By Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files
Photos and video by Mario Ignacio and Mario Espinosa
More important than winning the election, candidates should make sure they are able to survive the grueling 90-day campaign.
The same reminder applies to the staff of political parties and members of media who are covering the campaign.
An election campaign is exciting and exhausting. Candidates try to maximize their provincial trips by meeting as many groups as they can squeeze in their waking hours. Rallies last up to midnight even early morning.The next day, members of the campaign caravan rush to the airport for the next destination.
Almost always after election, many of those involved in the campaign end up overweight due to irregular and unhealthy meals and lack of exercise.
In last year’s presidential election campaign in the United States, stand-up comedian and fitness guru Tony Horton came up with exercises for the candidates. He designed a 15-minute workout without any use of equipment, consisting of push-ups, running, crunches, lunges and squats. Horton’s more rigorous P90X workout program is being used by Paul Ryan— the fitness buff Republican vice presidential candidate.
In the next 12 weeks of the current political campaign, senatorial candidates and their entourage will be crisscrossing the country to the 80 provinces in their bid to win the hearts and minds of over 52 million voters.
Physical therapist Christian S. Cerezo, who is also a fitness personal trainer, suggests six simple exercises that candidates and campaign workers can do to keep fit. They can do these exercises anywhere: in the airport while waiting for their flight or their baggage to come out of the carousel. It can also be done during rallies.
To make the exercise effective, Cerezo recommends doing each exercise 15 times in three sets. He said a 20-second pause should be enough in between sets.
1. Biceps curl using mineral water bottle.
This exercise works out the biceps muscle.
Instruction: Standing or sitting down on a chair, flex and extend the forearm. Do the three sets for each of the arm.
2. Dips to work out the triceps muscle.
While in a sitting position, place both hands beside the butt. Slightly move the butt into the edge of the chair or bench. Position the legs together. Align the ankles to the knee, flexed at 90 percent. Then slowly bend elbows about 90 per cent. Then extend it again slowly.
3. Standing up and sitting on the chair to work out butt area and thigh.
Stand up slowly. Sit down slowly. Place hands on waist or let them hang on the sides.
4. Tip Toe. This exercise, which is done while standing, works out the leg muscle, especially the calf muscle.
5. Shoulder front raise to work out the shoulder muscle.
Standing or sitting down, slowly raise arms forward and slowly put them back to the starting or resting position on the side.
6. Knee- to-chest position to work out core (primarily abdominal) muscle.
This exercise is done sitting down. Position the butt near the edge of the chair or bench. Place hand on the back, holding the chair then lean the body backward. With legs in front, raise feet together then slightly bend knee toward the chest. Maintain the leaning backward position for balance.
Regardless of the numbers come election day, the priceless victory is staying fit and healthy.
(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”)
Check out related links:
http://www.ellentordesillas.com/2012/07/25/zumba-makes-exercise-easy-and-sexy/
http://www.ellentordesillas.com/2012/06/13/why-go-to-the-gym/
http://www.ellentordesillas.com/2013/02/10/made-for-tv-campaign-rallies/
This is okay. I can do this even if I’m not into election campaign.
well, that is a very long campaign period by any measure…as compared to our Federal campaign maximum period of which is 45 days and only the Leaders are doing the Nationwide campaigning and mostly by the Media or TV and the Local or District candidates will have Plenty Exercise because most of their campaigning are done DOOR to Door by actually knocking and meeting the constituents and spending a few minutes discussing their programs or just talking about the weather..or convincing the other party supporter to switch the party support or membership…(usually candidates could tell which party you belong by the sign on your lawn as signs can only posted with permission)…but in most cases, local candidates will just depend on their Party and their party Leaders to carry the day…Last election it was not a very Big surprise that due to the Popularity of the Third Party Leader many of its candidates,mostly first timers, and some just to fill in the line ups (young students and single moms) were elected MPs while vacationing in sunny Mexico and nobody in their Ridings ever saw them but was elected on the Swept…but they learned quick to earn the good pay cheque..(that was the election the Liberals lead by an Intellectual Harvard Professor and noted Author lost the Official Opposition and delegated for the First time as the Third Party..sometimes it is the Idea that the leader brings into the campaign that could bring in victory or defeat, not the impressive resume or experience…PM Harper proved it…
I like the beginning and end of this article:
“More important than winning the election, candidates should make sure they are able to survive the grueling 90-day campaign.”
“Regardless of the numbers come election day, the priceless victory is staying fit and healthy.”
For many politicians, victory is the be-all and end-all. That’s why, like Gloria Arroyo, they cheat.
“What profits a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul.” And as this article says,if you loose your health.
The model is Christian Cerezo, the fitness personal trainer?
He is good looking. Makisig.
Flat abs.Toned. What’s his gym?
#3 “well, that is a very long campaign period by any measure.”- Vic.
Vic, 90 days is just the official campaign period. Actually it’s year round. Long before Feb. 12, the candidates have been campaigning. Their ads were on TV. Of course, there was no “Vote for…” but no one is so stupid not to think those were campaign ads.
Becky, re #5.Yes, the model is Christian Cerezo.
Bernardine,#6. Welcome to this site.
Christian used to be with Fitness First. But he is now freelance. He does his training sessions at Las Pinas Doctors Hospital gym.
Ellen, one of the reforms I strongly suggest is the establishment of a Truly strong and True Party system so the member can keep on going on their political activities in ONGOING basis all year round…like political fundraising is not limited to During election time only, but in a Calendar Year Basis (our Political donation or Contribution to Parties, Leadership election and candidates nominations are refunded in a yearly basis and are claimed during the filing of Income Tax Returns..and Political contributions solicitations from members for party’s funds is on regular basis…only the public campaigning would not Start until the writ of election is handed down..and sometimes it is as short as a month…( it will take at least two weeks to mail in all notices to voters their voters’ info where to vote and the time of polls and available advance polls)from an updated Permanent Voters list after the writ of election is granted)And how the Election Agency eliminated Epal? Campaign signs not allowed to be posted on Public property but only on private property with Permission by the owner…all signs must be of REMOVABLE type (mostly lawn signs supported by wire or wooden posts) and no permanent banners allowed.) Signs must be removed at least 3 after polling days, but usually they are gone a day after..(this is very easy way to enforce, because the signs bears the names)…So far, not seen any Party or Candidate engage the Talents of our famous entertainers like Justin Bieber, Celine Dion, or my fab Alanis Morissette to do some entertaining during the Campaign…other than their talent fee will use up the whole campaign fun, the voters would not appreciate the idea..they’d rather see them at the proper venues…and if these entertainer will volunteer their services, that will be assesed their value and will Exceed the Maximum Contributions and that will be Illegal…even gifts for contributions in goods and services will be assessed for monetary value for the purpose of taxation and and limits…And the Commissioner of Election, under the authority of Chief Election Officer is in Charge of making sure that every one will abide by the Law..he can duputize the RCMP and all local Police services in performance of his duty…
Bernardine ha. #6.
Just asking, Becky.