From Workouts to Wanderlust: My Life in Motion
I’ve always been an active person back in my Secondary School and JC days - playing Netball, and jumping into all sorts of sports (okok… I know that’s quite some time ago….).
But life got busy. After having my two kids in 2003 and 2008, staying active took a backseat.
Then came a wake-up call.
In March 2016, I was on a trip to Beijing and after visiting the Forbidden City, my husband and I attempted to climb this long flight of steps nearby to catch the breathtaking bird’s eye view. What we didn’t expect was how much we struggled! Many older local Chinese were effortlessly bypassing us. At that moment, we turned to each other and thought: “Oh my…. If we are struggling now in our early 40s, what will happen when we are 60 or 70?!”
That was the trigger I needed to restart my active lifestyle. In December 2016, I joined a gym and I never looked back.
Since then, I try to hit the gym 2-3 times a week, doing BodyPump, Reformer Pilates, or HIIT classes. These workouts have strengthened my core, improved my stamina, and made me feel healthier overall. I still remember struggling to complete a 3km run back in 2016—but with consistent effort, I worked my way up to 5km, 7km, 10km, 18km, and eventually a half-marathon (21km)!
One of my favourite places to run or unwind is the Marina Bay area, both in the early hours of the morning (when I do my morning runs), and in the night (when I go for night walks).
The beautiful skyline and the surroundings always bring a sense of peace and a smile to my face.
But beyond fitness, one thing I hold close to my heart is family time. I love planning holidays with my extended family. I have 3 supportive siblings whom I love dearly, and together, our family always experience loads of fun on our trips. Our pre-trip briefings are no joke—PowerPoint slides, Excel sheets, detailed itineraries—you name it! 😆 But as the kids grow up and schedules get harder to align, I treasure every memory we have made even more.
Reflections from my journey:
💪🏼 It’s never too late to start moving! Start small, challenge yourself along the way, and you will be amazed at what you can achieve.
❤️ Cherish your loved ones. Make time, create memories, and hold them close.
Story written by:
Ms Ng Bee Ling
Chief Operating Officer & Data Protection Officer
Chief Operating Officer, Group Contact Centre & Group Service Transformation, NUHS
