Des Oquendo: Loving Myself First

“From running 3km to 5km before, I can now finish the Half Marathon. I even had the opportunity to finish a Full Marathon last Year at The Bull Runner Dream Marathon.”

Des at an event by Convergys

I was a volleyball varsity player and I loved outdoor activities when I was in grade school. But that didn’t stop me from gaining weight. When I entered college, I remember weighing around 150 pounds. I got even heavier when I was working already because I was working in what they call the “grave yard shift”. I’ve been bullied several times because of my weigh and I’ve been called names such as “mataba, balyena, lumba-lumba, dugong, and siopao”. I really felt the discrimination from work and from my so called “friends” every time I hear those words. I easily got hurt but I kept them within me, because for them it was all joke and fun. But those names became my inspiration. I wanted to be fit, strong and healthy.

Getting introduced to running

First Fun Run 3K Globe-Ayala Run For Home 2010

In 2008, I was at 200 pounds (90 kilograms). Every day was like a nightmare. I started hating my physical appearance and the day came when I didn’t even want to look at myself in the mirror. I started joining fun runs with my then boyfriend back in 2010 and went around UP for morning runs. From 2 km, I started to run for 5 km at about… insert hours and minutes here. 😀

RunFest Year 2011 10K

“I enjoyed running because I was doing it with someone. It became a hobby for both of us. We’d run. We’d eat out. We’d stroll a little, then run again. But even then, I did not see any changes in my weigh. We broke up. I lost my running buddy. I lost the reason to run.”

Loving myself first

2012 Wedding of My sister

Then it hit me. Before I can love others, I must learn how to love and appreciate myself. I must learn how to look at myself in the mirror and be happy with what I see. I must learn how to be happy by myself, because I can be happy. I can be loved and I can be appreciated, but only in as much as I allow myself to be. I told myself “tapos na sila mag bully sa akin, time ko naman para prove sa sarili ko na kaya ko to gawin para sa health ko, para sa sarili ko, para sa kaligayahan ko”.

I went back to running. But running a 5Km was very hard for me. I was struggling to get to the finish line. I tried different diet programs, supplements and other shortcuts but I saw no positive results. Yet, I did not stop. I wanted it done. I wanted to be successful. Not for anyone else, but only for myself.

May 2012 – First Time in Gym and Won for Benchpress Competition

Today, I workout 6 times a week in the gym. I run or bike in the morning for at least 3Km to 5Km. I watch what I eat as well. I eat more vegetables, fish, chicken, and fruits, water and fresh juices only. It also means a big NO for cakes, chocolate, ice cream, cookies, soft drinks or sugared drinks.  But the hardest part is my “NO RICE” rule.

My Coach in Running and Gym 2015

I didn’t even notice I started to lose weight, because I enjoy what I was doing. I have passion with what I do and the people around me and my coach in the gym started to notice the change.

Pushing my boundaries

From running 3Km to 5Km before, I can now finish the Half Marathon (21km). I even had the opportunity to finish a Full Marathon last Year at The Bull Runner Dream Marathon.

2014 TBRDM Nuvali After Crossing finishline

The marathon was one of my sweetest journeys. It pushed me beyond my boundaries. Now, I look at that experience as a motivation, that even if the journey is long, even if I struggled at reaching the finish line, I am more motivated than ever, and felt more challenged.

I realized I will get there, only if I believe that I can. Together with the support of the people around me, of my family, but most especially, with the support I can only give to myself.

Nature Valley Run 2010 5k

“Work hard in silence and let success be your noise.” and There are no shortcuts to success.”, have become my mantras. You really have to earn everything, even in the hard way. Right now, I know I am still progressing and I will never get tired of running.

Before and After

I am Lot Oquendo or simply Des. For the past 6 years, I have lost 28 Kilograms. Thanks to running.

Words and Photos by: Des Oquendo