusive ‘VIP experience’ to attend the Semi Finals & Finals of Axiata Cup 2013 all happening in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the 13th and 14th of April 2013, as well as gifts from Axiata & their sponsors of Axiata Cup 2013!

Good news for my Indonesian readers!

If you win, this prize includes return flights

from Jakarta, Indonesia to Kuala Lumpur for two (2) people.

So that was my version of how I upped my game.

What’s your meaning of ‘Up Your Game’ in badminton?

You decide. It’s your turn now.
Have fun while you’re at it! I surely did LOL.

Check out the teaser video below!

And for your submission, here are just some extra pointers… just for you!

Upload your video at www.AxiataCup.tv. Contest ends on the 25th of March 2013.
Be sure to get your entry up by then! Winners will be announced on 9th April 2013.

So, keep your fingers crossed and all the best, dear readers! 

Being a fitness/sports enthusiast & a gym junkie, I do own several pairs of running, hiking, sports & gym shoes which I often wear for the different workouts I do.

More often than not, our feet is the most neglected part of our body; which is why I am a firm believer of investing in the best pair of workout shoes so as to give them the comfort they (and we!) deserve.  

Stay back!

I have the kick-ass power of Adidas' new adiPure 360 on my feet 

This multi-purpose & super-bendable pair of shoes is something every fellow gym bug would love to own

Adidas threw several roadshows around Klang Valley & East Malaysia to celebrate its launch!

When Adidas first launched it's brand new adiPure 360 training shoe,

I was invited to attend their official launch held at the main concourse of Pavilion KL.

This was what I was wore that afternoon.

I decided to come decked in my favourite gym-wear as I was also heading to the gym right after.

Jessicat wears : Top -to-toe by Adidas

Clearly, I'm an Adidias fan, eh? 

I was excited to see what Adidas has in store for us with the launch of their new footwear range.

Surely it was going to be something that all gym enthusiasts would kill for! 

Maggy and I. We both love working out real hard & nasty 

The afternoon kicked-off when the team from the Adidas management shared with us some very detailed product knowledge on conceptualizing the technology for the shoes, crafting of it and all the way up to the results.

It was set to give rise to an amazing user experience when gym junkies (like me!) put them on during our workouts. 

She explained to us more about the adiPure 360 design-wise

While he explained more about the dynamics and the support it gives our feet

You know how most sports have footwear designed specially for the sport itself, right?

Basketballers wear basketball shoes, runners have their running spiked shoes, hikers have their hiking boots

Well, Adidas' new adiPure 360 is designed primarily for gym usage!

Two of my favorite colours from the adiPure 360 range!

These shoes uses super light and flexible materials; featuring the latest in technology to support multi-directional movements, like lunges, squats, leg curls, aerobics and so on. 

Fitness & wellness instructor Yu Jin sharing how this shoe works best for gym workouts

The anatomically designed shoe provides comfort and support throughout every move we bust in the gym.

adiPure 360 allows our feet to move as nature intended – almost as if barefoot! – but still giving our feet the protection it needs during our strenuous workouts.

This allows us to get the most out of our workouts by helping us in natural strength building, agility and balance. Muscles work harder that way! 

They now have a Men's version & a women's version too!

Combat fighters, dancers and gym instructors were present during the event to showcase the dynamics of the adipure 360 training shoes on stage!

They performed an energetic workout demo which included Yoga,a Body Combat and MTV Dance.

You can watch the action right here :

httpv://youtu.be/Vuap3of9wAA

OPPP OPPP OPPP!!

Clearly, the design and overall flexibility of the adiPure 360 helps in promoting unrestricted movement and harnesses the body's mechanics, also aiming to strengthen the muscles in the feet, toes, ankles and lower legs.

   The Adidas team with their bright-coloured Adidias gym attire and of course, the adiPure 360

I love how their feet come together in such a haphazard manner, uniting all the colours of the adiPure360 into a wonderful image of teamwork.

They were such an active and lively bunch too! 

When it was lunchtime, Adidas Malaysia gave us all a lovely treat at Dome's Cafe directly adjacent to the main concourse. 

My Spicy Prawn Aglio Olio

Some friends I bumped into that afternoon! 

With some more fellow fitness enthusiastic friends at the event!

Looks some lovely photos with Amber as well

Maggy, Yu Jin and I

They've even had an interactive game for us to play to test out the adiPure 360! 

I was supposed to step on each correct answer (something like Dance Dance Revolution!)

Haha! So much fun 

Prior to wearing these amazing pair of training shoes, I always fear my sports shoes would give way at the part (it has already started to fray!) where it is bent to the maximum when I do my warm-ups, lunges, interval hill climbing and squats. 

Finally, a shoe that is born for the gym. I can do all my workouts in peace

I went directly to the gym with my new gym shoes and put it on immediately.

Was so pleased with it! My kickbacks, lunges, squats, jumping jacks, burpees, core planks, leg curls, crunches and even running on the treadmill was a breeze like never before! 

Putting my new adiPure 360 to test… it sure was worth it!

I'm this much closer to my goals. Come on.. you can do this, Jess! 

For once, I felt like I wasn't wearing a thing! 

The adiPure 360 was light and unobstructing, yet gives me a very good grip when I lift weights or run on the treadmill.

It felt so soft when my toes rubbed against the interior of the shoe and its material hugged my feet like second skin. 

Loving my brand new adiPure 360 gym shoes 

Thanks Adidias! 

You've come up with such a brilliant idea! So glad the adiPure 360 was designed with the gym in mind – it is music to the ears of my fellow gym rats and I! 

It was so snug and flexible, adapting to all my movements to the maximum 

You can get yours at RM350 from all Adidias stores.
They were so quick, I checked it out on the day itself..it was already launched & ready for sale!

Just came back from my very first marathon event!

Today's blogpost is a sequel to – this entry.

Just a lil selca of the panting, energy-drained & sweat-laden me at the finish line! 

My first ever 10KM run went superbly well considering the fact that I was running with two injuries – a bike accident last week & a sprained ankle yesterday 

It hurt so bad to the point that I was contemplating whether or not I ought to pull out from the race.

But when I woke up this morning fully energized from a good night's sleep, I knew there was no backing out from this Penang Bridge run. 

Ready to run the 10KM… with an ankle support LOL

After all, I have been looking forward to the Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) 2012 for several months now! Am I really going to chicken out from this? 

No way Jose, I'm still that tough cookie you used to know. And I'm all out for the race!

A power breakfast before my first marathon event : A banana and oats with soy and papaya! 

If you were wondering what happened to my PJ Half Marathon, there was a miscommunication in my participation; found out that I wasn't registered 🙁
So, I'm not gonna let anything get in the way of my will to finish that 10KM again… Not in a million years!

Thus began my foray into the world of marathon running..

Oh no! Human gridlock beside Eastin Hotel as we flagged off!

It was difficult to maneuver my way to the front, where the path was much clearer. 

To get there, I had to weave in and out amongst the sea of people in bright yellow

Whilst running, I must admit that I was, instead of focusing on my run, observing a lot of things around me like a curious kitten in the woods 
There were Boy Scouts and Girl Guides on duty manning the water stations, traffic police making sure we don't stray from our routes and Red Crescent Society members on stand-by with ice-packs and deep heating rubs.

The police shutting off main roads and highways for us!

Among the other things I saw were couples holding hands while running (umm.. what?), loving fathers piggy-backing their tired young sons, kids running in groups, fit Indian men sprinting, a Malay man running in his Baju Melayu, a white-haired Chinese septuagenarian running, several Caucasians and smelt people reeking of the most dreadful body odour, the type that would make you accuse them of smuggling expired cheese in their armpits.

For heaven's sake, please acknowledge the existence of deodorant.. I implore you!

Getting closer and closer to Penang Bridge!

Approaching the middle span of the Penang Bridge encouraged me to push myself further. (Before you reprimand me, I'm fully aware that I shouldn't run with a sprained ankle, much less exert pressure on my injury!) 

I particularly fancied the motivational signboards that were sparsely placed along the race track. It gave me the encouragement to keep running, just as my pace began to slow down.

Included in this enry, are three out of the many aforementioned signboards. Here's one:

Hear hear!

Running on the 4th longest bridge in Asia, couldn't ever have felt more fulfilling 

It just gives you that high you'll never get from anything else 

The accidental sunrise

The above photo is named as such because catching the sunrise this morning wasn't even part of the plan!

You know how I love waking up early to watch the sunrise or hike up a hill to wait for the sunset? This habit (or should I say, effort?) of mine is especially intensified whenever I go out of the country LOL. 

And today, the giant ball of resplendence – in such a perfect circle, no less! – had risen right before my very eyes. Being me, I whipped out my iPhone and started taking photos.

Clocked in 5KM in 35 minutes!

I carried a tiny waterbottle with me but disposed of it after hitting the 5KM mark as they were giving away mineral waterbottles 

Oh and, rumour has it that this year's run will be its last.

Next year's will be carried out on the 2nd Penang Bridge – estimated to be completed by mid 2013 – instead.

 At this point, I was even more fuelled keep going & ran as fast as my legs could carry me 

I finally clocked in 10KM at 1 hour and 10 minutes!

"Made it… at last", I muttered under my breath and gave the beads of sweat trickling down my forehead a final wipe down.

Yup, I felt like a million dollars the moment I crossed that finish line… You bet! 

LOL at the Charlie Sheen motivational signboard!

I guess I'll give myself a pat on the back for today's efforts 

Running with an injury isn't exactly the most pleasant feeling to have, as the burning, painful sensation was throbbing throughout my entire run. How unlucky! 🙁

Oh, really now? How apt for my condition 

Disregarding the pain, my experience as a first timer proved itself to be a very exhilarating one.

I managed to catch sight of very interesting occurrences along the race track; things that I would not have seen had I not partaken in this marathon event.

Received a certificate of participation! 

As I always average at 35 minutes for my 5KM run (part of my usual workout routine), today's 10KM fun run helped me set my benchmark for future races apart from gauging a personal record of my own pace and speed.

Today's unofficial record of 1hour and 10minutes included taking photos and tweeting (LOL!) apart from the ideal running, jogging and brisk walking intervals.

Fellow runners taking a rest after completing the 10KM

I don't know how the full-marathoners do it, to be honest. 

Finishing the 42KM, which takes approximately 7 hours, is downright impressive!

7 hours is the duration I take to sleep but the estimated time-frame they take to finish a full marathon.

At least I managed to finish my very first 10KM at my own pace, within the qualifiying time!

I know I'm a newbie in marathon running, but I'll get to the 42KM one day.
After all, we've all got to start somewhere 

Silly me, of course it'll be like running a marathon.

It IS a marathon in every sense of the word.

As I've always been a fitness junkie almost my entire life, I know you probably won't believe that it's gonna be my first time joining a marathon. 

Don't worry. Neither can I haha!

Okay, that's kinda true but not entirely. In high school, I joined several school cross-country runs and always emerged top 30. Does that count? Probably not. Heh.

Allow me to shamelessly display some of my athletic medals here LOL

I was a 100metreX4 relay runner, a 200metre runner, a high jumper, a long jumper, a netballer & a squash player

Mom sent it to me from home for motivation when I told her was joining my first marathon. 

Sucha sweetheart, ain't she? 

Marathon after marathon – Standard Chartered KL Marathon, Energizer Night Race, Adidas King of the Road, Monash University Run – I bookmarked the website but no thanks to my absent-mindedness, I end up forgetting to register myself for it.

Boo!

So yeah, up till now, I myself, cannot believe that I've not joined a single marathon at all.

Maybe it's also because the thought of the world 'MARATHON' intimidates me.

So… I'm supposed to compete with hundreds of other people for the medal & certificate? What if I don't make it? What if I embarrass myself? What if my friends all go ahead of me and I lag behind? 

Yes, I'm competitive by nature. Sue me.

I don't join competitions for the sake of it. Should I participate in something, I aim to win. 

So I decided to put my competitive nature aside as this is, after all, my first official marathon.

Yup, the PJ Half Marathon ongoing this 30th September!

Thanks to my two friends Prakash & Pamela, I was signed up for this before I even heard of it.

So yes, thank you for taking my popping my marathon cherry! 

This is the route I'll be running on :

Yup. 7 kilometres for my very first marathon.

I keep convincing myself that it shouldn't be thaaaaat bad or scary.

After all, I run 5KM every single time I go to the gym.

So… 7KM should be a breeze, no? Here's to hoping! *crosses fingers*

I began my training today and clocked in 47minutes. I was dissatisfied but oh well, I still have 9 more days till the marathon!

First day of endurance, strength & stamina training!

Adrenalin started to fill me and the next thing I did was to source for other marathons to participate in!

Gee, whizz! I searched the internet with full gusto and found something that I was pretty keen on joining.

Yup, it's the Penang Bridge International Marathon! 

I've been hearing so much about the annual Penang Bridge run year in, and year out, but somehow never bothered to participate. Double boo!

But lucky me, I've already registered myself, as this will be the LAST run on this bridge. Next year's run will be held on the Penang Second Bridge instead!

However, UNlucky me, I was a week late and all the spaces for the 10KM Open Category run had already been filled up 🙁

I was left with no choice but to participate in the 10KM Fun Run instead! No matter.

The route that I'll be running on :

So that's about it. If you hear about any upcoming marathons this year, do buzz me!

Even, better… JOIN ME!  I'm always up for a challenge *wink*