“Don’t cheat.”

That’s pro volleyball player Mary Joy “Majoy” Baron’s secret to keeping fit.

Just one missed rep can affect your goal, adds the 5’9” middle blocker, who plays for F2 Logistics and the Philippine national team.

Like many athletes, the 26-year-old had had to make way for adjustments in her fitness routine owing to the restrictions of the pandemic.

“From team motivation to self-motivation,” she says of doing workouts and training on Zoom instead of real on-court training.

With no one around to police her workouts, she takes it upon herself to self-motivate.

“I would like to do what my future self will thank me for,” she says.

What have you been busy with?

For over a year now, I’ve been focusing on my conditioning at home. I’m working out every day with my teammates virtually, and I’m so thankful we have a trainer who has an amazing at-home program.

We do strength training, plyometrics and a bit of ball handling. I’m also waiting for the day I can finally get back on the court.

Have you always been into fitness? What inspired your fitness journey?

As a child, I enjoyed playing street games with my friends in Concepcion, Tarlac. I was a typical kid. We played patintero, tumbang preso, ball games and badminton. I guess these made me super active. I was also that awkward, tall teenager and every so often I would hear remarks like, “Uy, pwede ka maging volleyball player paglaki mo.”

What’s your fitness routine/regimen?

My workout program is set by our conditioning coach, Sonny Montalvo from the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers … I have high respect for him not only because he’s a good strength conditioning coach, but he is also an exceptional athlete.

Every morning at 10 a.m. we work out as a team via Zoom. He checks on our form and corrects it if necessary. Our program changes every three weeks, from heavy lifting to plyo development to precamps workout.

We use an app he personalized so he can track our food intake, progress photos, even our sleeping and hydration habits. I’ve been doing it since day one of the lockdown and I got used to recording my fitness journey. Thankfully, I’m still quite fit despite the temptations of being at home.

What are your favorite workouts and forms of exercise?

As a middle blocker, my position requires a lot of explosive jumps, so I would say plyo workouts are my favorite.

How often do you work out?

Six to eight times a week, but Sundays are my rest day.

Where do you work out?

I work out at home. I’ve set up a dedicated space that I adjust based on my workouts. It’s a small corner space where I have my dumbbells and resistance bands.

What are your fitness essentials/must-haves?

Mats, dumbbells, resistance bands, mini bands, bench press. You can do so many exercises with simple equipment.

What’s on your workout playlist?

I just search workout playlists on Spotify. Any upbeat music really helps.

Do you stick to a strict diet? I do not have a strict diet, but I do have a balanced one. I get a good mix of vegetables, fruits and protein on any given day. I love to cook as well, so that helps me stay in shape. I even share some of my recipes on Instagram through #MajoyCooks.

What do you usually eat in a day?

For breakfast: coffee, any silog dish plus garlic rice. Merienda: bread, fruits. For lunch and dinner: Filipino dishes like kare-kare, tinola, nilaga and rice.

On game days, we usually eat chicken and clear soup (tinola) because they are filling but don’t make you feel bloated. They provide the right amount of energy so that I can still jump.

What’s off-limits?

Chips, soft drinks.

Do you have cheat days?

Weekends usually. I eat fast food from time to time.

What keeps you motivated?

The prospect of what I could become and could achieve with a healthy body, and a healthy mind. I would like to do what my future self will thank me for.

How did the pandemic affect your fitness routine?

I’ve definitely been less active during the pandemic, and my workout and movements are limited. No more court training, team or buddy training. I had to move from team motivation to self-motivation.

It’s so easy to cheat when no one is watching, which is why it’s even more important to check yourself, keep yourself motivated and be honest. Don’t cheat your future self!

What are your other fitness secrets?

Don’t cheat on your exercises. Even a missed single rep will affect your goal.

What tips do you want to share with people who want to get healthier?

Start small and progressive, and start to make it a habit.

Look for a fitness and meal plan that works for you and your lifestyle.

Finally, always acknowledge progress no matter how small. INQ