Fitting her workouts into a busy schedule

Fitting her workouts into a busy schedule
Ms Dorine Ng loves her “toned and shapely” legs, but she has always wished for feminine and delicate hands, like those of a pianist
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Q How important is it for you to keep up with your fitness routine?

A I'll prioritise it despite my busy schedule. Sometimes, I miss my workout because of work, a social commitment or when I am not feeling well. In that case, I will run or hit the gym the next day.

Q Has there ever been a time when you were not fit and fab?

A Yes, I was a little plump in my mid-20s. I had late-night suppers and did not watch my eating habits.

To make things worse, I also had a bad sprained ankle and pinched (compressed) nerves which did not recover until half a year later. I was a little depressed when I realised my dresses and jeans couldn't fit well. But it motivated me to get back to a healthy lifestyle .

Q What is the most extreme thing you have done in the name of fitness or diet?

A Once, I attended six continuous hours of workout classes in a day. I went for classes in cardio, Aero HiLo, stretching, toning, cross-training and kickboxing, all in a day, one after another.

Q How has your active lifestyle influenced your family and friends?

A My mum was eating too well and gained some weight. But when she saw me being active, it reminded her to keep herself fit and control her bad snacking habits.

She has been exercising three times a week at public sport facilities and eating a balanced diet.

I have also influenced a colleague who has joined my running group - Running Department. We run every Wednesday evening in the Central Business District.

Q What's the favourite part of your body?

A My legs. They have carried me through everything since childhood. I was a netball player and participated in cross-country and track and field events during school days. I love that my legs are toned and shapely. The least favourite part would be my hands. I have always wished for feminine and delicate hands, like those of a pianist.

Q How extensive is your collection of sports-related paraphernalia at home?

A I spend quite a bit on workout gear. I like to wear clothes and shoes that I look good in and feel comfortable in when I exercise.

Sometimes, they brighten up my spirit, giving me that extra motivation and boost to run faster or work out harder even when I'm tired.

My most prized possession would be the Shape Run finishing medal which I received in 2012. That was when I achieved my personal best timing of 47 minutes for a 10km run.

Q What are your must-do things before and after a training session?

A I usually don't eat or snack a few hours before I exercise, as I sometimes experience uncomfortable side stitches. However, I'll definitely hydrate myself with water.

I like to have a cool isotonic drink after a hard run or training session.

Stretching is very important too. It helps to prevent soreness and cramps after exercise and it also improves recovery time.

Q What is your diet like?

A I don't follow a strict diet.

I love food and Singapore has too much good food. Instead, I try to eat a moderate amount and keep away from fried, oily food and carbonated, sugary drinks.

Q What are your indulgences?

A I can't resist salt and vinegar chips and chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. But I try to limit the indulging to the weekends.

Q What do you do to relax ?

A Apart from running and going for workout classes, I love spending quality time with my family and friends. Be it having a good meal, catching up with each other or playing board or card games. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential, so I try to manage my time effectively by prioritising my work tasks, while making sure to set aside time for myself after work.

Q Would you go for plastic surgery and why?

A No. I am content with the way I look and plastic surgery has too many risks attached. It may cause more harm in the end.

wanching@sph.com.sg

Bio Box

DORINE NG

Age: 29

Height: 1.62m Weight: 51kg

She has completed several 10km runs, half and full marathons through the years. During these races, she has received encouragement from pacers when she needed it the most during the last few kilometres. She knows the importance of getting support and encouragement and has been a Shape Run pacer for three years.

The account manager and salesperson said it is a different experience being a pacer. "I feel happy and greatly satisfied when I motivate runners all the way to the finishing line," she said. Her husband, 34, works in the IT industry.

What the exercises involve

BELLY BLITZ: Traditional belly dance mixed with aerobic moves.

CARDIO BLITZ: High-intensity cardiovascular workout with choreographed hand movements and footwork.

AERO HILO: Cardiovascular workout with high-impact movements that involve jumps, kicks, hops and short sprints, as well as low-impact movements such as squats, lunges and knee lifts.

PILATES: Conditioning exercises that focus on the abdomen, back and rear.

STEP IT UP: A high-energy, low-impact workout performed on an adjustable platform.

ZUMBA: An aerobic dance class to the rhythms of high-energy Latin American dance music and international beats.

STRETCH FIT: Multi-regional stretching exercises and regular breathing techniques.

KICK BOX: A fusion of boxing, martial arts and aerobics, usually done along with music.


This article was first published on Sept 8, 2015.
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