Up close and personal with trainer for Lose It program

Jodiann Jackson/Contributing Writer

After a hard workout by one of the Lose It personal trainers at the Recreation Center, Student Media sat down with trainer Ilyas Hamid, a junior majoring in dietetics and nutrition. He has been involved with the Lose It program since fall 2011 and a personal trainer for over a year at the University. He discussed how he became a personal trainer as well as his involvement with the Lose It program.

STUDENT MEDIA: Why did you decide to become a personal trainer?
HAMID: Many reasons. First, because my passion for dietetics and nutrition goes hand in hand with physical activity and wellness, and also because I’ve been an athlete my entire life, and I love working out.

STUDENT MEDIA: Why did you become a personal trainer for the Lose It program?
HAMID: I felt that my education in this proficient dietetics and nutrition program here at FIU would allow me to offer great nutritional advice to the Lose It program. I also understand how hard it can be for a person to be motivated to go to the gym, so I hope all of the participants understand how reputable it is that they get in the gym everyday and work on their calorie intake everyday. I know how hard it is, and they are all very respected. I’m honored to be their trainer.

STUDENT MEDIA: What do you think will be your biggest impact on the contestants?
HAMID: I hope I impact everyone in the manner of leading a more healthy lifestyle. Eat right, work hard, and finish strong!

STUDENT MEDIA: How would you encourage someone who is not part of the program to
lose weight?
HAMID: Baby steps. First, shorten your portions in your food. Eat slowly and swallow your food before taking another bite. A few moments after your meal, you will see that you are satisfied, and that extra food you left on the plate was never necessary.

STUDENT MEDIA: As a personal trainer, how do you think the program is benefiting?
HAMID: Two-thirds of the U.S. population is overweight, and half of those overweight, are obese. This program is allowing me to fulfill my desire of making a difference in that number, even if it is only a few people at a time. This program is also allowing me to help the participants when choosing their meal plans. I offer some nutritional counseling and advice for everyone who needs it.

STUDENT MEDIA: What type of workouts can contestants look forward to while
training?
HAMID: I change the workout routine every four weeks, but my workouts mainly consist of circuit training. Circuit training has shown to help with losing weight while strengthening the body. I also do Tabata style workouts. Tabata has shown to increase a person’s VO2 max (maximal oxygen consumption) more quickly than any other exercise. I also incorporate stairs for cardio and boxing.

STUDENT MEDIA: What would be your word of encouragement for the trainers and the contestants?
HAMID: Learn your modifications. A lot of people in the program have knee, shoulder and back problems. It’s important that you know your modifications so that you don’t trigger pain. When the going gets hard, and the hard gets going, just remember all of the benefits of losing weight. Remember why you’re doing this. And if none of that works, just imagine what you would look like in a bikini after you reach your goal!

life@fiusm.com

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