MANILA, Philippines – “As a business geared towards improving people’s lives, the New You Achievement Awards is concrete proof of Fitness First’s commitment to deliver real results to real people,” said Fitness First Philippines country manager Mark Ellis. “We are committed to recognizing and celebrating the unique and outstanding achievements of our members. This is why the New You Achievement Awards were created.”
The gala dinner that was held at the Embassy Supper Club. The 15 finalists from the five categories of the New You Achievement Awards impressed, but more importantly, inspired all those who were in attendance.
Angel Carpio, Angela Garcia and Angelica Balatbat — it may be coincidence that all their names are “Angel,” all qualified as finalists for the Health Category of the New You Achievement Awards. These are the people who used their membership with Fitness First to positively impact their general well being.
Angel was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and after three months of working out, her blood sugar stabilized. Angela on the other hand is afflicted with Down’s Syndrome — a genetic disease — and has been a compulsive eater. She enrolled in Fitness First The Fort and now, she is more aware about proper nutrition. Angelica Balatbat had another story. She had a major thyroid problem, but after nine months of being a Fitness First member, she lost 45 pounds. Her Body Mass Index (BMI) dropped from 32.9 to 23.5 and her waistline slimmed down from 38 inches to 29 inches. Aside from these, she recovered from depression, and had managed her migraine and dysmenorrheal.
Through his Fitness First membership, Chiho Joko’s current body fat percentage went down from 25 percent to 20 percent. Meanwhile, Alfonso Flores proved that physical fitness knows no age. At 74, he has an admirable well-defined body that would be the envy of people half his age. Completing the trio is Ryan Yuquico who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of seven causing him to have thin and weak limbs. With the help of Fitness First, his arms and legs now have more mass and muscles.
In two months, Waldemar Mapua lost 29 lbs from 210 lbs to 189 lbs and shaved off five inches from his waist from 40 inches to 35 inches. Replacing a lethargic lifestyle for an active one, Nina Llanura dropped from 175 lbs to 120 lbs and now fits in size 8 clothes from her pre-Fitness First size 16. And from flab to fab, Roderick Beco now weighs 135 lbs from 188 lbs and still maintains a no carbohydrates and no fat diet.
Since joining Fitness First, Raymund Macaso dropped from 140 lbs to 120 lbs and is now participating actively in 10K runs. Brandon Bon now places in several marathons thanks to his 40-pound weight lost to date (from 175 lbs to 135 lbs). Carlos delos Santos, who was diagnosed with kidney stones, started eating healthy and doing regular cardio exercises and weight training. He now weighs 162 lbs from 195 lbs.