Why Kim Atienza Switched to a Healthy Lifestyle

Health and wellness had always been embedded in the heart of this ‘information powerhouse,’ Kim Atienza. He regularly went to the gym, lifted weights, spearheaded an aerobics class and ate healthy food, so a lot of people were shocked when news broke out two years ago that Kim Atienza had suffered a stroke. Indeed, his life changed -- if only for the better. Now, more than ever, the former-politician turned TV personality is more committed to lead a healthy lifestyle and share its importance with others too.

“A part of my brain was affected -- the area that stores memory and knowledge,” he recalls. “That was a really difficult time for me, considering that my work involves a lot of talking and sharing of information.”

Married to Feli Hung (president and founding member of the Chinese International School Manila Foundation) and a doting father to Jose, Meimei and Eman, Kim was once a voice dubber for a Japanese live-action TV series prior to becoming one of the hosts of Umagang Kay Ganda where he was given the moniker Kuya Kim. His educational TV program, Matanglawin,  further endeared him to his young audience. “Being a kuya to kids who look up to me is responsibility enough and I love that through this role I can lead, teach and inspire.”

(Related story: Behind the Scenes of our June 2012 Cover Shoot with Kuya Kim & Family)

Striking back at stroke
Conceivably, one of the things that inspired many was his quick recovery from stroke. It was tough, but Kim was tougher. He was back on his feet a few weeks after the health scare. Upon his doctor’s advice, he went on 30-minute daily walks which eventually turned into walk-run exercise, a prelude to joining his first 3K run.

His regimen now involves a swim-bike-run routine in addition to a strict diet based on foods that have low glycemic index since diabetes is also in his genes. His food choices include black coffee, whole wheat breads, barley juice, sweet potatoes, muesli, pasta, bagel, fruits, corn, peanut butter sandwich, brown rice, fish, lean meat and green leafy veggies.

There is no room for processed foods in Kuya Kim’s diet; no items that are cholesterol- and transfat-rich and yes, he says, “the best foods are the simplest and affordable ones like kamote tops, malunggay, fresh fruits. The list goes on.”

Refusing to slow down, Kim takes his bike for a 50-100 km ride, throws in some laps in the pool then sweats it out again with 10 km runs all spread during the week. While Saturdays are strictly for rest and relaxation,  Kim steps out again on Sundays on a  run that can stretch for up to 20 kms. He is all set to compete in his first Iron Man this year!

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A conscious decision to stay well and healthy
With all the things that he has gone through, Kim is now more cognizant of the lifestyle choices he makes.  And for him, it all starts with what he eats.
    
His favorite stop? Robinsons Supermarket.
    
Each week, Kim and his family walk from their neighborhood to Robinsons Supermarket to do their groceries. “Unlike other supermarkets where you have to sift through a lot of other items first before you see what you need, Robinsons Supermarket has it all figured out and products are displayed in a way that is customer-friendly,” Kim notes.   

He adds that it has a wide range of choices for people who are keen on living the healthy life: fresh vegetables, brown rice, dairy milk, wheat bread and cereals, among other things. “And I am so glad that Robinsons Supermarket has organic eggs. My family loves organic eggs!”, he says.

Recently, Kim was chosen to be Robinsons Supermarket’s Wellness Ambassador for its I Love Wellness campaign. This is a title he earned not only for his unrelenting will to live right, but more importantly for being an influential source in promoting health and wellness by way of example.

For its part, Robinsons Supermarket continues to blaze a trail en route to promoting good health through its I Love Wellness campaign, an initiative that sets it apart from others in the industry. Aside from promoting and carrying an array of healthy brands to get people into the wellness lane, the supermarket giant has put up the Health and Wellness section – a destination of   products that have health benefits.  

Here products are properly identified under the categories Bone Builder, Kids Nutrition, Weight Management, Choices for a Healthy Heart and Guilt-free, to help customers make informed choices.  

There is also an extensive assortment of fresh produce and lean meats. Products that are low in sugar, have zero-transfat and/or cholesterol free may also be found in the produce, meat, fish, poultry and dairy sections.

This is on top of the store’s regular promos and discounts as well as the stress-free shopping environment customers experience every time they visit the store. At Robinsons Supermarket, shoppers can breeze through the spacious aisles, browse the variety of merchandise and ask assistance from the store’s friendly and knowledgeable staff.

“We are aware of the customers’ need for alternative healthy choices and shopping convenience; thus, we want to establish our position as a destination supermarket where customers go to for all things they need for health and wellness,” says Jody Gadia, General Manager of Robinsons Supermarket.

“Robinsons Supermarket will intensify I Love Wellness activities within the store premises to include free bone and dental checkups, skin and hair analysis and zumba classes, BMI reading, cholesterol tests, among many other wellness programs that promote a completely healthy lifestyle,” Gadia adds.

To empower shoppers in their choice of food  and grocery items. Robinsons Supermarket created the 4-color tag system:

Green Apple tags mark products that have been evaluated and certified to have nutritional benefits by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).  

Aligned with the wellness@360 degrees advocacy of Robinsons Supermarket, wellness for Kim is holistic and involves being healthy in all aspects of life.  

•    One needs to be mentally healthy. “I am a voracious reader and I love absorbing and sharing information,” he quips.

•    “Relationships should also be healthy. Thus quality time with my family is always a priority,” he adds.  

•    And one should put a premium on physical health. “No     amount of success can compensate for bad health and I am glad Robinsons Supermarket takes care of this aspect of my life.”

Indeed, it has been a challenging journey for Kim in his pursuit of a healthy lifestyle -- one that Robinsons Supermarket nurtures and that  Kim is glad to tell.