Here's how Catriona Gray has been preparing for Miss Universe

MANILA – Catriona Gray knows that it would take “an entire village” to help her get ready for the Miss Universe pageant.

In an article she herself wrote for ABS-CBN Lifestyle published Monday, Gray shared in detail how she has been preparing for what she referred to as “the biggest competition of my life.”

The beauty queen said she and her team are taking a “multi-faceted approach” to make sure that she is prepared for anything.

“Every day, we work on something different. For the mental preparations, we hone my public speaking skills through debate class and my Dale Carnegie course with the Binibining Pilipinas foundation. I also read a lot of material to brush up my knowledge bank. It helps that I am already a voracious reader,” she said.

“I also go to the gym two to three times a week for an hour of weight training and functional training. I’ll fit in a little bit of dance and theater there as well because I believe it is better for your body to have variations of physical exercise.”

Gray said she also tries to do pilates every day to improve her posture. “It also targets the physical imbalances that I have, allowing me to walk down stages, runways, and catwalk ramps more gracefully. When you’re walking on stage, you need to be aware of your whole body and sometimes you’re swinging one arm more than the others,” she explained.

As for her diet, the Miss Universe Philippines 2018 winner said she is just “being mindful of what I’m burning and what I’m putting in.”

“I love my vegetables, and stay away from processed foods and bubbly drinks. I love sweets, but I have them in moderation. Most of the time, I cook at home and try to make baon for myself,” she said.

“Your diet is just another part of looking after your body: it needs fuel, it needs the right fuel. It’s just about finding a routine that works for you and being rational about your food choices.”

Gray, a former Miss World candidate, hopes to bring the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe crown and follow in the footsteps of Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).