Breaking Up with Soft Drinks

By Noel Galon de Leon

I woke up today feeling a little excited to get back to the gym. Last night, I caught myself thinking about how crucial that first conversation is between a coach and a trainee. My chat with Coach Dawn really stuck with me. From the get-go, I felt comfortable with her, not just because she had a solid plan for me, but because I started to get what having a coach actually means. It’s not just someone who tells you to do burpees until you see stars; it’s someone who guides you through a healthier lifestyle, while making you feel like you’re part of a community, not just a treadmill-walking ghost.

Before breakfast this morning, I followed Coach Dawn’s advice and did 10 minutes of jumping jacks. And I have to admit, it made a difference. There’s just something about getting your body moving early, it’s like shaking your brain awake with jazz hands. I felt more focused, more clear-headed, and a lot less like a zombie from a 9 a.m. horror film.

I arrived at the gym around 2 p.m. and was welcomed by smiling receptionists who probably deserve a raise for being that cheerful all day. I finally got myself a gym card, too—because, you know, commitment. For just ₱149 a month, I get access to Wi-Fi and the shower room, so win-win. At least now, I can pretend I’m serious about this fitness thing.

Coach Dawn greeted me with, “Leg day today!” and I braced myself. Surprisingly, I kind of enjoyed it. Working out my lower body wasn’t too bad, probably because before I joined the gym last month, I had already been biking every day around our subdivision. Biking’s always been my go-to exercise, even during the pandemic, I just kept pedaling away until my stomach started disappearing, which was honestly one of the happiest moments of my life.

One thing I really appreciate about Metal Core Fitness is how approachable the coaches are. They know exactly when to step in to help, and they’re always ready to assist, especially if you look like you’re about to collapse dramatically on the gym floor. Today was a bit busier than yesterday, but the vibe was still chill. People were considerate and took turns with the equipment, which honestly makes the place feel a lot more welcoming.

Coach Dawn took the time to talk to me about discipline. She told me she’s here to guide me, but the real discipline has to come from me. If I want to see results, I have to stick to the program—not just physically, but with my choices outside the gym too.

Then came the hard part: Coach Dawn looked me dead in the eye and said I needed to cut out soft drinks, milk tea, desserts, and all things instant. Basically, everything that makes life feel a little too good. I’ve been wanting to quit those things for a while now, but wow, it’s tough especially soft drinks. It’s like my tongue starts looking for them right after every meal. But after she explained how it affects my progress, I knew I had to let it go. Not just because she said so, but because I owe it to myself and my health. (Soft drinks, we had a good run. It’s not you, it’s me. Actually, no. It’s totally you.)

After nearly two hours of working out, Coach Dawn called me over and handed me my meal plan. I’ll be starting it on Monday, and she also gave me a few supplements to help my body recover, just in case my joints start filing complaints in the coming days.

Coach Dawn really knows how to explain things clearly, which is probably why I feel so motivated to follow her lead. She even told me during training, “Don’t cheat the reps or the order of the workout. If something’s too hard, just tell me honestly. No need to pretend.” And I really appreciated that. It’s rare to find someone who encourages honesty over ego at the gym.

At the end of our session, she gave me the full diet plan. While she explained what I’ll be eating over the next week, I was pleasantly surprised. Honestly, it doesn’t sound hard at all, especially since it includes chicken breast and eggs, two of my all-time favorites. It might sound dramatic, but I seriously can’t live without eggs. And no, that’s not a weird joke, I just really love eggs.

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Noel Galon de Leon is a writer and educator at University of the Philippines Visayas, where he teaches in both the Division of Professional Education and U.P. High School in Iloilo. He serves as an Executive Council Member of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts-National Committee on Literary Arts.