Moving back to Manila after a hectic eight-year stint in ABS-CBN International’s The Filipino Channel in Daly City, California, Miguel Garcia found himself a lighter schedule in ABS-CBN sales.

With more time for sports and leisure, he took up sailing, scuba diving, tennis and biking. The active lifestyle made him more conscious of healthy living. Using the experience he gained from running the family-owned store, Health & Beyond, he started his own business.

Now he’s the managing director of Nutropia, a nutrition store that offers high-end, generic, and multi-branded vitamins and nutritional supplements for athletes as well as those with active lifestyles.

He’s always on the lookout for new products in the market, taking into consideration the costs and their ability to promote natural health.

The little things

He shares his personal health goals for this year.

My fitness or nutrition goals for 2014 are…  I would like to focus more on preventive health maintenance by watching what I eat, engaging in sports and taking health supplements. I wouldn’t want to wait before things get out of hand, like waking up one day feeling old and sick. I also incorporate the little things into my daily routine, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, stretching at my desk when seated for quite a while, and walking to cross the street instead of taking my car.

One can feel and look young by… hydrating properly. This is a very important aspect of health. EFS (Electrolyte Fuel System) replaces the lost electrolytes and fluids during a workout. It is the only product available in the market worldwide that incorporates the complete five electrolytes and essential nutrients our bodies thirst for, focusing on replenishment and refueling.

One can lose weight through… diet and exercise. But most of us are too tired after work. We’d like to play a sport or do our exercises without losing our breath quickly. To endure the rigors and not stress our bodies unnecessarily, I suggest taking Optygen together with your workout. It contains a formulation of mushrooms found only in the Himalayas, specifically to prolong one’s threshold to stress.

Minimizing the pain

After a rigorous workout… most of us think that recovery is just about eating and getting enough rest. Unfortunately, that is not the case. We also think that we have to suffer from muscle ache as part of getting into shape. But there is a product that will minimize the pain, as well as zero in on muscle recovery. It’s called Ultragen, which is the only formulated whey protein that contains hydrolyzed whey combined with all the five electrolytes and natural vitamins, from A to Z. It focuses on a holistic approach to recovery and not mass gain.

Sucker for massage

I’m partial to soaps that have… a woody scent. I like scents that are not heavy, especially in this tropical weather. I find them refreshing and relaxing, yet provide an air of mystery. One time at a country club, my friends were wondering how I could remain smelling fresh even after a tough game of tennis. I enjoy using Canus Lait de Chevre and Dove soap for men because of their moisturizing properties. I also like Savon de Marseille and L’Occitane Shea Butter Verbena. Their all-natural ingredients mean they’re gentle on my skin and not harmful to the environment.

I’m a sucker for massage because… At the end of a hard day at work, which usually means a series of long meetings, not to mention traveling in Manila traffic, I often end up stressed. Massage is my personal escape, my way of winding down and untangling the knots of the day. Sometimes I visit the spa. Other times, I have the luxury of having it done in the comfort of home. Either way, I enjoy the aromatherapy benefits and the ambiance. I’m particular about the oils used on my skin because I don’t like to feel sticky after the massage. I like to use Earth Therapeutics Natural Essential Blend.

I try to get a massage at least three times a week. But when my schedule doesn’t permit it, I relax by lying down with a Precious Herbal Recovery Pillow, which is either warmed in the microwave or chilled in the freezer; I also have my bed linen sprayed with Giga with green tea or lavender scent. Both are local brands.

A few of my favorite scents are… Acca Kappa and Polo Black for daytime; Ralph Lauren Purple, Hermés Rocabar, and  Vert green Tea by L’Occitane for the evening. I’m a creature of habit, I like sticking to what is familiar.

Essential products to my grooming regimen are… Old Spice Fiji, it’s a classic brand for deodorant; Colgate Total toothpaste for the morning, Dentiste for evening and Pokemon gum flavor when my son insists I use his toothpaste; Listerine Peppermint for mouthwash and Pantene Pro-V for my shampoo.

Not enough

To take that first leap to improving your health this year, Miguel shares some easy steps:

“First and foremost would be a proper diet, but then, nowadays, that is not enough. So, I strongly recommend taking supplements. When choosing brands, keep in mind purity and bioavailability. Go with the brand that improves your health, and don’t scrimp. Have an active lifestyle, which actually doesn’t require much when you incorporate it into your daily living.”

The most effective brands that have helped him maintain his health are: “First Endurance (complete endurance system); Mega Green Tea (for slimming); Good Natural (vitamins); MuscleTech (line for active lifestyle in the gym), Precious Recovery Pillow (wheat grain and husk for therapy); and Muscle Pharm (active lifestyle system).”

These products are available at Nutropia, 2/F, Glorietta 4, Makati City. Stores that also carry First Endurance are Cutting Edge, Planet Sports and Runnr.