‘Exercise became my refuge’
It was Frances Crisol’s husband Jerby Corsiga who introduced her to jump rope as a workout.
“He was a fitness enthusiast, the typical buff dude with a lifetime gym membership,” she said.
Crisol is a self-confessed former “fat kid” who recalls being body shamed during her years in elementary school. She told Lifestyle, “In high school, I vowed to lose weight and was successful. Since then, I have always tried to maintain my weight—not with some fancy diet or fitness routine which I could not really afford back then but by moving a lot and being mindful of what I ate to keep off unwanted pounds.”
It was Corsiga, whom she met and fell in love with in graduate school, who helped her develop a more structured fitness routine, introducing her to different workouts like boxing, circuit training, and jumping rope.
“I’ll never forget how, after I gained weight postpregnancy, he bought me class passes for circuit training—it was his not-so-subtle way of saying, ‘It’s time to get back in shape.’ Haha! Looking back, I’m grateful for his support and for helping me stay on track with my fitness goals.”
Working out together
Crisol especially enjoyed jump rope, which she started doing in 2019. It became their regular workout as a couple. Their boxing gym closed during the pandemic but that didn’t deter her and Corsiga from working out together. Crisol said, “We found a creative way to stay active—we turned the parking lot at my workplace into our gym. He’d pick me up after work and jumping rope became our main exercise routine and our little after-office date.”
Her husband died unexpectedly in 2021. As Crisol mourned and tried to come to terms with the painful loss, she found solace in movement. “When my husband passed away, I needed an outlet to cope with the grief. That’s when exercise became my refuge. Endorphins! Those happy hormones played a huge role in my healing process.”
It was like Corsiga had equipped her with what she needed to keep going after his sudden goodbye.
She had another motivation for wanting to stay fit—”my desire to stay healthy for my preschooler. I wanted to keep up with my son’s boundless energy so I knew I had to be the best version of myself.”
Today, Crisol juggles work as a marketing and PR executive for a food retail company with solo parenting. “It’s a lot, but I always count my blessings. On top of that, I’ve been focusing on regular workouts and aging gracefully.”
Part of that workout is jump rope, of course. “I stayed committed to the workout. This is my sixth year skipping and my jump rope and I have been inseparable since then. So glad we found each other!”
What does she love about jump rope? “What’s not to love? It’s a total body workout, it gives me that endorphin rush, and I get those rosy cheeks afterward. Plus, it’s a pretty good excuse to indulge and eat a little more. As I always say in my social media posts, ‘Exercise for extra rice,’ haha.”
Thanks to Talon Luneta, “a community that jumps and flows,” she also recently learned to rope flow, a low-impact full-body exercise that has her using ropes to create fluid movements and patterns. It offers the joys of jump rope minus the jumping.
“I’m loving it. I’ve been wanting to try it for a couple of years … Flowing is so much harder than I imagined! But I am lucky to be taught by great coaches from Talon Luneta. I’ve also met other wonderful rope flow enthusiasts who have been kind enough to share their knowledge and help me improve as a beginner.”
She and her son Joco, now 9, have been attending Talon Luneta’s sessions regularly. “My son and I also enjoy wall climbing whenever we get the chance.”
Crisol said, “I try to involve my son in most of my workouts. I love that it not only keeps me active but also allows me to spend quality time with him—it’s like hitting two birds with one stone!”
What inspired your fitness journey?
Initially, it was all about wanting to look good and feel confident about myself. But over time, it evolved into something more. Fitness became my source of strength—both physically and emotionally.
Now, fitness is more than just a habit—it’s part of my day-to-day. Whether at home or traveling, I find ways to stay active, like packing a jump rope during a vacation for a quick workout on the go.
What’s your fitness routine?
I like to keep it varied and fun. I jump once or twice a week and mix in some weightlifting and hula hoop dance in between. On weekends, I try to fit in Pilates sessions whenever my schedule (and budget!) allows. When there is a chance to join a rope flow group or class, I take it! I have not done kickboxing for a while but I’m excited to get back into it soon with my son who has been my kickboxing partner.
What kind of jump rope do you use and why do you like it?
I use both PVC and beaded ropes. The PVC rope is great for speed, while the beaded one gives me a bit more control and rhythm. Plus, I have different colors of ropes to match my workout OOTD (outfit of the day). Talk about mixing fitness with fashion—and being maarte! But I love that it makes my workouts even more fun and Instagrammable, too.
Where do you work out?
Anywhere and everywhere! At home, at the gym, in the park, and in the mall with my jump communities Talon Luneta and Jump Super Nova, and even when I travel.
What are your fitness essentials?
Training shoes, ropes, weights, hoop, camera, phone, speaker, and, of course, my OOTDs.
What’s on your workout playlist?
Dance or workout albums on Spotify. On some days I listen to my generation’s music. Which generation? Secret!
Do you stick to a strict diet?
Not really! I eat everything, but in moderation to maintain my weight.
I find it easier to work out when my body feels lighter, but don’t be fooled—I definitely have my cheat days. I’d say weekends are my cheat days, mainly because I have more time to enjoy food without work distractions. I get to savor the meals even more when I’m eating with my son. But there are weekdays when stress-eating or cravings get the best of me, so I occasionally end up “cheating” then, too—uh-oh! On cheat days, I tend to eat more frequently, enjoying full-board meals and definitely indulging in a lot more desserts and snacks. It’s all about balance, but I won’t deny the “uh-oh” moments!
What do you usually eat in a day?
I usually eat home-cooked meals that I bring to work. If I don’t have baon, I’ll grab something from the cafeteria or order food. On weekends, I enjoy cooking dishes based on my cravings or my son’s requests. We also love eating out—either trying out new restaurants or going back to our favorite spots for some comforting meals.
I have a sweet tooth, so I make sure to save room for dessert. Always. I’m not picky when it comes to food, and I don’t restrict myself to just “healthy” options—I prefer to enjoy food without limits. YOLO, right? Haha.
What’s off-limits?
Nothing! Life is too short to deprive yourself of good food and the joy of eating.
What are your other fitness secrets?
I won’t tell you! Because there’s none. There are no secrets to getting fit. It’s all about finding the best regimen that works for you and that you can stick to regularly. And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun while doing it.
What tips do you want to share with people who want to get healthier?
Pick up a rope and give it a try! It might feel awkward at the beginning, but that’s completely normal—you have to start somewhere. With practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Watching tutorial videos and joining jump rope classes or communities can make it even more fun and help you stay motivated.
Don’t worry about mastering every move or keeping up with the more experienced ones. I’ve been at it for years and there’s a handful of tricks I have yet to learn. Focus on your progress, no matter how small it seems, and celebrate every little win. Oh and it’s never too late to start. I am in my 40s and I think I am in my fittest, strongest and hottest era ever, haha. Whether it’s jump rope or another fitness activity, let it become a source of joy and strength. Welcome to a healthier, happier you!
