Enchong Dee: 'You’re Not Being Selfish for Looking After Yourself'
Enchong Dee’s impressive repertoire lists him as a former collegiate varsity swimmer, commercial model and endorser, and star of the cult classic movie “Four Sisters and a Wedding.” His professional career has spanned nearly two decades, giving him the opportunity to dabble in both comedic and dramatic roles. He’s appeared in historical drama, “Gomburza," and currently hosts the tenth season of “Pinoy Big Brother.” Yet, what the young multi-hyphenate values among all else is something many often take for granted: personal health.
Despite his busy schedule, Enchong has been known to prioritize both diet and movement. His philosophy towards wellness stands on three main tenets: eat naturally, move more than you eat, and take a rest when needed.
“For me, trusting your gut means listening to your body as a whole,” he shared. “Pay attention to what you’re eating [and how you’re treating your body] because [health problems can] manifest on the outside: on your face, on your skin, or even on your hair.”
A former competitive swimmer, the established actor focuses less on the quantity of his diet and more on the quality. “I truly believe that you can eat anything as long as there’s balance,” he shared. “In fact, I don’t restrict myself – I eat everything. I allow myself to have junk but on regular days, I prioritize foods that come [from] Mother Earth.”
He’s also known to support wellness brand, Trizie, which has recently come out with Filipino-favorite flavors for their fiber supplements. Their peach and mango fiber shots are among his everyday favorites, a wellness treat he gifts to close, personal friends.
It’s also no surprise to find out that as a conscious eater, Enchong leans heavily on the natural and the organic. Throughout his travels, the young star has experienced the interconnectedness of local ecosystems – how the abuse of natural resources leads to the disruption of the food chain and local livelihoods.
“That’s a new school of thought that I subscribe to: that we’re all connected,” he shared. “Whatever you do to the animals or to the forests, affects us. In the same way, whatever you ingest for yourself, affects your health.”
And while one might expect those with celebrity [status] to prioritize calorie counting, Enchong reveals that his approach is in fact, the opposite. A gourmand of sorts, Enchong has found that food can be fun; and in fact, his adventurous side has brought him to the doorstep of the world’s most exotic delights.
“I’ve tried seahorse, scorpion, crickets, and I’m even working up towards trying cockroaches,” he laughed. “I love to eat.” And while his dearest fans know just how much he enjoys a good meal, they can also attest to the athlete’s laidback approach towards weight gain. “It’s not really my main goal to lose weight. I’ve always just maintained my weight – that’s because I’m always on the go. I [may eat a lot] but I move more than I eat.”
Of course, busy days traveling and at work can mean that diet and exercise are simply not enough. Rest, as Enchong has revealed, is crucial to his health.
“I 'kill' myself in the gym but I also have my pamper days,” he shared. “I allow myself to rest, I allow myself to stretch, to do grounding work. Because honestly, sometimes, rest is the most important thing.”
Ultimately, this leads Enchong to the most important realization he’s made thus far: that taking care of oneself – and prioritizing one’s health – is in fact, an act of giving. “Don’t think that you’re being selfish for looking after yourself,” he emphasized. “If I eat well, I feel well, I look well, then I [am able to] take care of other people well. That just naturally follows.”
Enchong knows that too many pour into the cups of others before filling their own. As such, he reminds us: it’s important to give ourselves time and love too – without the guilt.
“You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others,” he concluded.
Trizie is available on multiple platforms; follow them on Instagram.
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