14/12/2025
๐ช๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ฒ๐: ๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ช๐ฃ ๐ง๐ช๐ฃ ๐๐๐ก๐ฅ ๐ข๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ก๐ค๐จ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐?
From couch potato to fitness advocate,
from BMI 36 down to 27โthis didnโt happen overnight.
It happened one slow, sweaty, humbling step at a time.
I often get asked (or challenged) with these questions when starting to run. Hereโs my honest take, based on almost 2 years of running:
1๏ธโฃ โHinay ko mudagan, ok ra?โ
YES. Ok kaayo.
Youโre not competing with othersโyouโre competing with the older version of yourself.
For almost 2 years, I was always near the bottom of the pack. And thatโs fine. What matters is finishing and giving your best.
Also, real runners donโt judgeโthey motivate.
2๏ธโฃ โWala koy kasabay, maulaw ko.โ
Running is an individual sport.
Me, myself, and IโIโm a solo runner. I even travel alone just to join fun runs.
Donโt let shyness defeat your fitness goals. No one is watching you as much as you think.
("Doc Mon you have Lone Wolf Mentality" according to the Legendary Ferocious / my friend Dr. Francis dela Cruz). Be that Lone Wolf if you must.
3๏ธโฃ โDugay nako ga-run pero wala man ko nipayat.โ
Truth bomb ๐ฃ:
Weight loss is not just about running or sweating.
Nutrition and diet play a HUGE role. So does rest and muscle recovery.
You canโt out-run a bad dietโbut you can fix both.
4๏ธโฃ Most important: What is your motivation?
Ask yourself honestly.
If your goal is just for attention, validation, or para mapansin ni crushโthatโs shallow and temporary.
Real change lasts when your motivation comes from within:
your health, your family, your future, your self-respect.
As what Taylor Swift said " I swear my loyalty to me, myself and I" ๐
I didnโt run to impress others.
I ran because I wanted a better, healthier life.
If youโre thinking of startingโstart slow.
Start shy.
Start alone if you must.
Just start.
Your future self will thank you. ๐ช๐ฅ
-Dr. Mon Razzel H. Borcelas
Former Couch Potato
