A bunch of cheaters

The so-called “in” body shape changes from era to era and woe to today’s population!

To look sexy and shapely, today’s generation need to have a lean and trim body, complete with washboard abs and six packs — preferably eight, in fact.

To achieve this look, one has to work out endlessly and, initially, go on a starvation diet.

The good news is: Even the hardcore dieters know that they are allowed a “cheat day.” This is one day of the week when you can indulge. When I say the word “indulge,” it doesn’t mean that you are licensed to devour the entire spread on a Kamayan/Dad’s/Saisaki buffet table.

In a dieter’s proper dictionary, indulge means that you are allowed a day — usually Sunday family lunches and dinners — to “cheat” by eating some of your favorite dishes, BUT still in moderation. Just taste a bit of this and a bit of that so you don’t feel deprived of the good things in life.

The serious health buffs — or those who make a living out of their good looks — will only allow themselves to have a once-a-week “cheat meal” — a “cheat food” or “cheat snack.”

I asked top celebrity personal trainer Billy James Renacia (based in Fitness Express) to reveal to me the “cheat food” of some of his on-screen star clients.   

I hope they forgive me, but I have to call them the “cheaters” and I don’t mean to imply that they are cheats in the real negative sense of the word.

These are the celebrities who achieved their fabulous bodies after strenuous workouts and serious dieting, but who occasionally reward themselves by eating sinful food once in a while.

And so here are the “cheaters” and the food they sin for:

Aljur Abrenica — Ketchup and, possibly, French fries. He is in seventh heaven even if you just give him rice topped with a serving of ketchup, which though contains lycopene, is reputed to be loaded with calories.

Mark Bautista — Krispy Kreme. I actually heard him discuss with Aljur how mouthwatering Krispy Kreme is and I can’t argue with that. Even I hanker for that. To satisfy my cravings, I only imagine it at night and when I heard Mark and Aljur talk about it, I joined in the conversation. That’s another trick to skip calories: Discuss food with fellow dieters. If you don’t allow temptation to get the better of you, the longing will go away.

Gian Magdangal — Pasta, any kind.

E-jay Falcon — Chicken nuggets.

Arthur Solinap — Pork lechon skin, an indulgence even I am guilty of. Soak it in plenty of liver sauce, please.

Rochelle Pangilinan — Popcorn. Deprive her of anything this life has to offer, but allow her to watch movies with popcorn.

Kylie Padilla — Snacku. If Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez can’t be weaned off Jack and Jill potato chips and Chippy, it’s the same thing with Kylie’s Snacku.

Sheree — Dark chocolates. Everyone is advised to have dark chocolate because it’s supposed to be good, but you still have to go easy on that. A pound of dark chocolate consumed translates to a pound in body weight.

Kris Bernal — Isaw. This former StarStruck winner, who already has a series of top-rated shows tucked under her belt, has remained very simple. Isaw is already a treat for her. She buys this in UP Diliman, which is near her place.

Andrew Schimmer — Nagaraya. The peanut snack can actually get anyone addicted to it. I know of a Pinay based in Bridgeport, Connecticut who brings Nagaraya to the East Coast every time she visits Manila because her American next-door neighbor is crazy about it.

Bella Padilla — Hot cocoa. Can you blame her for craving for this beverage because this is the ideal comfort drink to warm the heart and stomach on cold nights?

Dennis Trillo — Pizza. Any serious health buff will tell you that to burn the calories from just a slice of this popular fast food would take two hours on the treadmill.

Paulo Avelino — Sinigang na baboy. That’s not so bad, especially if he eats the veggies. Hmm, I wonder if he takes the fat off the pork.