Moms and Dads

Fit for the Family: Jackie Go’s Tips for Balancing a Life of Fitness and Motherhood

by Mara Madrid
February 3, 2021

Jackie Go reveals what motivates her that makes working out regularly a non-negotiable.

One look at her Instagram account, you’ll immediately know that Jackie Go is one fit mom. While she is #FitMomGoals to many, she admits that she wasn’t always into working out. “I really came from a sedentary lifestyle.” What prompted her to really begin her fitness journey is something moms will surely relate to.

“I had a realization in 2015 when my daughter started big school. We had to walk three blocks to get to her gate. I couldn’t walk three blocks without getting tired,” she exclaims. “I got scared that I might not be able to reach 40 or 50 years old and watch my kids grow. That really was my wakeup call.”

From there, she kick started her fitness journey. After trying out various gyms and studios, she found herself taking a liking and committing to Pilates. The first few months of working out were a struggle for Jackie. “Of course when you come from a lifestyle of having no exercise at all, it’s very hard.” Luckily, she had a coach who was sympathetic and reassured her that what she was feeling was completely normal for a first-timer. At the same time, the body aches she felt motivated her even more. “That’s another thing that challenged me. I told myself that I never want to feel this way ever again,” the fit mom confesses.

Jackie Go’s motivators to working out

1. Do it for your family.

Mom guilt is a common reason that impedes moms from making time for their fitness. Jackie suggests looking at it differently. “If you look at it from a different perspective, that you want to workout to be stronger and healthier for your kids and your family, then it gives you all the motivation you need.” Workout so you can carry you kids longer, run around and keep up with their energy, and to watch them grow up.

2. Find the type of exercise that works for you.

“There is no one size fits all when it comes to working out. Find the exercise that works for you and get started on it,” Jackie advises. Enroll in a gym or studio that suits your goals and fitness level. If you’re still too shy and intimidated for that, start at home. Download workout apps and watch YouTube videos of bodyweight exercises. All you need is a mat and you’re good to go!

3. Treat working out as an important meeting you can’t miss.

“If you schedule a salon appointment or dental checkup, you wouldn’t miss it for anything. Look at exercise the same way,” she opines. Most people take working out for granted. At times, we find it easy to make excuses to cancel on coaches. For Jackie, it’s time to change that mindset. It takes just an hour or two to put the work in.

Photography by Ed Simon of Studio 100
Hair and Makeup by Hannah Ariete of Maquillage Professionnel
Words by Mara Madrid
Shot on location at Citadines Millennium Ortigas