You're not happy with how you look. You feel that you should exercise because it's healthy. You want to exercise because it means that you can eat more. Whatever your motivation is, there are many advantages to working out. For me, aside from vanity, I exercise for both physical and mental health reasons. I find that endurance sports is able to help me regulate my thoughts better so that I don't overthink about issues in an unhealthy manner.
So, here are 5 small ways for those who wish to start their fitness journey but feel that they have absolutely NO inclination to work out and ZERO fitness level. That was me about 3-4 years ago.
1. Start with small goals
Don't sign up for a 10km run in a few months and start training for it. Chances are, your body isn't even used to exercise and your heart isn't able to take the sudden increase in workout load. You'll feel that your stamina is very poor and you'll get tired so easily, which is very discouraging. Without much motivation to begin with, doing this would make you give up and quit within a week or 2. Instead, set achievable goals for yourself based on what you're comfortable with. 2km runs, 15 min on the stationary bike, or even just 30 sit-ups a day.
2. Get into a routine
No matter what your starting point is, the key thing here is to get yourself into a routine of working out. Many people have the tendency to want quick results - they start trying all sorts of diets, sign up for classes, get a gym membership etc. In the end, all these don't quite last. What we're going for is something sustainable. Hence, it has to be part of your way of life. You need to eventually incorporate it into your lifestyle. By setting aside purposeful time to exercise, you're more likely to stick to that timing and have more regular sessions of workout.
3. Do it with a friend
Life is not a journey alone - you will realise that it's so much better and easier with an accountability partner. Aside from reminding each other and prodding one another, working out with your significant other or a friend makes things so much more fun! There are many buddy workouts that you can try, and I can share them another time. For those who do couple workouts, it's also a cheap and good way to spend time together and build each other up (literally and figuratively).
4. Have realistic expectations of yourself
There are many fitness gurus and social media influencers that show their toned muscles, 6-packs, abs etc. Those are nice and fancy to have, good to look at, but they do not equate to fitness. That should not be your goal (or at least not at this juncture - when you get fitter they come along naturally). Having these unrealistic expectations will only serve to discourage when you don't get them even after having worked out awhile. I was overly concerned about them at one point and it wasn't very healthy at all. In the end, I just stuck to eating healthily and working out as how I usually do and I realised that I definitely became stronger and fitter.
5. Celebrate mini checkpoints
Working out gets really dreary if you don't celebrate the milestones in between! I always set my own mini personal bests that I want to hit. They aren't that far off from my current standard so I make sure that they're achievable in the near future. I give myself mini rewards when I've hit my target! The sense of accomplishment is also enough to keep me pushing myself to the next target, so it becomes like a game where you level up slowly. Alternatively, when you feel that you're ready, you can sign up for small races which also serve as platforms for you to hit your milestones.
The most important thing to remember is that you are not competing against anyone else but yourself. The greatest barrier to working out is your mind, which is why exercise trains discipline, perseverance and character. It also pushes you out of your comfort zone and challenges you so that you realise that you need people to walk alongside you and God to give you strength.
Night markets in Bangkok: A review
I just came back from Bangkok recently and had a hard time selecting the night markets that are worth the while. Most Singaporeans are not foreign to Bangkok and since it's only a 2 hour flight, it is a good short getaway trip. Yet, within that short period you're in Bangkok, you would want to visit night markets that have interesting stuff or good food. Otherwise, what's a night market for, right? I've compiled a list of night markets/weekend markets I've been to and will review them here!
1. Chatuchak Weekend Market
What is Bangkok without Chatuchak, right? Despite the fact that it's extremely touristy and crowded, I never miss this weekend market whenever I make a trip to Bangkok. I also make a trip to Union Mall thereafter because it's in the same area.
What are some things you shouldn't miss whilst at Chatuchak?
Coconut ice-cream. There are so many brands there but the popular one is "Coco-JJ" - they give toppings and a cup of coconut water together with your ice cream! Also, they've now expanded into other flavours...but hey, we're there for the coconut ice-cream so make sure to order that as one of your flavours!
Household items. These are by far my greatest weaknesses when I shop overseas. It's a weird hobby that my boyfriend and I picked up ever since we started going on vacations together. Chatuchak has a whole array of wooden cutlery and utensil at cheap prices! They also have cheap aroma oils, lights, trays, storage compartments etc.
Clothes. In the past, Chatuchak was mainly second-hand denim/shoes and tourists' favourite quotes on t-shirts. Well, those stalls still exist (minimally), but there are many other gems - dresses, t-shirts, camisoles, bags. It's like blog-shopping in real life.
However, I did find that Chatuchak's food has become a little too pricey for my liking. A small bowl of noodles used to be 40 baht but has now increased to 80 baht and the amount will not be sufficient to fill you for a meal.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
สวนจตุจักร Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Lat Yao, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday, 9am-6pm
How to get there: Alight at Mo Chit BTS and walk
2. Talad Rod Fai Srinakarin
This is probably my favourite night market of the lot. It's huge, the selection of food and clothes were the best (to me), and the prices are also very reasonable. There are a couple of sit-down open-air eateries or air-conditioned ones that you can choose from, so you can feel free to have your dinner there! They even have a wide selection of korean food (but I didn't bother with those because I would have gone to Korea for that).
What not to miss:
Old cars. There is a row of old cars/trucks that you can take photos with, so if you're a big fan of vintage car models, be sure to check those out!
Vintage signages. There are a couple of stalls there that sell vintage signages for pretty cheap prices. I found them really cool as house/cafe decorations! If you buy in bulk, it's a lot cheaper.
Other than that, just have fun walking around and exploring the various clothes stalls! The only drawback is that it's rather inaccessible, so there are branches of Talad Rod Fai at other locations as well.
Rod Fai Srinakarin Night Market
Soi Srinagarindra 51, Khwaeng Nong Bon, Khet Prawet, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250, Thailand
Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday, 5pm onwards
How to get there: Grab would be the easiest
3. Talad Neon
Located in the heart of the shopping district in Pratunam, this night market is probably the most accessible one. You can easily walk there after shopping at Platinum fashion mall. It's not very big and can be covered within an hour or so. I love how the stalls are arranged in neat rows because it makes it a lot easier to know where you've walked.
Talad Neon's food selection is focused very heavily on seafood, and they also have cheese toast and milk tea stalls for the hipsters.
I managed to find some nice selection of clothes there, so just trawl through the rows of shops and find the hidden gems! They do have some cool spectacle selections if you're looking for a new pair.
What not to miss:
Kodleng spicy pork bone soup. This dish was absolutely delectable and appetising. Kodleng's other dishes were also very well done, so I highly recommend this eatery to anyone who goes to Talad Neon.
There are apparently exotic animals as well but I didn't get a chance to see them! So you can check them out when you're there.
Talad Neon
1087, 167 Phetchaburi Rd, Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Opening hours: Daily, 4pm onwards
How to get there: Nearest MRT - Ratchaprarop, Nearest BTS - Chit Lom
4. Hua Mum Night Market
This is the night market where you'll see mostly locals and very little tourists. It's a little off city center and the prices there are also cheaper than other night markets. However, I felt that the selection of clothes was rather disappointing. The food is very much better though - I managed to get takoyaki balls and fresh fruit smoothies at a much cheaper price!
There are also some picture worthy spots because there's a fountain and a bridge that's lit up at night, and the whole place looks rather cosy.
Perhaps it was the last night market I went to, or the distance and the time taken to travel there, but I wasn't extremely impressed by this particular night market, though the prices there are cheaper. I suppose if you add in the cost of the travel to and fro it'll be about the same as other night markets as well.
Hua Mum Night Market
678 Prasert-Manukitch Rd, Khwaeng Lat Phrao, Khet Lat Phrao, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10230, Thailand
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 5pm onwards
How to get there: Grab would be the easiest
1. Chatuchak Weekend Market
What is Bangkok without Chatuchak, right? Despite the fact that it's extremely touristy and crowded, I never miss this weekend market whenever I make a trip to Bangkok. I also make a trip to Union Mall thereafter because it's in the same area.
What are some things you shouldn't miss whilst at Chatuchak?
Coconut ice-cream. There are so many brands there but the popular one is "Coco-JJ" - they give toppings and a cup of coconut water together with your ice cream! Also, they've now expanded into other flavours...but hey, we're there for the coconut ice-cream so make sure to order that as one of your flavours!
Household items. These are by far my greatest weaknesses when I shop overseas. It's a weird hobby that my boyfriend and I picked up ever since we started going on vacations together. Chatuchak has a whole array of wooden cutlery and utensil at cheap prices! They also have cheap aroma oils, lights, trays, storage compartments etc.
Clothes. In the past, Chatuchak was mainly second-hand denim/shoes and tourists' favourite quotes on t-shirts. Well, those stalls still exist (minimally), but there are many other gems - dresses, t-shirts, camisoles, bags. It's like blog-shopping in real life.
However, I did find that Chatuchak's food has become a little too pricey for my liking. A small bowl of noodles used to be 40 baht but has now increased to 80 baht and the amount will not be sufficient to fill you for a meal.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
สวนจตุจักร Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Lat Yao, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday, 9am-6pm
How to get there: Alight at Mo Chit BTS and walk
2. Talad Rod Fai Srinakarin
This is probably my favourite night market of the lot. It's huge, the selection of food and clothes were the best (to me), and the prices are also very reasonable. There are a couple of sit-down open-air eateries or air-conditioned ones that you can choose from, so you can feel free to have your dinner there! They even have a wide selection of korean food (but I didn't bother with those because I would have gone to Korea for that).
What not to miss:
Old cars. There is a row of old cars/trucks that you can take photos with, so if you're a big fan of vintage car models, be sure to check those out!
Vintage signages. There are a couple of stalls there that sell vintage signages for pretty cheap prices. I found them really cool as house/cafe decorations! If you buy in bulk, it's a lot cheaper.
Other than that, just have fun walking around and exploring the various clothes stalls! The only drawback is that it's rather inaccessible, so there are branches of Talad Rod Fai at other locations as well.
I love this fried ice cream roll!
Rod Fai Srinakarin Night Market
Soi Srinagarindra 51, Khwaeng Nong Bon, Khet Prawet, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250, Thailand
Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday, 5pm onwards
How to get there: Grab would be the easiest
3. Talad Neon
Located in the heart of the shopping district in Pratunam, this night market is probably the most accessible one. You can easily walk there after shopping at Platinum fashion mall. It's not very big and can be covered within an hour or so. I love how the stalls are arranged in neat rows because it makes it a lot easier to know where you've walked.
Talad Neon's food selection is focused very heavily on seafood, and they also have cheese toast and milk tea stalls for the hipsters.
I managed to find some nice selection of clothes there, so just trawl through the rows of shops and find the hidden gems! They do have some cool spectacle selections if you're looking for a new pair.
What not to miss:
Kodleng spicy pork bone soup. This dish was absolutely delectable and appetising. Kodleng's other dishes were also very well done, so I highly recommend this eatery to anyone who goes to Talad Neon.
There are apparently exotic animals as well but I didn't get a chance to see them! So you can check them out when you're there.
Kodleng Spicy Pork Bone Soup
Also at Kodleng
Talad Neon
1087, 167 Phetchaburi Rd, Khwaeng Makkasan, Khet Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Opening hours: Daily, 4pm onwards
How to get there: Nearest MRT - Ratchaprarop, Nearest BTS - Chit Lom
4. Hua Mum Night Market
This is the night market where you'll see mostly locals and very little tourists. It's a little off city center and the prices there are also cheaper than other night markets. However, I felt that the selection of clothes was rather disappointing. The food is very much better though - I managed to get takoyaki balls and fresh fruit smoothies at a much cheaper price!
There are also some picture worthy spots because there's a fountain and a bridge that's lit up at night, and the whole place looks rather cosy.
Perhaps it was the last night market I went to, or the distance and the time taken to travel there, but I wasn't extremely impressed by this particular night market, though the prices there are cheaper. I suppose if you add in the cost of the travel to and fro it'll be about the same as other night markets as well.
Hua Mum Night Market
678 Prasert-Manukitch Rd, Khwaeng Lat Phrao, Khet Lat Phrao, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10230, Thailand
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 5pm onwards
How to get there: Grab would be the easiest
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