Uncovering Your Inner Champion: A Realistic Approach to Fitness for Achieving Your Best Self
Join Fahd in his transformative fitness journey, embracing a realistic approach that champions physical health and mental well-being.
A bit about me
I started his fitness journey at the tender age of seven with professional tennis training. This early exposure to tennis led him to train with the Lawn Tennis Association from ten to sixteen. My athletic endeavours didn't end there, as he also actively engaged in cricket, football, and swimming, diversifying his fitness experience.
In 2015, I embarked on a new chapter of his fitness journey, incorporating regular gym training into his routine. His aim was to improve his physique and enhance his overall fitness. This commitment had a profound impact, significantly improving his mental well-being and overall happiness.
My fitness approach is rooted in realism and the understanding that physical health is deeply intertwined with mental well-being.
Introduction
When I embarked on my fitness journey, I aimed to transform my body. Standing tall at six feet and weighing around 60/62 KG at 17, I was determined to prove wrong those who said I was 'a waste of height’. Little did I know this journey would change my physique and significantly improve my mental health.
Fitness has been a constant in my life, and now, at twenty-six, I've come to appreciate it for more than just its physical benefits. The gym offers an escape from reality, a burst of energy, and a sense of accomplishment that is truly incomparable.
Through this blog, I want to inspire you to embrace fitness and all its wonders. Together, we'll navigate the trenches of the gym and discover the less-discussed aspects of fitness that can truly enrich your life.
Your Fitness Story
This blog was born out of my desire to guide people on their fitness journey, simplify the complexities of the gym, and debunk the myths surrounding unattainable body compositions.
This is more than just a blog; it's a testament to a 'normal' individual's journey to discover how the gym can enhance life's enjoyment and fulfilment. I invite you to join me on this journey and share your experiences. Together, we can redefine fitness and make it a source of joy, not pressure.
Diet (I am not a dietitian)
A balanced diet is eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain healthy body weight.
Diet is a crucial aspect of any fitness journey. However, it's often portrayed as a complex concept when, in reality, it's simple and enjoyable. It's about discipline and balance, not deprivation.
I won't demand you count your macros or carry a measuring scale in this blog. Instead, I'll guide you to listen to your body's needs and balance your water, protein, fibre, and carbohydrate intake.
Remember, indulgence is part of life. Enjoy your favourite foods occasionally, and remember that natural, whole foods are the best sources of nutrients.
Assistant Tools
I recommend three key tools: YouTube, Strong, and ChatGPT.
YouTube
YouTube served as my personal trainer. It exposed me to many gym influencers who offer great exercise routines despite speculation about their methods. I highly recommend checking out the following:
- Mike Thurston
- Simeon Panda
- Obi Vincent
- Abel Albonetti
Their exercise routines aren't so obscure that you risk injuring yourself.
Strong App
"What gets measured gets managed." - Peter Drucker
I strongly advise tracking your progress, personal bests, sets,
reps, etc. It makes it easier to remember your last weight, where to begin next, and, most importantly, track your progress. The Strong app allows you to do this and more. You can input your exercise schedule into the app, and once you hit the gym, open it up, and you're good to go. The app also has example videos of the exercises if you forget. The app frees your mind to focus on your exercise and other important things in life.
ChatGPT
Despite fears of an AI takeover, use it to your advantage. If you're struggling with protein-heavy meal recipes or need assistance with anything gym-related, ChatGPT provides you with an instant, intelligent response specifically tailored to you. For meal plans and more, this is your go-to tool.
Fitness Basics
When it comes to fitness, there are some fundamental basics necessary for all types of workouts. With that in mind, these basics should be incorporated into your workout.
Warm-up:
Before starting any exercise, preparing your body for the strain you will put it under is important. Therefore, always start with an 8-10 minute walk or jog. I prefer a 10-minute uphill walk. This doesn't have to be intense, but its purpose is to warm up your body and get your blood flowing in preparation for your workout.
After warming up, another key step is stretching. Gym veterans have told me numerous times with 20+ years of experience that many of their aches, stiffness, and injuries have been due to a lack of stretching.
Regarding stretching, there are specific ones related to whatever body part you focus on that day, and you should research those. However, I would advise doing upper body stretches, and I highly recommend the ones below before any workout since your upper body is always involved in any exercise:
- Overhead Triceps and Shoulder Stretch
- Cross-Body Shoulder Stretch
- Wrist Extension Stretch
- Rolling your shoulders
Comfort
With any exercise you're doing, the most important aspect is comfort. Never compromise your comfort levels for a particular exercise. Any discomfort you feel is usually a sign that your body is in pain, and continuing could result in injury. So, always ensure you're comfortable with whatever exercise you do.
Fatigue
When I started my fitness journey, I used to go to the gym five times a week, from Monday to Friday. At first, I enjoyed it and was able to maintain it. But it became unsustainable. I couldn't exercise at a high level from Wednesday onwards, and going to the gym became a drain. I was suffering from fatigue, which increased the likelihood of injury. Just as important as doing the exercise is having adequate rest. I now go to the gym three or four times a week and recommend the same. I do a maximum of two days straight of exercise without rest. Rest allows for adequate recovery, mental refreshment, and re-energizing to smash your fitness goals.
Variety of Exercises
To keep the momentum going and maintain your engagement, it's important to do various exercises. Different exercises target different body parts, improving your overall fitness and helping maintain your enthusiasm for the gym. Mixing up your exercises will enable you to identify growth areas to focus on.
Do You!
The gym is a diverse space filled with people of different sizes, fitness ideologies, and stages of their fitness journey. It's easy to feel overwhelmed but remember; this is your journey. Don't compare yourself to others.
Embrace your individuality, respect your body's limits, and celebrate your progress. Discuss, learn, and explore different aspects of fitness, but
always remember to DO YOU!
Workout
It’s important to understand that seeing changes takes time, but you will reach your goals through discipline and determination.
Through this blog, I hope you are able to embrace a healthier, happier, and more fulfilled version of yourself. It's about understanding that fitness is a personal journey unique to each individual. I hope this blog gives you the motivation and guidance you need to embark on your fitness journey. Remember, it's not about the destination but the journey itself. So, let's start this exciting journey together with each workout week below!
The Journey Continues
Congratulations! You've powered through four weeks of intense training, an accomplishment. I trust that this journey has been both challenging and rewarding. With the right balance of diet and intensity, I'm confident that you've begun to witness transformative changes in your body and mental well-being.
Here's the thrilling part - this is just the beginning! I strongly encourage you to stay committed to this workout regimen for the next six months. This period will serve as an excellent opportunity to identify your strengths and areas for growth. Plus, with consistent discipline in your diet and exercise routine, you will surely see dramatic improvements in your physique.
After these six months, adjust the program to suit your evolving fitness needs better. Remember, the journey to fitness is all about adaptation and personal growth.
I sincerely hope you've found immense value in my physical and mental fitness blog. Keep this blog bookmarked as your go-to guide whenever you need fitness motivation or advice.
So, here's to your continued journey – take care and keep striving to uncover your inner champion!
Best,
Fahd
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