An invitation read: “Neither a single pound of body fat shed, nor a one percent drop in cholesterol level will be left unrecognized and unrewarded.”  It was catchy, indeed.  But it was more than that for it was a pronouncement of all the arduous deeds that the 12 candidates for the first “Fitness First New You” have undergone in the last 12 grueling and tiring months.  Now they are starving, not for food but for the recognition of what they have achieved.

“It’s been very successful but it’s also very emotional,” said Mark Ellis, country manager of the most preferred fitness club in the Philippines during the awarding ceremonies held recently at the Embassy Supper Club.  He further enthused, “No doubt you’re gonna hear some absolutely fantastic success stories how lives are being changed.”

The competition is divided into four categories: Health, Strength, Sports, and Shape.  The Health Category is about how a member uses his/her membership with Fitness First to positively impact their general wellbeing.  Toned bodies and increased muscle is what defines Strength Category.  On the other hand, the Sports Category recognizes members who used their membership to help them prepare for a sports competition or a physical event.  And lastly, the biggest loser – of excess weight, that is – will also be the biggest winner for the Shape Category.  Ultimately, a grand winner will also be named.

Joining in the various categories were Angel Carpio, Angela Garcia and Angelica Balatbat, Chiho Joko, Alfonso Flores, and Ryan Yuquico, Marissa Tibayan, Cristy Cai, and Dr. Eileen Lorenzo, Waldemar Mapua, Nina Llanura, and Roderick Beco.  Each individual has their own stories to tell.

And the winners are…

Finally, out of the 12 candidates, Dr. Lorenzo, Flores, Beco, and Balatbat were proclaimed winners in their individual categories with the latter as 2009 Fitness First Philippines’ New You Achievement Awards grand winner.

“I got fat and weak.  I didn’t want to go out anymore. I shunned parties (and) gatherings.  I feel that I don’t like the person I see in the mirror…I thought I had to do something,” recalls Balatbat.  She further adds, “The thought of my goiter coming back really scared me and so I thought of going to the gym.”

Sports category winner shared her own experience. “It never crossed my mind that one day I would run and actually finish a full marathon,” Dr. Lorenzo exclaims.  She then recalled how her fitness story began: “Actually, I have been overweight as far back as I can remember.  My mom who has been diabetic for 10 years had kidney failure so I asked the doctor can I be a kidney doctor.  He then gave a good look at me and I was really overweight at that time, and he said that I cannot.  That started it all.”

Flores surprised everybody with his healthy physique, it didn’t came as a surprise then that he was announced the winner under his category.  After all, how many elderly can you see lifting a 200 lbs. weights and say?  Amidst all this, all he could say was: “I enjoy doing it.”

Beco seem to have found his confidence after all his struggle.  “I have been fat since birth.  And then I was hospitalized for bad cholesterol.  But when I started noticing the physical changes even before I could finish my program I also started feeling other changes like I’ve become more friendly and outspoken,” he said.

A salute to trainors

A surprise category was added towards the end of the event.  One that gives importance to Fitness First employees who walk the talk and made a difference – The New You Achievement Awards Staff Category which was joined by Raymund Macaso, Brandon Bon, and Carlos delos Santos.

Since joining Fitness First, Macaso dropped from 140 lbs to 120 lbs and is now participating actively in 10K runs. Bon, on the other hand, now places in several marathons thanks to his 40-pound weight loss to date.  Lastly, delos Santos who was diagnosed with kidney stones started eating health and doing regular cardio exercises and weight training.  He now weighs 162 lbs from 195 lbs. 

Wrapping up the event, Ellis concluded, “Seeing members (and staff) look better and live healthier is our motivation to constantly innovate and remain at the forefront of fitness.  We hope that more people will follow the lead of these inspiring individuals and welcome the dawn of a new and better life.”

(Write the author at wellbeing@mb.com.ph.)