Fitspiration: Mom-Of-Two And Crossfit Lover Bianca Reinoso | ABS-CBN

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Fitspiration: Mom-Of-Two And Crossfit Lover Bianca Reinoso

Fitspiration: Mom-Of-Two And Crossfit Lover Bianca Reinoso

Kate Paras-Santiago

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Updated Mar 01, 2023 04:52 PM PHT

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Oftentimes we see mothers who are fit and wonder—how does she do it? In between caring for her kids, managing a household, and attending to her career, how can one simply have time to workout, we often ask. One such woman who has made fitness her passion for life is Bianca Reinoso, or @biancassantiago on Instagram. She recently competed in her first-ever Crossfit competition at 41, only six months into training. Such a feat can only be done by someone who truly values exercise and motivation that stems from her 'why'. We spoke to Bianca and asked her about her life-long love affair with working out, and how she feels about her journey so far. Read on and get fitspired!

Bianca Reinoso

Metro.Style: Tell us about yourself and what you do now, what your passions are, and how you keep fit.

Bianca Reinoso: I'm a mom to two beautiful kids, 41 years of age and recently into Crossfit.


MS: What kind of workouts do you love doing? How did you get into all these? Have you always been into fitness?

BR: I feel like sport has always been in the sidelines since I was young but not really embraced it until I became a mom. I was part of volleyball varsity for a year (haha I chose friends) in highschool, then in college I boxed regularly at Elorde Gym, the OG along Sucat, Paranaque.


My fitness routine took a back seat when I started working. As a fashion stylist and magazine editor, shoots got me jumping from one location to the other. Whenever I would get the chance, I'd drop in as I love a sweaty Bikram yoga class.

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It's true when they say nothing prepares you for motherhood it was overwhelming but also so rewarding. And for me, aside from settling in this new and important role: taking care of two babies, breastfeeding both for more than a year, managing a home with no help, saying yes to myself again was the hardest. And when I finally did, I chose fitness as my me time. Spinning helped me lose some of the post partum weight with my first born. But it wasn't until with my 2nd born did I get back to pre pregnancy weight cos of clean eating and workout. This cardio exercise really meant a lot as it helped me physically and mentally. It was my release from the stress, pressure, and bouts of anxiety. Discovering pilates through One Life was a game changer. Not only did I get my core strength back after 2 child births and addressed the mommy body aches, I gained confidence and courage to continue my fitness journey again. And this time, I wasn't just working out for me. I kept on cos I want to be strong for my family. Pilates and spinning became my self love mom routine. I would go when the kids are at school and finish just in time for dismissal.


The pandemic was tough on me. So to cope with the uncertainties, I worked out everyday. My husband had this marvelous idea of trying out Crossfit and training online. We're both naturally competitive but I eye rolled on the idea as I was happy with my online spinning classes. I said yes because it became our 'date' as we stayed home. So far if you've reached this part, most of my workout choices have been mostly cardio based. I first picked up a dumbbell in my 40s and learned to love/hate burpees. I met some cool Crossfit coaches and figured It was time for mentoring and focus on strength training. 6 months in and I find myself joining a Crossfit competition–which I still think is the craziest idea I've ever done. It was the hardest, scariest, most stressful thing but also the most exhilarating and empowering feeling. I have my coach, Dan Chua of HMD to thank and of course, my husband, Raoul.

Bianca x Crossfit

MS: How long have you been doing them and what are some of the challenges you've faced?

BR: While I love spinning so much, I had to take a pause from it cos I was feeling tightness and some muscle imbalances already. I have been spinning since I had my daughter and she's now 10 haha. It wasn't easy to part with spinning as it was pivotal in my motherhood journey but I don't know what Crossfit did cos I have finally moved on and am now hooked haha. I'm only 6 months young in this amazing sport and have so much to learn. I entered with a lot of insecurities: I'm shy, I can't lift, I'm not THAT sporty, Crossfit is hard and of a different level, I'm scared of so much things—getting injured or hurt is one, and I'm in my 40s. My coach dismissed the last part immediately and said that age is just a number. I am amazed how Crossfit has been crushing one limiting belief of mine after the other and how I am getting to know myself and capabilites even more. This the reason why I've been showing up in the gym.



MS: Describe a day in your life, and how you manage to squeeze in time for a workout.

BR: Family schedule is definitely a priority, that's my non-negotiable so work and working out comes next in the schedule. Committing to this new workout became a challenge at the start. Two months in Crossfit and I noticed the switch as I started prioritizing the workouts and skipping some afternoon events. I focused on it cos I noticed how i was improving emotionally and mentally. Plus, I have gotten attached to our group haha. It's not really easy what we do most especially since our coach and his program is known to have tough workouts. But the energy and support of this new community is amazing. I found new friends, rekindled friendships in a time where we felt hopeless and desperate for connections and normalcy.

Bianca with her Crossfit family

Bianca x spinning

Bianca x yoga

MS: What about your diet? Do you follow a strict regimen and how does it supplement your activities?

BR: I don't follow a strict regimen—maybe when my coach says so hehe but since Crossfit, I have added more protein in my diet and have learned to eat and appreciate food even more. We need the energy for our training and working out, functional fitness helps with the hormonal changes most especially as I am in my 40s as per my functional doctor, Doc Candy Dalman of Centro Holistico says. But then again, this healthier eating lifestyle started when I became a mom, from reading labels, opting for red rice, no colored drinks, and more on the simple but packed veggies dishes at home, so my family can do as well. But don't get me wrong, I indulge too. I love my red wine. Centro Holistico's vitamin drips, acupuncture, and laser therapy and the best PT work by Doc Shawn Kato have been so crucial in my weekly recovery.


Bianca with her family

Bianca with her kids Liana and Juano

MS: How do you treat yourself?

BR: I treat myself by making time for my fitness journey. I value this because it felt like I lost most of myself when I lost my mom and now that I am one, I want to be my best possible version for my kids, Liana and Juano and husband, Raoul. I want them to know as I choose myself, I am choosing them. Crossfit has really been amazing so far. I didn't expect a sport that never tickled my fancy would not only help future proof my body but support me in other ways. I entered my 40s feeling so unsure and since I joined HMDCrossfit all those unnecessary noise would get shut down as I enter the gym. So it's working out and online shopping. Haha!


MS: Your best advice for women who struggle to keep a fitness routine.

BR: Work on your why. Also, make a power workout playlist, change into your workout clothes, play the playlist when you feel lazy.


Follow Bianca on Instagram at @biancassantiago

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