Stepping into the new year with confidence

A combination photo shows Regine Wong at 16 (left), when she weighed about 85kg, and 10 years later after losing 25kg.

Regine once struggled with self-esteem issues due to her weight but then decided to make a change, sticking to a strict diet and working out at the gym each day.

At the gym, she interacts freely with others from all ages and backgrounds. Her goal is to one day become a fitness instructor.

Regine also wants to inspire other girls who struggle with their weight, and to encourage them to keep going until they reach their goals.

Once her fitness classes are over for the day, she returns home where she gets started with the rest of her daily routine.

Regine works as a physiotherapist, and today she is off to visit a stroke victim.

She initially dreamed of becoming a teacher, but became interested in physiotherapy after her mother was hospitalised with a knee injury.

Regine teaches a client how to exercise his hand muscles using a handgrip.

She checks on his progress and massages his shoulders and back to further improve his circulation.

Regine is also busy preparing for Chinese New Year, and drops by Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur to look for some new accessories.

She is on the lookout for a new bag to complement her Chinese New Year outfit.

As she walks, she takes a video to upload on social media, where she has a large following on TikTok and Instagram.

She also swings by a lantern shop to look at the colourful decorations on display.

The red and pink lanterns and flowers are a must-have during the Chinese New Year celebration.

Regine moves from one location to another on foot, through alleys and passageways decked out with red lanterns which swing overhead.

At home, she checks her schedule for the following day, adding in a few new appointments and setting aside time for further promotions on social media.

She also hangs a few decorations around the house to usher in the new year.

Her decorations are small and modest, but carry great meaning for her.

Her cheongsam this year is dark blue, as she recently lost a family member, but she looks forward to celebrating Chinese New Year nonetheless, and to travelling back to her hometown in Sitiawan, Perak, to be with her parents.