Fit And Fab

From 80kg to 52kg

Six years ago, Jacqui Heng was obese. But she lost her excess weight with a regimen of exercise and diet.

Ms Heng says she does sports to relax.
Ms Heng says she does sports to relax. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

Q. What is your secret to looking so fabulous?

A. Eating healthy food with lots of protein, sleeping adequately and exercising regularly.

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

A. Yes, after having my baby in 2010, I weighed a hefty 80kg.

In 2013, I made a conscious effort to do indoor cycling for at least an hour daily. I also started to eat healthily and sleep adequately.

  • BioBox

  • JACQUI HENG

    AGE: 41

    HEIGHT: 1.54m

    WEIGHT: 52kg

    Ms Heng, who is divorced, is devoting her time to nurturing her six-year-old daughter's passion for the erhu, a Chinese stringed instrument.

    Ms Heng will be taking part at Shape Run in July.

I became very selective with the activities I did and the food I ate. I also cut out added sugar and salt.

By mid-2013, I was 70kg and by the end of that year, I was 62.5kg. In early 2014, I was 56.6kg. I now weigh 52kg.

Q. What is your diet like?

A. I eat a lot of steamed fish, tofu and chicken, food rich in protein. I take more carbohydrates whenever I exercise as I burn it off during the workout.

Q. What are your indulgences?

A. I love ice cream, sorbets and deserts like ice cream cakes. I eat mainly ice cream from Olivia's Palette, which has been certified a "Healthier Snack" by the Health Promotion Board for its sugar-free, low calorie, low glycemic index and prebiotic formula.

Q. How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

A. Doing sports helps me to relax. I swim and run with my six-year-old daughter. And we also like going to the movies.

Q. What are the three most important things in your life?

A. Love, health and happiness.

Q. Would you go for plastic surgery?

A. If there are areas of my body which need to be addressed to look better, I will do it. For now, I am happy with the way I am.

Q. Do you think you are sexy?

A. I feel sexy, so I think I am.

Q. What is your favourite part of your body?

A. I love my arms. They used to be flabby. I started doing push-ups, going from 20 a day to 120 in the course of one year to achieve the defined shape and size I wanted.

Q. And the least favourite?

A. My hips and stomach area - I think they are too broad.

Q. How important is it for you to keep up with your fitness routine?

A. I am dedicated to keeping fit. I stick to my daily cycling spins, except during the weekends. It keeps my fitness level where I want it to be.

Q. What is the biggest sacrifice you have made in the name of fitness?

A. I have stopped eating Penang laksa, char kway teow and chye tow kway.

Q. What do your family and friends think of your active lifestyle?

A. They noticed that I have stopped taking part frequently in food get-togethers. They are impressed with the change in me.

My daughter has also noticed my transformation. She polices my diet and stops me eating additional food when we share a meal.

Q. How extensive is your collection of sports paraphernalia and which is your most prized possession?

A. I have a wide range of sports wear and shoes. My most prized item is my pair of spinning shoes which I have had since 2013. I can't bear to replace them because I have had them since I started spinning.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 31, 2016, with the headline From 80kg to 52kg through exercise and diet. Subscribe