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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, November 24, 2005

FITNESS PROFILE | ANGELA BARAQUIO GREY
Determined to lose the pregnancy pounds

By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer

Former Miss America Angela Baraquio Grey takes her 11-month-old son, Isaiah, to on-premises daycare while she works out.

Photos by DEBORAH BOOKER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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ANGELA BARAQUIO GREY

Age: 29

Profession: The former Miss America 2001 is a professional speaker; spokesmodel for First Hawaiian Bank; host, writer and producer of "Living Local With the Baraquios"; founder of the Angela Perez Baraquio Education Foundation; and full-time mom of Isaiah, born Dec. 31, 2004.

Home: Pearl City

Height: 5-feet-4

Weight: "I'm not going to divulge that because I have six (pounds) left to get to my pre-pregnancy weight, and that's all I'm saying," Grey said laughing.

Stays in shape by: working out at home and the gym, and walking

Interesting fact: "I competed at Miss Hawai'i three times, and in all my local preliminaries, I never won a swimsuit competition until I went to the nationals and I won the swimsuit competition at Miss America. ... I worked really hard with Tae-Bo. And I also had a trainer. After I won, I called (Tae Bo creator) Billy Blanks to thank him."

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Angela Baraquio Grey

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GREY'S FITNESS PROGRAM

Workout habits: Two-hour gym sessions at least three times a week. Angela Baraquio Grey spends 45 minutes doing a cardio workout, usually on a StairMaster, elliptical machine or treadmill. The rest of the time she lifts light weights to tone her arms and legs, and ends with abdominal exercises, doing either sit-ups or using an ab machine or exercise ball. At home she exercises to either Tae Bo or Core Secrets videos. She also walks every day with her son.

When and why I started working out: "I was always active."

My good foods/bad foods: Grey loves fruits and vegetables, and salads with balsamic vinaigrette, especially oriental chicken salad. "My bad food is definitely chocolate," Grey said and laughed. "No, really, it's all about Starbucks mochas. ... That's my weakness."

My biggest motivator: "Before, with the (Miss America) pageant, it was knowing that I was going to be on national and worldwide television, so I was, like, 'Hellooo! I gotta get in shape!' " Now Grey is motivated by a move to California. In a few months, Grey, her husband and son will move to Los Angeles, where she hopes to become a national television show host, she said.

What saves my sanity: "I just love spending time with my baby and with my husband."

My next challenge: "Planning the move (to L.A.) and trying to get in shape again so that I can get a gig as a TV host there."

Advice for those in the same boat: "For new moms, don't rush into getting back into your pre-pregnancy size," Grey said. "Enjoy motherhood because your baby is not going to be this young again and no matter where you are (weight-wise), just love your body, but strive to be healthy."

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Angela Baraquio Grey works out at a gym and at home. Baraquio says she still has a few pounds to shed from her pregnancy.

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Angela Baraquio Grey works out at the gym. Grey, a former physical education teacher, says dedication is her key to staying fit.

DEBORAH BOOKER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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During her reign as Miss America 2001, Angela Baraquio Grey was an itty-bitty size 2.

But motherhood changed all that.

"Your body changes when you have a baby and you're never the same," said Grey, who gave birth Dec. 31 to son Isaiah. "But at the same time, you can still strive to be healthy."

Grey is determined to get back into shape — she's aiming for her pre-pregnancy size 4 — because physical fitness has always been a big part of her life, she said.

In high school, Grey participated in three varsity sports: cross-country, basketball and volleyball. As a college student, Grey played intramural basketball and got into weight lifting.

Before winning her Miss America title, Grey worked at Holy Family Catholic Academy as the athletic director, overseeing the school's athletic program; a physical education teacher; and a basketball, volleyball and track coach.

Growing up with a big family also kept Grey active; she is the eighth of 10 children.

"We're all close in age," Grey said. "Almost every Saturday we'd go hiking, we'd play volleyball at the beach, we'd play basketball at night, then we'd go bowling."

While an active background is helping Grey get back into the swing of things, she did have a slow start. Delivering by Caesarean section meant Grey couldn't exercise until nearly two months after giving birth.

But when her doctor allowed her to exercise again, "I was right on it," she said.

"My husband (Tinifuloa Grey) and I, like right after I could start working out, we would bring the baby in the stroller while he was sleeping, and we'd just shoot hoops or we'd play pickup games right up the street (at the park)," Grey said and laughed.

The key is dedication, and despite a crazy schedule, Grey has made exercise a priority.

"For me, that's my alone time," she said, "and I think once I gave birth, even more so, I love working out because it really is my time for myself."


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EXERCISING HELPS CHASE BABY BLUES; FIRST, CHECK WITH DOCTOR

Former Miss America and mom Angela Baraquio Grey can't live without her workouts. And that's a good thing, experts say.

Exercise is essential for expectant mothers and new mothers, said Dr. Kimberly Perkins, an obstetrician and founder of Hawaiian Islands Center for Women's Health.

"If your obstetrician states that there are no contraindications, women should exercise 30 minutes almost daily during their pregnancy," Perkins said. "This should continue after pregnancy."

Returning to physical activity after pregnancy has been linked to decreased incidences of postpartum depression, Perkins said.

The exact time to begin exercise after delivery should be determined by a doctor and based on a woman's individual history, she said.

"Some physicians allow brisk walking almost immediately, but others may want you to wait until the postpartum visit at six to eight weeks for more intense training, especially if delivery was by Caesarean section," Perkins said.

Perkins offers these tips to new mothers who want to start getting back into shape:

  • Check with your physician before beginning an exercise routine.

  • Start the routine slowly and gradually. Don't run 10 miles or go to an extended intense aerobics class the first day back. Also, stay well-hydrated and make sure your nutrition is appropriate.

  • If you are breastfeeding, exercise when your breasts are not engorged and ensure adequate bra support for greater comfort.

  • For easy exercises, consider walking while taking your baby along in the stroller or use workout videotapes while your baby is taking a nap. Swimming and biking is appropriate but may not be approved by your physician until six weeks.

  • For information about postpartum exercise classes — including mother/baby classes — contact your hospital or gym.

    Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.