LOOK: Alden Richards now leaner thanks to new diet
A visibly leaner, more confident, and mature-looking Alden Richards (goodbye, chubby cheeks!) attended the blessing and soft opening of his latest business venture, a NXTGEN McDonald's store, in Biñan, Laguna yesterday.
The Kapuso heartthrob--now sporting facial hair and a longer unkempt 'do--just came home from Hong Kong where he filmed scenes with Kathryn Bernardo for their upcoming movie Hello, Love, Goodbye.
Alden shared with GMANetwork.com that his new look (and new body) is something that he has to maintain for the movie.
“From the airport yesterday, nagpunta ako sa gym bago umuwi [sa bahay] kasi wala akong workout that day. Tapos ngayon 'yung rest ko, then work out ulit tomorrow. Kailangan kasi for the film, e.”
The 27-year-old matinee idol, who now has a slimmer face, hopes to maintain such lean figure even after the filming of the movie wraps up.
“Strict diet talaga ako. Kailangan ma-maintain lang 'yung figure, 'yng ganitong itsura, kasi 'di pa tapos 'yung shoot. Nasimulan ko na kasi 'yung ganitong itsura so continue ko lang hanggang matapos ['yung movie].
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While he loved his bulky Victor Magtanggol physique, Alden prefers his leaner frame now.
“But I'm not saying naman na babalik ako do'n sa dati. Ayoko na rin ng mataba.”
He proudly revealed that he's lost 18 lbs.
“The last time I checked, 179 [lbs]. Now, nasa 161 [lbs]. That's 18 lbs! So talagang crash diet.”
That diet consists of food rich in protein, with little to no salt or sugar.
“No rice, no carbs, no salt, no sweets, no fruits, no meat na pork and beef. Okay lang chicken breast, walang skin,” he explained.
It's not an easy sacrifice especially for someone who used to love eating good, tasty, sinful food.
“I'm a dessert person as well. Sobra,” he admitted.
“I just have to cut it down. God knows, Kuya Sam knows [his handler], Mama Ten [his personal assistant] knows kung gaano kahirap ang diet ko. Talagang self-pity levels sa Mong Kok, gano'n kalala.”
But it doesn't mean he would never allow himself to eat fast food once in a while. On his cheat day--or that one day he would allow himself to forget about his strict diet--Alden would love to munch on burgers and fries.
“O-order ako ng Quarter Pounder meal, large fries and Coke. Tapos o-order ako ng chicken nuggets na six-piece,” he said, laughing.
“Then I would open the Quarter Pounder, I would put three nuggets in the Quarter Pounder with the barbecue sauce, and squeeze it all in. That's my typical McDo meal na ang tagal ko na 'di nakakain!”
In Hello, Love, Goodbye, Alden plays an OFW who has been working in Hong Kong for years. He crosses paths with the character of Kathryn Bernardo, who is just about to start a life as an OFW in the cosmopolitan city.
“Matagal na rin kasing walang movie about OFWs. So parang ito 'yung millennial na version ng 'Dubai,' 'Milan,' 'Barcelona,'” he added.
“It's heavy drama. Lahat e, family, slight comedy, and romance. Drama romance. 'Yung comedy would come from Kakai [Bautista], Joross [Gamboa], Jeff [Jeffrey Tam, the comedian].”
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