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Ong: Keeping diet was hardest part
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Posted on Jun 13 2005
Winning the overall title of the 2005 Northern Marianas Body Building Championship was all John March Ong focused on for the past six months, and after finally accomplishing that, the Manila, Philippines native echoed that despite all the hard work he did in the gym, keeping a strict diet was the hardest.
“I began preparing for the competition six months ago, and three months ago, that’s when the diet kicked in,” Ong said during an interview. “That [diet] was the hardest part.”
Ong said his diet, known as Bodybuilder’s Buffet had him limit his eating habits to chicken breasts, egg whites, and at times oatmeal every day throughout the three-month period.
“There was a lot of sacrifice…no salt, no pepper, but I really stuck with it,” the Saipan Tribune employee said. “It’s all worth it.”
Not only did Ong take home the coveted overall championship title and the Light-Middleweight Division champion award, he also bagged the Most Improved Bodybuilder trophy.
The 28-year-old weighed in at 200 pounds at last year’s competition, but by the time he set foot on the stage Saturday, he had trimmed down to 176 pounds, losing a total of 24 pounds.
Prior to the competition, Ong said he hit the gym five times a week, working on all parts of his body.
“I focused on my workouts, and my preparation this year was the biggest difference compared to last year,” he said.
Ong’s push for a title repeat may not be in the making though after the champion expressed that he may not defend his crown next year.
“I might not because of the expense involved,” he said. “Only the diet…its costs about $1,500 for the three months.”
With that, the Chinatown resident is searching for a sponsor who would lend him a generous hand.
Even if he may not compete, Ong said he will continue with his workouts and will be ready for the competition if he would compete.
Ong arrived on Saipan in 1997 and has been involved in the sport “on and off” since then.
“I like body building because I use it to maintain my physical health,” he said. “It keeps me healthy and I always want to be healthy. That’s why I do this.”
