Beiruting News

"All challenges are a mental state of mind." This is how sports and fitness trainer Maya Nassar describes her career in the world of sports and nutrition after successfully winning three prizes in three different categories at the UK's largest bikini and fitness modelling competition. She earned 1st place for Bikini Beach Body, 2nd place for International Model Theme Wear, and 4th place for Fit Moms category, making her the first Lebanese new-mom to bring her country such an achievement and the first female fitness model endorsed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to represent Lebanon on an international level. Nassar has come a long way during her fitness journey after going through a self-confessed struggle with weight during her late teenage years and early twenties. "I was able to achieve my dreams without giving up on my femininity. In the past I suffered from excess weight gain and laziness. At that moment, I decided to change my entire lifestyle and make fitness the center of it all. Throughout my journey, I learnt how the body is truly a reflection of the lifestyle we follow."  Nassar began to share her fresh and new lifestyle on social media with exercise tips and nutritional advice that she customized and tested herself. She explained that her tips are directed towards anyone looking to positively transform their lifestyle and that every girl should know how to take control of such a rewarding way of life. Nassar was happy to provide us with her dieting and workout secrets. "I make a few adjustments to my diet according to the specific goal I'm trying to achieve. For instance, when I'm in the process of preparing for a competition, I make sure I consume less calories. And right now, as I'm in my pregnancy, I make sure to eat more calories, but my diet stays the same throughout where I eat a variety of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats like avocados and olive oil, as well as whole grain carbohydrates that include lentils, quinoa, brown rice, and potatoes. I also make sure to incorporate cheat meals once or twice a week." When it comes to Nassar's overall fitness routine, she incorporates various exercises that include strength training, weightlifting, aerobic exercises, and stretching. Her routine changes if she is preparing for an upcoming competition. "If you're trying to shed some weight, so should your workouts. On the other hand, if you're trying to maintain your current weight and stay healthy, then you should focus on building muscle rather than burning excess calories." On average, Nassar points out that she consistently works out four to five times a week for an hour or an hour and a half. During pregnancy, her workouts last for typically an hour. Maya Nassar has skillfully mastered the art of willpower and self-discipline that ultimately helped shape and strengthen her both physically and mentally during her fitness journey. She explains that it is natural to encounter some challenging moments when preparing for a competition, especially when it comes down to maintaining a discipline to commit to a fitness program and diet that lasts for a period of three to four months. The challenge for Nassar in this case is to strike a balance between fitness and motherhood where she says, "Sometimes I feel that time is not enough to be able to accomplish everything. But I try my best to manage my daily life by setting up a routine, committing to it as much as possible, and looking forward to the achievements I will gain very soon." Nassar hopes to inspire and empower both busy moms and women to stay in shape by achieving a fitness-life balance through nutrition, exercises, and a positive habit and routine. She consistently blogs and adds a variety of fitness programs to her personal app, Start Living Right, where she helps other women lead a healthy and fit lifestyle that also boosts their self-confidence both in and out of the gym.