Q What is your secret to looking so fabulous?
A When I started my fitness routine four years ago, I would get bigger at some points, even though I was at the gym every day.
Later, when I started working with my current trainer, I came to understand that I gain muscle mass easily. We figured out a formula to help make my muscles lean, rather than bulk up further.
Also, I always try to look on the bright side and to look ahead in a positive way. I think this affects how I carry myself.
Q Has there ever been a time when you were not fit and fab?
A Yes - when I moved, at age 15, from a sports-centric town, Garden City on Long Island in New York, to cosmopolitan Hong Kong.
I grew up participating in many physical activities at school, such as gymnastics and dance.
But in Hong Kong, I became less active. The sudden slowdown in activity, plus hitting puberty, led to a weight gain of about 4kg.
Five years ago, I came to work in Singapore for a food publication magazine. I gained 10kg in less than two years from lack of exercise, constant eating and long work hours during which I was stuck at the desk.
Food writers and editors order lots of fast food to eat at their desks when they are stuck at work.
Q How did you get fit again?
A I got fed up when I couldn't fit into anything in my closet. I felt self-conscious and lethargic. So I started working out.
I felt more alive and more alert, and I had more energy. What started out as torture at the gym eventually delivered an endorphin high with each workout. I lost 10kg in half a year.
Q What is your diet like?
A I try to avoid doing too many restaurant reviews unless they seem worth the calories or the read.
In the morning, I have green tea, a supplement, probiotics and two eggs. For a mid-morning snack, a red apple and coffee.
At lunch, I often go for tastings for an article or for a restaurant brand I consult for - which usually means delicious, but maybe not-so-healthy, food. If I don't have a tasting session, then I usually have something I prepared at home, such as salmon and asparagus, a tuna salad or a turkey avocado sandwich.
My mid-afternoon snack is another cup of coffee and maybe another apple.
Dinner is typically Japanese - nigiri, chirashi and soba, rounded off with ice cream.
If I indulge in supper, then I go for local food, of course.
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Bio Box
VICTORIA CHENG
Age: 31
Height: 1.63m
Weight: 58kg
The food writer, who also provides digital strategy and production for food and beverage brands, hails from a family of fitness buffs.
Her four younger brothers are active in sports such as biking, tennis, running, hiking, judo, taekwon-do, aikido, badminton and ice hockey.
Her father is an amateur ballroom dancer who practises at least two hours a day. He also does yoga and Wing Chun, a Chinese martial art.
Her mother is into tennis and running marathons.
"Actually, my parents are even fitter than my siblings and me," she said.
Her father, a Hong Kong-based entrepreneur and businessman, worked in the United States for many years. She was born there and is a US citizen. Her mother is Thai.
Five years ago, Ms Cheng chose to come here to work as a food writer. She lives by herself.
She will be hosting a Halloween-themed party tomorrow at Vanity bar in South Beach Quarter, Beach Road, in partnership with Cointreau.
Q What are your indulgences?
A I have a particularly weak spot for pizza, french fries, good whisky, Hong Kong wonton noodles, char kway teow, sandwiches, baguettes and sourdough bread, vanilla ice cream and cookies.
I head out to cocktail bars quite frequently as I'm friends with many of the bartenders and owners around town. I can't say no to a delicious cocktail.
Q What do you do to relax?
A When I'm stressed out, any water or high-impact sport gives me a huge endorphin rush. A session with punching bags or slamming tennis balls for two hours always makes me feel good.
Q What are the three most important things in your life?
A Family, including my dog and friends in Singapore; keeping focused on my goals; and staying inspired and motivated to improve my mind and body.
Q What's your favourite part of your body? And the least favourite?
A It took me a long time to accept my curvier body type.
I have a love-hate relationship with my legs - they're thick and muscular like those of Chun-Li from the Street Fighter arcade game, not long and lean like those of a Victoria's Secret model. But then I can also kick like Chun-Li, so that's the trade-off.
Q How important is it for you to keep up with your fitness routine?
A I can feel it when I've missed more than five days of my usual fitness routine. Any more than a week, and I feel the lethargy kick in. I'm sleepier when I don't work out.
Q What is the most extreme thing you have done to stay fit or diet?
A There was a time when I prioritised going to the gym over everything else, including work and meeting friends. I also took just 500 calories a day. It showed results physically, but the imbalance it created in my life was not worth it.
Q How large is your home collection of sports-related paraphernalia?
A I keep all my sports trophies and medals at my parents' home since I move around a lot.
I notice I have an excessive number of sports bras, and my collection of sneakers - once upon a time my least favourite type of shoes to buy - is growing.
Q Would you go for plastic surgery and why?
A No, not even botox. Maybe one day in the future, but I've reached a point where I am content to accept myself the way I am. Also, I worry about things going wrong while I'm under the knife or needle.
I'm grateful for what I've been born with: Healthy teeth, a full head of hair and clear skin. Why fix what ain't broke?
