My Life after "How Do I Look Asia"

More than just a fashion fix, it was a holistic life fix! I never really imagined that my experience during the shooting of my episode for the first season of the hit reality tv show How Do I Look Asia will paved way for a better #BeYOUtiful me. And when I say better, it goes really goes beyond the dress, the look and the fashion.

In order for you to understand why I consider this TV stint as one of my unexpected life-changing experience, here are some behind the scene photos that reminds me of the emotional roller-coaster ride I've been through plus some "Tiis Ganda" moments too.  

Some of you might remember me as the girl who wore this Onesie on TV!

Ohh actually, I wore it on public market too just because I was bored. That's aside from some private parties I've attended.

​You see, I have this fun and carefree personality which sometimes translates to childish "eyecatching" fashion sense that's why my good friend and travel buddy Doreen thought that a fashion fix from How Do I Look Asia team will be good thing for me especially that I'm going through my quarter life phase. We're both crazy, look!

1st day on the set. This was the first time I also talk to Sazzy Falak! Yup, there were no formal introduction or whatsoever. That's how real it was. No script or any guide. I just walked straight to her when I heard the director said ACTION and the camera kept rolling for hours!  

Yes, I did it for FUN! We did it for fun but I never expected that during the taping, my emotions were be triggered by some questions so I ended up crying on TV! 

Like hey, only those who are very close to me knew that I'm really a cry baby --- that's one of the skeleton in my closet. For many, they see me as the bubbly girl so they were somehow surprised and "touched" when they watched my episode. "Ang drama mo!" most of them quipped! 

TRIVIA: This "crying" scene actually happened after I heard the "cut". Yup, I was already highly emotional during the time I was trying the new collection of clothes chosen by my "accomplices" (Aja, Doreen and Zac) but I was able to really control my tears. But you know, it was fortunate that a camera was still rolling to capture this vulnerable moment because it also highlighted one of my biggest learning from the show plus I think it somehow showed the real struggles of plus size ladies in finding stylish yet comfortable clothes.  

Just in case you're wondering why I was highly emotional on this specific scene, well, it's because the first set of dress (a denim casual dress) that I really wanted did not fit. Like I was soooo huge that time and that's the biggest size already for that specific style which I felt was so me; I really liked it but it can't just fit. Behind the scene, the very helpful, friendly and encouraging wardrobe team were already having a hard time looking for the right size of clothes and styling me to look better. Somehow, it just really made me feel uneasy that time... It made me feel uncomfortable knowing that people around me were having difficulty dressing me up and it's not the first time it happened so I get frustrated. Plus the fact that my cousin and friend picked mostly HIGH HEELS even though they know that I really "hate" it coz I can't walk properly! :-p

While at the dressing area in between takes, I also had flashbacks of countless shopping memories with my Mama and we had to constantly ask the sales lady for bigger size of almost everything but most of the time it's not available so we always ended up leaving the mall empty handed and with a deep cut in my self-esteem... Imagine the horror I went through everytime I hear people say "Last size na po yan. Biggest na po yan eh." or "Sorry ma'am, wala pong stretchable eh". Yes, THE STRUGGLE WAS REAL! 

So what really happened to my life       after HOW DO I LOOK ASIA? 

WOKE UP LIKE THIS! Right after we wrapped up the shoot, this was first selfie I took upon waking up. I made it into a #SSSelfTalk and uploaded it as Facebook profile photo to remind me that I should LOVE and LIVE the life I've always wanted.
And that day, I also started to embrace the idea that I should let make-up enhance my natural beauty... that being a young lady also meant that I need to know how to apply even the basic make-up for my everyday look!  

I PROMISED MYSELF TO HAVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TOO! 

I realized during the HDILA shoot that I still have so many emotional baggages which resulted to binge eating so I decided to let go of those, have a closure and start focusing my energy on my "fitness goal". The reality show was unexpectedly therapeutic for me.  

You know I never realized how BIG I was until I saw my photos from previous years just like this one... Maybe I just was in denial and somehow my "positive" outlook was off the roof to acknowledge the fact that I really have those excess fats! Don't get me wrong, I'm confident and happy even when I was this big but I'm way happier and healthier today!!! 

How Do I Look Asia really kickstarted my #Fat2Fit journey and this time not just for vanity but for holistic health. Yes, I promised myself that by the time I use the Zalora gift vouchers, I want my new set of clothes to be atleast 2 sizes smaller --- I was really determined to get rid of those XXX in my dress size!

I bought this #Zalora Premium black dress last year at the pop-up shop when I was invited by @zaloraph to give a talk during the #HDILAxZalora event. When I took this #selfie, I was still too big for this dress and I can't properly zip it. □ Actually it's one of the items in my collection that I have not yet worn in public so I'm excited to fit it again after storing it for months. #HowDoILook #HDILA #HowDoILookAsia

A photo posted by I AM ALLISON (#TAAP) (@msappleallison) on Jun 29, 2016 at 7:56am PDT

To cleanse my body and get rid of toxins, I had my 5 Day detox which also helped me lessen my appetite for sweets. I was staying in Quezon City that time so I ordered my cold-pressed 100% Pure Fruit & Veg Extract from JuiceHut Manila. 
After that, I practiced mindful eating habits and tried to lessen my intake of unhealthy food. Exercise became my new comfort activity and source of bliss too!

​And just like our reigning Ms.Universe 2016
Pia Wurtzbach,
​ I became more assured of
who I am, "Confidently Beautiful with A Heart"  

Now, I can wear most of the dress I want. I enjoy dressing up again especially now that I get to shop with just few swipes and clicks on Zalora! I'm happy that they cater for plus size ladies like me. 

From XXXL to L! 
Earlier this year, I even had a "fashion shoot" with Ken and Wilson, my good friends from AI SENSE PHOTOGRAPHY.
​This was a little treat to celebrate my #Fat2Fit milestone as well as to inspire me to keep going with my fitness journey! 

The lovely dresses were from Zalora.

I'm really thankful for the opportunity and experience, but more than that, I am truly grateful for the friendship that started on the set of How Do I Look Asia! Until now, they are still cheering for me. They are very supportive! 

BTS fun time with the amazing team behind How Do I Look Asia Season 1. Photo by Christina Itchon 

ARE YOU READY FOR ANOTHER
​ BIG REVEAL?! 

I started my #Fat2Fit journey right after we shoot my episode on How Do I Look Asia and since my big reveal on that episode, I've already lost more than 30 lbs! For the first time in my life since highschool, I am less than 90 kg. Just look at my photos from the HDILA big reveal scene and compare it to my photo below. See the difference? :-)

In my next blog post, I'll share some highlights and practical tips on how you too can kickstart your healthy lifestyle as well as some key life lessons from my
How Do I look Asia experience.
For now, always remember to be #BeYOUtiful!