How John Prats helps Isabel Oli-Prats reach #FitnessGoals

MANILA, Philippines — From 24, actress Isabel Oli-Prats’ waistline ballooned to 35 inches when she gave birth to her first child with actor John Prats.

But barely a year after gaining weight, Isabel got her pre-baby body back. How did she do it?

“Gradual workout, light weightlifting, cardio, boxing, jogging, running at least 3k,” Isabel enumerated the ways on how she lost her postpartum weight in an interview during the recent launch of Japanese appliances maker Zojirushi.

Three months after giving birth via vaginal delivery, the actress started brisk walking. Her aim, she said, is to obey her obstetrician-gynecologist’s advice  to get back to her old shape the closest she can, not necessarily her old waistline.

“The toning part, ‘yun talaga ang mahirap,” she admitted. “When I was still pregnant, I was in bed rest for a month kasi grabe workout ko before.”

John, according to her, has been instrumental in her losing weight. The actor has not only become her exercise partner, but also her shopping buddy.

“John shopped for me so I will not go sad. He told me, ‘Because the moment you get sad, you will get depressed, you will no longer workout.’ He knows me so well,” Isabel recalled, happy that she is able to fit in her old clothes again.

She and John are into healthy meals prepared for them by a supplier, while their daughter is now more into porridge. “No sweets, no junk foods. Medyo mahirap talaga, pero once in a while, may chocolates talaga on the side and cakes,” Isabel said.

John, she noted, has been an amazing husband and father.

“Si John, kahit walang tulog ‘yan, diretso na agad ‘yan kay Lilly (their daughter), naglalaro na sila agad. Kahit tulog na, kakausapin n’ya or he’ll pray for her. Laging ganyan ‘yan si John. And after that, he’ll pray for me,” she enthused.

According to her, John changed since becoming a dad.

“Yes, he did. Kung sweet s’ya before, ngayon times 10. Sobra s’yang sweet.”

She would like to think that she is a cool mom, but John said she is more of a disciplinarian.

“Motherhood requires patience in everything kasi totally bago talaga sa’kin eh…Ngayon na mom na ko, iba na ‘yung tingin ko sa work…Ngayon, work na talaga, wala nang chika-chika. Grabe na ‘yung discipline ngayon,” shared the star, who has moved to ABS-CBN from GMA and is now working on a project.

Though she got her sexy back, she confided that she still has not returned to her ideal bikini body in time for summer. Nonetheless, Isabel totally embraces motherhood – and yes, even the body that comes with it.

“I’m not shy with my stretchmarks,” she declared. “Ang sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Bahala na kung my bilbil ka. Flaunt it!’”