Iya Villania on weight loss: Breastfeeding not enough
Actress-TV host Iya Villania-Arellano breastfeeding at the backstage of her show. Instagram/Iya Villania
MANILA, Philippines — Besides providing good bacteria that boost a child’s immunity, studies show that breastfeeding improves the bond between mother and baby.
As for breastfeeding’s supposed weight loss benefits, actress and TV host Iya Villania-Arellano has been skeptical of it.
“I do direct breastfeeding. People say that you really burn 500 calories when you breastfeed, but for me, I don’t count those calories for as long as my heart is being pumped. Feeling ko kung hindi high heart rate ‘yung ginagawa ko, feeling ko, hindi s’ya nag-co-count,” she said during a recent group interview for the launch of Nike Training Club.
“Saka breastfeeding kasi makes me hungry eh. So, nag-buburn nga ako ng calories, pero tuloy-tuloy naman ‘yung kain ko,” she added.
Thus, to get back to her pre-pregnancy shape, Iya has to complement breastfeeding with exercise.
Before she became a mom, she would spend roughly two to three hours a day on a triathlon training. But now that she juggles her time between hosting and her son, Primo, she has to make do with one to one and a half hours of exercise every day to lose the 20 to 22 pounds she gained during her pregnancy.
To maximize her shorter workout time, Iya goes to Nike’s Training Classes (NTC) held every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. and every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Kerry Sports Manila in Bonifacio Global City.
NTC, according to Nike Philippines officials, enables Filipinos to train with the best athletes and trainers using globally designed workouts to reach their individual fitness goals. The classes also cater to all fitness levels from beginner to advance.
“Progress is what separates exercising from training,” Patrick Reyes, Nike Philippines Marketing Manager, said in a statement. “Exercise is doing the same thing over and over and expecting results. Training is an adaptive plan that moves you toward your goal, no matter what that goal is.”
Each area of focus within NTC requires specific training and expertise. NTC Strength aims for athletes to move more weight than their body weight alone, while NTC Mobility emphasizes moving well to perform your best, and NTC Endurance is designed to keep the heart rate up to improve the ability to workout at a higher intensity level for a longer time.
Besides NTC, Iya also exercises with husband Drew Arellano.
“We get on the bike together, we train in our weights together. We bike more at home because of pollution, traffic, sun,” she said.
She is also into a low-carb diet. “It’s only because I want to lose the baby fat, but once I get into my regular weight, ibabalik ko na ‘yung pandesal sa diet ko!”
Due to her newfound workout routine, some of her clothes before pregnancy can fit her again, though she still refuses to reveal her waistline.
“Di ko pa mini-measure, baka ma-sad ako eh!” she enthused.
“My advice for moms is that it’s never too late to exercise and you will feel good about yourself. So, get fit and get happy!
WATCH: Iya Villania tries to lose baby bump by working out. Instagram/Iya Villania
