An inspiration to the younger generation, national gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi tells Meera Murugesan she trains hard and eats well to stay fit
SHE has the face of a model and the healthy, toned body of an athlete, the kind of combination most women dream of. But national gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, 22, is super fit with a healthy natural glow simply because she doesn’t believe in taking shortcuts where living and eating right are concerned.
DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY
The Pan-Asian beauty who wowed judges and won two gold, one silver and three bronze medals at the 2015 Sea Games, works hard to ensure she’s always at the top of her game. She trains six days a week, four to six hours daily on weight training as well as gymnastics.
“Gymnastic is a very challenging sport. I love that it pushes me to do new things as well as learn what I am capable of. I also enjoy the fact that it’s a sport which portrays both artistry as well as strength,” says Farah, a student at Monash University.
CONFIDENT IN YOUR SKIN
Farah, who believes in being committed to a good fitness regime, is concerned that many young girls today are so focused on their weight.
She says the portrayal of women in media and advertising is one of the main reasons why so many girls are obsessed with being overly skinny and are always dieting.
The daily bombardment of images and videos has led to an unrealistic image of what being beautiful and feeling confident really is.
“Everyone should feel confident in her own skin, no matter what she is and we need to stop judging ourselves and others by the way we look because we are all beautiful,” says Farah.
She has always believed that a healthy body will lead to one looking and feeling good. Eating the right food, rationing what we eat and exercising is a good way to achieve that balance.
However, she stresses that a positive outlook on life and surrounding ourselves with people who love and support us can make a huge difference.
EVERYTHING IN BALANCE
Even though her fabulously fit and flexible body is the envy of many, Farah says she doesn’t diet.
She just trains really hard to stay in shape and maintain her fitness level. She also eats healthily and drinks plenty of water.
A healthy, balanced diet and a good training programme are her secrets to staying fit and maintaining good overall health but Farah also understands that for many people who work long hours, it can be a challenge to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
However, she believes these are choices we must consciously make and people can gradually change their lifestyle to a healthier one.
Taking that first step may be difficult but one must do it and be completely committed to accommodating that new, healthier lifestyle every day.
INSPIRING OTHERS
Gymnastics has been a part of Farah’s life since the tender age of three and it has taught her to be a disciplined professional with good values, components that she also finds highly useful in her everyday life.
Farah also believes in reaching out to the unfortunate and giving back to the community. Her aspiration is to be a role model and inspire all young Malaysians to be strong, both physically and mentally in facing life’s challenges.
As a personality that the youth of Malaysia can relate to, she believes she has a responsibility to give back to the sport by sharing her knowledge and experience in gymnastics with the younger generation to help produce homegrown talents who are able to compete at the international level.
As a young woman at the top of her chosen field, Farah hopes to encourage other young girls to keep pursuing their dreams even when times are tough because that is when they will truly discover what they are capable of.
“It takes a lot of sacrifice to achieve something but when you do achieve your dreams, it will all be worth it,” she says.
She believes that to encourage young girls to take up gymnastics, there should be more exposure to the sport at school and the chance to participate in competitions. This, besides parental support, will encourage more young women to develop a keen interest in gymnastics.
As a gymnast, Farah says she has learnt to be more disciplined in her approach to things and is able to push herself to be the best she can.
It’s about knowing how to handle winning and losing and being a team player as well as how to be both physically and mentally strong.
Every competition comes with its own set of challenges and pressures but she trains hard to be at her best physically so that she’s fully prepared for each competition.
“I remind myself of my goals and what I want to achieve in a competition and I just try my best,” she says.
SIZE ZERO
THE obsession to be thin or even what’s termed “size zero” can easily lead to anxiety, bullying and low self-esteem in young girls.
Wanting to be like someone else but struggling to do it can leave a teenager feeling overwhelmed and not in control of her life.
Here are a few ways that parents can help their teenage daughters develop a positive body image and feel comfortable about who they are.
1. Explain the effects of puberty
Make sure she understands that weight gain is a normal part of her development, especially during puberty.
2. Talk about media messages
Television programmes, movies, music videos, websites and magazines may send the message that only a certain body type is acceptable and that maintaining an attractive appearance is the most important goal.
Check what your daughter is reading or watching and encourage her to question what she sees and hears.
3. Monitor Internet use
Teenagers use social networking sites and services to share pictures and receive feedback.
Judgemental comments from others can make them feel self-conscious about their looks so set rules for your teen’s Internet use and what she can post or view.
4. Discuss self-image
Reassure her that healthy body shapes vary. Ask her what she likes about herself and explain what you like about her. Parental acceptance and respect can help her build self-esteem and resilience.
5. Use positive language
Rather than using words like “fat”and “thin”, encourage your daughter to focus on eating a healthy diet and staying physically active. Discourage family and friends from using hurtful nicknames and making jokes about overweight people.
6. Promote physical activity
Get her to participate in sports and other physical activities, especially those that don’t emphasise on the need for a particular weight or body shape. It can help promote good self-esteem and a positive body image.
7. Set a good example
Remind your daughter that you execise and eat a healthy diet for health and not just to look a certain way. Also, think about what you as a parent read and watch as well as the products you buy and the message your choices send.
Source: adapted from: Tween and Teen Health - Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.org)
CELEBRATE ORIGINALITY
Farah Ann is among local celebrities who are a part of the We Are Original campaign by denim brand Levi’s.
It is an invitation to all who are not just anybody, to live in the moment, connect with others and be true to themselves.
This new campaign serves to engage and activate the vast community of Levi’s fans on their shared experiences and is a platform to showcase their unique Levi’s stories.
BIODATA
Name: Farah Ann Abdul Hadi
Age: 22
Race: Pan-Asian/Malay
Occupation: National gymnast (captain) and student at Monash University
Hobbies: Scuba diving and reading
Motto: “Always believe in yourself”
Achievements: Sea Games 2015 — two Gold medals (Team & Floor), one silver medal (IAA), three bronze medals (Vault, Uneven Bar, Beam)
World Challenger Cup 2013 (Doha) — 9th place (Floor)
Hong Kong Open 2015 - two gold medals (IAA & Uneven Bar), two silver medals (Vault & Floor)
Commonwealth Games 2014 — 11th place (IAA)
Asian Games 2014 - 7th place (IAA)
Singapore Open 2014 — two gold medals (Vault & Floor), two silver medals (Beam & IAA)
Artistic Celtic Cup 2014 Invitational —two bronze medals (Team & Floor)
Sukma KL 2013 — two gold medals (IAA & Team)
Singapore Open 2013 — two gold medals (Vault & Bar), two silver medals (IAA & Floor), one bronze medal (Beam)