DUBAI // Lulwa Al Rahma and Mo Elzubeir try to maintain healthy lifestyles despite their busy schedules.
Mr Elzubeir, a 36-year-old Dubai resident from Sudan, initially found it was difficult. When he began exercising in the mornings, however, he found it worked better for him.
“It requires a lot more discipline,” he said.
Ms Al Rahma, a 23-year-old Emirati, prefers to get in her gym time after work. “I get tired from work. It’s a struggle because you’re exhausted after work, but it’s worth it,” she said. “The effects, emotionally and physically, are worth it.”
They both exercise regularly. Mr Elzubeir works out two to three times a week and Ms Al Rahma visits the gym five times a week. They also try to follow a healthy diet.
Mr Elzubeir said he was very aware of what he eats, but it was challenging to maintain a decent diet, especially since some food items do not have nutritional labels.
“Unless you buying raw food and preparing everything yourself, it’s very difficult to rely on what’s inside a box, because the labels don’t tell you exactly what the contents are,” he said.
Ms Al Rahma, who began taking her fitness seriously about 18 months ago, said she did not crave junk food anymore. “I’d rather eat healthy,” she said.
She also feels happier since changing her lifestyle. “It releases endorphins, and this gives me a boost after workouts,” she said.
“I saw how unfit I was physically in the mirror,” she said. “Another reason was that I wasn’t fit emotionally, so I thought through exercise, it would help me emotionally too.”
Mr Elzubeir also said he felt happier with a healthier lifestyle, which he has been following since May last year. He also noticed a significant physical improvement.
Mr Elzubeir thought health awareness was more apparent in the UAE than other GCC countries, but Ms Al Rahma said the public needed better health and fitness education.
“They can reach their goals, but they need to work hard and not be lazy,” she said. “They need to be informed about health.”
nbakhsh@thenational.ae
