The Biggest Loser Asia 2: Pinoys put up a good fight

SINGAPORE— A Filipino is not one who easily gives up even when faced with the toughest challenge. His determination to succeed is always there. His effort in accomplishing things is not half-baked and no amount of hardship could weaken his ability to prove his worth in every endeavor he takes — and that includes losing weight within a time frame. 

I’m talking about Pinoys Genghis Khan Enrique and Desiree Vinoya, who represented the Philippines in the recently-concluded The Biggest Loser Asia 2 (TBLA2). Genghis was one of the three finalists who fought neck and neck with Raj Vivegananoam of Singapore and Atikom Laksanapanai of Thailand to be the Season 2 grand winner. Raj eventually won the title after tipping the scale at 77 kilograms (kgs.) or 46.53 percent total weight loss against Genghis’ 105 kgs. (35.19 percent) and Nai’s 74 kgs. (45.99 percent).

Though Genghis never went home with the bacon, his perseverance still paid off — health-wise. It was amazing to find out how at a starting weight of 162 kgs., the 34-year-old Internet café owner has been reduced to 105 kgs., a difference of 57 kgs. in just six months.

“The difference was huge and since week one (of the game), I was really the underdog. A lot of people didn’t think that I will make it that far,” Genghis says after the announcement of winner of Diva Universal’s weight-loss reality show. “(Trainor) Kristy Curtis hated my guts; all my close friends suddenly like went away. It was hard, really challenging when Desiree left because I don’t want the Philippines to be out of the race early. I want to show other countries that Pinoys can do it; that we are strong, we are tough and no one can put us down except ourselves.”

With Atikom Laksanapanai of Thailand (left) and Raj Vivegananoam of Singapore

Now that the competition is over Genghis feels he is given a new lease on life. His illnesses before his TBLA stint no longer bother him. Everything is normal — his blood pressure, sugar level, sodium, cholesterol and uric acid. His eight maintenance medicines are now down to three. No more heart palpitations, too.

“I feel like much more a winner, money is nothing if you are sick. Health is wealth so I think we need to address the increasing obesity rate in our country,” observes Genghis.

Thus, his foremost goal is creating awareness for everyone about living a healthy lifestyle saying, “With hard work and dedication, everybody can achieve a healthy body. We should start now before something bad happens. God gave us two arms and two legs so we have to make the best of what we can do. You cannot just sit the whole day and eat, do something productive.”

Asked for his three simple tips for people who lack time hitting the gym, Genghis replies, “First, go on diet because that’s 70 or 80 percent part of weight loss. Second is choose what you eat. You need to know what is healthy and what’s not good for you like don’t eat laman-loob, chicharon and chips that contain 1,350 calories, popcorn is fattening, eat chicken without the skin. Have a salad for body sustenance. Third, discipline and moderation. Take everything in moderation and please exercise even if it is just an hour of walking is good enough.”

For Desiree, one can always eat but do it in moderation to avoid feeling deprived of “tempting, sinful food.”

“I allow myself to have a piece of what I love to eat para lang di uminit ulo ko o ma-depress ako kasi if one knows about his calorie intake then he could easily burn the excess number.”

Weighing 122 kgs. at the start of the competition, Desiree lost only four kilos during the game’s first week which led to her early elimination along with Rico Michael of Indonesia. Both automatically became part of Fitness First’s Lose Big Program with Sheila of Malaysia as the third contestant. All three must continue the weight loss program at home and whoever can shake off the most number of weight in a span of almost five months will take home the $10,000 prize money.

Thus, Desiree underwent an intense three to four hours of cardio workout and an hour of weight lifting in the gym six times a week. She avoided deep fried stuff and settled only for grilled food and salad without the usual dressing, “just plain vinegar.”

All her sacrifices paid off when she was declared winner in the Lose Big Program. She lost 30 kgs. (24.59 percent) at the final weigh in while Rico and Sheila got lighter by 23.03 percent and 23.28 percent, respectively.

“Is this real? Oh, My God! Thank you, Lord!” Desiree exclaimed after host Marion Caunter handed her the check.

“There’s really a big change in me. I’m now wiser living a healthy life kasi masarap pala ang feeling na magaan ka,” enthuses Desiree.