Xian Lim: From fat kid to fab showbiz heartthrob

Xian Lim’s star continues to shine. He has honed his hosting skills, bagged acting nominations and awards, and has a steady stream of endorsements, movies, concerts, and teleseryes. 

“On July 15, I have a concert in Solaire. It’s going to be my birthday concert. The title is Songs in the Key of X. As we speak, Dear Other Self is showing, and we’re also finishing up our next movie for Star Cinema. I also have a teleserye coming up either at the end of this year or early next year,” Xian updates us.

His patience, dedication, and effort in everything he is interested in are clearly paying off not only in his career but also his physique. He gamely answered several questions before a photo shoot for the cover of Muscle & Fitness Philippines.

THE PHILIPPINE STAR: Is it true that you were fat as a kid?

XIAN LIM: Yes, especially when I was in Grade 7 and Grade 8. Before I started playing basketball, I had always been a fat couch potato kid. I was fat and constantly called pear-shaped. I wasn’t active at all. Do you know that I couldn’t even do 20 push-ups? Normally, guys can do that, but I found myself getting tired after just five reps. Back then, I didn’t like playing any sports. I didn’t like feeling tired or hinihingal. At 13, I weighed roughly 180 lbs. and I wasn’t even six feet tall. The doctor told me that I really had to lose weight as there were a lot of health risks involved. I started playing basketball in freshman year. I began doing laps and I started asking coaches for help. At first, the coaches were like, “What the heck is this kid doing? This guy’s not fit,” but I kept on joining a lot of activities. I became part of the varsity team in high school. 

You came back to the Philippines from the US to pursue a basketball career, right?

Yes, I had my goals set from the start. While pursuing Pyschology in college in the States, I thought I wanted to come home to the Philippines to play basketball. When I got back, I went to UE and pursued basketball. I wanted to join UAAP. After UAAP, I wanted to be someone really good, like Chris Tiu. You know Chris Tiu — he wasn’t just good; he had a certain appeal and everyone liked him. I told myself that I would end up in the PBA and that’s how my life was going to be. 

So how did you end up to be an actor instead?

I was interviewed by Studio 23 for a segment featuring up-and-coming basketball players. It was a quick interview of new players from different universities, and then people began asking me if I wanted to audition since I was already there anyway. I also met a couple of people who kept telling me to audition already. So I auditioned, and the rest is history. I soon discovered my love for show business; being an actor became my duty.

So, in the end, you fell in love with showbiz more than basketball?

Yes. One thing I learned from all of it is that if you just do what you love, it will eventually lead you to the right place. Don’t even consider whether it’s right or wrong. As long as you love it, do it. Just have faith. Faith is necessary.

During your rise to stardom in show business, was there ever a time when you doubted yourself?

Of course. I had so many doubts. In this industry, you really have to be strong because you’re the only one who can really believe in yourself, especially if you’re a newcomer. But like I said, you have to hold on to the people who believe in you. They’re the ones who matter.  So, special thanks to my director Joyce Bernal and Mae Cruz-Alviar. Their friendship is something I will always value.

Describe your usual routine for a photo shoot.

It’s tricky because there are times when a magazine shoot can take place while I’m preparing for a movie, and both endeavors demand different training regimens. For magazines, my regimen is to wake up early in the morning for cardio and heavy lifting. I love heavy lifting. My body type is bulky and big, so when I lift heavy, I get to feel as if I am maximizing the true potential of my body. I usually take supplements such as whey protein, and sometimes I take a quick pre-workout if I’m lacking sleep. My true idol is Dwayne Johnson. He inspired me to get up early and get workouts in before the unpredictably long work day. If I have the leisure of time, I get up at either 5 or 6 a.m. to work out. 

How about for basketball, or any other sport that requires strength and conditioning?

For strength and conditioning, I usually opt for more functional workouts. I do drills and get into calisthenics. I make sure to do a lot of body weight workouts; but of course, the weights still have to be squeezed in somewhere in there for strengthening. When I am trying to get stronger, diet ko pang-kalabaw na. I eat a lot of meat every two to three hours, preferably big meals, especially for basketball games. I prefer steak. I love pumping iron for basketball games. Usually, I do weights in the morning and then play basketball at night. In between, I would really load up on meals, like someone on a bulking diet. I just eat and eat. 

How different do you train for TV and movies?

For TV and movies, it’s really tricky, particularly because your physique changes when you’re on-screen. The camera changes your looks a lot. They say that the camera adds 10 pounds, but it’s more complicated than that. You also have to consider your partner; for example, I am 6”2, and all my partners are either 5”2 or 5”3, so I really have to choose which way to go in terms of my physique. During my preparation for the movies, I really put a lot of emphasis on cardio. I also incorporate smaller meals. It’s harder when it’s a TV series because you’re on auto-pilot — you have a schedule of M-W-F and it goes on and on. For movies, we only do like three sequences a day. For teleseryes, we’re always compressed for time because the episodes air every day. 

How long is your usual workout, if you have the luxury of time?

I read that workouts have to last for just about an hour. If you’re in the gym for two hours or more, it probably means that you’re spending too much time doing other unnecessary things, such as sharing stories or texting and stuff. All the fitness articles I’ve read tell me that one hour is the perfect duration for a workout.

What is your current fitness goal and how are you planning to achieve it?

If I wasn’t preparing for drama or romance shows or movies, I would love to look like The Rock. Kung pwede lang, but of course that’s not allowed. At least not yet. In my genre, the big, buffed-up look is not the norm. If I start surpassing my normal build, people might not be able to relate as much. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the ultimate physique; that’s the ultimate goal, but people wouldn’t understand. Only gym buffs will understand the value of looking like a truck. People have to be able to see and relate to you. My primary goal is to reach out to as many people as I can. However, for me, a more realistic goal would be attaining the physique of Brad Pitt or Channing Tatum. 

We just wrote about Kim being active in duathlon and marathon events. How do you support her? Do you guys train together? 

I see myself getting into triathlons soon, just so that I can feed the competitive fire I have inside. Competitiveness is my first love, and I still have to channel it somewhere. Kim and I train together sometimes. She has a road bike, while I have a mountain bike. I love the mountains, she loves the road. She can go 30-50 kilometers along the road, but I really love cycling through the timberlands. 

Can you share with us your favorite fitness quote?

Pain is just weakness leaving the body.

Any advice to people who want to be like you — a celebrity and fitness enthusiast at the same time?

Only one thing will keep you from changing and becoming the person you want to be. It’s not the devil, it’s not other people, it’s not circumstances — it’s procrastination. Let’s keep it simple. In fitness, many people say, “I’m going to go on a diet next month.” Well, why wait until next month? Why not start now? If you have any plans in life — be it in fitness, your dreams, or the person you want to be — do it now. Start it now, even with just baby steps.

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Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com.