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FIT & FAB
Today I want to share some thoughts on the battle of the bulge, which is being waged every day by people of all ages around the world. “My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four,” says Orson Welles, “unless there are three other people.” Here in Carnival country, the battle begins for many people right after the Christmas eating indulgence. Depending on when the Carnival falls crash dieting and often excessive exercise begins. It is great to see the flurry of physical activity around the Savannah and on hills and green spaces around the country. If a group or a handful of people remain committed to lifestyle change post Carnival that's a bonus. Their fitness will improve and the health services may benefit as well. So why should we want to maintain an ideal weight? It is a fact that fit people become ill and that slim and skinny are not necessarily synonymous with health. While it may be easy to take solace in a thinner weight, many of the serious risks associated with poorer health are often hidden from plain sight. Excessive salt and sugar consumption, for example, is associated with several health problems, which can occur without visual cues and can develop irrespective of one's weight.
The most compelling reason for maintaining a healthy weight is the correlation between good nutrition and well-being. Coupled with regular exercise, having a diet rich in whole foods and grains, healthy oils and low in sugar and fat has shown to convey numerous health benefits among them a longer life with less pain, less risk of muscular and back problems and even increased libido. Bottom line, losing body fat can mean a healthier, more responsive, more robust immune system. Remember, it's not a diet it's a lifestyle change. Eat clean, eat smaller portions, avoid late-night binging and enjoy regular exercise. Strive for progress, not perfection.
We should all be inspired by the fitness story of my guest Kalifa Philip who shares her journey with us.
In the words of Joyce Meyer I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.
Judy Alcantara
BA English Honours/Spanish
CIAR Cert [Cooper's Institute of Aerobic Research]
Kalifa Philip:
My name is Kalifa Philip. I was one of those people who thought a gym membership was a waste of money even though I always knew that exercise was very important. The only form of physical activity I did growing up was dance. I also played a little netball in primary and secondary school. In my adult years, I would continue dance but not consistently. I was also very skinny growing up. For most of my 20s, I remained slim. Then I crossed 30 and everything changed.
I started to gain weight. Something I thought was impossible because as a young adult I actually tried to gain weight and couldn’t. I thought I was too skinny. Entering my early 3os it became the opposite. I’m not naturally shapely. Narrow hips, small legs, small butt, and skinny arms. As my waistline expanded and my lower belly bulged I didn’t like what I was seeing in the mirror nor did I like how my clothes fit. I realised that my metabolism was slowing down and I needed to get active to improve my appearance.
I joined a karate class in my community. Sessions were very intense. I felt challenged, built more self-confidence and it was a lot of fun. I was working towards my first belt. Unfortunately, my karate goals came to an abrupt end with one serious knee injury sustained during one of the training sessions. I would be using crutches and remain off my leg for 30 days. This tragedy actually opened the door to a new life I never imagined or dreamed of in the past.
The road to recovery following my knee injury included physiotherapy. I learned that I needed to strengthen my leg muscles to better support my knee joints especially since I also have genu valgum or “knock-knees”. People with genu valgum already have overstretched ligaments. This makes us more prone to injury during physical activity. Physiotherapy was mainly using the leg extension and leg curl machines. I was amazed by how quickly my legs got stronger. This is when I realised that a gym membership would be a valuable investment for my well-being.
I became a member of Gulf View Health and Fitness five years ago at the end of my physio treatment to continue strengthening my muscles. I saw what weight training did for my legs and I wanted that for my entire body. Going to physio also opened up my eyes about being proactive in preventing injuries. I looked at the elderly coming there for treatment and I thought if I take better care of my body from now I would have less joint or muscle issues as I age. I became aware of how important muscle building is. I started to do more research on the benefits.
I was the gym newbie. Apprehensive, scared of some machines and self-conscious. At first, I just wanted to strengthen my muscles and look a little better. No major body transformation goals. As time passed and my knowledge of fitness grew I became obsessed with the lifestyle. During this period of my life, I was also involved in a toxic, abusive relationship for the past five years. I was attached to a man who would make fun of my fat belly and also accused me of “over-training”. I strongly believe that my new-found commitment to improving myself with regular training allowed me to feel stronger not only physically but emotionally. I was able to let go and move on to greater things. I was hitting the gym as much as five times per week. I started to follow fitness models and fitness athletes for inspiration. This is when I formed physique goals. Broader round shoulders, a smaller waistline, bigger legs, round butt, and flat abs.
As time passed I would put up Facebook statuses about my goals and progress. Some people were encouraging while others were downright mean and insensitive. I would put up photos of muscular women I admired. Some people would say things like “that’s not sexy”… “no man would want you”... “too much muscle” …”don’t get too hard”… “you are getting too small”. I would also post progress photos of myself and some people would say things like “three months in the gym, you should have better progress”. Luckily, I also surrounded myself on social media with people on the same mission as me. They kept me going in the face of all the negativity. I knew what I wanted and I ignored what the detractors had to say. “The body achieves what the mind believes.”
Fast forward one year into my new lifestyle. I was single, eating clean and training mean. I joked about being in a relationship with the gym. No more Burger King three times per week. No more soda and packaged juices. Lots more whole grains and protein. I was seeing changes. I became lean. My belly bulge started to get smaller but I wasn’t yet seeing my abs. It seemed like my nemesis. I wanted abs like the fitness athletes I followed. These abs became my number one goal. Of course, I would post a lot of photos of fitness models and athletes with great abs on my Facebook wall. I never gave up. I stayed the course. I trained harder and made my diet even cleaner until I achieved that goal.
I began to look like someone who does weight training. I have people asking me if I’m an athlete or a runner. I felt really proud of myself. I had renewed self-image confidence. My clothes fit just the way I wanted them to. Goal accomplished. But the best was yet to come. I saw an ad for National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships. It piqued my interest. I decided to give it a go. At 35, my new gym goals changed to building a physique for the competition stage. Everything I did before was multiplied tenfold.
More gym time, more cardio, more meal prepping and less treats. It was a new challenge and a journey I enjoyed immensely. For two years I competed in the Bikini Fitness category. I participated in local shows as well as shows in Barbados and St Maarten. I became a fitness athlete and now a fitness inspiration personality myself. I developed a relationship with my followers online and often share tips on living a healthy lifestyle. These days there is much interest in my healthy recipes, a lot of which I created.
Now a 37-year-old fitness professional I am very concerned about the high number of people that fall victim to non-communicable diseases. I promote the healthy lifestyle to do my part in creating a healthier T&T. In line with this mission, I founded the Annual Children’s Fitness Fest that started last year. A children’s focused health fair and fun day. As a fitness ambassador, I come across many adults who find it very difficult to change old habits. We must teach our kids to eat healthily and to be active from as early as possible. I am currently looking for assistance to host another Children’s Fitness Fest.
The time, the money, the pain, the sweat, and the tears are worth it. It all comes down to one simple thing...how bad do you want it. You will be surprised by what you can accomplish. You are stronger than you think.