Nelson Morales

New weight loss hack? Woman loses 29 pounds playing pickleball

Article (news)

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767765711163Image (3).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Aubrey dela Paz said her weight dropped from 143 to 114 pounds with pickleball."/>Aubrey dela Paz said her weight dropped from 143 to 114 pounds with pickleball.From a 31-inch waist down to 25 inches and a 29-pound weight loss in just a few months — <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-beauty-fashion/2025/10/8/pickleball-in-the-philippines-here-there-and-not-going-anywhere-2127">pickleball</a> played a major role in Aubrey dela Paz&#x27;s fitness transformation.</div>Between August and December, Dela Paz saw her weight drop from 143 to 114 pounds, a change she credits to a mix of regular pickleball sessions, mindful eating, and a healthier daily routine.&quot;Well, it actually started around August... It was my mom actually who convinced me to try pickleball. But I had no idea what pickleball was,&quot; she shared.&quot;I didn&#x27;t know that it was a racket sport. So we went to Batangas and then we were able to try pickleball. But we didn&#x27;t know the rules.&quot;What began as a casual and unfamiliar activity soon turned into a habit — and eventually, a lifestyle. Motivation also came from a personal goal: a beach trip with friends.&quot;My friends and I planned to have a trip to Palawan. And I wasn&#x27;t really confident, you know, to wear bikinis,&quot; Dela Paz said.&quot;Actually, I never wore bikinis at all. I wasn&#x27;t really confident lang talaga with my body. And then I was always shy,&quot; she added.<div>Portion control</div>Alongside pickleball, Dela Paz focused on nutrition by committing to a calorie deficit for two months.&quot;I needed to take 1,200 calories per day. And then, with that one, I had to weigh my food,&quot; she explained, adding that she used a calorie-tracking app to stay consistent.Dela Paz followed a simple and sustainable diet that focused on portion control rather than restriction. Her meals often included 100 grams of shirataki rice paired with boiled chicken breast, while still allowing herself to eat home-cooked food prepared by her mother.&quot;Kung ano &#x27;yung luto ni mommy,&quot; she said, noting that she would still carefully weigh her food to stay within her daily calorie goal. This approach allowed her to enjoy familiar meals while maintaining consistency.She also made changes at home, especially in what she kept in her refrigerator, cutting out soda and chocolates.Having tried restrictive diets before, Dela Paz said pickleball and calorie tracking helped her avoid unhealthy cycles.&quot;I already tried different types of diets but it ends up na nagbi-binge eat lang ako,&quot; she said. &quot;So hindi ako naglo-lose weight. What happens is nag-gain pa ako kasi I restrict myself from eating the food that I want to eat.&quot;<div>Fun way to stay fit</div>As her enjoyment of the sport grew, so did her playing time. &quot;At first, I had to try it muna with my friends. And then, we just did once a week,&quot; Dela Cruz recalled.&quot;And then I was looking for it na eh. Parang may body wants it na. So I did twice a week. And now, I&#x27;m doing it two to three times a week already, six hours per day,&quot; she shared.Beyond the physical changes, Dela Paz said the mental and emotional benefits of pickleball were just as rewarding.&quot;Sobrang nakakakilig po actually when they say na, &#x27;parang pumapayat ka,&#x27;&quot; she said. &quot;Kasi parang all my hard work paid off. Hindi ko lang gusto pumayat. Pero mentally kasi it really helped me a lot. It boosts my confidence.&quot;A licensed occupational therapist, Dela Paz currently works with children in the pediatric setting, handling cases involving autism, ADHD, and developmental delays. She is also in the process of opening her own clinic, Skill Steps Therapy Center.For those inspired by her journey, Dela Paz emphasized that long hours aren&#x27;t required to start.&quot;If you don&#x27;t have the six hours time, you can play one hour, two hours. It doesn&#x27;t need to be that long,&quot; she advised. &quot;I started also with one hour and then I was able to adjust my time.&quot;From a simple game played without knowing the rules, pickleball became a powerful tool in reshaping both her body and mindset — proving that sustainable fitness can start with just showing up and having fun with friends.

From a 31-inch waist down to 25 inches and a 29-pound weight loss in just a few months — pickleball played a major role in Aubrey dela Paz's fitness transformation.

From a 31-inch waist down to 25 inches and a 29-pound weight loss in just a few months — pickleball played a major role in Aubrey dela Paz's fitness transformation.