What a modern man can do to increase his market value

Let us eat and drink: for tomorrow we diet. — Wendy Morgan

MANILA, Philippines - Tomorrow is today, next year is now. I trust we all enjoyed our Christmas Eve noche buena, Christmas Party No. 11, New Year’s Eve dinner, New Year’s lunch with the family, and many other obligatory occasions where one utters the words “minsan-minsan lang naman ‘to” while helping himself to a third serving of Cebu lechon or roast ambrosia that you swore you must have for your next birthday. Scenes like these could make somebody’s last meal look spartan.

We ate, we drank, and maybe today we will diet… or better yet after next week’s lunch at that restaurant that serves the most amazing aged rib-eye this side of town, and don’t get me started on their heavenly truffle cream pasta. Story sounds familiar, right? Similar stories echo across town with varying dishes switched up according to personal palate.

This is the beginning of the year and we’ve already rewarded ourselves for a year exceptionally executed. It’s all very well-earned, we quip. But like clockwork, it’s now time to feign guilt, which will develop into full-fledged self-flagellation for having one too many “out of politeness” trips to the buffet table.

Here is a to-do list. It’s pain-free, and it isn’t that long.

Lose the weighing scale.

Cover, me: Core kiness intense workout du jour of the stars

Tuck it away into a far corner of your closet. Stop obsessing over numbers and decimal points, it’s not like we are Wii Sims with our current weight hovering over our heads. Focus on how your clothes fit; that’s a better gauge anyway. Gain a pound or two? No sweat, maybe it’s muscle. If you have suspicions or are sure that it’s from those two desserts you had better just make sure you free your schedule up and get motivated for the next step.

Get fit(ter).

Assuming that a pushup isn’t such a remote concept for you may mean that you’re relatively fit. Theoretical case file: the occasional marathon run (upwards until maybe 10k max) plus the semi-regular gym session (1 hour) has kept you in check. Everything was great. All up until you started bingeing this holiday season. Not to worry. Start up a new sport/hobby that will keep you guessing and surprised. The recent plethora of core-oriented regimens available locally will keep you interested and avoid monotony that causes boredom and eventually quitting. I spy Core Kinesis as a favorite of many A-listers because of the speed, intensity, and a sort of in-group privacy that can’t be found in other exercise settings. Next up, we have TRX suspension training that will put a stop to any conceivable excuses not to work out because there isn’t a gym for miles or your feng shui advises against it this year. TRX lets you take the system anywhere in the field, and get your workout on. The American Navy uses it so at the very least it’ll make you break a sweat. Lastly, Crossfit Manila is brewing a storm as well, with promises of improving sports performance, emancipation from doctrinal gym routines, and breaking through fitness plateaus. Many new disciplines, but it is consistency and putting the hours in, just like punching a clock, that’s key. Small incremental steps to your goal will give you a higher chance of keeping your fitness gains. You know the saying “easy come, easy go…” Exactly. If you seek a quick fix, then most likely it’ll be gone… with the quickness! Try challenging fitness activities, and better yet competitive sports that can let you compete against yourself (running, etc.) so you have fewer excuses that no one’s free to play this or that team sport. In the era of social media and be-all, do all occupations, it seems nobody is free to. 

Eat better.

Don’t always listen to what the latest and greatest fitness yogi trend is preaching. You don’t have to start eating like Robocop (baby food) or adapting a draconian diet. Going back to what was stated earlier, consistency will see to it that your goals are met and retained longer than any fad diet. Find a reasonable and more down to earth approach to eating. Swap the excessive rice for vegetables. Quit buying habitual liquid calorie traps, you don’t really need a blended sugar concoction that sort of tastes like coffee every time you “work” (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and glancing at e-mails). Less oil, less salt, more frequent smaller meals. Think of your body as an engine, with food as fuel. Step on the throttle too much, and you can’t burn/use it up efficiently. Same deal. More frequent (relatively healthy, less junk) meals means your metabolism is up and running at it’s best, rocket fuel. Oh, and don’t forget the water.

No weigh down: Toss it, or at least hide the morning guilt trip.

Forming habits.

It takes 21 days to form a habit, so get cracking to starting more positive ones. This doesn’t have to be limited to physique but can extend to so much more. Start very simple, approach the tasks daily so you don’t overwhelm yourself. It’s very easy to be overeager, and to burn out your own enthusiasm. Write your goal down, so it’s real and tangible which is another step closer to realization. Most importantly, if for anybody, do it for yourself. You know, the whole “master of your fate, captain of…” You get the point.

It’s time for a better version of yourself in all its possibility. Sustain the momentum and watch your market value shoot through the roof (in small but sure increments). I’ll be practicing what I preach, so if this guide has inspired some of you, maybe you can join me for this month’s 2012 Timex Run at Bonifacio Global City. Try to beat the “sub-piolo” record of 0:47:56 for 10K.

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The 2012 Timex Run is on Jan. 22. You can register at Riovana at Bonifacio High Street or Timex outlets around the metro. (Late registration ends on Jan. 15)