May is almost over. ‘Tis a good time to catch up on being fit, healthy, and having a beautiful body, especially in the last few weeks of summer vacation season.
In a recent visit to a Slimmers World International branch on Pasay Road, Makati, I was lucky to interview two role models of beautiful people who simply delight in being fit and healthy.
Enjoying free samples of hot tea and coffee at the Equal Low-Calorie Sweetener sampling booth were Rodora “Dory” Trinchera and Alfredo “Jun” Danganan, Jr., both achievers of the Slimmers World Great Bodies fitness level.
Less Carbo is more
For Dory, diet means less carbohydrates, ergo less calories. “I am not very choosy with my food. I eat anything, as long as it’s healthy,” she qualifies her statement with a smile. “For instance, to take off stress, I eat sweets — but only low-calorie sweets like sugar-free oatmeal cookies. Then I pair them up with good hot coffee or tea sweetened with Equal low-calorie sweetener. I really like the taste of tea with Equal …masarap talaga! (Tastes really good!) I take mostly jasmine or green tea, twice a day — in the morning and in the afternoon. My mother is diabetic, so I have also learned to avoid sugar entirely,” Dory adds.
Asked about dieting, Jun declares, “Diet takes discipline. Many go on a diet, but once they go outside the house, they think it will not really work. But that’s not right. When you go on a diet, you have to stick to it. For instance, you can’t completely remove carbs and sweets. But you can choose brown rice and wheat bread, instead of white rice and cream bread. And when you go out, choose the healthier alternative. Have your sandwich without the mayo, or choose tuna and chicken instead of a hamburger.”
“At first it’s hard, but as time goes by, you get used to steamed fish and chicken, and no sugar,” Jun adds. “I find Equal low-calorie sweetener as a very good alternative to sugar. I love it with hot tea because it gives just the right sweetness, minus the calories.”
Jun works with an IT company as a graphic artist. At work, he brings his own food, so as not to break his diet. “I bring a peanut butter sandwich and a banana. That’s lunch for me.”
Jun shares his typical meals for the day:
7 a.m., breakfast: Oatmeal or cereal with Equal and a peanut butter sandwich
Hot tea with Equal
10 to 11 a.m.: Fruits, like one apple and two bananas
1 p.m., lunch: Seafood pasta
2 p.m.: Hot tea with Equal
3 p.m.: Garden salad or tuna/chicken sandwich
6 p.m., pre-workout time: Nuts, peanuts or almonds
9 p.m., dinner: Grilled fish or chicken breast
10 p.m.: Hot tea with Equal
Jun says that he takes high-fiber foods from morning to about 3 p.m., then eats less carbs up to the evening. He takes six to eight small meals a day (every three to four hours) “for faster metabolism to burn unnecessary calories.”
Jun clarifies that the above typical menu is not a pre-competition diet. For a pre-competition diet, he stresses the importance of going on a no-carbohydrate, no-sugar diet. “I still enjoy the sweet taste in my tea though, thanks to Equal low-calorie sweetener!” he exclaims.
Transforming One’s Body
Both Dory and Jun emphasize the need for regular exercise for health, fitness, and beauty.
Dory points out that one’s exercise routine must be continuous. “That’s why I see to it that I do my workout every other day. I do it every morning or after work.”
She encourages people to work out. “If you can’t do it by yourself, go to Slimmers World. They have very good trainers who will help you with your exercise program.” Dory has been a member for 10 years now. “Well, I don’t just feel more beautiful, I am also healthier now. With my regular workouts, I wake up feeling better every day. I feel more active because my metabolism became faster. Then I sleep better, too — and I make sure I get eight hours of sleep.”
As vice president for marketing for a brand of all-natural multi-vitamins, Dory gets busy with work. “But being busy should not be a reason not to work out, “ Dory seemed to have guessed the thought that crossed my mind.
I cannot seem to picture Jun as he describes how he used to be at 135 lbs: “Skinny with a beer and sisig tummy.” But now, he’s got a winsome figure! At 180 lbs., (his ideal weight is 170 lbs., but as a body builder, an additional 20 lbs. is supposedly tolerable), he is now lean and fit with well-defined muscles.
For a time, Jun’s goal was just to be lean and muscular or in the Bikini Bodies level. Then he was encouraged to join the Slimmers World “Great Bodies”— lean, fit, and with well-defined muscles. He qualified for the competition last December and was declared one of the winners in the final round. “I consider being a finalist in this fitness competition as the peak of my fitness program — a very good reward for my efforts in achieving a clean, fit, and healthy lifestyle!” Jun recalls with exuberance.
It Pays to be Fit and Healthy
One payback of Jun’s health and fitness efforts is his commercial modeling and showbiz career. He was discovered at Slimmers World when he was just starting out and joined the Bikini Bodies competition. He models for print ads and television commercials.
Dory agrees that there is much value in looking great, too. “Having a great-looking body has a big bearing on my career. I have developed a very pleasing personality and a lot of self-confidence, too.”
According to Dory, having a beautiful body also makes you a role model. “Because you’re fit, people ask, ‘What did you do? How did you do it?’ Then you teach them what to do and encourage them to follow suit!”
Clean Living and Being Beautiful Inside
Dory also insists that being a mother should not be a reason not to be fit and beautiful. “I have a six-year-old daughter to whom I try to give my quality time not only on weekends but also during bed-time. “I make sure I‘m the one who tucks her in bed every night.”
Asked about her social life, Dory says that by adhering to a fitness program, she has shunned away from her bad health habits like sleeping late, alcohol, and occasional smoking. “Now, I sleep early and choose to take fruit juices sweetened with Equal. I also very seldom go out, and when I do, I prefer being with my daughter.”
“I go to church with my daughter every Sunday. On Saturdays, I go jogging with my daughter and my co-workers. Then I go to Slimmers World while my daughter plays at the mall with her lola,” she says with a sparkle in her eyes.
“By the way, by being a member at Slimmers World, one does not only get advice for a workout program, we also get diet and beauty advice for face and skin,” Dory adds. She has her facial once a week and enjoys a body spa twice a month. “We also need to remove the toxins from our skin!” Dory advises.
Jun perfectly agrees with Dory that clean living is also a key to attaining that gorgeous body. “When I was in college, I was into martial arts. But slowly, my health failed because of vices: drinking, barkada, smoking, lack of sleep; in short, unhealthy living. Aside from my skinny body with flabby tummy, I easily got tired. Then I started working out at Slimmers World. That was in 2000, way before the fitness boom. At first, I was discouraged because I felt little and puny. But the trainers here encouraged me to go on. And with self-motivation, I was gradually transformed. I quit smoking, I was given cardio exercises and also a nutrition program,” Jun recalls.
Do it for yourself and enjoy the sweet life!