Fitspiration: Senior Fitness Instructor Ting Joson

Ting Joson | Photo courtesy of Ting Joson

We often think of fitness as something reserved for the young. But 60-year-old Ting Joson begs to disagree. The moment I met this fitness instructor at an event, I immediately resonated with her energy—so full of life, and so open to what life has in store for her! I made sure not to miss the chance to interview her as our Fitspiration of the month, and here you will find bits and pieces of valuable personal anecdotes as well as life advice. Keep reading to get fitspired!

Metro.Style: Tell us about yourself and what you do now, what your passion is, and how you keep fit.

Ting Joson: While most will use the term corporate slave, I prefer to be called a corporate mom, everyone at work calls me Mother at work :). A mom to a university swimmer. On the side, I teach indoor cycling at Saddle Row and on another side, hehe... I officiate for triathlon races of Triathlon Philippines, the National Sports Federation of Triathlon where I sit on the board. 

My passion includes advocating movement in any form - indoor cycling, walking, running, triathlon, anything that will get people off the couch to stay fitter and healthier. I keep fit by ensuring that I am constantly moving, I try my best to eat real, whole food (shying away from ultra-processed food), I target at least seven hours of sleep. Not to forget the importance of relationships and staying connected with friends and family. 

Photo courtesy of Ting Joson

Metro.Style:  What kind of workouts do you love doing? How did you get into all these? Have you always been into fitness?

Ting Joson: I enjoy the sport of triathlon, thus my fave workouts are swimming, biking, and running. That was 15 years ago, haha! I still officiate for triathlon races, but my last triathlon race was in 2019. During that time, I have logged over 60 triathlon races and close to 100 run races (from 5k to full marathons). I enjoy biking so much because it gives me the ability to visit places with great views (did you know that you can go up to Baguio in three different ways—via Kennon Road, Marcos Highway, and Naguilian Road)? I've gone up on all three roads, on a bike. The view is just awesome. Of the three disciplines of triathlon, my first love is biking, thus my passion for indoor cycling now that I have less time to bike. 

I got into sports primarily because my psychiatrist who was treating me for alcohol dependence, back in 2007 suggested that I shift my addiction to something positive. I tried yoga first, got hooked, but eventually I wanted a high cardio workout which led me to running. I got hooked on that then injuries led me to biking, and then a poster of a mini sprint race in Alabang piqued my interest. I can run, I can bike, I know how to swim.... why not?!? That was in 2008. That was the start of my fitness journey. Growing up, I would try different sports but I was never consistent in any. I was also never sedentary but since 2008 I have been consistent with triathlon and since 2015, I have been leading indoor cycling classes at Saddle Row until now. 

Ting at the Boston Marathon | Photo courtesy of Ting Joson

Metro.Style: How long have you been doing them and what are some challenges you've faced? 

Ting Joson: The major challenge would really be the scheduling since I have a day job. I teach early mornings, 7 am classes or at night, 6 pm/7:30 pm classes or on weekends. It would be tiring especially after a long day, but I think it is well worth the effort when I see the changes in the lifestyle of most of my students. 

Metro.Style: Describe a day in your life, and how you manage to squeeze in time for a workout. 

Ting Joson: M/W/F (unless I have pre-scheduled meetings or out-of-town trips, I do online indoor cycling classes at 7 am. Work is just 10 minutes away from home so I get to work a little before 9. 3 to 4 times a week, I would teach in-studio, either early morning or late at night. So I'm either at work or in the studio or resting at home. Parties? hmmmm.... very few and far between. Dinner with my daughter would most be at home or we would try the neighborhood restaurants. Workouts are part of my routine, I really schedule it/find time for it, I would say they are not squeezed. Weekends would either be a long indoor cycling class or I would join a reformer class at Play Padel. 

Photo courtesy of Ting Joson

Metro.Style: What about your diet? Do you follow a strict regimen and how does it supplement your activities?

Ting Joson: I do not believe in fad diets but I believe in staying away from ultra-processed food and eating whole real food. I drink lots of water, I do not drink alcohol... anymore haha!  I take my food sensitivity test every two years so I know which food groups I am sensitive to, and I shy away from that. I try to stay away from added sugar and soda. I believe that carbs is not the enemy, just choose your carbs wisely. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables are great. I eat rice, but I prefer black rice. I love Korean and Japanese food and I find them to be the healthiest too. 

Metro.Style: How do you treat yourself?

Ting Joson: Korean food, streaming K-drama, watching K-pop concerts. Anything K. 

Ting Joson at Saddle Row | Photo courtesy of Ting Joson

Metro.Style: What's your best advice for women struggling to maintain a fitness routine?

Ting Joson: Find something you will fall in love with and do it with a fitness buddy so you both will be accountable for each other. When someone is lazy, the other one will push and vice versa. When I was doing yoga, I would join classes, but I was alone and would not know anyone in class. It was not sustainable for me. Running and triathlon eventually became sustainable because I had a group/team training and racing with me. It became easier to make it a habit then a routine. 

Banner photo courtesy of Ting Joson