A BIRTHDAY POST TO AN AWESOME GOLD'S GYM INSTRUCTOR, CARLO GALVEZ

Three years ago, I met a Zumba instructor who visited CONVERGYS as part of Gold's Gym marketing promotion. It was also the company's way of introducing Zumba and encouraging  the employees to find time for fitness. My colleague, Malou and I were active weekend Zumba members then at the BGC park so when we learned and saw the event's poster at the hallway walls, we did not think twice in signing up even if that meant joining the Zumba after shift (aka no sleep at all).

When Carlo arrived & entered the game room, he exuded the presence of someone who was in charge. In fact, my colleague who almost became a gym class instructor could sense that we will be handled by a pro. Not that Carlo was intimidating. Even if the class has not started yet he was well aware of the ones who will not actively participate. He even pointed out that he enjoys teaching  those who prefer to stay at the back near the door. In fact he could already sense those who plan on walking out of his class if they feel they could not handle the steps or the routine anymore. So he jokingly requested to have the door closed so no one would  leave until the class was done, which elicited some laughter from the group.

Thursday  morning class at Gold's Gym Glorietta, with Carlo Galvez

Carlo loves to take pictures of his class even after a hyper energetic workout

When we started dancing, I found out and understood why he wanted to have the door closed. If one attended his class due to curiosity, then that person was in for a big surprise. Carlo was one hyper group instructor who will teach you how to dance that will make you wonder if your hips were still there. I could recall how my legs and hips hurt after dancing Christina Aguilera's ,"Burlesque." They hurt so much until I got home that I asked my K-POP dancer daughter what I did wrong. She smartly answered, "Mom, the routine was all new so your body will adjust. But if you continue doing it, the pain lessens until you will no longer feel it. It just takes time getting used to it." 

Okay. So I told myself, if I continue attending Carlo's class, I will no longer complain about the aches and pains. Or so I thought.

So that's what i did.

When I moved to a different company and found out that it offered a low gym membership fee at Gold's Gym, I took advantage of it especially that Gold's Gym Glorietta was just 5 minutes away from where I worked. The first time I went there, I immediately asked for the class' schedule & checked if Carlo has a class on that same day. It turned out that he had a back to  back class in the late afternoon. However that turned out to be a beginner's  mistake because I found out that his class was jam packed. Since I prefer to dance in front so I could easily follow his movements, I had a challenging time because I could hardly stretch my arms or do the steps without bumping into another student. As what to be expected, the class was so energetic and filled with adrenaline rush especially after dancing  the hardcore routines which Carlo was known for. 

As the days went on, I became a regular in Carlo's class. And just like anything that you do on a regular basis I have gotten used to his routine. I also learned that he was adored by his students because he has the gift of teaching routines that were easy to follow. He made his students laugh which helped lighten the mood especially if we come to his class after work or with no sleep at all. I also found out that he organize Zumba events for a worthy cause like that one time when he needed to fund for his Mom's surgery which was quite admirable especially when his Mom was at the event watching us dance with his loving son on the stage.

It had been months since I last joined Carlo's class. I have to admit I miss the adrenaline rush each time we work out & dance the routines that I have gotten familiar with. Not only that, I miss the short talks we shared once the class was over and those moments when he took our class picture after a tiring and energetic day at the gym. But more than the dancing, the body aches and the pains, I am a bit sad that I have not really gotten to thank him for inspiring us to move our butts and love those hours spent at the gym. He made us forget our problems, made us feel light and young even if that meant being sweaty after a tiring workout. 

To one of my favorite group instructors at Gold's Gym, happy, happy birthday. I sure hope that one day, I could join your class again. Enjoy your special day and keep inspiring.

Carlo Galvez is a Certified Zumba Instructor. For those interested to join his classes at Gold's Gym, please visit zumba.com. You can also get to know him more and his advocacies on his facebook page @facebook.com/carlo.galvez.


Below is the video link in that was shot by Carlo in  one his classes at Gold's gym. I was lucky enough to be included in the video. Just click on the link and enjoy watching.

 
https://www.facebook.com/carlo.galvez3/videos/812964288723786/




(photos & video credits to Zin Carlo Galvez)

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What We Need To Know About Diabetes (Part 2)

In my previous post, I have shared about my Mom's battle with diabetes and how my family, hopefully learned from it. We are continuously learning as my Mom continue with her fight.  

Based on research and on numerous readings about the illness, I have learned that all of us are not immune to it, even young children. Since prevention is better than cure, it is best to be well informed so as not to experience its repercussions later on.

In this post, let me share some simple and easy to understand explanation on the definition & types of diabetes plus an info graphic regarding its signs. Another valuable information regarding  prediabetes  was  also explained plus a short quiz if you and I might be possible candidates.


Definition of Diabetes

According to kidshealth.org, "Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses
glucose , a sugar that is the body's main source of fuel. Just as an iPod needs a battery, your body needs glucose to keep running. Here's how it should work :

1. You eat.
2. Glucose from the food gets into your bloodstream.
3. Your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin
4. Insulin helps the glucose get into the body's cells.
5. Your body gets the energy it needs.

The pancreas is a long, flat gland in your belly that helps your body digest food. It also makes insulin. Insulin is kind of like a key that opens the doors to the cells of the body. It lets the glucose in so it  can move out of the blood and into the cells.

But if someone has diabetes, the body either can't make insulin or the insulin doesn't work in the body like it should. The glucose can't get into the cells normally, so the blood sugar level gets too high. Lots of sugar in the blood makes people sick if they don't get treatment.


What Is Type1 Diabetes ?

According to mayoclinic.org, Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. Various factors may contribute to type 1 diabetes, including genetics and exposure to certain viruses. Although type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or adolescence, it also can begin in adults.

Despite active research, type 1 diabetes has no cure. But it can be managed. With proper treatment, people with type 1 diabetes can expect to live longer, healthier lives than did people with type 1 diabetes in the past.


What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes, once known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), your body's important source of fuel.

With type 2 diabetes, your body either resists the effects of insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level.

More common in adults, type 2 diabetes increasingly affects children as childhood obesity increases. There's no cure for type 2 diabetes, but you may be able to manage the condition by eating well, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. If diet and exercise aren't enough to manage your blood sugar well, you also may need diabetes medications or insulin therapy.

        

                                                 Source : Visually

What Is PREDIABETES ?

Based on an article from Centers For Disease Control and Prevention , "a person with prediabetes has a blood sugar level higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. He or she is at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems, including heart disease, and stroke. Without lifestyle changes to improve their health, 15% to 30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years.

A person with certain risk factors is more likely to develop prediabetes and type 2    diabetes. These risk factors include: 

*  Age, especially after 45 years of age

*  Being overweight or obese

*  A family history of diabetes 

*  Having an African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander racial or ethnic background 

*  A history of diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) or having given birth to a baby weighing nine pounds or more and 

*  Lastly being physically active less than three times a week."

 
Could you have Prediabetes? 

Take the quiz and find out if you are at risk. Click on the prediabetes test widget on the right side of this page. (For mobile users, the widget is on the bottom page of the web version of this site) and answer the seven questions to get your prediabetes score.


If you do have prediabetes, research shows that doing just two things can help you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes: Lose 5% to 7% of your body weight, which would be10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person; and get at least 150 minutes each week of physical activity, such as brisk walking.





Up Next:  Causes & Prevention of Diabetes (Part 3)

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What We Need To Know About Diabetes (Part 1)

Most of us have the misconception that diabetes is the result of eating too much sweets. Sadly I used to be one of those who thought it was. I usually stop when I read articles about it because of too much information like glucose, insulin and Type 1 & 2 Diabetes. I am one of those typical people who loose interest because I felt it is too medical and that there is someone who could explain it better for me. That had changed when we found out that my Mom was diabetic and suffered the repercussions of it.

My Mom has a history of diabetes. In fact, she had an Aunt whose leg was amputated because of it. Since information during the early days were very limited, people were not aware of the signs of such illness and how it could have been prevented. Coupled with complications and limited finances, my Grand Aunt suffered which ultimately caused her death.

With my Mom it was different. She was a Type A personality who accepted every work and task given to her without questions. To her it was a responsibility that challenged her capability and she did not know when & how to say "No." She became one of the outstanding teachers in the whole  province which was a first in the school where my siblings and I spent our first six years of education. She retired on her 60th birthday but she insisted to teach for the remaining three months left of the school year for free. Such was her love for her profession and the school which became her second home.

A few months after she retired, my Mom was hospitalized. She had a major stroke and went into a coma. We were all unprepared for what happened. Miraculously she was able to survive it. However that first stroke was followed by numerous ones that I have lost count. Ones were minor but the others lasted for a month, the last major one was when we needed to transfer her to a private hospital with an ICU where she was under observation for a week and needed blood transfusion because her hemoglobin went drastically low due to pneumonia. She was tied in a hospital bed, all in tubes and monitors. We were only allowed to see her for two or three hours everyday on that first week which was painful for all of us. We were prepared for the worst but then again, she surprised all of us including her doctors when she miraculously survived.

Mom on her 81st birthday

It took many years for me to learn and accept that medications and confinement are going to be a part of my Mom's life. We all learn the hard way. Though my Mom is now back to her old self, doing the things she love most and spending time with her senior citizen friends, my kids and I know that it maybe a bit late for us to reverse the repercussions with my Mom's diabetes . Sadly a few members in our family may just be likely candidates to such illness but we believe it can still be prevented by being informed and choosing to live healthy .



Up Next : What We Need To Know About Diabetes (Part 2)

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ZUMBATHON FOR A CAUSE

The summer months are always associated with beaches and vacations spent out of town or out of  the country. Some of us plan on it months before it take place because it is a time when one get to unwind for days, sometimes for months and when one yearn for those unhurried and quiet moments spent alone or with family and friends. It is also the best time to attend family gatherings and  reunions, where we reconnect ourselves to the people who have been a part of our lives and where we reminisce those good old  days, when life was simple and less complicated.

A couple of months ago, a friend from the running community posted an event in facebook where I immediately became interested. It was a Zumba Event organized by the Malate Catholic School of Class 1978 and they are inviting not just the students or alumni of the said school but anybody who love and enjoy dancing the Zumba. When I learned that the event was to raise funds for the construction of the Malate Catholic School's Centennial Gymnasium, I told my friend that I might join them on April 30th which will be the date when the Zumbathon will be held.

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 There are two  ways on how to register.

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Don't you think the shirts are cool to the eyes?


 

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So if you  have nothing to do  on April 30th, come and join the ZUMBATHON For  A Cause.  Not only do you get to  dance and exercise but you will end your day with a smile  knowing you were able to help while getting fit at the same time.

For inquiries, you can email mcszumbathon2016@gmail.com or visit their event page at facebook.com.

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