How much you work out depends on how much you eat. That is why Bianca Araneta simply watches her spoon instead of getting the unnecessary soreness from painstaking workouts. I’m the type of person who can’t just be doing one thing. And I just have to be busy every time, otherwise I get ants in my pants," she shares. And true enough, the 23-year-old is now an Interdisciplinary Studies major at the Ateneo de Manila University and is only a few units away from graduating. She is also a bona fide model and endorser, is on her fourth year as a Studio 23 presenter, a fervent charity worker and philanthropist, the host of the newest fashion and lifestyle show Mode+L, and just recently, the other half of a media production company, Joint Show Media, which she put up with her boyfriend. However, these are a far cry from her passions: sports, medicine and nutrition. All these fitness know-how she applies to herself.
"A lot of the things that I am into are more self-taught," she reveals of her new responsibility as the marketing head of her newly established production company, her very own diet regimen, and her prime formula for fitness and well-being: Yoga.
"I read up about Yoga, got books, videos, and when I was a gym, I took Yoga classes just to know the proper pose, and when I already knew how it’s executed and how it’s supposed to feel like, I started doing it at home."
And don’t dub her as a New Age junkie. It’s just her means of relaxation and stretching which she does religiously every morning and before she retires at night. And no, that doesn’t mean she’s taking a breather from working out.
How did you develop the desire to be fit?
When I realized how much better I felt about myself, I made it a point to maintain a healthy lifestyle and do things to keep my body strong, like workout or play sports.
What is the downside of a healthy lifestyle?
Nothing, really. Just overcoming my chocolate addiction.
What don’t you do to maintain a healthy body?
I don’t smoke. I don’t eat pork of beef. I get my needed protein from leaner sources like seafood and poultry.
What’s the best diet regimen for you?
No dieting! Well, people have the wrong idea about that word. Most people automatically think it means starving yourself or restricting yourself from eating. For me, the best is eating the proper food and eating little quantities throughout the day. I try not to stuff myself. I just enough because I have a tendency to overindluge.
Which do you spend more time on, improving your looks or improving your body?
Consciously probably my looks but in totality, if I think about it, I take more care of my body more often.
Which part of your body do you think needs more improvement?
I’ve always been conscious about my lower region. It’s the Spanish in me.
Which part of your body are proud enough to flaunt?
My brain! I’m pretty confident with what I have up here.
Tomorrow: Sal Harvey