These days, hot mommas are everywhere. Fergie would agree with us. Recently, we showed how women like Andi Eigenmann and Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez do it.
Though it’s a little different when the baby is still inside of you. For this, we were lucky to check in with Iya Villania. At the Claritin 101 launch, she told us how to reach your #fitspo even with a bump.
How did you adjust your routine with your pregnancy?
I still do the things I used to do before I got pregnant. I just toned it down. I still run, bike, swim, and weight-train. I used to do two to three hours because I would train for races but now I only do one hour.
What is your weekly routine like?
I work out five times a week, I just switch it up between swimming, running, biking, and weight-training. I jog for two to three kilometers before I do an hour of weight-training. I swim for a whole hour or bike. I weight-train with my run, that’s twice a week. I do mix it up some more, like I swim and then weight-train [and just have a run the next day]. It depends on what I feel like doing. Ang importante lang is that I know when to stop.
Do you have a coach or fitness expert you always ask advice from?
I have a trainer for my weight-lifting. The rest, I do what I feel like.
Do your allergies still play a part in making your exercise routine?
There’s nothing I can’t do. Nothing can stop me [because of Claritin]. Before, it would affect me in such a way that I can’t breathe properly especially when you’re training for races. You need to be able to use your lungs to maximum capacity and it’s kinda hard to do that when your nose is clogged up [because of] dust, pollen, and dander.
How did you adjust your diet? There’s always a dilemma with the need to eat for the baby but also to eat to be able to exercise.
I did have to up my calorie intake. I had to be more conscious of my weight even though it’s hard because when you’re pregnant you become picky. Sometimes, I am not in the mood to eat fruits and vegetables even though I need it. I always stock up on green smoothies at home so when I skip out on veggies, at least I drink it twice a day for the baby. The smoothie has kale, malunggay, and kamote tops.
Where do you shop for your athletic wear?
I love Nike and Lululemon. I hoard it when I am abroad because we don’t have Lululemon here but even with my Nike stuff, I buy abroad because [stocks there are different] from here. I had to size up with everything though! (Laughs)
Best tip you’ve gotten about working out?
Consult with other people who work out. I would ask Annie De Leon and Dyan Castillejo. It also helps to post on social media. I just had to stop a little because of the negative comments.
What do you say then to the people who view working out during pregnancy as something bad?
It’s so sad because when the people comment here, they always think inuna mo yung sarili mo. Abroad, they are positive and they motivate you. I think more people need to understand that exercising is not just for the mother but also for the baby. It’s not about keeping in shape but it’s for the baby as it’s growing inside you.
Advice for pregnant women who want to stay in shape?
I discovered that Filipinos are apprehensive over exercise and pregnancy. That’s already so old-fashioned. They are not used to a lifestyle of many people now that they work out even when pregnant. It’s now the norm. I think what’s important is to just always listen to your body and to know what your body is capable of. I am really competitive and even in the early days of my pregnancy I kept pushing myself. My husband had to remind me that I am not training for a race anymore.
Art by Dorothy Guya
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