This is Part 2 of my 3-part interview with Jay David, a.k.a. popular blogger Batjay. In Part 1 of our interview, Batjay wrote his 12-year-old self a letter. He’s incredibly witty and funny. He’s not only a clown though, he’s the healthiest and most kickass 40-year-old I know. In this part of the interview, he shares tips on staying healthy, laughter and his recipe for a killer adobo.
Toni: Batjay, you’re in your 40s and say you’re the fittest you’ve ever been. You’re running marathons, cooking healthy… I super admire you. How do you stay motivated in keeping healthy? Do you recommend any baby steps so we couch potatoes can ease into a healthy lifestyle like yours?
Batjay: When I turned 40, I found out that I had diabetes and hypertension. I was overweight at 216 lbs. and feeling really bad about myself. Buti na lang, I was still pogi. It’s funny, when you’re in your 20’s you feel really indestructible. It seems nothing you do can harm you – you drink all night and you’re still able to miraculously recover in the morning. You smoke like a chimney but you can still play basketball all afternoon. You eat all you want and your weight doesn’t change. But then middle age comes and all of a sudden, your metabolism doesn’t want to cooperate anymore. You feel aches and pains from parts of your body that you didn’t know existed. Family members whom you love, die all of a sudden because of preventable ailments. With the diabetes, hypertension and the excess weight, you know in your heart of hearts that this could happen to you too. There’s nothing like the prospect of dying to motivate you to take care of yourself.
I started by eating more sensibly. You know – more vegetables, smaller portions, less rice, no red meat, no junk food. Hard to do in the Philippines but essential if you don’t want to have an early heart attack. Tapos, more exercise – I started walking 30 minutes a day. In a year, I lost 40 pounds.
Now, I look at working out as a major part of my life. Just this year, I’ve run a full marathon, a half marathon, a couple of 10K races and one 5K. Not bad for a diabetic hypertensive middle age Pinoy.
Toni: Humor is your equity. You make a lot of people laugh out loud with your antics, your wit. What makes YOU laugh?
Batjay: Jet’s laugh makes me laugh. Old Seinfeld reruns, the Family Guy “I dream of Jesus” episode, John Stewart, Colbert, Don Rickles, endlessly retold stories from my high school friends and all those crazy Japanese pranks in YouTube.
Toni: Christmas is coming! Are you cooking up any dishes for Noche Buena? If you are, could you share one recipe with us?
Batjay: I’ll probably cook my killer pork ribs adobo. It’s easy to cook and it tastes really good.
Ingredients:
1. 2 kilos of baby back ribs
2. 4 tablespoons coconut vinegar
3. 4 tablespoons soy sauce
4. 4 bay leaves
5. 10 pcs. pepper corn
Directions:
1. Put ingredients in pot.
2. Turn on the heat but low heat lang.
3. When it looks like adobo, turn off the heat.
Stay tuned for the final part of the interview next week! 😉 I hope you enjoyed reading Batjay’s answers as much as I did. Now go be healthy, laugh more and try his killer adobo!
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
julie
December 5, 2008 at 11:09 am (15 years ago)When it looks like adobo, turn off the heat. – I agree 😀
Being healthy should be a major priority at this stage, and maybe even before one reaches this age. Kudos to you for starting your healthy regimens
witsandnuts
December 5, 2008 at 12:57 pm (15 years ago)It’s an eyeopener. Truly when I was younger I felt indestructible. I sort of abused my health by depriving myself of sleep (due to nature of work). I was not taking vitamins, etc. There was a point I had a Cullen phase (no eating, sleeping). So workaholic. When I came here and began to slow down, I realized my life was so out of balance before. Now that I’m in my late 20s I’m starting to feel unhealthy. I’m trying to eat healthy now… but I always find a perfect excuse to indulge. I’m bad. =(
sha
December 5, 2008 at 1:00 pm (15 years ago)hahaha galing.. surely when it looks like adobo turn off the heat…
shas last blog post..cinnamon & honey frosted banana cupcakes
sheng
December 5, 2008 at 1:24 pm (15 years ago)I love that, i’ll get this recipe, it works like magic, when it just does look like adobo, ayun na!
shengs last blog post..Creepy Art… or Not?
kaoko
December 5, 2008 at 4:06 pm (15 years ago)Paano pag nagmukhang nilaga yung adobo?
kaokos last blog post..Soy-Butter Beef Bento Redux
michelle
December 5, 2008 at 5:42 pm (15 years ago)parang ang dali lang ng killer adobo ni batjay…gonna try it!
michelles last blog post..3 Word Thursdays #6
Junnie
December 6, 2008 at 1:36 am (15 years ago)Naku. idol rin sa health! From smoker to smoking hot sa katawan…galing galing! Can’t wait for Part 3…
Daphne
December 6, 2008 at 6:44 pm (15 years ago)Now that I am officially 40 I’ve noticed a slight decrease in my metabolism. It is cunning how it just sneaks up on you like that, sneaky lil thing! hehehe
But I got no one else to blame but myself for not taking better care of my body.
Thankfully I married a guy who likes to eat healthy and I’m glad to say it is contagious so I try to pretend I enjoy eating a regimen of low salt, less cholesterol laden meals. 😉
Daphnes last blog post..Passport renewal
batjay
December 6, 2008 at 10:45 pm (15 years ago)pag nagmukhang nilaga yung adobo, mag volunteer na lang na mag hugas ng pinggan next time instead of cooking.
batjays last blog post..Thank you Lord for my big mouth
kaoko
December 9, 2008 at 4:12 pm (15 years ago)Okay! Ihahanda ko na yung dishwashing liquid at apron ko.
kaokos last blog post..Stroganoff & Gyu Asupara Maki Bento