Text by DENISE ROCO
If vanity should be assigned a season, it has to be the summer. And with the abundance of show all, bare all fashion that (barely) , it’s no surprise that we all become extra conscious of our appearances this time of year. Still, fitness is a gift, not just for those who look at you, but ultimately for yourself, as this talented actress proves.
Many people only become concerned about health when disease kicks them in the shins. For Iza, the story is different. Her health became a major issue during her childhood years. In high school, she decided she no longer wanted to be hollered at and called “pig†by anyone.
But the journey to fitness wasn’t easy. At first, she tried all the wrong ways to slim down. From starving herself, which resulted to binge eating, to diet pills and even liposuction, she eventually learned that there are no shortcuts and cheat sheets to health and fitness.
Proud of her fit physique these days, Iza gives the lowdown on how she achieved it. “Last Sunday, I did a 12-minute turn on the treadmill, 50 burpees and circuit training. I swam and ran from Mondays to Fridays. I was running and swimming daily. I had work during Saturdays,†she recalls.
This writer comments that she seems pretty serious about exercising. Iza replies, “I have to be. Let’s face it, a lot of these youngsters, and even myself, do this with (an element of) vanity involved. They want to show their abs. With me, I want to be fit with my weight and not to show off.
“We’re not getting any younger. I’m trying to invest in my body. I want to make smarter choices with my body, with my food intake,†she continues.
With her Irish-Spanish-Filipino features , she looks gorgeously stunning, even in her workout wardrobe. But it’s more than that; she glows when she walks with her head held high. Not because she’s stuck-up, but because she has pride in herself. This was not a feeling she had for many years.
Time for a cool change
Here are Iza’s tips for those who want to become or remain healthy and fit:
- Set goals
 If you feel you have no motivation, set a goal. Then work on it. You don’t have to do a triathlon to be called fit, as long as you’re doing something for your body. My workout depends on my mood. Don’t stick to just one kind of exercise.
- Stay focused
If you have a goal, it’s easy for you to stay focused. Make a real goal. Don’t come up with a deadline that you’ll just move. Make a bet with your friends; join a running clinic or a fun run, so you can train for it properly.
- Be careful of what you believe
It’s hard to advocate one style of fitness activity with the conflicting ideas on the Internet. Pros and cons always exist for each and every workout. Study them closely before sticking to it.
- Have an attitude of confidence
Don’t care about what other people say. When I was younger in high school, I tried to go to the gym. Several times I felt ashamed because people were looking and laughing at me. I was jiggly when I would run on the treadmill, diyahe talaga (embarrassing, indeed). Have that firm headstrong attitude. People who matter will not even mind you if you’re jiggly. Instead, they’ll be happy for you that you’re actually doing something for your body.
- Work out and eat well
It’s not one or the other. I think the proponents of vegetarianism, the paleolithic lifestyle or juicing, they’re all after the same thing — that you quit processed food. Avoid them at all cost.
- Be with people who encourage youÂ
Surround yourself with people who can work out with you, or who could also go on the same diet. Don’t be with someone who’ll encourage you to go opposite your goals.
- Have a balance
In as much as I want to quit eating junk food, it can also make me happy. If it makes me happy, I’ll have it, but not too much of it.
- Believe that you can
You have to psych yourself. The moment you say you cannot, then you cannot. Faith is very important, in yourself and in your body. If you believe (in yourself and in God), then you ask for the grace to be given more (so you can accomplish more).
Photography by DIX PEREZ
Art Direction by Ramon Joseph J. ruiz / Makeup by Mike Larriosa / Hair by RJ Dela Cruz
Shot on location at 360 FITNESS CLUB, MAKATI CITY
Editor’s note: The article featuring these excerpts were first published in PeopleAsia’s April – May 2014 issue.Â
