Living a balanced life these days is not easy, especially for mothers who wear many hats on a daily basis. But Binibining Pilipinas World 2005 winner-turned-triathlete Carlene Aguilar-Ocampo proves that it is, even for moms with three kids like her, possible. Here are her tried and tested tips on how moms, or even those who are not yet mothers, can be healthy and fit.
Make it a family affair
“My three boys and I love spending time together in action. Not only do we eat out, watch movies together, or go to the mall, we enjoy being on the move as well. Activities like wall climbing, swimming, and fun runs are just some of the things we love to do as a family,” shared Carlene.
This way, she said, her kids can take their eyes off their gadgets and look forward to doing engaging activities that not only keep their body healthy and fit but also make them closer.
Challenge yourself
For this relatively newbie to the triathlon world, a larger than life transformation is possible when you push yourself harder and stronger. She related, “I started the sports in 2016 with losing weight as the ultimate reason in mind. But as time passed by, I realized that this was something I wanted to be seriously part of, so I joined an aquathlon and unexpectedly bagged the 3rd place. And as they say, the rest is history!”
“My point is that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams in life as long as you’re ready to tackle them with determination,” she emphasized. Carlene proves that mastering the elusive work-life balance can be tricky, but getting out of your comfort zone is one of the secrets to ensure we’re always on top of our game.
Set a goal and stick to it
Carlene’s triathlon career was marked by small beginnings, with getting that foot out of the door as the first step. “Obstacles are a fact of life, but if we focus on what we’re not or what we can’t do, we wouldn’t have the time, energy, and even the motivation to move towards our goal,” said the 36-year-old beauty queen.
“Where do you want to go? What should you start now or stop doing? Do you want to think why you don’t have time to get moving or are you going to shift your focus on how you can get up 30 minutes early so you can set yourself towards your goal? What is it worth to you?”
Find something that motivates you
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to getting fit; what works for others may not work for you. While many think that hitting the gym is the only way, the easiest way, to shed those extra pounds, Carlene does other things.
“Triathlon brings out the best in me, and I’m pretty jazzed about the challenge of becoming better every race,” she said. It doesn’t also hurt that she’s got three fun-loving kids who keep her motivated. “I want to be able to keep up with their strength and energy year after year, so getting fit and healthy is an absolute must to make it happen for me.”
Get up in the morning
Not a morning person? Carlene said being a morning person starts at night, in your bedroom. “Set boundaries at work, social media, and other areas of your life that may cause restlessness. And have a consistent bed time schedule. It’s a discipline with tons of benefits—more time to prepare for the day, increased productivity, and better performance at work,” she shared.
Carlene believes that working out in the morning provides greater advantage than doing it at night. “Exercise is an instant energy boost and a great way for the body to release the happy hormones, endorphins. Whether it’s a run, swim, bike, yoga, or gym, it’s a surefire way to get pumped for the day ahead!”
Love yourself
The most important, but perhaps the most neglected, part of keeping yourself healthy and fit is taking care of yourself. “Loving yourself in a balanced way won’t only be beneficial for yourself but for people around you. The old adage ‘You can’t give what you don’t have’ can’t be truer,” asserted Carlene.
“Besides, if you won’t take care of yourself, who else will? Looking good and feeling better is just the beginning, I know that my choice of keeping myself in excellent shape allows me to be an effective conduit of love and strength for other people.”
One of the ways she takes care of herself, especially with her active life, is by choosing the right sanitary pad that provides all-around protection. “I’m partial to Jeunesse Anion that provides a reprieve from odor, stain, and leaks. Most importantly, it stays where it should be. In fact, my daily must-have is the panty liner to keep me fresh and worry-free. All variants, especially with wings are also consistently reliable for my day-to-day grind whether at work, home or on the run,” she shared.
Jeunesse Anion is available at leading drugstores, supermarkets, and groceries nationwide.