Fit Filipino Movement

Have you ever wondered why there is a boom and explosion of fitness and wellness gyms, clubs, centers, diet plans and diet meal delivery services? But in spite of this global health and fitness boom, obesity and all the medical problems associated with this condition continues to rise. In the Philippines alone, 1 in 4 Filipinos are overweight and 3 out of 10 people are obese. Over the years, the overweight rate of Filipino children has nearly doubled from 2.7% to 5.5%. Also, Philippines is among the developing countries with the highest levels of obesity.

Over the weekend, I had a chance to discuss with coach Jim Saret and his wife Toni about their plan to make our country fitter and healthier. Actually, coach Jim Saret was my mentor inside the 'Biggest Loser' camp and coach Toni also became a mentor in Season 2 of the reality TV show. But before then, both of them have already been active in the fitness scene in our country, conducting running clinics and boot camps all over the country. Coach Jim is a former professor of Sports Science in UP. A former national athlete, he completed his Master's Degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training at Brigham Young University in the US while specializing in Athletic Performance Enhancement. Here in the Philippines, Coach Jim was formerly an elite trainer of various PBA, varsity and national teams players. He's also a Columnist/Advisory Board Member for Men's Health Magazine and a sought after Sports Science / Sports Medicine Speaker for various health, sports, fitness and medical companies/corporations including in television and radio. And top it all, both coach Jim and Toni have an ongoing Fitness TV show entitled "Metabeats" in Lifestyle network.

The Fil Filipino campaign will focus on an overall vision of having the whole country donate 100,000 pounds this year! Through this donation or pledge, it will automatically mobilize the entire country to become fitter and healthier.

"This is the very first Nationwide Fitness and Wellness Campaign of this magnitude. In fact this is the very first campaign of its kind in the whole world. Imagine, a whole country actively united in becoming fitter and healthier!" the lovely couple said.

Based on initial commitments from groups  they have already invited to join the challenge, coach Jim said they projected number of participants to hit 100,000 or more.

Among the few groups that have already committed to such noble cause are Philippine Heart Association, Philippine Dental Association, Philippine Nurses Association, Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, Philippine Neurological Association and government agencies and cities such as Paranaque and Iloilo. Private companies such as  ABS CBN, Jollibee Group, Pascual Labaratory, Getz Pharma and Nestle have also pledged their support.

Here are the Categories on how to join:

• Individual: Minimum of 10 pounds pledge and Multiples of 10 lbs. after that  (eg: 10, 20, 30,40,50 lbs, etc).

• Squad:  Composed of 5-10 members, Minimum of 5 pounds each member ex. squad of 5 members must pledge min of 25 lbs

• Corporate: Groups of 20+ members Ex. Unilab, Jollibee, Red Ribbon, Nestle,  Philippine Heart Association, Philippine Nurses Assocation., Minimum of 3 pounds each member eg. A corporate group of 150 employees must pledge minimum of 450 lbs

• LGU/ Province/City/ Municipality: Mayor/ Governor Initiated citywide program eg. Iloilo City, Paranaque City, Minimum of 2 pounds each member e.g. 2000 city employees must pledge 4000 lbs

What makes this event more exciting is that this event is totally free for everyone to join. But there will be minimal fee if you want to get a finisher's shirt and medal for each participant. Registration will start May 2017. Complete details will be posted soon. For now, choose which categories you and your group want join. Pledge and be part of the biggest Fit Filipino Movement. For more details, you may call 406-9267 or email me at [email protected].