How Fitness Exercise can help improve your mental health and self esteem – Ali Innocent
Let’s get to meet you. Tell us about yourself and your background
Am Ali Innocent, i grew and stayed in many states in Nigeria. Amongst them are Lagos, Ibadan, Jos, Ebonyi, Abuja, etc. Am a graduate of Fine arts B.A honors Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria, with a professional qualification on project management. I attended a military Primary and Secondary school, I grew up in a military environment my dad was a soldier.
How and when did you develop interest in fitness programs?
My interest in fitness dated as far back as 2011 wen i newly gained admission into the University. It all started when I came across a 300level student in my department his physique drew my attention.
What are the kind of sacrifices you have made to your lifestyle to maintain an excellent body and fitness.
Well maintaining a fit body and a good physique is not easy, I have poured in most of my time, energy, and money in this these are my sacrifices.
What are the best advice you’d give individuals that want to start a fitness and body program
My advice to young and aspiring individuals who wants to venture into the fitness journey is…first and foremost Be focus, be highly determined, be consistent.
Kindly share ways to lose belly fat and live a healthier life
Best way to loose belly fat is to engage in every abdominal workout and routine, know your diet plan. For healthier living hit the gym always and exercise frequently.
Again, this depends on what works for your lifestyle. For adults, the World Health Organization recommends at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or at least 75-150 minutes each week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity.
In Nigeria, most of our meals are filled with carbs, does it have an effect in our work out and fitness program?
Consuming excessive carbohydrate is pretty much unsafe rather a fitness individual should ensure taking all six nutrients. Carbs if properly broken down in d body will convert into energy, and we know one needs energy to work out and train effectively when balanced with protein the body becomes most effective in its capacity.
How often should an individual exercise. Is it advisable to do strength training, cardio or both?
It is ok to exercise frequently but also take your rest days seriously so that the body will have time to recover both strength and cardio training are good I strongly advice individual to do both.
As a fitness coach, what should Nigerians be expecting from you in future?
I believe the best of me is yet to come still. I aim at positively impacting and developing both young and old minds through my training also to ensure that fitness becomes a lifestyle in this part of the world we can see that already in most western countries
