INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – From size XL, Angelica Balatbat can now wear clothes a few sizes smaller without fear of being ridiculed.

A pre-school teacher and part-time call center agent, Balatbat once registered a body mass index of 32.2, which has gone down to 23.5 after logging in hours at the gym.

“It started when everyone was telling me that I am ugly and fat. I told myself that I never want to die this way,” said Balatbat, who was declared winner in the recent “New You Achievement Awards” by Fitness First.

Balatbat was among 15 finalists and won under the “health” category.

Roderick Beco, who shed 50 pounds, won in the “shape” category. Now a very trim 135 pounds, Beco said he maintains a strict “no carbohydrates, no fat” diet.

Individual winners were also recognized in other categories, which looked on people preparing for sports or general strength training to build and tone muscles.

The awards aim to recognize who have achieved their goals while inspiring other people, according to Mark Ellis, who heads Fitness First Philippines.

“It's about recognizing ordinary people with extraordinary achievements and their hard work in reaching it,” said Ellis.

Winners were determined not only on the basis of how much weight they lost but also the stories behind their dramatic physical change.

This is the first awards of its kind for Fitness First Asia and the company is looking at making it an annual event as part of efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle.

“It’s not just about burning calories but having fun,” said Ellis.

Marjorie Gorospe