Surfer girl Lala
Name: Lala Nolan Agregado
Occupation: Store Operations Manager for Kiehl’s
Sports: Surfing,(Longboard) Skating, Running, Football and Shopping (I just declared it as a sport)
Fitness Goals: Since I’ve already lost 45 pounds since high school. My goal now it to maintain my weight and be fit. Not just be thin but fit.
Favorite CrossFit Exercise: Burpees are my new buddies and Tabata since it keeps my heart rate pumping!
What do you do for a living? How did you get into retail and fashion?
I first started with Adora w/c is a Multi-Brand Department store in Greenbelt 5 as a Manager for 2 years. Then moved to its sister company Rimowa w/c carries high end ultra light luggage and stayed there for a year. Currently I am now with L’Oreal Philippines as Store Operations Manager for one of their brand Kiehl’s.
When and why did you join L’Oreal? What about it makes you excited to work for them?
I just recently joined L’Oreal this November. The short and long of it: someone from their HR team posted a customer in Rimowa and after that the rest is history. I guess I was a great catch, haha! What’s exciting about L’Oreal is that you meet very dynamic and competitive people in the work place. Also since we are in the Beauty Industry we share the same goal: it’s exciting to be part of that movement to make this world a more beautiful place! Plus giving self esteem to our customers is priceless. Come visit Kiehl’s and let me give you a free skin consultation and I’ll surely make you part of its following.
What drives you nuts about retail management? Have there been moments when you just want to scream and pull all your hair out?
In my previous workplace, we would have a lot of demanding and irate customers. But hey, as they always say customers are always right. And when they say “I wanna talk to the manager”….well that’s me trying to pacify them. Through time you get used to it already because at the end of the day, irate customers just want to be heard and yeah, you give them what they want. Haha!
Where do you think your fashion sense converges with your fitness philosophy/regimen?
Bottom line is I have to look good with what I wear. And to be able to achieve that I have to regularly exercise. And when I say regularly I mean like at least 6 times a week! As I’ve said earlier I’ve lost 45 pounds already over the years. “tabain i ako” so now maintaining the weight that I have lost is such a challenge. Before I just wanted to lose weight, now it’s a challenge to maintain and be fit. Sometimes when I exercise I picture myself fitting into a nice dress or bikini…..then off I go another kilometer! Haha!
You seem pretty fit. What do you do aside from stocking merchandise in the stores? Kidding. What fitness programs have you tried or what sports do you play? What have you liked so far?
O gosh I did a litany of things already! I was in the football team in high school and during college I did boxing. And recently I said goodbye to my 7 year old gym membership. Why? Because I kept doing the same thing over and over and over and over again and did not see the results I wanted. I may have lost some weight but I was not fit.
So now I’m doing Crossfit and Circuit training. No more walking on the treadmill for hours cause that’s just too boring. I now do exercises that only require not more than an hour of my life that covers everything already.
And yes there will always be surfing. Can’t take that away already. Been rock and rolling for more than 2 years now J . Before I would be tired after an hour of surf. But since I’ve built my endurance already from running and all the things that I do, I can go for hours already.
There’s something cool when people say they surf. Why do you think surfers get that?
Maybe because it’s cool to watch surfers dance in the waves. All is fair in surfing whether you’re a girl or a guy. I think its more skill oriented. When there is a swell, we drop what we’re doing, ride the bus or round up the group and chase where the waves are pumping.
Are you a fashion diva when you surf? Any special “bling bling” while surfing?
I rough it out when I surf. I think most surfers do. The best bling bling you can ever have is your board and a nice wave to catch! Like we say, GO BIG OR GO HOME!
How did you hear about Crossfit?
I have a brother who is an L.A.P.D and another brother who is a US Marine. Both of them told me to try Crossfit since they’ve been doing it in the US. By fate I saw the Crossfit MNL page on Facebook. The first session Miggy conducted I went.
Out of all the programs that you’ve tried, I ask you the million dollar question, Why Crossfit?
Because you only do it 30 minutes max. Yes it’s VERY challenging and you have to push yourself. But that’s what it’s all about… Pushing yourself ! Results are rewarding and fast!
What should I tell the members of your former fitness programs to make them quit and join Crossfit?
It’s only 30 minutes of your life….and it works!!!!
I’m a last minute Christmas shopper. If I needed to give my mom a Christmas gift what should I buy from Kiehl’s? My grandmother? Girlfriend? Crossfit Coach?
I have ten things on my mind but I’ll tell you the two must haves! First is the Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense sunscreen SPF 50. Whether we go under the sun or not, we ALL need sunscreen. I can’t push that any further. Second and also my favorite is called Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I’m actually excited to go home just to put this at night before I sleep. It’s a miracle inside a bottle!!! This has pure essential oils for overnight skin repair. 2-3 drops and VOILA!! It’s magic I’m telling you!
Any New Year’s resolution?
Hmmmm…..this is hard…. Mmm…..eat less junk. Oooops.
