MARITONI FERNANDEZ:THIS CANCER SURVIVOR IS A FITSPIRATION
Maritoni Fernandez is a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer when she was 31 years old. She courageously fought and inspires others to do the same until now, almost 20 years after that health episode.
To her friends, gym mates, and followers on social media, she is a fitness role model. We bumped into her in the gym and asked her and her long-time personal trainer Carl Sabeniano a few questions.
THE PHILIPPINE STAR: What makes Maritoni Fernandez a fitspiration?
MARITONI FERNANDEZ: I think I’m a fitness inspiration simply because of my discipline. I’m 48 years old and I’ve been an athlete pretty much all my life. I’ve loved sports and I don’t think there’s any I haven’t at least tried. Some I’ve ended up being very good at and others I’ve been awful at, but the secret is that I am open to trying any sport and trying to enjoy it.
How often do you work out?
I work out at least twice a week. I try for three times but the minimum is twice. My workout consists of mostly weights and cross training at Gold’s Gym. I have a great trainer who knows me and my body, and keeps me challenged.
Are you active outside of the gym?
I am very active. I live in a three-story house and so have the stairs to thank for my stamina, but I play badminton and have played it for years. I’m not as active at it as I’d like to be anymore as my schedule is crazy.
What have you achieved in the gym so far? What is your new fitness goal?
I think what I’ve achieved in the gym through my regular workouts is strength and a body that kicks ass at my age. Hahaha! My current fitness goal is simply maintenance. To stay as fit as I am today. To be able to maintain my figure without having to worry too much about what I eat.
Do you have a favorite exercise? How do you keep your workout routines challenging and fun?
Hahahaha ... I don’t think I have a favorite exercise. I have the ones I find easier and the ones I dread, but with regular training, even the ones I dread become easier and it’s mostly in the kind
kasi when I’m doing them na, I surprise myself due to the fact na kaya naman
pala and I’m actually not dying while doing them — like the one-arm pushup Carl made me do last week. I keep my routines dynamic and challenging by making sure I have a trainer who challenges me each time. Carl changes up my routine each time so I don’t get bored and my body is constantly challenged. The change also keeps me engaged and I find that fun.
Do you follow a certain diet?
I eat whatever I like so no, I don’t have a strict diet plan as such. I don’t eat anything in excess though. I just try to have a little bit of anything I like. That way, I don’t feel deprived which is what makes me overeat. Also I drink my Herb-All IAM Amazing Barley Drink every day. That keeps me detoxified from all the bad stuff we tend to feed our body.
Any wellness wisdom you’d like to share?
Wellness wisdom? Hahaha, okay. I guess I might say that my secret is simple. Eat what you like but in moderation. Exercise regularly, doing something you enjoy so you’ll actually stick to it. Sleep at least six hours a day. Take naps in traffic. They do wonders for your well-being. Wellness is not a short-term thing. It’s a lifestyle choice so you have to look at it long term. Eat right. Exercise. Rest enough and always hydrate a lot! Nothing beats that. Lastly, my ultimate weapon and secret? Taking my Herb-All barley every day. It really does keep me healthy and the doctor away! For inquiries, you may text 0917-8103091. So, how does her PT Carl see her as a client? “She is a successful businesswoman, a hands-on mother of two, and a breast cancer survivor. The fact that she can balance all these roles with fitness is very inspiring. So far, she has achieved flatter abs, toned arms, shoulders, and glutes. We maintain her endurance for her everyday activities and she wants to maintain what we have achieved. She wants to improve her pull-up and be able to do more complex functional exercises,” Carl shared.
“Kettlebell exercises are her favorite. I make her workouts challenging by doing functional multi-joint exercises and mixing two-three exercises in one movement. She has a strict diet of barley, salad, fruits, and fish. She is very diciplined when it comes to her food intake. She advocates that it’s very important to take care of your health, that diet is as important as working out, and that you should always find time to exercise,” Carl added.