Roles Women Play - From Fat to Fit!

Haslinda Ali, 35, director of Screenbox Pte Ltd, TV presenter and producer.

As a businesswoman, wife and mother of two, Haslinda faces the juggling act familiar to many women. And as a TV presenter, there is added pressure on her to look trim.

In her teen years, Haslinda was into sports like netball, athletics and dance, and never had to watch what she ate. But after she started working life, her level of physical activity dropped, and she noticed how easy it was to gain an extra kilo or two. So, she watched her diet and was able to keep her weight “still manageable and stable”.

The real problem began after marriage. As a young, career-driven couple, Haslinda and hubby ate out often and piled on the pounds together. After two pregnancies, Haslinda found herself weighing 76 kg – “It stuck there!” – despite a strict confinement regime and regular massages.

The turning point
Having to return to work and not being able to fit into any clothes except maternity clothes, Haslinda found herself looking in the mirror and asking herself: “Do you want to stay this way forever?”

That was the turning point. By this time, hubby had already joined a gym, so Haslinda signed up as well. She hit the gym five times a week, working out on her own and with a personal trainer who also helped her to create a sensible diet plan.

As a result, she shed half a kilo each week.

“After eight months of exercise, I looked half my previous self,” she remembers gleefully. “After one year of exercise, I weigh 54 kg – that’s what I weighed more than 10 years ago. Even women who have given birth can look good!”

A role model and a fun mum
Since then, Haslinda has been an inspiration to her viewers. Many women have emailed her to ask about her weight-loss secret, and she’s introduced several of them to a proper exercise regime.

Haslinda isn’t the only one in the family reaping the benefits of her new lifestyle. Being fit makes her a more energetic and fun mum, as she can keep up with her two young ones. She even runs, cycles and swims with them.

“I’ve never felt better in my life!”

www.womenandsports.sg