WHEN bubbly network engineer Angeline Ng signed up for New Straits Times’ first Body Makeover Challenge in 2010, everyone was surprised.

She didn’t have a weight problem so why did she want to join in?

Her very original answer had everyone in stitches and secured her a spot in the competition: She was planning to get married, and because her fiance was as slim as a wand, she was afraid he would not be able to carry her over the threshold of their matrimonial home.

In March, 28-year-old Ng finally said “I do” to fiance Ho Wai Keen, 30. They celebrated their wedding with a banquet at  Doubletree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur.

Incidentally, the RM41,760 banquet sponsored by the hotel, with flowers by Wishing Tree, was the first prize for Doubletree’s Brides Race 2011. Ng and Keen beat 50 other bridal couples to win the race.

The couple returned from their European honeymoon recently.

WHAT ABOUT THE AIM

Did she achieve the aim of joining BMC two years ago?  Was she carried over the threshold?

“If you mean whether Wai Keen carried me all the way from the ground floor to the second, no he didn’t. Everyone decided the space was too small for both of us to be moving comfortably, so he carried me from our second floor landing instead.

“However, he made up for it a day later, during the registration of our marriage on March 12 (which happens to be the date we first started dating). Wai Keen told me that he won’t let my efforts to get fit go to waste.”

Life for Ng is back to normal after the wedding.  “No more hunting for dresses, matching accessories and rushing up and down for the wedding preparations. The big day is finally over and the best part is the three-week long honeymoon.”

“It was more of a reward for both of us after the hustle and bustle of our wedding. Now we are both concentrating on our work and family,” she says.

KEEPING IT TRIM

Surprisingly and happily she did not put on any weight during her honeymoon.

“With all the bread and carb I was eating during our honeymoon in Europe, I kept thinking I would have put on weight.

“But we did a lot of walking and that helped me to maintain my weight.  We opted for a free and easy itinerary instead of a guided tour and that changed the whole term of honeymoon. At times it almost felt like The Amazing Race!

Now that they are settling down to routine daily life, Ng keeps fit with a sensible combination of diet and exercise. Although she no longer goes to the gym, she optimises her  time at home, close to family.

“I borrow my father-in-law’s treadmill and my pet dogs — Calby, Leia and Snoop — are my running buddies outdoors. My diet has definitely changed. I remember every word the trainers said and make sure I have breakfast every morning, even if it is a slice of bread or a cracker.”

When she joined the contest, she was 61kg and now, she has maintained it at 54kg.

“I honestly think the number of times I eat nasi lemak for breakfast since the training ended in early 2011 is less than  what I used to have in a month.”
 

KEEPING THE WEIGHT OFF

Is there any health or diet practice you wish you had known when you were younger?
Eat carbs moderately.

What is the best health tip/advice your mother gave you?
Not to eat too much. I used to get upset when she stopped me from eating too much when I was younger. She said I would understand when I was older.

Today, what is your recipe for good health?
Three less, three more: Less salt, less sugar, less oil, more fibre, more exercise, more smiles.

What’s always in your fridge or store cupboard to help you keep on track and how do you benefit from them?
Fruit! I love fruit, particularly mango. My mother-in-law will always stock up mango for me. But since it has lots of sugar, I only eat it moderately. If,  by the end of the week, we still have lots of fruit, I get to drink fruit smoothie.

One thing I never fail to replenish every time I go grocery shopping is cereals. I make sure I bring some  along on a long car trip so that I will not stop to buy junk food or starve myself.

My trainer’s advice was to always eat on time... the cereal deters me from bingeing and has officially become my version of “junk food”.

What’s always in your medicine cabinet and why?
Gastric pills. I have a history of gastric issues but for the past year, the attacks seem to have disappeared. It probably has a lot to do with eating on time and on schedule.

What’s your favourite home health remedy?
Honey and apple cider vinegar. I did a lot of research before I tested it. Now I drink it every morning.

What’s your favourite fitness routine
It’s not easy to make time to exercise but I take 15 minutes in-between my favourite shows and run on the treadmill. I am not trying to achieve a supermodel figure. I just want to stay healthy and it’s not about how much or how hard we are doing it. It’s about just doing it!