The women’s majlis: don’t wait to get in shape

We’re all waiting for the right time to do this and that. Someone wants to get married, but thinks it’s not the right time. Someone has a creative business idea, but decides not to do it right now. We can all make endless excuses, but the right time will never come until we create it.

In my case, I waited years for the right time to join a gym; the right time never knocked on my door.

A few weeks ago, I received a call from Fitness First. One of my friends recommended me to the staff. The staff asked me to come and see the place for myself. We had a little chat and, after much pondering, I signed up for a year.

The first day, I was introduced to the fitness equipment. The second day, the torture began. It was 8am. My mentor asked me to use the elliptical trainer for 10 minutes. I began the stair-climbing cycle. After less than two minutes, I could already feel the pressure on my joints. Every minute felt like an hour; sweat rolled from my forehead. Next, I was taught how to do a squat. Then, the Bosu ball. I was worn out after every ­activity.

After one hour of intensive working out, I’d burnt more than 900 calories. I laid down on the floor and gasped for breath. At that moment, my mentor told me: “Laziness and excess sleep have overtaken you.”

She was absolutely right. If I’d joined a health club years ago, I could have had done more in life. Excess sleep wasted half my years. Even though I’m young, I often feel like an old lady. I usually have back pain, headaches and feel drowsy. For the past two weeks, I’ve been more active and energised. I wake up early in the morning and go to the gym every other day.

People think that they have to exercise for hours, which isn’t true. Twenty minutes of an intensive workout burns a lot of calories. You don’t necessarily have to be part of a health club, either. There are many exercises one can do at home without any equipment, which will burn calories and help get you in shape: jump squats, bird dogs, burpees, push-ups and box jumps. I’m still learning how to do all of that, though.

My mother often told me I didn’t need to join a fitness centre, because I’m not overweight. A daily workout isn’t part of the Arab culture. Many people think exercising is only for overweight people, but it’s for everyone, regardless of weight. Obesity is a growing concern here, and with fast-food chains expanding in shopping malls, the number of obese people will only rise.

Exercising improves your mood and boosts your energy. Apart from its health benefits, exercising is fun.

I’m proud that I took a step forward, even if it took me years to decide. So what’s stoping you from meeting your goals?

Asmaa Al Hameli is a features writer for The National.

•If you're an Emirati woman who has an interesting story to tell or an important issue to debate, contact Shireena Al Nowais on [e-mail]