Iza proud of her body

“IT’S NOT perfect, but I worked hard on it.”

“Biggest Loser” host Iza Calzado, who admitted to having had cosmetic procedures to look fit, says she’s intent on losing weight the natural way, having found a formula that works for her.

Iza, 31, says she’s laying off short cuts “for the time being.” She’s proud of her body, she adds, because “I worked hard to achieve this. It’s far from perfect but I love it.”

When she was much younger, she reveals, she tipped the scales at 220 pounds; now she weighs 130. The reality show is about losing weight.

She’s not swearing off cosmetic surgery. “A person should always have an option. I wouldn’t discourage anyone, but I’d remind them of the side effects.”

Iza finds it so much better to have someone to work out with. She and constant date Ben Wintle, a Filipino-British businessman, are partners in that aspect. “We do sprints, lift weights … we did muay a lot in Thailand on vacation.

Do you feel pressured to look fit because you’re a celebrity?

Of course. I wouldn’t be as (body) conscious, otherwise. Food is my biggest struggle. Mothers should instill healthy eating habits in their kids and set an example.

What did you learn from hosting the show?

I’m naturally talkative; I realized that I should listen more.

But did you empathize with them?

I was with them at least twice a week. I cried a lot. They would sometimes catch me off-guard and reveal things about themselves na bigla akong tatamaan—sometimes about their fathers.

How does one get back in shape?

First, make the decision. Set your goal—it could be health, fitness or vanity-related. In the past, I tended to relax when I didn’t set a goal.

Can heartbreak be a motivation?

I enrolled in Crossfit (a core-strengthening program) when I was heartbroken. Other people are motivated by revenge, like a girl who got dumped. Working out is a priority for me. I’m into swimming, too, and about to start running again. I still do a bit of yoga, lift weights and do Crossfit.

Will you soon have your own self-help book?

In a few more years, maybe. On Feb. 1, “Maalaala Mo Kaya” will tell my story. Often, one’s physical condition is a reflection of what she’s going through inside.

I’ve had my share of struggles, and not just about weight. There was a reason for my  obsessive food intake. The “MMK” episode is not my entire life story. It’s just a phase of my life that I’d like to share, to inspire more people to start the change.

(“The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition Doubles” premieres on Feb. 3.)