Singapore #Fitspo of the Week: Kerstin Ong
Life goes beyond the digits on the scale and your body is capable of so much more. Yahoo’s #Fitspo of the Week series is dedicated to inspirational men and women in Singapore leading healthy and active lifestyles. Have someone to recommend? Hit Cheryl up on Instagram or Facebook.
Name: Kerstin Ong (@kerstinong)
Age: 21
Height: 1.7m
Weight: 60kg
Occupation: Student-athlete (national hurdler)
Status: Single
Diet: I eat a very balanced diet – I have my carbs (310g), my protein (113g) and fats (63g). I eat about 2,300 to 2,800 calories daily, which is pretty high but as I train daily with double sessions at times, I know I need the food for recovery and performance. I want to follow a strict and healthy diet, which means no fried food, no sweet chocolates or pastries. But sometimes I fail to do so and that’s okay, because it is not going to discount the good days that I was on task. I hope it goes the same for all of you, give yourself the credit for the hard work.
Training: I train from Monday to Saturday, eight times a week (some days are double sessions).
Q: How did you get started in athletics?
A: I was always very playful and running about as a kid. There was this day when I was 12 and I wanted to skip my Saturday Chinese tuition, so I signed up for a Sports School DSA (direct school admission) trial. I made it, so I started training, building my passion and I became more serious in it, hence here I am now.
When did you decide you wanted to start competing in athletics?
When I realised the crazy amount of joy and happiness that I receive from winning a race, improving on my personal bests, and sharing this joy with your loved ones. I think it is the happiness that I can share, that I want to continuously be able to do so – that’s when I want to start competing and taking it seriously.
What are some of your best achievements thus far?
Being able to run for my country and knowing that I helped inspire others.
How do you balance school and training as a national athlete?
You don’t. (laughs) It’s really tough, but it still has to be done no matter what. It comes down to allocating sufficient time for each task and making things a routine. Sounds boring, but it actually helps. You’ll know when it is time for school, for studying, for food, for your naps, for your training, and for your friends.
What are some of the challenges you face as an athlete?
For me, the challenge is having an “alone” feeling as an athlete and how to cope with it. Taking a route that is less travelled, not many can fully understand. I do not like being alone, it feels like I do not have someone who is my base and support. But I have been blessed with the strength and positivity from my friends and loved ones who support me.
When did you feel the least confident about yourself?
Wow, I think it was last year. I went through a lot last year, even up till now. When you lose people in your life, you question your worth – like, what is it that wasn’t enough, what is it that I lacked, where could I have been better.
How did you overcome it and become more confident?
Self-doubt and insecurities creep in on anyone, anytime. For me, I will allow myself a period to be upset. Don’t run away and suppress the feeling because it is a phase needed for me to grow. I’ll then remind myself of what I am capable of, the positive characteristics I have, such as a giving nature and a kind heart.
Do you get any comments/criticism about your body?
I do, positives and negatives and maybe even below in the comments later. (laughs) But I focus on being me, the things that are within my control and I focus on my journey.
What are some misconceptions of fitness in today’s society?
That being fit means to have a lean and nice body. I think being fit means more than the physical outlook; it’s having a healthy wellbeing too. Being healthy is the most important thing and being active definitely is part of it.
