My Weight Watcher’s Viability!!!

I’ve decided to create a special blog about “health”.  I’m no expert or a doctor so you can’t sue me!

My sister, Monica is attending graduate school to be a health fitness instructor, so when I told her I was planning to lose weight she gave me somethig to think about so I want to share these same concepts to you.

A.)  SIZE & AGE

1. Always remember that no one is the same size, especially us women we constantly compare our 5.4′ with 165lbs, being over 30-35 and giving birth to 1 or more child or if we are big boned to a 5.0′ with 110lbs girl who is probably half our age.  Let’s get real here, as much as we’d love to get back into that skinny self of ours we can’t rush it or beat ourselves over it.  Age is also something to consider, no matter what the TV offers remember they are a marketing business to “make money” so do not fall into their scam.
2. Be in mindful that what may have worked for your friends, may NOT work for you, even if you have the same body size and frame.
3. Consult with your doctor first find out what IS your “Body” type:  petite, thin, slender, tall, average or even plus size.  Once you find out what your body type is, then your doctor can help you evaluate what is your body mass and how much fat you need to take out.  The most important thing is to know your body and your doctor would be the best consultant then those weight watchers people (not discrediting them, but please ask if they are a “licensed” MD, many are not and training certificate does not count).  At least for me.
4. Then your doctor will give you suggestions and advice on what you should do or to be aware of; as for me I have high blood pressure and I was a smoker (btw, haven’t smoked in close to 2 months!!)  I’m also older then 30 (Let’s just leave it at that .

B.)  Baby Steps

1. Don’t ever start anything drastic that is the MOST important part of this health remedy.
2. Be GOOD to yourself, when you are starting your weight plan, start small.
3. Never compare your metabolism to anyone in your household, spouse, teenagers or even your peers.
4. Eating styles, more and more magazines and healthcare physicians are “encouraging” for people to snack more often and to eat more meals in the day, but the question is what and how?
5. If you like to drink sodas like me, you don’t have to completely stop cold turkey; just do it in moderation.  For example:  Week One:  I stopped buying cases of sodas and restrict my soda intake to just social gatherings or I’d substitute the soda for ice tea or even fraps, the amount of sodium and syrup intake from sodas not only build up the negative fat in your body but can also rot your gums and teeth, so replacing it with ice tea even with real sugar is not going to do as much harm as sodas would, even with diet sodas it isn’t healthy.  Week Two:  I got use to drinking ice tea that I slowly weened myself into lemonade, but remember you must drink MORE water whenever possible, if you need to add flavor to your water mint leaves or just slices of lemon actually helps.
6. Create goals; whether it will happen or not is not of importance, just the mere fact you started one you deserve a pat on the back.  What I have done;  I will literally create a calendar and I’ll have it in lavendar construction paper with butterfly stickers   Sorry getting my crafty side in here.  I like to create a schedule, but I don’t create it for a whole month or a week, if you’re like me and our lives are so inconsistent and we don’t know how to be consistent, then start with 1 day.  For example; put down small goals like eating a fruit or drinking a fruit juice today.  If it helps put a star or your favorite stickers on the goal you completed that day.  Once this continues for 3-5 days straight, then start your weekly schedule and go from there.

C.)  Feeding the Hunger

1. If you’re like me and you don’t have a consistent schedule or sometimes your insomnia gets in the way, you’re thinking . . . “How do I get 6 meals a day and 8 small snacks in me?”  Here’s my suggestion to you; don’t ever completely go by any health suggestion unless it is strongly encouraged by your doctor.
2. Let’s go back to our homemade calendars we’ve created even if it’s just for that day.  Look at your schedule when you get up while you’re drinking your coffee; go through the list and look at how busy it will be, then you think “Oh gosh I have no time to pack me a lunch, gotta go and get some fatty food to eat as a drive by and then you’ll call your spouse or your child to get the frozen food out for dinner.  Here’s my suggestion:  If your schedule is already cramped, take some snack foods, preferably fruit bars, unsalted nuts, real fruit (not the ones in a cup), and a bottle of water.  If you’re at work and you’re not suppose to have food at your station, then snack on something while you’re up to walk around or when you’re in the break room.  Most importantly do not neglect your hunger.
3. Whatever you do, DO NOT skip breakfast!  You won’t believe how important this is; your body has built up fat over the evening while you were asleep, having to build up more fat for another 4-6 hours is not healthy.  Even if it’s yogart with some oats and a banana, hey you just had breakfast, but most importantly do not skip it.  If you overslept and it’s almost noon, then eat something!

D.)  Mathematics on Food

1. I  don’t know about you, but when it comes to adding, subtracting and multiplying my head begins to hurt, so those who are tech savy, there is an app for you (iPhone Users) called “My Fitness Pal.com”  I use it along with my weight tracker.  Those things are a piece of work!  No paperwork, not looking for your weight diary, who am I kidding I never did that! LOL.  Anywho, this actually does help along with “Fooducate” you can scan any food at your local grocery store and view the health reviews and calories.  For those who are non-iphone/smartphone users; well get out your trusty notebook and start counting! j/k, but seriously it is important to put this in your calendar.
2. When we keep track, it truly helps us to see how far we’ve come and it encourages us to keep going.
3. When cooking a boxed meal, always look at the serving size content and if the sodium is high for that meal, mix it up with more veggies and less carbs and I’ll get to Carbs in the next section.
4. NEVER weigh yourself after you eat, I can’t tell you how many of my friends have done this, unless you want a heartattack, don’t do it!  As the old rule goes:  Weight yourself right when you get up in the morning that will determine your true weight.

E.)  To be Atkins or Not to be Atkins???

1. I want to forwarn anyone who LOVES the Atkins Diet that all of the suggestions I have here is in my own personal opinion along with other doctors I have asked and I’m just sharing my thoughts about the whole Atkins method.
2. I do not believe you should take out any of the food groups in your diet including cholesteral and fat.  Every food group is just as important as the others, the problem we have in the US regarding obesity is that we aren’t being physically active and we take on too much of something so always think “moderation”.
3. I still lost weight without changing the color of my pasta or rice.  I still eat white sticky sushi rice Yum!  You can’t tell someone you’re eating healthy when you have wheat pasta or brown rice if you have so much butter and non-sea salt covering your pasta or rice, you might as well just have it with the white rice/pasta.
4. When eating any type of carbs, always you moderation never over do it.  It’s okay to have carbs in every meal, but if you’re going to do that use more veggies and fruit.  Watch your intake with butter, salt or oil in your foods as well.

F.)  Fitness

1. As I had mentioned in the beginning, you can not compare your body with anyone else, if you are between the ages of 18-25 vs. 25-35 or 35 and up; each of your physical regimene is going to depend on your doctor’s recommendation, but I can say this; if you’re like me and HATE the idea of excercizing, then don’t do it.  There are plenty of physical activity that won’t feel like excercize.  What I did is start with Wii games and I’m not talking about Zumba, I’m talking about playing with my children; boxing, baseball, skiiing; the important part is that you’re getting up and doing something.
2. Getting involved in some physical activity will take your mind off of your depression, your low self-esteem and it is fun when you can involve yourself with your kids.
3. Those who are single or have no children, get a Wii game anyways or a Kinnect, I can’t tell you how much fun it is to invite some of your girl friends and just blast music and have fun in the comfort of your home.  If you are a loner like my husband (hint, hint); what he does like to do is just take walks around the park, downtown area and of course us women LOVE to shop, even if it’s window shopping, but at least we’re getting up.
4. More we are involving ourselves in a consistent physical activity, it will increase our energy to do more and this is where excercize or workout will start to come in.  Remember always start slow don’t just jump on a treadmill, otherwise you won’t feel like you’ve made any changes.
5. Don’t ever forget to praise yourself!  To me I feel it is the most important part of changing our lives.  Losing weight doesn’t have to be boring or without sugars and sweets.  What I do if I feel I’ve accomplished something I do go out and get me a frapp if I’ve completely been off of sodas for a whole week!  The more often I praise myself the more I start to notice my caution in what and how I order food.

I hope these steps were a helpful guide and remember, this may have worked for me, but don’t hold it 100%; please consult your doctor first.  I hope this will guide you to a more healthier and happier you!  I love you all!

Public Figure

We’ve all been there before, find someone we admire whether it’s their words of wisdom, lifestyle, clothing, shoes or even their occupation, now if you want to go farther then that, then my suggestion would be to see a shrink. My favorite celebrities have mostly been classic stars, I’ve always admired strong, bold and especially the “underdog”. I love Kathryn Hephburn, Lucille Ball, Gloria Graham, Shirley Temple, Maya Angelou, Mother Theresa, Ellen and Vince Morris. I’m sure you’ve heard of them and some you haven’t, I remember back in 1997, I shared a thought with one of my guy friends and said, “I want to be a singer”. The most profound thing he said to me was, “When you become famous, you lose who you are and become what the public wants you to be.” That phrase has been haunting me recently.

When I look at my life today, being a mother, wife and activist my schedule is already busy as it is and I truly enjoy my “down” time, I can’t imagine a more hectic life then what I’m going through right now.  My film, “Eden” is expected to be released this year according to the IMDB and since the announcement of Jamie Chung starring in my film, I’ve received so many contacts, letters, admirers and etc. I am however pleased to receive any letters of those who send sincere thanks and admiration, but what does annoy me is when, all they want to do is talk about the film, the cast or when they can get involved in this entourage of my public life?  That is how you know they know nothing about you.  I seperate people I “network” with verses people I consider my personal friends.  I don’t mind collaborating and networking with other organizations, but if you haven’t reached out to me before “Eden” became an existence and I’ve written to you before, what makes you think you’re invited to network with me now?

I don’t care to have an entourage of people to follow me, unless they want to admire the REAL me. I am very outspoken, I don’t back down just because you or I disagree with each other nor will  I refuse to silent my voice, feelings or emotions. I can be very soft spoken or I can be a pitbull, it’s all in how you approach me.  I don’t like to be told what to do, what to say and who to be.  I don’t want to change who I am and I don’t ever want to forget where I came from, but most of all I hate conformiity we don’t have to have the same belief, politics, or lifestyle, I can get along with almost anyone.  I don’t care where you come from, I just want to know where you are going, you’re not obligated to explain your past I want to know what you are willing to do about it and if you’ve been hurting, what methods have you tried in coping your pain or to find resilience, serenity and free from bitter and anger?  I have always been a fighter and I don’t mean in a steel armor and a long sphere running down the field just for a kill, I mean a fighter in form of not giving up in speaking, loving, adoring and saving those who give me just a glance of their cry for freedom.

In less then a month, I will be noticed in a larger format, I don’t want to make new friends if it’s just going to be people who don’t care about MY aspiration, dreams or want to sit and laugh with me.  I have my moments where I want to talk about my scrapbook, my favorite color or start a group for women about healing.  I want to share cake and coffee and let time escape us, I want to stay in a foreign country and watch children smile, see women walking by with their baby behind their backs as they carry a load on their head, I want to invite the handicap for dinner and dance with the homeless. I want to sing in the rain and just enjoy LIFE; to me that is beauty, I don’t care for fancy cars, I don’t know how to be “proper” in a high class fashion, in my case I might just tear the back of my dress cause I accidentally stepped on the edge and my panties will show, but you know what?  It’s who I am, I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a chance to visit my friends in Oklahoma, I enjoy sitting on the tailgate of a Ford or Chevy pick up truck, swig down a few beers, sitting around with friends with an ice cooler in the middle and just talk about anything.  I like to sit in a coffee shop, drink my iced, frozen or hot mocha and play games on my ipad, write on my blog or spend time with friends who want to talk about dreams.

I have my moments of luxury if you want to know what they are: I want a 2003 and up a Lavendar VW Beetle or a 2010 VW Eos Black. I’d love to have a cute little beach house in CA with wicker furnitures, journal books, gel pens and unlimited amounts of $0.99 flip flops.  If I want to travel, I’d prefer to stay in Cambodia vs. France; Africa vs. Japan and India vs. Italy; those are nice places, but I feel more vibrant and energetic with people who humble me.  I want to emerge myself into handmade arts and crafts then designer clothes and jewelry, trust me you can ask my husband he’ll tell you I refuse to wear any jewelry and I’m not big on flowers either.  I love to sit and journal my thoughts, I love to collect stationeries and I do love designer handbags that is the ONLY expensive thing I do love, but other than that, I am a pretty simple person and I love to hang out in second hand stores and antique shops, these are the things I do LOVE!!!

When you see me on TV, newspaper or in a magazine, do not assume what you think I might be, just ask me and If I appear rude to you, I promise you it’s nothing personal, I’m just tired of people starting a conversation with: “What was it like to meet (celebrity)?” If you want to know ME, then ask me about me. I will talk to you, I will reach out and I will sit and listen, but do not underestimate my kindness for stupidity.  Even today, I try my best to respond to everyone on Facebook, Twitter (still learning) and any other social network sites, if you haven’t heard from me in a month, write me back I promise you I’m not “intentionally” ignoring you and if I don’t like you, trust me I’m not afraid to tell you or your friendship request would not be honored, but I do tend to get sidetrack and forget, remember I’m no superwoman, I’m just me.

Live, love, laugh and most of all be in the moment! I want to send out a special thanks to my friends and they know why they are, the ones who’ve seen me struggle, the ones who reached out when no one did and the ones who believed in me and told me that I am always loved. Thank you so much for being there and loving me uncondistionally! I love each and every one of you!!!

When I speak, I don’t just share my story, what I have to say COULD save your child’s life!

The cat and mouse chase between the good guys verses the bad guys are oblivious when shown in the cartoon where children see the bad guys dressed in black, good guys are in hippy colored clothes like ‘Scooby Doo, Rocky & Bullwinkle and Smurfs’ as years went on, more details stories through animation puts in a more sinister twists like ‘X-men, Thundercats or Batman & Beyond’ that took a new turn of what being bad can be twisted into manipulation, lies and deceit.  Yet we can still tell who the ‘good’ guys are from the ‘bad’ ones, the sad reality is that in the real world, it isn’t so easy to recognize.

As the words of a popular artist, Everlast once said, “I’ve seen a rich man beg,  I’ve seen a good man sin,  I’ve seen a tough man cry,  I’ve seen a loser win,  And a sad man grin,  I heard an honest man lie,  I’ve seen the good side of bad,  And the down side of up,  And everything between.”  It’s true, nothing is ever consistently good or consistently evil either, maybe that explains why science has figured out why most of the population has become bi-polar?  I’m not psychologist, but it does make you wonder.  I have seen a lot in my life and though if I could turn back the hands of time, that was my wish, now I look back and realize everything is where it should be.  I don’t believe in God the way the bible is written, the God of my understanding and I, well we have our own special relationship.  My God have saved me from multiple attempts of suicide, saved me from several rape situations and also saved me from being murdered, but most of all he saved me from turning into the very people I despised most, traffickers.

The world of illicit trade isn’t so black and white as most people would believe it, if I told you any suspicions that I had or what I have seen I know I will have my line of haters, unbelievers and  those who are diehard fans of our government and that’s fine, cause your insults do not scare me one bit, but if I could challenge you to think about this; if you can’t believe people are literally buying a child or an infant for sex, then why do you believe that sex offenders exist?  You can’t believe half the truth and then say the possibility isn’t there?  Sure I have my bias moments as well, I personally do not believe in giving aggravated sex offenders a human way to be punished, I do believe an eye for an eye, especially when it comes to a child or an infant or anyone who is vulnerable.

My point is this, when you feel the need to “preach” to anyone what is trafficking/pimping or you are going to a conference that is about that topic, do not be so naive to believe those very people you are warning about, aren’t there either, because they are.   Criminals have become very smart, unlike the cartoons we may have grown up with, they aren’t stupid.  I will admit I’ve seen and heard stories of idiots, but a true criminal, is highly intelligent.  What my hope is in the near future is to step away from the whole, “Chong Kim’s story” and start doing something training and work.  I want to do workshops with; law enforcement, social workers, activist, law students and schools.  People who’ve never been trafficked, I don’t mean to discredit you, but you can read all the text, true crime stories or watch an unlimited of CSI or Law & Order shows, but until you have come face to face with their MO, their smell, their demeanor, character, persona(s) and have lived with them, eat with them, breath with them, then you honestly cannot offer insights that us survivors can, but what you can do is bring us into a movement so that we can decrease or prevent another person, child, woman, boy to be the next victim.

I never understood the segregation that we have created in this country; abolitionist who are survivors, feminist, academics, law enforcements and faith base, it’s time to eliminate the segregation and work together to end this vicious cycle, if you truly want to end this you must come prepared with an open mind and the willingness to learn all aspects, if you come in with an assumption you will walk out with only crumbs of information.  I don’t share graphic sexual details to children, but let’s quit with the naïve-ness when you hesitate to invite me to your Congregation, Church, Schools of Jr. High or High School, what you think your children have NOT heard, I guarantee you they have and if I’m wrong, trust me what I tell them will save their life.  That is a GUARANTEE.  If you think I am ignorant to talk about sex to a 6 year old, you have no idea who I am, but I will to a 12 year old girl/boy; did you know there are 10 year old children giving oral sex to each other and was told that was not “sex” so they thought it was okay?  Did you know pre-teens are taking birth control because the older kids told them it would protect them from STD and HIV?  If you didn’t know, I believe it’s time for me to come and talk to your family, church or school.  Remember, DENIAL is the number one killer in our children today.

If you are serious in learning their behaviors and you want to know more, please contact me at: ckim75@breakingoutcorp.org    Thank you!