photo from allezhop.net

When I was a kid I would often hang from a tree branch in our front lawn imagining myself a gymnast or a circus performer. I would use the metal bar on the double-deck bed and do as many flips as I could until my arms would go numb or, when out on the playground, spend as much time as I can at the monkey bars. Such childhood memories were brought back when I saw a trainer demonstrate the use of the Pilates Cadillac machine, one the many equipment Joseph Pilates invented.

Named after the famous automobile in America, the Cadillac was devised by Pilates to rehabilitate his bedridden patients when he was a hospital orderly during World War 1. Also, known as “The Rack”, this piece of equipment looks like an orthopedic bed; a  four-poster bed frame with various bars, straps, springs and levers that may be adjusted variably to help facilitate more movement and flow into your Pilates exercises. It also has a push-through bar, which can be sprung from above or below, a roll-down bar, a trapeze or cross bar, arm and leg springs, thigh and ankle cuffs and hanging loops that you grab to raise your body up the table.

If you’re the adventurous  kind and fancy yourself a trapeze artist, you will be surprised at how you are able to make your body move in ways you never thought possible while suspended in mid-air. Through its repertoire of exercises, the Cadillac stretches the body, strengthens the back and spine, making it more flexible, while further developing the core abdominal muscles. Its a bit more complicated than the Reformer, another Pilates equipment mentioned in my previous post, so you definitely need a trained instructor to guide you on how to use it safely and effectively so you get the most out of your workout.

Most hospitals are equipped with the Cadillac but few regular fitness gyms have this type of equipment. Allez Hop Wellness and Balance Center tailor-fits their Cadillac Pilates program based on their clients’ needs, be it as a form of regular exercise or rehabilitative therapy. Either way, imagine how much fun your work out would be sans the hospital setting.

I myself have begun to think about getting myself re-acquainted with Pilates, which is offered at the gym I regularly go to, if only to get out of the exercise rut I’ve been in the past few weeks. It pays to really inject something new and different into your exercise regimen so you don’t slack off, and eventually lose interest in going to the gym altogether. And one thing about going around and finding places such as Allez Hop is that you are able to discover new ways to exercise.

Nutritionists say eating  three main meals plus two nutritious snacks in the mid morning and mid afternoon is ideal to stay active throughout the day. Carefully planned snacking can be beneficial to one’s health, keeping your metabolism at an optimum and helping you stay focused on physical and mental activities throughout the day. Snacks provide energy, fiber and nutrients the body needs at that particular time of the day, and curbs the feeling of hunger right before a major meal, thus preventing you from eating too much. As a result, snacking may help train you to eat smaller portions and reduce caloric intake, especially if you need to watch your weight. 

 There are a lot of myths about snacking. One is that you can gain weight if you take rice meals as snacks. Contrary to what most people say, rice is a great snack food because it is loaded with carbohydrates needed for energy. It is  also an acid buster for those suffering from hyperacidity due to missed meals. A half cup is ideal while one cup should be eaten during main meals. The trick is to snack in moderation, choose the best snacks that are loaded in vitamins and minerals and are low calorie, and exercising particularly in the morning when you burn calories the most.

A tip: get a sturdy pair of lightweight running shoes

Remember when badminton became all the rage 10 years ago? Nowadays it’s running and jogging that’s experiencing a big resurgence. Every month some big company-sponsored running event at the The Fort in Taguig or Greenbelt in Makati is being staged while mini-runs are held weekly by clubs or small organizations for  fund-raising. Either way, running is a great way to keep fit as it not only fosters camaraderie but is cost-effective as well– you need only a pair of good running shoes and a nice route or track.

You can run with a group or by yourself, all alone, which is also a good form of therapy as running soothes the mind as well. Running stabilizes blood pressure, lowers blood sugar, lets you detox and burn fat. Many attribute their trim waists to daily running because it is one of the best belly-busting exercise one can do at any time of the day, sans equipment. Who needs a treadmill anyway when you can breathe in clean air while zipping past greenery and observing people as you move along?

If you have a fitness goal, say, lose a kilo a week, then look to running. I myself, the kikaygurl, can attest to the effectivity of running as a means to maintain weight. I took to running two years ago, sporadically at first, until I have come to enjoy it and made it a daily habit. It’s become as easy for me as brushing my teeth. I wake up, get my caffeine boost and run 15-20 minutes a day with my Ipod. If I have time, I go to the park, if not, I run within our residential compound and the adjoining streets.

There are running clinics being held every now and then which help novices get a few pointers on how to avoid the common injuries runners experience –shin splints, runner’s knee, tendonitis or sprain — but the most important thing to remember is to cool down and stretch. Get a nice, sturdy pair of running shoes, one that has breathable mesh material,  light weight, and is made specifically for running. If you find yourself able to run at least 3 km without tiring out, then by all means, join a running event and aim for the 5k. There is no limit to what one can achieve as long as you remember the cardinal rule: run to get fit and have fun while you’re at it.

Are you into sports? If not so much, there are a lot of fun activities you can engage in so you won’t feel its a workout at all. Remember, excess fat is unused fuel in the body and regular exercise helps us to use stored fat. Males and females don’t burn fat at the same rate, even if they are doing the same thing.

If you’re counting calories, here’s a good idea of how much calories you actually burn when you engage in any of these activities:

Activity                                                                  Female                         Male

Brisk walking                                                         215                                299

billiard,bowling, golf,                                        189                                198
table tennis and volleyball

stretching/ flexing                                              152                                183

cyclcing*                                                                 247                               198 
slow walk*                                                               180                               168
badminton*                                                            315                               198

dancing,gardening,swimming                        315                                 336
and tennis

jogging                                                                      281                                363

basketball,climbing,running                           378                               396
and football

strolling                                                                    144                               150 

walking at a normal pace:
flat surface                                                               148                               195
uphill                                                                          276                              342
downhill                                                                    180                              186 

*Females have a higher metabolic cost for cycling, badminton and walking slowly than males. Metabolic cost is the energy expended in performing an activity.

As we all know, the best way to get into a habit of fitness is to start slow and gradual.  Like myself, for instance.  I found out just this morning that I gained two kilos in just two weeks since I got a little lazy. Normally, that would have freaked me out. But just before December I was really telling myself I have a right to feast on the best suckling pig and all the pancit malabon and kakanin I could lay me eyes on since, ahem, I was in fighting form at 114 lbs. The real challenge these coming weeks is how I can get back to my old eating habits, habits that took me almost two years to form, before all the holiday food mayhem. 

It takes 21 days to start and break a habit so whatever fitness goals you may have, it is possible to achieve them by month end. Okay, keep telling yourself that IT IS possible because the moment you stray from the thought, all is lost. Here is a list of all the possible, achievable fitness goals I or even you can start on right away.

Lose one pound a week by counting calories. Remember 3,500 calories equal one pound. If the required caloric intake for you is 2,0o0 calories a day, simply have a caloric deficit of 500 calories a day. Do the math (500 calories x 7 days = 3,500 calories a week). By week’s end, you would have lost one pound.  If I start this week, I would have lost 4 pounds by month-end; just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Why drive when you can walk, why walk when you can run. Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. Apart from the fact that you get to save up on gas,another staple in our New Year resolutions list, you are being environment-friendly, something each one of us should take seriously in light of the many natural disasters (e.g. Ondoy flash floods, erratic weather changes never before seen in Philippine meteorological history) we have experienced in 2009. I believe Pinoys have become so spoiled and  lazy at walking because of the jeepneys; a mere block and we would still prefer to ride a jeepney rather than walk. Not so in other Asian countries where people are so used to walking. They walk from their suburban homes to the  bus station or tram that will take them to the city. When they alight from the bus station, they walk  through the labyrinthian MTR station to their high-rise building offices where they work. No wonder they  pepper the city with pocket parks that have centuries-old trees. Who would want to walk through grubby cemented streets with not a tree in sight? That is, sadly, the case here. If more people get into the walking habit, they will soon want to do something about the eyesores in city streets. In my case, I learned to run before I learned to walk. Running made me lose weight faster and kept me at my ideal weight. Only then did I realize how a mere two blocks can take me about 10 minutes of running and 15 minutes of walking. When I walk, I meet people along the way hence I’m no longer a stranger in my own neck of the woods.

Load up on fiber and go fish. Don’t you just feel like going vegetarian after the holiday season not so much as a penance for all the bingeing you did but because the mere sight of meat does not appeal to you any longer?  Okay. I ate my lion’s share of suckling pig and roast beef, made mince meat of barbecue, ate my way through half of a chicken relleno and gorged on Christmas ham like there was no tomorrow. I am not exaggerating here. So where do you go from here?  The extreme perhaps would be to join PETA or become a Seventh Day Adventist. In my case, I very much prefer fish dishes, fruits, vegetable dishes and salads now more than ever. Cereals in the morning save me more time and give me energy the whole morning without giving me that heavy feeling.  Whole grain cereals are really a good source of fiber, B-complex vitamins, folate and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, phosporus and iron. Keeps you trim and young as it has phytochemicals and antioxidants. Soya is another one of my favorites. Fruit Magic’s Soy Magic Belgian Chocolate flavored  Milk is also tops on my list. The best taho dessert and tokwa  (soya bean curd) for me can be bought at the cafeteria of the Manila Adventist Medical Center in Pasay. Their tokwa is organic,  fresh and cost less than the supermarket or specialty store variety. You can buy them in bulk.  I so love their whole wheat Cinnamon loaf. As soon as the freshly-baked goodies are set on the counter, they are gone, I tell you. If you don’t get them at 9 a.m., you wait until the next batch comes in at 2 p.m.

Keep moving, be active, sleep  early. A simple equation. Calories from food intake should not exceed the calories you need to fuel your needs and support your activities. This means you don’t need fad diets to lose weight and keep it. Really. The only sensible way to lose weight permanently is to eat according to your nourishment needs and your daily physical activities. Do not eat more than you can chew, er, burn. This is where self control comes in. Stay focused on your goal. A tip: overweight people are usually the ones who sleep very late. You have time to contemplate that last piece of chocolate cake in the fridge. If you don’t keep your mind on your goal, you will reach for that cake. If you are asleep, you just…sleep. You may dream about the cake but you won’t feel hunger. Save it for tomorrow when you can burn off the calories.

So there. My fitness resoluations are really so simple, aren’t they? The simple stuff are usually the ones that are easier to keep and make a habit of. Remember, it takes 21 days to start or break a habit.  Get past that and you stand a better chance of keeping your fitness goals  so that when summer rolls along, you are again in fighting form.

When you're on the go, dried fruits are your best bet to keep to the 5-a-day rule

Apart from the granola I keep in my small shoulder bag, I also have these tiny packets of dried fruit that I munch on when I need an energy boost or too busy to get lunch. Not only do I stave off the hunger, I also get to follow the 5-a-day fruit consumption. In fact, a  single tablespoon of dried fruit such  as  pineapple, mango, cranberry or papaya  counts  as your five-a -day portions. It can be even higher in certain antioxidants than fresh fruit. Dried fruits are a good source of fiber and roughage which can help to promote colon health. Plus, they have a shelf life of up to a year and take up little shelf space in your cabinets. When you’re ready to eat them, it’s as simple as tearing the wrapper off the package and enjoying them straight from the bag. Sure beats getting that pastry, biscuit or chocolate bar. So keep some fruit in your car, in your bag or on the desk at work to dip into to beat those mid-morning, or mid-afternoon energy lows.

fats, enzymes and phytochemicals. Unlike milled grains that lack the real goodness of grains,

whole grains still contain these nutrients found in their three layers:

1. Outer layer or bran – protects the inside of the kernel with its very hard exterior. It’s the

best source of fiber in the grain and is a source of B vitamins.

2. Inner layer – contains the endosperm, which houses the germ and provides energy for its

reproduction. This contains starch, protein and some vitamins ang minerals.

3. Seed of the grain or germ – the grain’s reproductive kernel. It contains unsaturated fat, B

vitamins, minerals and protein.

Whole grains vs. processed grains

Refined grain products such as white rice, pasta, bread and some cereals are easier to eat and

digest, and store at room temperature. Use of these products produce fluffy flour and

aesthetically better pastries. However, health-wise, milling grains cut the nutritional value of

the grains into half or even less,posssibly reducing the amount of essential nutrients found in the germ and endosperm in the process. Here are sources of mineral grains:

Common whole grain products such as oatmeal, whole oats, barley, whole wheat, popcorn, wild

rice, brown rice, whole rye and bulgur

A quick tip: Read the full label or ingredient list and look for “whole wheat” or “whole

grain.” Don’t be deceived by product descriptions like “multi grain,” “100% wheat” and

“bran”. Pictures of wheat and the product’s brown color do not mean the product is truly whole

grain.

Benefits of whole grain cereals:

- low in unsaturated fats and a good source of polyunsaturated fats. A type of unsaturated fat

that helps regulate one’s blood cholesterol level, polyunsaturated fats specifically omega 3

linolenic acid is believed to be good for the heart.

- whole grains are good source of fiber which provides various health benefits, from preventing

gastrointestinal disorders to promoting normal bowel movement. Whole grains have both soluble

and insoluble fibers that aid in digestion and maintain balanced cholesterol levels.

- the presence of fiber in whole grain products is the reason why whole grains are recommended

to promote satiety, reduce the risk of heart disease and control diabetes.

- Folate, which forms body cells and well as Vitamin E and selenium, both powerful antioxidants

are all found in whole grains. Other minerals present in whole grains are iron, magnesium,

copper, phosphorus and zinc.

What do you reach for when you crave something sweet and refreshing? I would say, the usual fruit juices or fruit shakes. Most of us have grown up thinking that fruit juice is one of the healthiest things for us. We may, however, need to reconsider this as most fruit juices are not even 100% fruit juice. Some are loaded with sugar to make them more appealing especially to school age children who consume them as “baon.”  I’m not saying all juices are bad as most are loaded in vitamins in minerals but are the benefits being surpassed by the quantities of sugar in them? The main ingredients are usually water and some type of sugar, such as high-fructose corn syrup. Nutritionally, these drinks are similar to most soft drinks — rich in sugar and calories, but low in nutrients.

Fruits are meant to be eaten in their raw state rather than juiced. Dieticians say a great alternative to guzzling fruit juice is to eat the whole fruit. This provides fiber and additional nutrients from the flesh and pulp. Unlike juice, fresh berries or orange wedges also help control hunger.

Fruits have up to eight tablespoons of natural sugar, called fructose, in an eight ounce glass. If I were to choose between the bottled orange juice I buy at Fruit Magic inside Fitness First Manila and having to go all the way down to the fruit kiosk at the ground floor to buy the extracted orange juice they sell for Php70, I won’t mind the extra trip as what I am drinking is 100% orange, no sugar added.

Cane juice with crushed ice is a refreshing drink and is 100% natural

But if you find yourself tired of the usual juices and shakes, why not go for cane juice or even wheatgrass-laced juices. I call them novelty juices as they have only been recently catching on with health buffs at the gym.

Take wheatgrass juice for instance, which tastes like “siniguelas” to me. It takes quite awhile to get used to the taste and smell; the green color is in itself unappetizing. But try it I did. The health benefits alone will win you over:

- it contains 70% chlorophyll and can be taken orally as a colon implant without toxic side effects
- cleanses the body as it provides supplemental nutrition and cures certain diseases
- washes drug deposits and neutralizes toxins in the body
- aids in blood purification, liver detox and colon cleansing
- stimulates digestion, cures constipation, deodorizes and removes unpleasant odors in the body
- cures acne and removes scars after it has been ingested for 7-8 months
I recently tried iced cane juice and found it very delicious with a few drops of calamansi. I recall the times when sugar cane or “tubo” became such a hit among us grade school kids that almost everyone come recess time was munching on it. We bought sugarcane from the vendor at the school’s entrance gate until the sisters banned the vendors.Chewing sugar cane is bad for the teeth by the way but with modern juice extractors such as what Canefusion uses (they have recently opened a branch in SM Manila), we reap the full health benefits of sugarcane. What are these?

- it possesses healing properties used to treat various wounds
- hydrates the body quickly when exposed to prolonged heat and physical activity
- has low glycemic index and does not contain any simple sugar, thus can be enjoyed by diabetics
- detoxifies the body, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides
- helps fight breast and prostrate cancer due to its alkaline nature
- strengthens the heart, stomach, kidneys, lived, brain and over-all immune system
Cane juice is not a commonly allergenic food and is in fact a good source of riboflavin. It is quite popular in Asian countries and India.

Other juices that are not as popular yet very healthy are:

Pomegranate Juice
High in sugar and calories but has an abundant dose of antioxidants that fight prostrate cancer.

Cranberry Juice
A known cure for urinary tract infection, boosts the immune system because of its high Vitamin C content.

Blueberry Juice
Keeps the brain healthy and help protect against age-related conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Red Grape Juice
We’ve all heard that red wine, in moderation, can be good for the heart. The same is true of red grape juice. The key is that wine and juice are made with the entire grape – seeds, skin, and all. When you eat fresh grapes, you miss out on nutrients hiding in the seeds.

Prune Juice
A relief for constipation because it’s extremely high in fiber and contains a natural laxative called sorbitol. But the benefits of prune juice don’t stop there. The juice is also packed with antioxidants, iron and potassium.

I enrolled in a gym, got a fitness trainer and got on a very strict almost spartan, low fat, low carb diet. I still ate what I like but I take small servings. I said to myself, if I can control my food craving, I can control anything about my life, especially the direction it was headed.

There is an information overload on the topic of weight loss, weight reduction, diets and exercises. But weight loss is more a matter of inspiration than perspiration. It has to come from within. You just have to keep pushing until you get into your fitness habit. You don’t even need to follow a rigid fitness plan, just choose activities that you are comfortable and happy with so you stay active and don’t get bored.

There are certainly days when I feel like slacking off or giving up but I haul my ass back up on the treadmill just the same. My favorite mantra is the Nike tagline Just Do It.  ”Never think , just do,” I say to myself. Sometimes I joke about it to friends because I keep trying to lose weight and yet it keeps finding me. One day I lose 2 lbs, the next day, I gain one. But I never gave up.

Pretty soon I was enjoying myself . I joined group exercises (retro,hiphop), tried yoga and pilates. I took up tennis, I bought the lightest most comfortable running shoes, an Ipod to keep me company and got into running. When I get bored on the treadmill, I got out and ran outside. It feels good feel to feel the sun on my face, the wind blowing my hair.

Now, my day is never complete if I don’t get any exercise because my body has gotten used to it. I have more energy to spare now, I rarely get the flu even when I jog in the rain, and all the endorphins I release during exercise keeps me happy.

I used to suffer bouts of depression. Not anymore. When I have a problem, I run and surprisingly enough, the solution comes to me crystal clear. I walk inside a store and I immediately ask for size small. I now see my old friends and meet new acquaintances. I’m discovering new hobbies and new stuff.  There’s a lot on my plate right now, figuratively speaking. 

The story of my weight loss is something I wish to share to you, dear kikay readers, because from herein, all the info you get about fitness and wellness will be thoughtfully written and meticulously researched.

Just remember one thing, weight loss is not a temporary thing, like a whim or joining a contest, it takes commitment and a total lifestyle change. In my case, it has become my path to self-discovery. It’s true, what Jenny Craig once said: “Losing weight for a big event is a great reason for you to do so, but don’t forget the biggest event of all —your life.”

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Photo of bodywrap for weightloss at Marie France

I had this in mind when I started a program with Marie France, a secret I had kept until now.  I am under no illusions about slimming down in less than three months or less because that is way too impossible for me. I am in this for the long haul although at that time my commitment was 70 percent, even less. Of course, I could have easily taken the easier and cheaper route by taking Bangkok pills or China-made Ballerina but a friend landed in the hospital. I was shocked when my mom told me her close friend died because of diet pills. I was not that desperate.

Photo of me trying to get slim at Marie France.

I was 151 lbs when I went for consultation because of an ad I read stating that they have this buy one, take one promo. My consultant, Evelyn Meriales, asked what my goals are and the kind of diet I am in. She took measurements and told me the starter program is 25 sessions of FMS or Fat Mobilisation System, the star on their menu of treatments, for general weight loss. And since I have problem with the tummy area, some Physique Inch Loss sessions to flatten the tummy. It’ s a 15 minute treatment using a machine that is equivalent to 225 sit ups  that helps  build, tone and firm up sagging areas while strengthening body muscles. A series of wires with small suction cups are placed on the abdominal area which gives a tingling jolt, sort of like a million ants are going up and down your tummy.

If you have problem dealing with the cold, then FMS is not for you because you are wrapped in solution- soaked bandages for 25 minutes, its coldest peak reaching at 15 minutes. To keep warm, they offer you a hot water bottle, towels  and coffee.  You cannot shower at least four hours after the treatment as the mentholated solution, Swiss-made and exclusive only to Marie France,  has to stay in your body. The effectiveness of this system of cold wraps and compresses  is based on the premise that by withdrawing heat you stimulate the body, or jolt it , to burn of excess fat. It speeds up your metabolism so that you burn off 2,000 calories in two days.

The  normal metabolic process would normally let you burn 1,000 calories a day. That is why you are given a list of what foods to avoid during the treatment, which would last at least three to four weeks. This is key, I tell you, because you need to follow the low calorie, low fat diet they recommend, which also includes taking small meals six times a day and portion control. Just enough to keep you nourished, not famished because later on, in my desire to make the most of the treatment, I was skipping meals. Very bad. I felt lightheaded and  weak because I was running on empty.

Breakfast would be the most important meal of the day. After I hit the gym in the morning, I ate oatmeal, wheatbread and buy soymilk at the food concessionaire at the reception.  I have never been a fan of soy but I became one after.  Lunch I had light soup and half a cup of rice with any food viand we have at home. Salt, red meat and sugar are kept at minimum. Tofu became a mainstay in our menu. Being such a coffee addict, I substituted refined sugar with Equal, avoided coffee creamer and drank green tea more.

You also have to watch what you eat eight hours before bedtime as it will make or break your weight loss plan. That would be mid day, depending on what time you plan to get to bed. Carbs and sweets are the main culprit to the bloated tummy you often find the following morning so avoid pastas, bread and crackers. Fresh greens, tofu and grilled seafoods are highly recommended.

The nutrition survey they handed to me got me started on my daily food diary, a habit I would recommend to dieters because by tracking your food intake, you are able to discipline yourself into eating right. You allow no room for cheating. Well, of course, I did cheat every now and then but you have to allow room for that once in a while. The trick is to get back on track the minute you find enough strength to resist that mocha frap, or that slice of Belgian chocolate cake. Keep that checklist tacked on the refrigerator, give yourself a pat on the back and file it as soon as the day ends.

Since I am a regular at the gym, I was told to just stick to aerobic exercises and avoid weight lifting as it will add bulk to my frame. I found out that FMS made me sweat more so I guess that would explain why one friend who tried it told me all she lost was water weight. I was told at Marie France, however, to drink plenty of water as all the fat and waste are shed through the natural process of elimination.

Body measurements are taken once every week. I lost 2 cms in my arms and hips, shaved off three from my waist. The weight might fluctuate or stay the same but you will appreciate the results when it translates to dress sizes. Mine went down from XL to medium.

At one point during the treatment my weight plateaud. Three treatments and the weigh in stayed the same. I was told to follow a diet that consists of only fruits and veggies alternating with protein rich foods every other day. These diet plans are handed out to you by your consultant.

My after treatment plan
After my program, I took advantage of the momentum I gained by being more active. I took tennis lessons at Olivarez in Sucat which I thoroughly enjoyed. I recently took up running and even got one friend to join me once in a while. I still watch what I eat but I have relaxed quite a bit. I follow the after six  and low carb diet since my goal is to flatten my tummy. I also use a thermoactive firming cream I use thrice a week.  You can’t buy this anywhere else. The best thing is that I don’t really need much of any help from MF anymore.   All I need to do is maintain my weight.

Most of my friends are aghast when I tell them I don’t eat rice. What they don’t know is that I consume a lot of wheat bread as substitute, along with my favourite starch-laden kakanin. Portion control is my best ally at this point and movement, activities I enjoy. Even Oprah would agree with me. When I watch TV I don’t sit, I move around or I have this trampoline, the one Tintin Bersola-Babao used to endorse, infront of the TV. I bought a bike that can be folded and stashed at the rear of the car.

I was never a fan of fad diets like Atkins and stuff. I say do what you feel will work for you. Something you can live with for the rest of your life because along with the weight loss is a lifestyle change, a complete overhaul of your life. I have gained control over food and my cravings. The trick is to walk away and divert your attention. I buy my fave food, eat a small portion and then leave the rest in the ref. When it is time for my meal, I take another small portion and reheat it. This way I get to prolong my enjoyment of the stuff I love.

To tell you honestly, it was never my intention to divulge my weight loss secrets when I started this site. I had been prodded time and again by my consultant Evelyn Merieles, to tell my friends that I was once a Marie France client. I still get invites to their anniversary parties, the last being their 25th year. Dawn Zulueta was their endorser at the time and I often ran into her at the reception and elevators at GT Tower. At one event I approached her and told her I once interviewed her at the launch of Johnson & Johnson baby bedtime bath.  She was very gracious and accommodating. She is still an MF endorser along with Aiko Melendez and recently, Iza Calzado.

These are celebs who chose the non-invasive method rather than go under the knife because the results are natural unlike surgery such as liposuction. If you can afford the treatment which by the way can be paid zero interest for three months, then go for it.  It will give you the boost you need to get on with the program so to speak. Remember though the most important of all: you and your motivation for losing weight.  Never underestimate the power of what I call the 3D’s: determination, dedication and discipline.

For consultation, call Evelyn Meriales at 0916-6428630