I know it's been a long time since I posted here, but seriously though, the pandemic kinda threw me off big time, as I am sure it did for many of you!
I just wanted to pop in here really quick to let all of you know, at least for all of you who are still sticking with me ha ha, that I am still here =) Just for a quick update, here are some things that I have been up to lately:
- I just got back to the Philippines from a 2 1/2 month stay in Florida with my family.
- My daughter Lauren got married!!!
- Yes, I am still a Beachbody Coach/Affiliate. Although I am not as active in the business part of it, I am still very part of the fitness and nutrition programs, the accountability groups, and most importantly, to be that motivation that you may need. Good gracious, I need some motivation too!!!
- I am a Full Time YouTube Content Creator now =)
- I am still raising a family here in the Philippines, but do go back and forth to the USA.
- I am no longer obstacle course racing, but I do plan to sign up for some fun races to do with the family.
- I still run the OCRTUBE video channel, but it is mostly for athlete features and random race and OCR documentaries. I am still available for hire though, that is if my schedule allows with the family =)
And that should keep you all up to speed, not that you were missing me all that much! =)
So feel free to touch base with me. I am not sure how we connected in the past, but the best way to reach me would probably be via email here. Most of my social media accounts are now private, so it may be difficult to contact me there unless we are already connected.
Here's my latest video from my YouTube family channel, go ahead and give it a watch, and hope to see you all soon!
My fiancé also manages to post some of our short videos on TikTok, so if you would like to follow us there too, it's up to you! Follow on TikTok here!
Interested in joining my latest accountability group on just living a more active life? Message me to get added, please note, my group is not on Facebook, it will be on an independent app.
I know it's been so long since I've posted, and I'm sure you've been wondering what's been going on =)
Well, I am still in the Philippines and unfortunately, we are currently in another lockdown! This pandemic has really put a damper on everything that I have planned since early 2020. But hey, there's nothing that I can do about it, so I just wanted to let you guys know what I, and/or we've been up to!
I started cycling a lot lately, and this mostly goes in part that I started a new youtube channel that requires me to create content with a bike, not all the time, but enough to keep me busy. Arlene, my fiancé also started a youtube channel in which she has just started to be more active with it. In between both of our new projects, we have been trying to focus on staying active with our workouts. If you are in one of my online groups either on facebook or via the BOD app, you will see our posts as we have not been posting regularly on public social media.
And of course, Baby Pippa is growing bigger and getting smarter than ever! The only thing that stinks is this darn pandemic which doesn't allow us to take her to the playground, and do other activities like we used to. The one thing that we have been doing almost daily is swimming. Right now, it's been so hot in the Philippines, and if I'm not mistaken, this month (April) and May are the two hottest months in the Philippines, and trust me.....I FEEL EVERY BIT OF IT, especially when I'm out on a bike ride! =)
Anywho, this is just a quick update on what we've been doing. If you would like to join us in trying to stay active despite our busy schedules, then please feel free to contact me to join one of our groups. There is no requirements other than allowing me to be your Free Coach in the process, other than that, it's up to you.
Hope you all have been safe and are doing well, and I hope to see you all sooner than later!
I still can't believe that I've been on this planet for 50 years now, so crazy! Do I feel like I'm FIFTY? Well, granted that I've never been 50 before, I feel good.... I guess ha ha =)
RECOVERY is a different story. It takes me a lot longer to recover from a workout, or a long day filming on location. I also feel a bit more stiff, but I've been trying to incorporate more yoga in my life (been saying that for a long time too lol). Another thing that I've been doing a lot of is "meditation". I've become a lot more relaxed and I give it all up to the meditating, it really works....if you work it.
At any rate, being Fit at Fifty is a daily challenge. I get up and all I think about is work. The hustle is something that has been part of my daily life for as long as I can remember. I mean, just look at my Dad, he's 75 and is still active AND working, not because he has to, but because he wants to, it makes him feel free and YOUNG! Wanna know where I get my work ethic from? HIM =)
So at times, I do place work over my health which is always a challenge for me. One day I will make it right =). Then again, a lot of what I do in the video content creation and media marketing business is staying active. I run after some of the fastest athletes in the world (pre pandemic, BUT looks like things are starting to get back to normal slowly but surely), and right now, I have been filming for my new youtube travel channel which forces me to go out and walk, run, hike and bike to create content, not complaining at all! That's the active part of my work, the other side is sitting on my ass doing all the video edits. I have to find that balance you know, and routine is out of the question because my schedule changes daily...I never know where I'm going to be.
I'm sure that you've heard of this "NOT SO" new workout program #mbf by now, and I recently just tried one of the workouts for the first time, and I must say, I really enjoyed it!
If you have never heard of it before, take a look at this quick video to get a glimpse of the program.
#mbf - Muscle Burns Fat Preview
I wanted to post this blog to share the free sample workout from the "Muscle Burns Fat" program. As with all my recommendations as a Full-Time Beachbody Coach (join me), I only recommend something if I like it myself, and trust me, I like this one a lot! =)
So as promised, I would like to share the free sample workout with you guys, and if you think that this is something that you would like to try, I have included some options for you below as well.
I am currently based in the Philippines due to the pandemic, but I can easily be reached if you would like to ask me any questions, or get my advice on any programs that would be suited to your budget and lifestyle. My online coaching and accountability is completely free, along with the online groups that I can provide. Have questions, you can make me your Free Online Coach or accountability partner by clicking here! =)
Free #mbf - Muscle Burns Fat Workout
And as I mentioned above, here are some #mbf - Muscle Burns Fat options should you decide to give the workout program a try!
I remember the first time I ran my first 5K, it was so exhilarating! But I didn't always enjoy running, in fact....I actually hated it! So what was it that helped me gain interest in running?
TRY FREE SAMPLE WORKOUTS BELOW
Well, I don't really want to bore you with all the details, but long story short, my brother introduced me into a mud run in North Carolina which was called the Warrior Dash, and when I crossed the finished line, I was hooked! That was in early 2011, and I've been running ever since!
I wanted to post this blog about "running your first 5K" to help others who either want to find a fun way to get active, and/or incorporate resistance training to become more fit to complete a 5K. Let's face it, most runners do not do any weight training because they feel that they will gain weight and it might slow them down. Although that is partially true, I'm not talking about being a bodybuilder here =). Adding resistance training during your runs, will help build a stronger core, and help you become a more well-rounded athlete. Even if you don't want to be an athlete, and you just want to be healthy, then this will be a fun way to do it.
I think the part about that I like about this program is that it is developed by the company that I am affiliated with (for about 10 years now), and it incorporates indoor workouts with running outside which is what I love the most, being outdoors. If you prefer indoor workouts, you will love it as it will also give you the option of using a treadmill.
I know that there are a ton of 5K run training programs out there, but not many of them incorporate resistance training, and nutritional advice from top industry professionals. Is this the best 5K training program out there? It all depends on you, but I can tell you from only my experience that having a complete package is the key, something that I didn't have when I started.
Let me share a quick video with you that gives you a glimpse of the 5K training program called the "30 Day Breakaway", check out the video below =)
30 Day Breakaway
So what do you guys think?
I know that you may have a lot of questions, or still might be on the fence about starting....I completely get it =) So let me give you more details to help you learn more about the program, and what is included.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET STARTED?
Depending on your situation, goals, budget, the best way that I feel to get started is the right way. The 30 Day Breakaway Challenge Pack includes everything that you need to get started such as: VIP Early Access (if before March 2021), Shakeology, Beachbody on Demand Membership, Running Belt, Resistance Loops, and all the program materials such as calendar and schedule etc.
On top of all that, if you start with a challenge pack, you will also get the Ultimate Portion Fix and 2B Mindset Streaming programs to help with your nutrition (which is 80% of your success), the portion fix containers and other trackers that will help you with your journey.
Please also note that I will also be your personal online coach and accountability partner as well, so you would not be going at it alone =).
WHAT IF I ALREADY HAVE A BEACHBODY ON DEMAND MEMBERSHIP?
You can upgrade and get purchase the VIP Early Access for the 30 Day Breakaway (available Oct 19th) which retails for $49.95 (streaming only). If you would like the accessories bundle that would be an extra $69.95 retail. Please note that doing it this way, you will not get the extras such as the Ultimate Portion Fix and 2B Mindset Streaming programs along with the accessories that come with those programs. With the challenge or completion pack, you would receive all of this in a bundle which would ultimately save you up to $300 depending on which challenge pack you choose.
WHEN WILL 30 DAY BREAKAWAY BE INCLUDED IN THE BOD MEMBERSHIP?
On March 2021, the 30 Day Breakaway program will officially be included in the Beachbody on Demand library. So before that date, the only way to have access is through a Challenge Pack or ViP Early Access upgrade through your existing BOD membership.
So I know that's quite a bit to take in, but if you have any other questions, feel free to connect with me, and I will be happy to get you started and help you throughout your journey.
Me with Ultra Marathon and Legend Dean Karnazes
For a bonus, I have included some FREE workouts to try which will give you a taste of how fun the 30 Day Breakaway will be. Enjoy the workouts, and please reach out to me when you are ready to get started, looking forward to running with you! =)
ON A SERIOUS NOTE: Now do you seriously need to do the 30 Day Breakaway Challenge to complete a 5K? Absolutely not! I mean running is one of the best things to do to get fit because it's FREE! If you were to ask me why the 30 Day Breakaway then??? Here's what I can say, it is an amazing program for people who do better with structure in their workouts and training, but at the same time need options for customizing and keeping things fresh. It's also for someone who enjoys and does better with real people keeping them accountable. The 30 Day Breakaway will help you learn more about running and how fun it can actually be if done correctly. Running for success is more than just running alone....it is about nutrition (how to fuel your body and what to eat), it is consistency, it is commitment, it is about incorporating other workouts to help you run better, but most of all, it's about getting started! =)
Although the pandemic is still upon us, at least it still is here in the Philippines, we are able to move around more freely, of course still following by the Covid-19 guidelines from the government.
After my daughter Penelope's birthday last month, we decided to go out to Paniman Beach, a hidden gem in Ternate, Cavite Philippines. We chose this place because it is pretty secluded, and not very many people are there at any given time. There is plenty of room for us to roam around, so keeping distant from others would be easy. Actually, when we arrived, there was only one other family there, and so we had the beach all to ourselves, which we really, really liked.
This was actually the first time that Arlene and Baby Pippa was able to go out and explore since the pandemic started, so it was nice to be able to take them there, if only for a day. Arlene's friend also joined us, and we had a great time.
Ending the day with a trip to Mountain Coffee in Ternate, Cavite was also great. With strict Covid-19 rules, we surprisingly felt very safe there. We only stayed for about 15 minutes, and decided to just enjoy our coffee and snacks on the way home.
I don't know about you guys, but there are a lot of times in my life depending on what is going on, I can get a bit stressed.
I know that there is a such thing as "good" stress, but what I'm talking about doesn't feel good at all =)
For a lot of people, including some of my friends and family, we are always looking for ways to cope with stress in our lives. Unfortunately, some people turn to unhealthy habits such as smoking, drugs and consuming alcohol, which are all temporary solutions which most of us know can make matters even worse. I know this from experience because I used to drink all the time when things weren't going good in my life which led me to becoming a borderline alcoholic. Thank goodness I was able to get away from all of that with the help of close friends and living a healthier lifestyle. But it wasn't easy.
Even though I was able to get out of that unhealthy lifestyle, I..even till this day, I can still endure stress in my life. These days, most of my stress comes from not making goal achievements set out for myself, finances that go up and down, the Covid-19 Pandemic, not being able to travel like before, the stress of being the man of the house (the protector), Dad stress =), and just everyday things that can slowly build up.
I am always looking for other ways to cope without going back to my unhealthy habits, and it has been quite the struggle.
When the company that I work with came out with a new meditation program, I thought to myself, I should give this a try. In the past, meditation was always hard for me because it is difficult for me to stand still. My mind is ALWAYS going a million miles a minute, and I can get easily distracted.
As I am getting older, I am understanding more and more about keeping things simple in my life, and resting my mind and body when it needs it. So with this newfound mentality, I think that it may be easier for me now to give meditation a try once again.
For me, meditation is really just about making time for yourself without any distractions. But it really goes even deeper than that as I am founding out. I am learning about controlled breathing, and really leaving reality. I think it takes me a lot longer for me to meditate as sometimes I just keep thinking about what I need to do =). I have to really fight to get away and forget about everything that is going on, and eventually I do.
Meditation for me is a challenge like some of my workouts. For example, yoga is very difficult for me, but I do it anyways. This is no different. I think that the more I do it on a daily basis, it will eventually get easier, and one day I can finally be relaxed. I am really looking forward to that.
