This Supermodel used to have a 38-inch waistline

This Filipino-British beauty never fails to get a second look from men and women alike. Awash in beauty and personality, Verns Buckley was a finalist in the Supermodel of the World 2002 search held at the Dominican Republic. She was the only Asian finalist from a field of 56 contestants.

Based in the United States where she actively models under the wing of the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency, she jets into Manila for a break to see family and friends.

A Cebu-based designer was responsible for convincing a dark and chubby Verns to try modeling. Joey Espino, president of CalCarries Philippines, discovered her during one of his casting trips to Cebu. She had to shelve her plans of becoming a doctor, two years into a pre-med course, to maximize the opportunity of living up her youth as a Supermodel.

In Miami, she has walked the ramp to model the swimwear line of Jennifer Lopez. She stayed in Chicago longest, with ramp shows and photo shoots for Nordstrom, Sears and Marshall Fields and even a televised modeling on the Oprah show.

You might be surprised to know though that Verns has not been as slim and winsome as she is now. Experts from our interview with Verns Buckley follow:

PHILIPPINE STAR: Were you ever overweight or underweight?

Verns Buckley: I was overweight! When I was 12 years old, I had a waistline of 38. And eventually, it melted into my thighs. Yes, I was overweight.

How long were you in that condition?

Let me see, I ballooned when I was in the sixth grade. From sixth grade to first year, so about a year or two.

How did you feel then?

Aside from my parents and family nagging me on how my waist was and how heavy my weight was, my friends were all picking on me. So I was developing a poor self-image, my self-esteem was going low because of that. So eventually, I decided I really have to lose weight.

What did you do?

Well, I was already interested in martial arts. I love to dance, almost all kinds of dancing. I was also very athletic. I like to do sports. Then eventually, when I got into high school, I joined the swimming team and that really helped a lot. I trained regularly and I swam 50 laps a day. That was normal for training. Then I dieted. I watched what I ate. So eventually, it naturally shed off.

Any word of encouragement to people with the same problem?

Don’t give up. I don’t believe in being big-boned because I had been labeled that so many times. Like people were just trying to make me feel good that it is okay to be fat. Well, it is. But, whatever makes you comfortable. If you are not happy about your current weight, then do something about it. Just don’t be too drastic. The longer the process is to lose weight, the longer its results will stay. I don’t believe in instants and microwavables. I believe you should really work hard at it to achieve your goal.

How often do you work out?

I work out every day or there are times that, since I am busy, I can only workout four or five times. But as much as possible, I work out every day.

What is your exercise routine?

Yes, I do a lot of cardio. I would say 80 percent of what I have been doing is cardio. Then I do free weights. I have a personal trainer. I should thank him (Jerry Rieta, yes the same one Tim Yap and Carlos Agassi use) for helping me out.

Do you have a favorite exercise machine?

I like the treadmill. The treadmill and the ab machine. The one where you lift your legs. Because not a lot of people can do that … (giggles) and I love to show off.

What exercises do you do when you travel?

I go to gyms when I am there (in the US). If they are not available, then I swim. And of course, I watch what I eat.

What do you do when you are too busy to go to the gym?

When I am too busy, I do not go to the gym. But when I do, I make up for it drastically. I double everything for about a week. Like if I normally go on the treadmill for an hour, then I do two hours. Because the funny thing is that I lose weight very quick, and I gain weight also very quick.

Do you work out at home?

Does washing clothes count? I do activities of daily life – washing, dusting … those are already exercises.

Do you have a fitness philosophy?

Fitness philosophy? Well, I just believe that you have to work hard to get the results that you want. And water is your friend!

How about wellness or total well-being? What is that for you?

I would say that it is somebody who is not just well on the outside but also on the inside. I don’t believe that people should put so much on their faces to make them look beautiful. I believe that you eat the right thing for it to come out. It is a state of being healthy, beautiful, and right – inside out, in all aspects.

Now that you have lost your 38-inch waistline, what is your new fitness challenge?

New fitness challenge … it is more of staying there. I am controlling what I eat and staying at this level.

What is the key to looking good, feeling good and staying young?

Feeling good? It is just an emotion, a state of mind. How you feel is how you act, and how you act is basically what people see.

Give us a sample of a Verns diet.

Let me see. I usually sleep in so in the morning I go for oatmeal or a drinkable. In the afternoon, I go for a salad. I try to keep my carbohydrates to a minimum, like 30 percent. But if I am doing something extreme, then I eat whatever I want. But of course, once in a while I do eat sugars, cakes and ice cream. I do not restrict myself. I believe that if you have the urge, then go for it. Because from past experience, if I go for an alternative, then I end up eating the alternative plus the thing I am craving for! So it is better to treat yourself, but be aware.

How do you manage stress?

Time management plays a big role. I like things to be organized and I also prioritize. Work is my priority. I put that first and then all others around it. Once all is done, you can sit down and relax.

Any last words?

Don’t give up. Work hard at it and the results will eventually follow. As long as you believe, it will happen. I am a testimony to that. And don’t be lazy.

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E-mail mylene@goldsgym.ph for comments and questions.