Moms make great workout buddies

When you think of mother-daughter bonding, it usually involves either shopping or eating out with the rest of the family. 

 

But with the increasing health-conscious sensibilities of Filipinos these days, moms and daughters find themselves running the treadmill, flexing muscles, counting crunches and joining marathons together. 

 

For the moms who keep a very busy schedule, this is hitting two birds with one stone: you instill health values to your kid, and bond with them at the same time. 

 

“My daughter was born prematurely and during her childhood, she was always sick. I wanted her to realize how important being fit is and live a healthy lifestyle at an early age. There are lots of kids now who are obese at such young ages and I don’t want that to happen to her,” said Dr. Jane Mallillin, mother to 12-year-old Kristine Frances. 

It was Dr. Mallillin who initiated a healthy lifestyle by joining Coach Jim Saret’s metabolic fitness camps at Quezon City Circle. The camp is like an outdoor gym without machines. 

 

At first, Kristine was just curious. “Before kasi pinapanood ko lang si Mommy. Then she asked me if I would like to try and since then I’ve been looking forward to the workout sessions,” Kristine said. 

 

That was three years ago. Since then, mother and daughter, and the rest of their family, have been joining marathons. 

 

“From 3k to 5k and then 10k. Now my husband is running 42k, but my daughter and I were stuck at 10k and our time is not improving,” said Dr. Mallillin, who, together with her daughter, is aiming to be fit to run for the 21k category. 

 

Dr. Mallillin was beaming with pride when she talked about her daughter’s triumphs, one of which is their most memorable moment so far.

 

“Last year during our 10k run, she accidentally fell down at 1k. Her elbows and knees were bleeding at that time and she didn’t want to quit. She eventually finished the 10k run despite the pain,” she said.

 

Motivating each other

 

It was nighttime and zombies were running after them. Mom and daughter fitness tandem Chats and Pat Siao were screaming their lungs (and heart) out. They do not even remember which one they did more: scream or run. But it didn’t matter, because they finished the race. 

 

“Very memorable and fun experience was doing the Outbreak Manila Run, our first 5k run together. We supported and watched out for each other, waited for the other ‘pag naiiwan o nawawala sa paningin. It felt good to cross the finish line alive together! It was a great experience to share with my daughter,” Chats said. 

Mom and daughter had to train for Outbreak BGC, but even after the run was over, both decided to continue their fitness regimen. 

 

“After the run, we just continued to exercise because we needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and burn the calories we eat from pigging out at home or at buffets,” Pat shared.

 

Have a buddy

 

As most fitness coaches would recommend, it’s best to have a buddy when working out. Otherwise, you get lazy because it’s boring and no one’s by your side to tell you to keep your chin up, endure the pain and carry on. 

 

For Chats and Pat, there’s no better person to encourage you than your mom or daughter. 

 

During their gym sessions, Chats, a phyical therapist by profession, is able to guide Pat on the proper form, as well as the muscle groups which specific exercises target.

 

Pat shared, “Having my mom exercise or work out with me is a blessing because she doesn't just teach me or correct me. She also motivates me and I also think I motivate her in (several) ways.”

 

Chats confirmed this when she shared that especially this summer, sometimes she doesn’t feel like working out. But since Pat, a volleyball player in her high school, has to maintain a fitness regimen to stay in shape, Chats is forced to bring her daughter to the gym so she ends up working out too. 

 

A happy way to bond

 

Both mom and daughter tandems are reaping the benefits of starting a fitness regimen together. 

 

For Chats, it’s the perfect way to spend time together and get to know her daughter better. 

 

“We are able to spend quality time together in a more relaxed environment. I think we are both on endorphin-high when we exercise together, so we're generally in a good mood. This summer, we spent a lot of time exercising together and talking while at it,” said Chats, who is recommending the same kind of bonding to her fellow moms, who are looking for ways to strengthen their relationships with their kids. 

 

Some moms might think their kids would prefer to have their peers as their gym buddies, but the kids actually think it’s cool to have their moms as their gym buddies and proudly so. 

 

Besides being a healthy and happy way to bond, running or going to the gym is an activity that will be beneficial in the long run.

 

“This is the time to introduce our kids to a healthy lifestyle. It does not only promote healthy bodies but also a healthy relationship in the family,” Dr. Mallillin said. —KG, GMA News