TV celebrity and public servant Lucy Torres-Gomez believes that proper knowledge can lead to a healthy lifestyle.
In a media junket prepared for her and for Richard Gomez by Women's Health and Men's Health magazines last Friday, January 7, at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Lucy said that being familiar with one's own body helps a person stay in shape.
One example she pointed out is the metabolism rate in relation to age.
Lucy said, "I think when you're past your teens, nothing comes naturally anymore. When you're much younger, you burn everything. You burn calories faster.
"But as you grow older, you'll learn that your body just changes and you'll learn to respect your body more also. So, you take more definite step to take care of it. You learn about your body, you know what's best for you."
So, what does Lucy do to stay fit?
The PO5 host is fortunate that she can do her job and exercise at the same time.
"I'm lucky because for the job that I do, for TV5, I had a dance show and I also have to rehearse for like two times a week.
"I also did yoga, I also went into boxing. I think it's just a matter of finding what you love to do because that would ensure that you would stick to it."
Does having a very active husband like Richard Gomez also help in keeping a healthy body?
"Unfortunately, I can't do the same exercises that he does," she said. "I can't do archery, I can't do fencing, I don't chase after the badminton ball. I do accompany him just to watch his games. But to actually do the sports that he's into, I haven't yet. I think, at the most, it would be me walking while he's running. We're not even running together."
Although they have entirely different exercises, Lucy acknowledged that her husband actually taught her to become more conscious about health.
"He's very supportive," said Lucy. "Between the two of us, he's the more active. A week will never go when he doesn't pick up some sports or something that will allow him to sweat. For me naman, I can go for weeks without exercising. Then, I met this kind [of person] who has really inspired me to take better care of myself.
"Actually, maybe two of three of the activities I've learned to love along the way, he accompanied me the first time. Parang he just breaks me into sports gently and when I'm comfortable with it, he releases me."
Aside from the physical activities, Lucy also stressed that being informed makes a person get proper nourishment.
She recalled, "I was very bad when it came to diet before. Like, when I was a teenager, I went through the whole thing of not eating anything for the whole day. And you realized the more you read about health, it's really just the water weight. I did that whole bad thing.
"I also tried that ice cream diet taught but my grandmother. Sometimes you don't believe in your grandmother because she said that if you eat ice cream as much of it that you want the whole day, as long as it's the only one you eat, you won't gain weight. Of course, that's not true."
She reiterated, "The knowledge really is power. You become healthier the more you know about actual facts."
Since she became Representative for 4th District of Leyte, Lucy said she lost some of her time for regular exercise.
However, this year, the TV host turned politician is hoping she could have more time for the activities she loves.
"I hope if my schedule just becomes gentler, I really want to go back to both yoga and boxing, and more dancing. If I can do just one, I'd really be happy."