The World Federation of KSIMC

As part of our 10,000 Steps Challenge we’ve decided to speak to some of our participants and get their perspective on how they are finding the challenge so far. Read on to find out more. If you would like to receive weekly motivation and tips on our 10,000 Steps Challenge register yourself here. 

Zaynab Khaki*, 34, Project Management      

Why did you take up the challenge?

My previous role involved commuting all over London, however when I changed roles I noticed I was less active. I decided to check my weight in the new year, although I was not alarmed with my weight gain I noticed I was slightly heavier than normal. I knew instantly  I had to look into getting active this year especially since I have not exercised in over 6 months.

What do you hope to gain from it?

Ideally I would like to go back to my original weight. I want to change my lifestyle and continue walking daily. It seems daunting at first to take up the challenge but once you include it into your daily routine I found the walking gets a lot easier.

Have you seen any improvements in your health?

When I initially started walking, I was getting out breath a lot. As the weeks progressed, I found myself walking for a lot longer and hardly getting breathless. My friends even noticed the difference in me. Being active had a positive impact on my mood.  Feeling less tired in the evening and eager to get on with my daily tasks. Most importantly, I was fitting back into my old clothes comfortably, which is always a positive. To me, this is a lifelong commitment and I enjoy all the benefits I have noticed so far.

Husein Bandali, 23, Dental Hygienist and Therapist

Why did you take up the challenge?

I recently finished university and had just started my working career. I was at a point in my life where I was ready to establish myself in my life. My main aim was I wanted to make a positive change in myself and after seeing what Mahmood Mawjee was doing, I approached him for advice. He suggested I started going for runs in the morning with him and I joined His Sunday fitness club. One of the goals to be part of the group is to submit our achievements in the group and to post up our weekly step count. It was like healthy motivation between us which motivated me to continue with the classes. I wanted to surround myself around not only people who can challenge me physically but mentally as well.

What do you hope to gain from it?

When I initially started, I could only manage to do a 1.5k run without stopping . Fast-forward roughly 2-3 weeks I ran my first 5K without stopping. Now I am in the process of improving my 5k time. Overall I want to gain strength, be more energetic and hopefully eat more healthy. I also want to develop my mind set to push myself further as I go along.

Have you seen any improvements in your health?

For me its not so much about the weight but more about how I feel, I understand I have to start now so I can look after my future self. For example after running 5k I found my self challenging my abilities in other aspects such as the plank and push ups etc. which was for me a great improvement from my previous lifestyle. I enjoy attending the group sessions, as we moivate and encourge each other to perform our best. I still have a long way to go to achieve the goals set in my mind but with the support of Mahmood, his team and the group InshAllah I hope to achieve them.

Makbul Rahim, 70, lawyer and DProf researcher (Middlesex University)    

Why did you take up the challenge?

It gives me a physical and energetic target to continually aspire to and seek to achieve. Many who reach 70 tend to reduce daily walking and exercises and drift, as they feel inevitably, towards a life of minimum and growingly decreasing physical exertion. For me who has alhamdulillah had a fairly active life with regular sports and various health activity engagements and walking I see in my semi-retirement the daily 10k steps challenge as a very key target, motivator and catalyst and barometer so as not to give up on physical exertion as I get older.  Once I have this daily target in my mind I can think of myriads of ways of increasing my steps such as park run, avoiding car journeys  for short distances, actively setting aside time per day to walk for 40 to 45 minutes whenever possible and joining health groups like Dr Mahmood Mawjee group for added encouragement and push. This provides me with an important focus to my life goals to continue to do all that is necessary to remain healthy.  

What do you hope to gain from it?

I hope to gain determination to keep on doing sporting activities and physical exercise and to continue to enjoy inshallah good physical well-being and positive mind set.  Walking gives one change of environment, mental relaxation, rest from daily chores be it at work or at home and refreshes ones mind and heart. Joining Mahmood Mawjee’s weekly work out classes with young and old gives one extra push and incentives.

Yes. By incorporating the schedule of daily walking and weekly sports and work outs in my life I have been able to maintain my weight at 11 stones and controlled any tendency towards obesity. I find that I have increased my stamina for weekly park runs and swimming and badminton. My body aches and pains have substantially decreased and I feel more mobile and less stiff in the joints. My general posture has improved significantly. My overall stress levels have decreased. I feel more relaxed and fit. I am able to get on with my day to day activities better.  We can easily do around 3000 steps a day in our own house neighbourhoods and trying to reach 10k per day is truly a worthwhile effort.  So for me with all the health benefit I gain from this effort, the 10k walking challenge is most worthwhile.

We've created a closed group on Facebook for all of our participants to join in and share their success stories, steps count or motivational tips with each other. Click on The World Federation's 10,000 Steps Challange group and add yourself now!

Don't forget to use #WFFitFam and we will share it on our page!

*name changed for privacy.