"I started Pilates five years ago," said Marilen at the B+B Studio where she is part owner and Pilates instructor, too. "It was Paolo Villarroel who got me into it."
Marilen had been working out at the gym for many years. Her routine included a combination of weight training and cardiovascular exercises. Marilen was a regular in the gym and even joined a powerlifting competition where she won first place. But, just like most people who had worked out in the gym for some time, Marilen was looking for something more in her workouts.
Enter Pilates.
"Pilates worked so well for me because I found that it engaged my mind," shared Marilen." I had been going to the gym for so long but the changes I wanted for myself came with Pilates."
Marilen worked in tandem with Maritina Romulo when she trained with Paolo. It was good for her because the two women challenged each other to attain more from their workouts.
Today, both Marilen and Maritina have gone on to become Pilates instructors.
So much did Marilen believe in the benefits of Pilates that she wanted to share what she discovered with other people. Off she went last year to San Francisco to take a nine-week course in Stott Pilates. Marilen says that Stott Pilates is not like the traditional Pilates because it has been modified to adapt to changes in people’s lifestyle and health needs. "I also found that the school I chose had a good support system and that the equipment I needed were easily available," said Marilen.
At about the same time, Marilen was offered to be a partner-owner at B+B by Carmen Jimenez-Ong and Stella Gemperle-Aguila. She agreed.
"Balance Body," said Marilen when we asked what B+B means. But she added that when she asked her two partners what B+B meant, they said they did not have anything in mind when they named the studio. "So, B+B can mean anything for a person who chooses to work out here – beautiful body, beauty and brains…"
Once Marilen, a mother of two – Erica, 22 and Carlo, 21, both fitness buffs – and grandmother to Enrique, set her mind to teaching Pilates, there was no turning back. She started teaching last year and as early as now has plans to go back to the US next year to update what she has learned.
For Marilen, teaching Pilates is only one aspect of her fitness lifestyle. She still maintains a regular workout routine which includes playing badminton, doing weight training and lots of cardiovascular exercises, too. "I believe that the fitness industry is my calling," she shared. "I plan to stay with it for as long as I live."
Is Pilates for everyone?
Yes, because it is an exercise that involves the mind, not just the physical body. When you do the choreography of the movements you have to think, too. No matter what age you are, all exercises can be modified to accommodate your needs. The exercises can be modified according to what your limitations or what your biggest expectations are. If you are older and inflexible, the exercises can be adjusted.
If you are young and you cannot do weight-bearing exercises, then Pilates can also help you. From a young age, it can train you to lengthen your spine and give you good posture. For those who have injuries, it is also used as a rehabilitative exercise.
Is Pilates a good workout?
Yes, but I would advise that the person also do some form of cardiovascular exercise. Even if that is just walking.
What would you say to someone who wants to try out Pilates?
When I teach Pilates at B + B, I make sure that we adapt to what the needs of the client are. But I advise my clients that for a good total body workout, a person would have to do mat class because that works the core of the body. The use of machines is more for resistance training to develop strength in your arms, back, legs and other parts. That’s why I like to use them in tandem. We also use the ball which is for stability.
What has Pilates done for you?
It has made my weight training more productive. I have found that the routine that I do in the gym, which is similar to what I have been doing all these years, is more effective.
Is fitness a lifestyle commitment for you?
Yes. I see myself working out until I die.
Does Pilates help in coping with stress?
It is a release. I find that when I release physically – whether it’s an exhale or a punch or an ab crunch – it is a release of whatever is inside me. It helps because I use my mind. If I am thinking about a problem, when I come into the gym I erase everything, and I focus on what I have to do here. And so even if it is momentary relief, it helps. I come to class at least 20 minutes before because I have to tune in to what I am going to do. And when I get home, I am calm. And if I am in a bad mood, I go to the gym and then I am not in a bad mood anymore.
Do you plan to study more?
Yes. I think there is always a need for continuing education. There are always new developments.
Since you started teaching Pilates, do you still do weight training?
Yes, I do them both.
Do you play any sports?
I play badminton twice a week now. I have an instructor, Philippine team player Weena Lim. I train with her once a week for two hours. I also play with friends for about three to four hours.
What is your schedule like?
I teach Pilates four days a week, a total of 24 to 25 hours. I do weight training twice a week. I also work out on my own doing Pilates twice a week. I play badminton and I do cardio exercises like biking, running on the treadmill.
Give us a breakdown of your workout week.
On Mondays, I teach half a day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the mornings I do my cardio exercise, which could be either on the bike or elliptical trainer for about 30 to 45 minutes. If I still have some time, I do a little weight training.
On Tuesdays, I work all day, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. I have a lunch break of about two hours. And this is when I do my own Pilates routine for about 45 minutes.
On Wednesdays, I train for badminton in the morning. I play from 10 a.m. to noon. And then in the afternoon, I might play with friends a few games. If not, I’ll go to the gym and do weight training.
On Thursdays, I teach all day. For myself I attend the mat class, which is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Fridays, I do cardio and weights in the gym with my personal trainer.
On Saturdays, I might do just light cardio for about 30 minutes.
On Sundays, I rest. I might do some cardio, but I make sure that I have one rest day.
So what do you do on your rest day?
I have lunch with relatives. It’s a family day. If I do any fitness activity on my rest day, it will be very light.
What is relaxation for you?
I have a weekly massage. But I like to have that done on a Thursday after a hard day, at work. Playing with my grandson. I like to go out with friends and we go out drinking. But I make sure it is on a day that I don’t have work and a hard workout the following day. It is usually a Friday night.
I have a margarita night with friends on a Friday night. We begin by playing badminton and then we drink margaritas after that. So if we play badminton for four hours, that is also how long we drink.
Have you always been active?
Yes. I was already dancing when I was about four or five years old. I was a cheerleader in high school and also in college. I also started playing tennis in high school.
When did you start working out in the gym?
I think that was when I graduated from college. When I was in college, women were not working out in the gym. But I would go into the gym of the guys and do some weights for my legs. I must have been about 23 when I started going to the gym.
Why did you decide to work out at the gym?
At the start, it was because I wanted to lose weight. But also because I felt that I needed physical activity. I was losing my interest in tennis since I am not a naturally competitive person, and I wouldn’t play or join competitions. I had to find something else that I could do physically. And then when I started working out at the gym, I liked it. And I have stayed with it since.
Have you attained the ideal body that you would like to have?
Yes. I am very happy with my body.
What part of your body are you most proud of?
My legs and my arms. I am blessed with good arms and legs because they are naturally lean. So it only takes a little bit for me to build muscle on these parts. I am happy with them because I get results with them quickly.
Which part of your body are you most frustrated with?
My stomach – because it is always fat (laughs). There’s no way I can wear a mid-baring outfit.
Do you believe in cosmetic surgery?
Yes. I feel that there’s only so much you can do with your body.
Some people need it to make them feel better about themselves, even if it’s superficial. Somehow, that improvement in their physical self helps their well-being. It helps build their confidence. Like when a person gets older, there is nothing wrong with a facelift. Or some people may be born with very heavy thighs and no matter how much they work out, they really can’t make them any smaller and proportionate to their upper body, so some tend to go for cosmetic surgery. If it works for them and makes them feel happy about themselves I am all for it.
Would you ever undergo any cosmetic surgery?
Yes. I would.
What kind of diet do you follow?
I eat everything I want but in moderation. Like for breakfast, I usually have tapa, rice and egg. I also have a fruit or sometimes yogurt and coffee. For lunch, I have a big salad with either chicken or fish. For dinner, I have something with a little more protein and less carbs. I eat a snack before dinner that’s way I don’t eat too much at dinner. My snack is normally a sandwich.
What is your greatest indulgence?
I love dessert. That is one place where I have to control myself.
Anything that has chocolate. I love a slice of a decadent chocolate cake. It could also be a candy bar. But if I feel I am a bit on the heavy side, I will share a slice with a friend. But if I know I am on the light side, I will eat the slice on my own.
When was the last time you felt you were on the heavy side?
It’s been a while.
I weigh 101, my height is 5 1Ú2. My body fat is 16 percent.
Do you believe in crash diets?
No. I have gone on a crash diet. But I don’t believe in them because I know from experience that you gain back all the weight instantly – faster than you lost it.
What is the most unhealthy thing that you have ever done?
I smoke. I don’t smoke a lot – not even every day. But on my margarita nights, I smoke. I have to smoke when I drink. I smoke about twice in a week.
Who do you find sexy among women?
Demi Moore and Madonna. Because they project themselves very well. And they have worked hard for the physique they have.
Men?
Andy Garcia and Al Pacino. It’s their presence I like.
Does your being fit help you with the other things that you do outside fitness?
Yes, a lot. Before I got fit, I had to go through the process of getting fit, and the process I went through to get here relaxed my mind and gave me a sense of happiness. It gave me a nice and peaceful feeling about myself. And because I have that peace, it helps me in my dealings with other people, with my work, with my relationships. Even when teaching, I feel that I am in such a good mood because I know what fitness has done for me and I hope that it can do the same for other people, too.
Is Pilates here to stay?
Yes, I think it will stay. For as long as the Pilates that we teach adapts to the changes in the lifestyle of the people who come to learn, it will always be here.