About Shing

Hello my fellow swole mates, I am Shing. Growing up in Asia, before moving to the United States, I was in a performance team. I was called “fat” even though I weigh less than 100lbs 10 years ago. I starved myself most of the time so that I can reach an “ideal” weight to look “good” on stage. I didn’t know that I had an eating disorder, where I stared at an apple and wondered what will an apple do to my body because it’s 100 calories. After moving to the United States, I gained my weight back and I wasn’t happy about it. I was doing at least an hour of cardio each day but I wasn’t able to loose any of my weight. I don’t even know what I was chasing back then. Moving to NYC in 2012 after graduation, I discovered Pilates and Pole Fitness. I noticed I wasn’t able to do a single sit up!! I started balancing my workout with strength training and cardio together with a balance diet. Through discovering fitness, I gained my confidence without worrying about how much I weight. I believe that inner confidence came with strength and positive vibes.

I am ~15lbs heavier than ME 9 years ago!

Myth of gaining weight:

**More body fats

Truth - my body fats were 20% in 2010, 17% in 2019)

**Increase in clothing size

Truth - I still fit into my OLD clothes 😆

**Increase in BMI = less healthy

Truth - Muscle weight more than fats, a body builder might significantly more than me with only 5% of body fat! That doesn't mean that he/she is unhealthy

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I wasn't as confident in 2010, I was doing 2 hours of cardio at the gym, skipping meals, not knowing what a balance diet was. I wasn't comfortable in wearing a bikini (that's what I had a shorts on).

2019, I love my workouts, love both strength and cardio training. I can run half marathon and hold an iron x on the pole (some pole flag). The best thing, I am confident and I am happy with my weight. (I also love my food).

I am lucky that I have an amazing relationship with my parents, friends, and my partner. I created SwoleMates because I want to bring positive vibes to everyone I believe that a healthy lifestyle is correlated to fitness and relationship, by creating fun partner - non intimidating exercise program.

Wanna know a truth?

I did not start my career in the fitness industry. I am just like most people, working in a corporate job, as an Actuary, risk management, and was constantly dealing with lots of stress when I was taking my professional exam (there’s 8 professional exams with a few modules). Fitness is something that actually something that I look forward each day. It’s a magic wand that took my stress away and I manage to get through all my studies and pass my exams at a short period of time.

So you are probably thinking “where do you have the time to work out” or “do you wake up at 5am just to sneak in your workout”. The truth is, I am not really a “morning” person. I woke up early not to rush myself to work. There’s plenty of ways to have a great balance without sacrificing your sleep and social life.

Are you a working professional that are looking into balancing your lifestyle and work? Struggling with health and work life balance? If so, I want to help you in achieving a lifestyle that you want. Want to learn how to have a great work life balance? Staying healthy and finding a workout that you love that fits into your schedule? Subscribe to my email list and I will provide tips and tricks for you for FREE.

Swole = Strong, Mates = friends, significant other, or any partner.

At SwoleMates, we help busy professionals that have a busy work life improve their relationship through fitness. We understand that working out can be challenging with your busy schedule and it can be intimidating at certain classes or even at the gym. We believe that fitness and a balance diet are always easier and more fun with a little encouragement from a “mate”. Together, we can all achieve a healthier lifestyle!

Shing is a certified Fitness Instructor, Pop Pilates Instructor