ABDIAMAN'S ADVICE FOR STARTING OUT

Set reasonable goals

Abdiaman encourages her clients to see the transition from being sedentary to a more active lifestyle as being a long, gradual process, full of small victories. “Some clients come to me and say they want to lose 50 lb. in a month or two. That’s an unrealistic goal. I tell them, “let’s focus on changing up your lifestyle and exercising two or three times a week.” Just stay active. Get up and go outside instead of looking at a screen.

Focus on taking it day by day

Abdiaman encourages her clients to keep their focus on the short term. “Just do something positive every day, and celebrate the small milestone,” she says. Not eating chocolate or ice cream for a few days, when you used to eat it every day, counts.

Hire a personal trainer

Sure, Abdiaman is a personal trainer, but she’s not just plugging the profession. Having someone to hold you accountable to your goals – and help you find out what sort of exercise works best for you – can be decisive support.

Keep a journal

Abdiaman found keeping a journal helped her recognize the negative consequences of her unhealthy behaviour, so she recommends journalling to many of her clients. “For me, I had a negative relationship with food. Journalling helped remind me how I would feel after binge eating a bag of chips or chocolate bars.”

Develop a positive attitude

In her work, Abdiaman tries to help clients evolve a positive attitude towards exercise. “Some see it as torture and they dread exercise.” Finding the right activities means that exercise is a positive experience. “Then they start to look forward to it.”