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SD Spotlight by Beth Wood: SD Health Magazine Spring 2009 page 14

 

Seeing the light

 

Losing 99 pounds has opened her eyes to value being fit

 

She’s not an Olympic athlete, but Sama Jihad deserves some kind of gold metal. In less than a year, she lost 99 pounds, dropping from nearly 300 pounds to under 200. The 25-year-old El Cajon resident joined Glaze Fitness in the Spring of 2008 and has been challenging herself in boot camps and daily workouts ever since.

            First, though, Jihad wanted to explain her name. “My parents are from Iraq; me and my sisters were all born here. We are Chaldeans, or Catholic Iraqis,” she said. “After 9/11, people ask me about my name all the time. It means ‘Struggle for excellence’ in Arabic”.

            No question that Jihad, who uses her bilingual skills at her part-time job at Middle East Social Services in El Cajon, lives up to that definition. We asked her to tell us about her ongoing journey to health.

 

What got you started?

            I’d gone on a trip to England to visit my aunt and her family. Every night my cousin would lecture me on how important exercise is. When I came back, I told my sister, “My cousin motivated me.” I attended a free session at Glaze. At the first boot camp, I couldn’t even breathe. I was the last one to finish everything. I wanted to quit. Jake (Glaze) and his whole staff were so encouraging.

 

Are you trying to maintain your weight or do you plan to lose more?

            I don’t know. This isn’t about losing weight but to be fit. I think about being an athlete, but right now, I just want to be at a healthy weight. My doctor says for me, that’s 150-160 pounds and I’m at 189 pounds.

 

How do you keep it going?

            What’s helped me stay on track is to stay positive. I liked the program at Glaze because it has a good mix of everything: cardio, strength and resistance training.

            I follow a meal plan a nutritionist at Glaze prepared for me. It has all the necessary foods to be healthy. But I’m not perfect. Yesterday I had carne asada with cheese and guacamole. It was so good. Today, I did mountain climbing and intervals at the gym to make up for it. It’s so weird. I never cared- I ate whatever and I’d sit and watch TV all day. I’m obsessed now. Honestly, I can’t believe I achieved this.

 

In what ways has this changed your life?

            The biggest thing is my self-esteem. It’s strange, but after I finish boot camp or exercise, I feel I could conquer the world. It’s a feeling I’ve never had before. I get to share clothes with my sister. My sister gets so excited. She said, ‘Finally, I can give my nice clothes to you.’ It’s so cool. It’s easier to tie my shoes and put on my socks, to bend down. My doctor said that 10 pounds is actually 30 pounds of pressure on my knee. Since I’ve lost weight, I have no more pain in my knees.

 

What tips do you have for people who need to lose a lot of weight?

            Know that it is possible to do. Have a positive mind-set. You have to make changes in your eating habits and have positive people around you to support you. If I couldn’t afford the gym, I’d walk around the neighborhood. I’d do jumping jacks and push-ups and jump-rope. I’d ask someone for help to encourage me. Any movement is healthy. Put on good music and start dancing. That will totally get you up.

 

 

 

               What is Adventure Boot Camp?


This program has exactly what you're looking for if you want out of the gym and change up your routine! This is the no excuse workout program all you have to do is get there every day and you will see great results! We combine running, obstacle courses, resistant training and Core conditioning in a fun and relaxed non intimidating environment to get you the results that you have been looking for! You have the option of 5 days per week 4 days a week or 3 days per week for this amazing 4 week program.

Sign up and register early, you dont want to miss out!

 

Click here to visit San Diego Adventure Boot Camp Website

Our Next 4 Week Adventure Boot Camp Women Only Starts :

Monday August 3rd

530am-630am

or

915am-1015am
or

 COED Evening Adventure Boot Camp

6pm-7pm

 

For more information call us at 619-588-7300 or email us at GetFit@SanDiegoAdventureBootCamp.com