From being overweight to a fitness trainer in Dubai

Dubai - Mwangi was lucky to meet sport enthusiasts who introduced her to the right training and eating habits.

Being overweight was normal for Kenyan expat Josephine Mwangi back home and she was 96kg when she first came to Dubai in 2010.
"I never liked being overweight although it was considered normal. I always wished I was fit, but did not make the real effort to change it," said the 33-year-old expat.
Only when she settled in a job at a hotel in Dubai, Mwangi was lucky to meet sport enthusiasts who introduced her to the right training and eating habits.
Starting with jogging for three minutes on the treadmill and gradually cutting down food, Mwangi slowly reached her goal of losing 31kg to weigh 65kg before becoming a certified trainer.
"I knew I was getting heavier than 96 kg, but avoided weighing myself. I could see it in the mirror," said Mwangi. "I couldn't run on the treadmill in my first time at the gym. I started with three minutes of jogging, then increased it to five the next day and so on."
She noted that her success key was in achieving higher results than the day before. "If my purpose was not met on the specified day, I would get back to it over the next day," she said.
After reaching her ideal weight, she got hooked and decided to take courses. Two years later, she shifted to becoming a certified trainer. 
For her, the Dubai Fitness Challenge is a reminder and celebration of her successful journey in leading a healthy lifestyle and becoming fit. "Starting with small habits always brings bigger achievements. When we encourage people to start with only 30 minutes a day, they'll find themselves going the extra mile every day, and later adopting exercise as part of their day."
She added: "Once people notice how much exercise adds to their life, they will automatically get hooked to it."
Mwangi's biggest advice to get people start with exercise is to get make sports a routine that they enjoy.

"If you can't get into a gym, then make sure you set a time of the day to move more than you normally do. If you can't get a personal trainer, then get into classes."
Her motto in the fitness world is "to see change, you have to get out of your comfort zone". And for Mwangi, it is never too late to make the change. She cannot be happier with her health and appearance.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com