Insight to a Fitness Blogger; Ahmed Ashry
The fitness world has been puzzling for most. A journey with too many maps, tour guides, and plans has left people struggling – one day they opt for one journey and the other they lose track moving towards another.
While fitness is a learning process, we interviewed a fitness enthusiast for our crowd to clear out the most asked questions. Here is an insight into the life, food, and tricks of a fitness blogger.
Ashri, an Egyptian based in Dubai is a certified fitness and nutrition expert. He is someone who has excelled in the nutritious values as per everyone’s need and himself a fitness lover.
When did your fitness journey begin and how
At the age of 20, eating disorders had become a major part of my life. During my struggle, I had an eye-opener where I realized being unfit wouldn’t take me a long way. I decided to educate myself regarding fitness and nutrition. Now 10 years later, my journey from anorexic at 37kgs to being fit and healthy is a story known by most at @ashrifit.
Advice for upcoming fitness influencers
Sole focus on photography and aesthetic Instagram feed will lead you to viewers, not followers. Find your focus in your work. Learn all aspects of nutrition and fitness, and spread the knowledge to those who look up to you. Value your platform, and all else will follow.
Your go-to workouts
Ever since I started my fitness journey, I have been hooked to weight lifting. That sense of rush in your muscles with each pump gives me a boost of confidence! Training 5 times a week with a mix of high intensity and light loads has been giving me great results. However, bear in mind, everybody is different!
What is your opinion on cheat days?
Imagine working hard all week on your body – burning those calories and then all the calories come crawling back on the weekend in the form of cheat meals. Rewarding yourself all of a sudden can cause your body to react drastically. An 80:20 ratio of a flexible diet where you can eat what you like while controlling the portion is something you can hold onto for long.
What do you eat in a day?
Starving your body can lead nowhere. A day consisting of 5 to 6 meals is ideal. I start my day with a breakfast of healthy pancakes and go onto having a healthy mix of protein and carbohydrates for the rest of my meals. Preferably I consume carbohydrates in the form of sweet potatoes, steamed rice, grilled chicken, salmon fillet, and of course a side of steamed vegetables with each meal.
Tips and tricks on staying motivated for a healthy lifestyle
Staying motivated can be a rollercoaster ride, full of ups and downs. What’s important is to educate ourselves on what happens if we go off track. Regardless of multiple attempts, it can be hard to get back into the routine therefore it should be our aim to make an effort regardless of a busy schedule.
What keeps you motivated?
Motivation comes in tiny goals and achieving those goals every week is the reward you work hard for. I live by this tactic where I set small goals that I could reach every 2-4 weeks whether for my workouts, my nutrition, or my chef expertise. Alongside this, I practice to not let my health journey feel like a burden. I remind myself how this hard work is an investment in my well-being for a happier life and a stronger body as I grow older.
Treat your body as the most important aspect of your life. Eat good, move more and feel the best version of yourself!