And so it begins: My Fitness Journey. Lately, I feel its been really trendy to be "fit" but what better trend than being fit and health? For myself, I really just wanted to stop feeling so lethargic all the time and gain some energy. I also wanted to get back to my old body before I had Safa. All I can say, it hasn't been easy! I've been on and off about working out and eating healthy and I'm not going to lie even now I'm not perfect. I still have some sweets here and there and give into cravings. I'm still starting out and I know it will take time. I started working out consistently 3 times a week probably right before Ramadan in May. These past 6 weeks I've been working out 4-5 times a week. For the first time though, I truly enjoy working out and eating healthy. Why? Cause I'm seeing small changes in my body and in my mood. I see a lot of stories and people always show the after result. I wanted to share my whole journey. I wanted to share 5 tips that helped me start my journey and are keeping me going now. 

1. Find a Workout Partner.

For me, this was key and made the biggest difference. There are tons of apps out there, classes, websites, programs that you can do. What I needed was someone to keep me in check. I used to workout with my husband but since having our daughter we can't workout together :(. I was so lucky that one of my friends, Nilma (@nilma_husain) also just became a personal trainer. I know, not everyone is this lucky. If you can afford a personal trainer even 1 session a week, I highly recommend it. I was doing so many exercises with improper form even something simple as a squat. She really helped me fix my form, teach me new exercises and workout routines. 

2. Set (Realistic) Goals & Rewards!
This is something I learned from another friend of mine who does cross fit. You cannot workout without any end goals because you have no idea where you're going. My short term goal is to workout 5 times week (3 strength training sessions, 2 cardio). For lifting, I've been squatting 20 lbs and dead lifting 20 as well. My goal is to squat and deadlift my body weight. For actual weight, ideally I want to lose 15 lbs but I'm not focusing too much on weight but more so inches on my body. InshAllah I can reach it in 6 months!! Definitely set up rewards too when you reach your goals. Whether you lose 10 lbs, squat a certain amount reward yourself with a treat, buy something nice for yourself or eat at your favorite restaurant. Even every week if you've met your goal of working out such as 4 times a week, eat a small treat. 

3. Pick an activity you like.

If you hate running, don't choose running to lose weight! There are so many different types of exercises you can do to workout. I noticed I love lifting so increasing my weight gets me excited. For cardio I love cardio kickboxing, zumba, and dancing. Later as you get used to working out, then you can challenge yourself with different types of workouts. But in the beginning, pick something that makes you excited!

4. Plan your workout schedule.  

Plan! Plan! Plan! This is so important on a daily basis. On Sunday, I look at my whole week and I plan which days I'll workout and generally what I'll be doing (cardio, strength or recovery). I know for a factor Tuesdays I have meetings till late and I won't have a lot of energy to do an intense session. Instead I'll do a cardio or home workout. I also plan out my schedule each day. This also includes meal prep. I personally don't meal prep for the whole week but I will for two to three days to avoid eating out or giving into cravings when I'm super hungry.

5. Don't give up!!
Lastly, do not give up!! Sometimes its hard not see results right away. Believe me, I get it. But if you keep going your body will start to show small improvements. In the past two months I haven't lost weight in numbers but I have lost inches, old clothes are fitting me and I feel so much more energetic. 

I hope this helps you begin your fitness journey or keep going. InshAllah I hope I can continue and share my journey. After having Safa, I really wanted to be an active mom to one encourage her to be active and two to do all fun activities with her. If you have a family, it's awesome to workout together or just stay active. 

Good Luck!
sania<3

Start this year with a new approach! Don�t think of workouts as �one day I will do it and I will stick to it��trust me, you will never get down to it. Rather just do it, like you would brush your teeth in the morning and it will eventually become �a habit�, even if you miss a few days, you not likely to quit brushing your teeth now, are you? so, why should you, when it comes to your workout?

Here are my 4 steps to get you started!

1.     Change your thoughts change your world!

Reading up on health topics and fitness will make you develop an entirely new way of thinking about health and workouts, try Women�s Health Mags.

Every issue is packed with useful info illustrated beautifully and has workouts you can tear out and keep. I have a file filled with workouts from strength, and cardio to kickboxing and kettlebells. You also get free workout dvd�s in selected issues.

Inspiring articles on how others achieved their fitness goals are also well worth the read�.no one�s born lifting kettlebells you know�it�s all practice, practice, practice!

Other reads: Weigh less mags, runner, fitness mag etc.

Online: http://www.fitsugar.com ; http://www.bodyrock.tv ; http://www.fitnessblender.com : http://www.freetrainers.com

2.     Focus on what you should do and worry less about what you should not!

Do this, and you will eventually reduce or even stop the things you should not be doing.

Make an effort to do some form of physical exercise, every bit counts (see my next posts for some sneaky moves you can add to your everyday choresJ)

A few good eating habits can also boost your confidence to start working out.

Drink more water, and you might skip the fizzy stuff because you are intent on getting your 6-8 glasses a day.

Hate drinking water? Get a fancy bottle and be sure to add a few drops of lemon juice. Apparently the lack of character such as colour and bland taste keeps most of us away from this vital liquid. So adding a slice of lemon, crushed ice or just torn mint leaves is enticing.

Not getting as much fruits or veges as you should?, pop them in the blender (I use Russell Hobbs smoothie maker) for smoothies and mash your boiled veges and add to your stews, soups, curries or even pasta sauce.

Learn to keep your water bottles or jugs and fruits in plain sight so you will grab these instead of junk. My family eats more fruits since I started leaving them in a fancy platter on the table eg, bananas , apples, nectarines�the kinds that stay well out the fridge.  

Try Futurelife�s smoothie:

2-3 tblspoon Future Life cereal powder or any Protein powder of choice,

125ml milk

125ml water

1 tspoon honey

3-4 almonds

pinch of cinnamon

a few ice cubes

1 apple, or any other fruit of your choice (I�ve tried an apple and a handful of blueberries, my smoothie went purple, it was delicious!)

I am addicted to smoothies, they give you all the nutrients you need without the tiresome munching on boring apples�so I will do a post soon dedicated to smoothie recipes to gain specific benefits such as glowing skin, healthy hair , fire up your metabolism etc.

3.     Play games and do sport for fun? Why not?

Yes !play games and be sporty, when did you stop? You don�t have to be a professional cyclist to cycle or a star athlete to mess around in the pool. Leave your insecurities at the door. This is your life and if you don�t decide on what you can do, someone else is going to tell what you can�t.

Join in on family activities that you would normally sit out, play treasure hunt with the kids, hoola hooping, skipping, hopscotch, or you could simply walk or swim. If you don�t swim, kicking , squatting or lunge walking in the pool is great for toning your body or go a step further an enroll for swimming lessons.

4.   Accept the fact that it�s not easy but is worth it!

There�s irony to the above. As soon as you accept that working out is not easy and steer yourself through it despite that�.you learn it �is� easy!

Most of our fears and dread about working out or pretty much anything in life are in our minds and the only way we get rid of those fears are by actually just �doing it�, not just once but many times. I�ve lost count on the times I�ve seen a workout video in the past and told myself �there�s no way I can do that!� now I try it and then decide if I just simply need more Practice. Practice really makes perfect(�,)