6 Fitness Tips from Angelica Panganiban

It’s no secret that Women’s Health’s September 2012 cover girl Angelica Panganiban has a figure most girls only dream of having. With her trim waist, toned limbs, and enviable curves, hers is the kind of body women aim to replicate by spending long, grueling hours at the gym.

But would you believe that Angelica, who first became a Women's Health cover girl in June 2011, doesn't like working out? Instead, she makes keeping fit enjoyable by doing exercises that allow her to have fun while breaking a sweat. Read on for more tips on how to combine fitness and pleasure.


1. HAVE FUN.

Angelica used to think of her time on the court as a form of a workout. Now, playing badminton with her friends is effortless, like going to the mall with them. “Parang mag-chi-chikahan kayo—pero nangyayari siya over badminton (It's like we're gossiping--but it happens over badminton),” she says. The best part is that she and her friends get to hit two birds with one stone. “Pwede kami maging healthy at mag-enjoy at the same time (We can be healthy and enjoy at the same time.).”

2. GET A WAGER GOING.

Playing a sport with a group allows Angelica to let her competitive side loose. “May natatalo, may nananalo, so meron na ring pustahan (There are losers and there are winners, so we also place bets),” she says with a smile. Angelica and her friends work with a simple wager to get everyone going before they play. "'Yung natalo, siya 'yung magbabayad ng court (Whoever loses pays for the court [fee])," she says.

3. EXERCISE WITH FRIENDS WHO CHALLENGE YOU.

Angelica says that her endurance and stamina has upped since she began playing badminton, and all because she plays with her male friends. “Kahit pa ‘yung iba may dugong babae, siyempre iba pa rin ‘yung stamina nila (Even if some of them have a feminine side, their stamina is still different),” she laughs.

4. MIX IT UP.

When Angelica graced Women's Health's cover last year, she was already into yoga; now she’s keen on trying different yoga practices. “Siyempre pag nasasanay ka na sa isang bagay, naghahanap ka na ng ibang pwedeng gawin. Tuwing nasasanay na kasi ‘yung katawan mo, nagiging boring na siya (Of course, when you get used to a particular workout, you should find other things to do. Because when your body gets used to something, it becomes boring.).”

5. FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU.

“Ako kasi, hindi ako nag-e-enjoy sa gym. Mas gusto ko yung badminton, volleyball, or table tennis (I don't enjoy going to the gym. I'd rather play badminton, volleyball, or table tennis.),” Angelica says. When you find the right sport or exercise, she adds that you won’t even think of it was “working out.” She shares, “Hindi mo napapansin na gumaganda na pala yung katawan mo (You won't even notice that your body's becoming more beautiful.).”

6. CONSIDER YOUR HAPPINESS.

“Nagbibigay na ako ng space to enjoy food,” she says. “Gusto ko yung nakakakain ko 'yung gusto ko, para masaya ako at masaya yung mga tao sa paligid ko. Kasi pag hindi ako happy, boring (I give myself space to enjoy food. I want to be able to eat what I want, so I'm be happy and the people around me are happy. Because when I'm not happy, things get boring.)."


Learn  more about Angelica Panganiban by grabbing a copy of the September 2012 issue of Women’s Health, out on stands now! You can also subscribe to the magazine’s digital edition.

Also in this issue:
Lean & Sexy Now: Torch Calories in Record Time
Are You Hooked on a High?
15 Ways to Look 10 Lbs. Thinner

Stay tuned to Female Network in the coming weeks for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Angelica’s cover shoot for Women’s Health.

(Photo by Sara Black)