7 Fat Burning Questions with Nusrat Hidayatullah of 42 DAY Challenge

We had the fitness trainer and 42 Day Challenge co-owner, Nusrat Hidayatullah, over. We talked clean-eating, fitness and the occasional cheat meal (our favorite kind of meal).

here are some of the burning questions we asked to Nusrat about fitness and work out motivation.

1. What advice would you give someone just beginning their fitness journey?

Nusrat: Consistency is key. And to ensure you stay consistent, set achievable goals when starting out. It’s not a sprint- it’s a marathon. If you’re looking to lose weight, quit sugar (and anything that resembles sugar including sugar substitutes) and processed carbs entirely. Try and make your food at home. And make sure you get at least 6 hours of sleep to keep hormones in check. If you understand your body as one big hormone, which is what it is, you need to make sure that everything that’s gonna keep those hormones regulated and in check, should be done. and sleep is one of those components.

2. What’s your personal fitness mantra or motto? 

Something that motivates me is movement. I like to feel agile. I’m very fast. I’m attuned to movement. Movement has always been a way for me to exert myself.

3. What, in your view, is the most consequential benefit of exercise? 

You’re in immediate control of your body. When you learn to control your body, you learn that controlling externalities is not as important. Once you can control the thing that you have an immediate effect on, things around you tend to place themselves differently. Your perception changes. You’re stronger, in general. 

4. Are cheat meals part of your workout?  

If I’m working towards a goal, I won’t have a cheat meal. I do cheat once a week. Regimented cheating, however. Nothing off the cuff. If there’s an event coming up, say a loved one’s shaadi, I’ll forgive myself.

5. Three bodyweight exercises you can’t live without?

Squats I burpees I mountain climbers

6. Your go-to fitness snack and drink?

Protein powder and protein shakes I  Peanut butter 

7. Diet-exercise ratio you follow and recommend to others?

80% diet: 20% exercise