Do you know who this gorgeous woman is? Her name is Nada Tobgi—a woman who I look up to for many reasons. Nada is a martial artist expert that trained worldwide with world class fighters, who’s been teaching fitness classes for over 5 years. I met Nada while taking one of her kickboxing classes.
She’s one of my favorite instructors not only because she encourages me to step outside my comfort zone and challenge my body, but because she is incredibly fun to work out with! I asked Nada to put together some healthy living tips to share with all of you.
- Clear your head
Clear your head from whatever is weighing you down, and start believing in yourself. You’ll be surprised how much more you’ll be able to give to the world.
- Self care is key
Take care of your body; it’s the only home you get for the rest of your life. The more effort you put into your body—such as exercise, eating clean, and resting—the happier and stronger you’ll feel. And man… you should experience the magic of feeling strong.
- Say it with me: WATER
That’s your miracle right here. Drink half of your body weight in ounces of water everyday. Just finish two hours before bedtime. Drink two full glasses of water when you wake up, before your meals, and especially during workouts. Your body will thank you for it.
Plan ahead
Write down your goals in order of priority, add weights to each in percentages, and assign deadlines to when you’d like to reach that goal. Assess yourself every quarter to see how far you’ve come. Trust me, nothing feels better than crossing out a goal you’ve successfully completed.
- Follow your passion
No matter what it is, if it makes you happy and nourishes your soul, do more of it. People who have a fulfilled life tend to live happier and healthier.
Now last but not least, I asked Nada a few questions that were on my mind:
Where do you find your daily fitness inspiration?
My mirror! It reflects what everyone is, and if you take a deep look everyday and be true to yourself, you’ll see where you are really standing and what you need to work on clearly.
What is your eating approach?
After years of struggling with an eating disorder and trying every crash diet there is (I even went on a juice fast for three whole months), I decided I should care more about what actually goes into my body and focus on eating a clean, well-balanced diet. We all have our binge days (it’s normal, we’re human), but the most important thing is to not allow these cravings get the worst of us. If you mess up, it’s okay. Just get right back on track.
What advice do you have for women who are looking to lose weight or begin an exercise routine?
I can sum it up in three words: IT’S WORTH IT. Put aside whatever you’re currently feeling, and think of how you’ll be feeling in six months. If that’s not enough motivation, I don’t know what is. Start small by adding 3 to 4 hours of exercise per week to your schedule and cut off fast food. You’ll see great changes in no time as long as you’re consistent and remember why you started.
What is the one thing you are the most proud of?
My legs! I have invested a lot in those walking machines. From a former soccer player to a martial artist, my legs were always my strongest asset.
What’s your favorite snack or treat?
I have a big sweet tooth, especially when it comes to chocolate, so my breakfast consists of oats and greek yogurt, topped with a spoon of honey, a teaspoon of cocoa powder, and 20 grams of choco cereal. It’s so delicious, I go to bed every night thinking of it. For all of you chocolate lovers, you’re welcome!
What inspired you to become a martial artist?
As odd as it sounds, I like outlaws. I always dared to do things people found different. I even got expelled from school for dying my hair green! I have been an athlete for as long as I can remember, and I played basketball, baseball, handball, tennis, sailing and soccer. However, there was always something missing. I found that something when I put on my boxing gloves and threw my very first punch. Passion, anger, stress and a lot more came out with it, leaving me with a great sense of relief and self-confidence. The impact of martial arts never fails to impress me.