Fit And fabulous

BEING fit is a lot more than just losing weight because truth to be told, the numbers on the weighing scale is meaningless in terms of telling how fat you actually are.

Two years ago, Nana Al Haleq weighed 44kg but with a body fat percentage of 20%. Yet, she was slim and slender, skinny even. But it wasn’t her ideal figure. Then, after just two months of intense training and a strict diet regimen, her body fat percentage dropped 5% but the weighing scale beeped 53kg. The numbers went up but Nana had never looked fitter and toner; her glutes went from 32-inch to a voluptuous 36-inch.

The change reared Nana full on onto a new career path. She dropped her role as a media practitioner and started training full time as a fitness model, sharing her workout routines with her fans and followers through social media. Today, she carries a personal record of five reps of 100kg squat and 90-100kg dead lifts.

The 28-year-old today is also working on a range of workout accessories to make training at home or on-the-go easier for women that will likely be launched by middle of the year. Nana, who is also a PharmaFreak athlete, BeFit Malaysia athlete, Australian Strength Performance athlete, Under Armour MY athlete and Fit Malaysia ambassador, will also be galvanising a community through her website which she intends to put up and running this year as well.

But what does a fitness model do? Fitness models basically just need to look good and lean.

Fitness modelling comes in three categories – Olympia, Bikini, and Physique. I’m between Bikini and Physique. If I want to compete in the Physique category, I would need to put on more mass and more definition on my back. But if I were to join the Bikini division, I need tighter and softer abs. The six pack nugget abs are for Olympia and Physique.

Who inspires you?

Fitness model and IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) Pro Ana Delia De Iturrondo. We are of same height, same weight so if she can look this good, I can too. And she’s 35 years old this year … She’s what I’m trying to go for.

When it comes to Physique and Bikini, it isn’t about how good your body looks, it’s all about appreciating the hard work, dedication, the time, mental strength and discipline that went in because without these you won’t be able to achieve where they are now.

I envy that and I think that is beauty.

How do you do it as a Malay woman?

It’s hard. The first year I received a lot of hate mails especially during bulan puasa. It’s not that I deliberately dress little but these sports attire, they are practical. [When it comes to competition] I will only compete outside of Malaysia.

Those who do fitness and who are into body-building, they will understand the dedication and hard work behind it. So when you go on stage and compete, even if it’s in a two-piece, it’s not about how sexy you look. It’s about showcasing your hard work and your dedication. It’s a different mentality we are looking at.

But [not having the understanding here in Malaysia] does not discourage me. I’ve fully accepted the terms and conditions of being a fitness model in Malaysia.

What do you think about Malaysia being the fattest country in South East Asia?

It’s very shameful I’d say because we can make changes and efforts, no matter how small they are, to change the situation. Look at the food that we are providing to our kids in schools. Look how fast fast food chains grow here.

You can eat healthy at home. I get comments like “oh makanan mahal” when I post picture of my meal of salmon but if you actually put the effort and time to find places, you can find them at cheaper price. Plus, cooking healthy is not as complex as cooking rendang or nasi lemak. Take the fish, a pan, slap it there, put your spices, cover it and it’s done in five minutes.

Reference
http://www.thesundaily.my/node/296103

http://prowertlingmarks.blogspot.com/
http://shoeinmoneyreviews.blogspot.com/
http://software-cashout.blogspot.com/
http://indiananfreedomtorammy.blogspot.com/

homeworkouttraining.wordpress.com/
https://fullbodyworkoutrountinesforweightloss.wordpress.com/
https://kettlebellmusclebuildingworkoutroutines.wordpress.com/
https://celebrityandbowflexworkoutroutines.wordpress.com/