I was never good in sports since young. I hated P.E. lessons in school and I couldn’t master any sports, such as soccer or basketball which were popular amongst the boys. I didn’t eat proper meals and I always munched on titbits (anyone remembers kaka?).
Hence, I grew up being a wimpy and skinny guy due to lack of exercise and poor nutrition. This went on until I was enlisted for National Service when I was 19. Regular meals and training in the army did improve my health and I somehow managed to survive the tough training back then.
Fast forward to two and a half years later, after I completed my NS, I entered the workforce when I was 22. Due to the stressful work life as I was building my career, I neglected my health, skipped meals and never exercised at all. My health deteriorated and I fell sick frequently due to my low immunity. I was so weak and thin that a gust of wind could blow me away easily.
Things took a turn for the worst when my immune system became so weak that I contracted Tuberculosis (TB) in 2004. It took me six months of medical treatment before I was discharged from this disease. However, even after this episode, I continued with my sedentary lifestyle. All I cared about was my career and setting up my family with my wife Wendy and subsequently, the arrival of my two daughters.
Falling sick was part and parcel of my life then. When I turned 39 in 2014, it suddenly struck me that I need to change my life and take care of my own body. I told myself that I need a healthy body in order to take care of my family. At that time, Wendy was already very much into running and fitness. Seeing a positive change in her health and confidence due to a change in her lifestyle, I decided to give running a try.
I started to search online about nutrition and also started to work out in the gym. In less than two months, I started to gain lean mass on my skinny frame. I looked and felt healthier. I drew up a simple fitness regime for myself, with one to two running sessions and three sessions of gym per week. Within six months, my body weight increased (in a healthy way) from 51kg to 60kg, and my BMI is in the normal healthy range for the first time in my life!
With a stronger body and mindset, I stepped up my running regime and started taking part in races. I completed my first ever full marathon when I was 40. Although it took me more than six hours to complete the marathon, it was definitely an achievement unlocked! Thereafter, I continued to participate in several half marathon and 10km races.
In 2017 when Wendy joined ROCKrunners for her weekly runs, I saw that she loved the sport even more when she had like-minded people running with her. So in January 2018, I decided to tag along for the weekly run with ROCKrunners. I started to know more running friends and attended the weekly runs more often. My two kids would occasionally join us too!
There has never been a dull moment running and training for races with ROCKrunners. One year has passed and I have forged many treasured friendships in ROCKrunners. I feel that they have become my extended family members and have formed a part of my life now!
I will be 44 in 2019 and one of my New Year resolutions is to continue to keep fit (the reason for naming my Instagram account as dadtokeepfit), run happy and run safe with my peeps at ROCKrunners!
