By Follow my fitness journey as I try to create a new, mentally, and physically, healthy lifestyle for myself every Friday!
Confidence. It wears you more than a piece of clothing can cover. From head to toe, it colors your clothing and paints your smile. Wearing hijab, and lacking confidence is a real battle. Going to a public middle school, with less than three hijabis, being overweight, and not fitting in…you can say the struggle was real.
When I was 16, I drove to the gym, and got my first membership. It was probably the most expensive thing I ever purchased at that time, but looking back — it was so worth it.
My journey has been tough. Wearing hijab at the tender age of 13, and being “bigger” than the rest of the girls has not been easy. Never once did I jump on the scale and think my hijab was weighing me down. It wasn’t my hijab, it was myself. Now as a 24-year-old mother, these same issues still follow me.
Surprisingly , I am happy that I was overweight, because that is how I found my love for fitness. Since I was overweight, I wanted to take control of my life and become more active. When I was 16, I drove to the gym, and got my first membership. It was probably the most expensive thing I ever purchased at that time, but looking back — it was so worth it. Getting my membership, was my way of starting my fitness journey.
Fitness is a complicated word to define. Some people walk marathons, and some sprint them. I’m definitely the one running out of breath (I am not a runner).
Whether you are the turtle or the rabbit, you are still moving and creating a better lifestyle for yourself. Some people love to run, and others enjoy dancing. I personally like weight training and the cardio machines at the gym.
So how can you create a healthier lifestyle for yourself?
1. Cut out all the negativity in your life
If you want to embark on a positive journey to change your life, then you have no time to be affiliated with anything negative.
2. Set realistic goals
Be sure to take time and understand what you want. Everyone is different, and we all have good and bad days. Don’t reach too far, and obviously don’t grab the cookie jar. In order to be successful, you have to find the right program that fits your lifestyle. Do something you love so that you enjoy it every time you do it.
I wake up every morning telling myself, “Today is a new day.” This helps me reboot my day, and I know I can start fresh. If you slip, or miss a workout, tell yourself it’s a treat.
3. Do Your Research
Set your goals, and find out how to reach them. Educate yourself on what you are trying to accomplish. I remember when I first signed up for my gym membership, I had no idea what to do, I was so confused. The internet is a great resource, as well as people that have been working in the fitness industry.
4. Surround yourself with a support group
Find someone or a group of people that have the same goals as you. This is very uplifting because you can share your goals, failures and success. It is always encouraging to know you are not alone.
5. Get a great pair of shoes
Make sure you take care of your feet and buy the right shoes. Everyone’s feet are different, and you can have a more comfortable fitness journey if you conquer your goals with the right shoes. Check out stores that specialize in athletic shoe fittings, such as Luke’s Locker. Some athletic shoe stores will also recommend shoes based on the activity you are doing.
If you follow these small steps, you can make big change in your life. All it takes is commitment.
I wake up every morning telling myself, “Today is a new day.” This helps me reboot my day, and I know I can start fresh. If you slip, or miss a workout, tell yourself it’s a treat. I am not a fitness expert, but I love fitness. I was just that overweight duckling that found her white feathers through working out and eating healthy.
—
The Healthy Hijabi