The quest to be bikini ready for Bali

Who am I...?

I'm a web editor from Singapore living in Tokyo. I'm building websites for a living as a writer on the go. I worked in print media for six years until I moved countries and used the Internet as a way to have a viable, mobile career. The Internet is a fascinating space and I never thought I would ever morph into a web chick - but here I am.

This blog is about...

...The ups and downs of expat life, trailing partner issues, food, travel, and Japanese culture. It's a way to keep in touch with friends back home and all over the world, plus it's a corner for me to showcase my work. But really, I'm just a restless spirit looking for great adventures and fabulous food.

The quest to be bikini ready for Bali

Posted on 14 July 2008
Tags: Expat musings

Introducing my latest workout buddy…Billy Blanks! It’s so cheesy, I know, but a lot of women swear by this kick-boxing aerobic and ab routine. Even more embarrassing is that this was THE exercise DVD of the year in 2007 — I sure took a long time to check this out. I used to chuckle over the fact that this ex-military dude could get so many sedentary Japanese women off their butt to do killer stomach crunches in their living rooms.

When it first came out, the set cost a little over JPY14,000 but I got this for JPY6,900 on Amazon Japan. What a steal, eh?

The unique thing about Billy’s Bootcamp is that it incorporates rubber bands into the workout. Man, believe me that your muscles will burn when you try it.

I decided to give this a go to stretch out stiff back and arm muscles, plus a gal pal raved about how effective this is. Prior to this morning’s full session with the bands, I only did the basic routine without the extra equipment and I am horrified that my fitness levels are terrible. I could hardly keep up at certain segments like the push ups and various stomach crunches. I lay on the floor for a short while after it was over…

I only have a month and half before our trip to Bali where bikinis are mandatory. Wish me luck.