Fay Hokulani has such an exotic look and a very unique last name. This tanned Singaporean model who is excellent in keeping fit (her body is hot Hot HOT!) and very creative in graphic designing (check out her designs on her blog) is Peranakan Chinese. But I doubt that she only got her exotic looks from her multi-racial genes but also from her active workout and careful diets.
I did not believe that she used to be pudgy but when she showed a picture of her big size self on twitter, I was all agog! That photo looks more like her sister than it was her. Who would have thought that such a lady with a body to die for used to be big? I must say that Fay is a living example of a real “before and after” role model slimming centers should hire for their ambassadors; although Fay trimmed herself by healthy diet and regular workout.
She gave women hope when I saw that picture of hers and so I decided to speak to her more. She also has a blog dedicated to lifestyle. Fay Hokulani is almost an online personal nutritionist and motivator for us all who are growing horizontally.
Her blog, www.withlovefay.com, not only covers beauty, lifestyle, health and fitness topics but is also infused with interesting fashion articles. Not to mention her graphic designs which make her website looks more like a professional online magazine than a sheer blog.
She is such a kick ass designer and photographer. I agree with Xue Sha when she says “beautiful people aren’t necessarily bimbo” because Fay Hokulani is one yummy babe and a creative individual!
Fay Hokulani is one of those babes who look the same before she sleeps and after she wakes up - just as beautiful...
Hi Fay, how are you doing these days?
Living life each day with a smile and focused on what I do.
I understand that on top of being a model and part-time TV host, you also have a website dedicated to “those who want to lose weight and look good but do not know where to begin”?
I started my withlovefay.com so that I can share with others what I’ve learnt and what I’ve been through when I decided I wanted to change my lifestyle. It is about getting in shape, feeling more confident about your body and looking good in the clothes you wear.
This website is not just about health and fitness, it is also about fashion and beauty because I believe that in order to look good, you have to feel good… and all that begins with taking care of your body.
How did the interest of health and wellness come about? Were you a plus size before?
I used to be teased about being too skinny when I was growing up. I couldn’t gain weight no matter how much I ate – including junk food. It was only after I turned 18 and started modeling that I started putting on weight. I used to party 3 to 4 times a week, sleep late and eat out a lot. Before I knew it, I had gained almost 10kg.
Despite the weight gain, I still wanted to model and went to castings but did not get a lot of jobs. It was a difficult time for me and I could not think of anything else I wanted to do other than get back to modeling and most essentially, get back in shape.
I went to Florida to live with my aunt, Martini, who has always been the biggest inspiration in my life. She gave me this book called “Body for Life”, which motivated me to change my diet and lifestyle. Martini gave me the utmost support I needed and I am very thankful for her for being my muse.
You seem to exercise a lot to maintain your svelte figure. What do you eat as a healthy diet?
I love Teppanyaki restaurants because they serve excellent meat and it is mostly grilled. Even at home, I prefer using the grill than anything else because it cooks faster and uses less oil.
To keep fit, I go to the gym twice a week and focus mainly on resistance training while I do my cardio workout on other days either running outdoors, in-line skating, kickboxing or swimming.
You posted in your blog to “Think about what you can add to your diet, not what you should take away.” Can you advise further please?
When it comes to dieting, people think about the all the junk food and sweets that they think they should stop eating and then TRY to stop eating them.
Instead, they start eating salads and fruits only to end up feeling deprived and binge eating. A better way to start is by adding more fruits, vegetables and proteins into your diet while gradually reducing your junk food intake.
Instead of trying out that new flavor of chocolate, try eating brown rice or soy milk. Make it a habit to read your food labels. Remember that the ingredients are listed in order of decreasing volume so if you see sugar, salt or fat first on the list of ingredients, you can assume the food in question is not a very healthy choice.
Start with healthier habits, because we all know old habits die hard.
You stated in your profile that you are an artist and a designer. What do you think is the difference between these two?
An artist is a creative designer and a designer is a creative artist. I really don’t think there is much of a difference. To me, both describe talent and creativity.
Rumour has it that you kept 2 snakes at home?! Amphibian?!
Where did that come from? I like snakes, but I don’t trust cold-blooded animals, especially not in my home.
You are Chinese, Indonesian, and Peranakan. How well do you know your Peranakan roots? Fluent in Malay language or bahasa?
My grandmother is Peranakan and moved from Malaysia to Singapore where she met my Javanese grandfather. I used to spend a lot of time at my grandparent’s house when I was a kid and learnt a bit of both.
But while I understand both the languages quite well, I am not very fluent in speaking; likewise with Mandarin. My dad’s main dialect is actually Teochew but because more people here speak English & Mandarin than Teochew, I didn’t find it necessary to pick it up.
How did you get started in Singapore as a model?
I was talent scouted to join a teenage modeling contest and won third place. It was a lot of fun and I got into doing a number of photoshoots for local publications, including men’s magazines.
Plastic surgery – would you consider it or dump it?
Dump it. It is important to love yourself and embrace your natural beauty. We can’t expect to look perfect. As cliché as it sounds, beauty IS in the eye of the beholder. You may think somebody else looks perfect but maybe someone else feels the same about you too.
You have been talking about your visit to Guatemala like as if it happened yesterday. Guess the place stuck on to you, aye?
It was my first backpacking experience and I was on my own for almost a week in one of the world’s most dangerous cities. I had an English-Spanish translation book and less than USD150. I tried out things people would never expect me to do like climbing an active volcano and sleeping in USD5/night hostels… even I never thought I’d do anything like that.
It is always exciting to try something different and surprise yourself.
Arrogance and ignorance are two characteristics which you despise. What about two characteristics you hold on dearly to?
Independence and confidence.
In your own definition, what makes a woman modern and smart?
A woman who is passionate about what she does and confident about her personal opinions.
You wanted to be a designer, a gymnast, a model, a singer, a dancer and a teacher when you were younger. Designer – check! Model – check! What is next in store for you?
It’s a secret, and when it is meant to happen, it will happen…
What, to you, is being financially independent? Do you think you are financially savvy and smart? Why?
Being financially independent means choosing debit over credit (using the money you have over the money you are going to have).
Define the word FRUGALISTA!
A person who does not depend on expensive labels or treatments to look good.
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Editor of MyFatPocket.com, Bianca Zen was the former Editor and anchor of pioneers of TAXI Design Network who boasts vast experiences in Editorial, Advertising, Design and Marketing. She has been invited to present at School of Visual Arts and has worked closely with D&AD, ICOGRADA, AIGA, New York Festival, and National University of Singapore. Bianca was also part of the team that represented New York Festivals® (NYF®), an International Awards Group (IAG) Company, in Singapore. She is also an active freelance manuscript proofreader and editor to international authors. Highly involved in the creative industry, Bianca Zen is a published poet and an award-winning copywriter. |
