A Family Fit for Health - by Cassidy Johnson

Believe it or not, another year has come and gone; unfortunately, the pounds have stayed. But before you start searching for the latest, greatest weight loss plan, consider this: rather than pushing yourself to extreme limits for a temporary weight loss goal, why not strive for a healthier lifestyle this year? That's what small business owner and fitness trainer Sagdrina Jalal would recommend. Her company called Inner Strength Fitness, which she began five years ago, offers personal home training that focuses on the health and wellbeing of her clients, not just their weight loss.

"We go into homes and work with individuals and small groups to help them achieve their fitness goals," Jalal said. "Our program creates an individual approach to fitness that not only meets their physical needs, but compliments their lifestyle as well."

When she first started training, she got together with a group of stay at home moms who wanted to exercise. "I decided that I would be the one to make it formal and organize it," she said.

According to her friends and clients, Jalal really does practice what she preaches. "People can improve their quality of life just by committing to an exercise program," she said.

Jalal's passion for fitness reflects not only in her successful business, but also in her own family. She and her husband Abdurrahim moved to their current home in Lilburn eight years ago.

They have three children (Malik 14, Darsi 11, and Skye 5) and a boxer named Daisy. Her oldest son Malik plays soccer on a Classic I team at Georgia Soccer Association and runs Cross Country for Brookwood High School. Darsi, her younger son, has played soccer for eight years and currently plays Academy soccer for Georgia Futbol Club. Skye, the youngest child and the only girl, plays soccer and dances.

"We are a fitness-focused family," she said. "My husband is a former Army Airborne Ranger. He was in First Ranger Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield and served during Desert Storm." Abdurrahim currently participates in Shinkindo a school of Japanese swordmanship.

Living in Gwinnett certainly has it's perks for this active family; they often take Daisy to the dog park at Ronald Reagan Park, and this February they plan to Run the Reagan, which is a 10k/5k race that takes place on Ronald Reagan Parkway every year.

"It is like a smaller, family oriented version of the Atlanta Peachtree Road Race. Last year there were vendors and inflatables for the kids, " Jalal said. "It's a community event."

Several of Jalal's clients from Inner Strength Fitness will also participate in the race not only for exercise but also to raise money for the Auto Immune Awareness.

"Exercise and staying active is one major way that our family maintains health," she said. "I have been diagnosed with auto immune disease and both my sons are asthmatic."

The boys used to have to get regular nebulizer treatments every 2-3 hours when they were younger. "Now, regular activity helps us minimize those issues as well as stay in shape," she said.

Her experience with autoimmune disease (specifically endometriosis and arthritis) is at the heart of her passion for wellness. It was three difficult pregnancies that triggered her health issues. Also, her mother Shirley McGee Brown passed away last January at a relatively young age. The loving memory of her mother drives her to share what she has learned about healthy living so that others can live longer, fuller lives.

"It means a lot to me that something good comes from my experience with my mom," Jalal said.

Autoimmune diseases take place when the body has overactive immune response to substances and tissues normally found in the body. "It sees something that is typically natural/normal and attacks it, responding in a variety of ways. For example, with Rheumatoid Arthritis the body's hyper response causes painful inflammation and tissue damage in joints and tendons " she said.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly known as lupus) is another type of AI disease, as well as certain thyroid diseases.

"The difficult thing about AI diseases is that it can be hard to obtain an accurate diagnosis," she said. "The symptoms are very similar from one AI disease to the other, so it often takes time for a doctor to reach a specific diagnosis."

There are no cures for autoimmune diseases; those diagnosed are often given steroids in attempt to control the symptoms. "For many, staying active and maintaining a healthy diet help manage the condition and improve quality of life. " Jalal said.

The American Auto Immune Related Diseases Association is an organization that provides information and resources for people suffering from AI diseases; it can help them more accurately diagnose their symptoms. Over 50 million Americans suffer from AI diseases.

"Several of my clients, interestingly enough, also suffer from autoimmune disease," Jalal said. "One in particular suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, and she was told that at this point in her life, she should be wheelchair bound. Instead, she is active and youthful; you would never believe that she was given that type of diagnosis, but she was."

As far as Jalal and her family are concerned, exercise and eating healthy are necessities.

"It's more crucial because of the health issues we've experienced," she said. "We just eat healthy and try to take care of ourselves."

So, what are some ways you can make exercise a practical, every day part of your routine? Jalal suggests several:

1. "You want to find a fitness program that meets your lifestyle. One mistake people make is to follow the latest fitness craze or celebrity diet. The bottom line is to get your heart rate up and get moving!"
2."You don't have to be crazy about watching what you eat; you just have to be aware. I believe in moderation and balance."
3."If you don't enjoy running, don't run! But if you enjoy dancing, take a dance class."
4.Have an accountability partner. "Someone to give you that nudge when it's cold outside or drizzling a little bit."
5."Journaling is a great way to successfully track any weight loss or wellness in general. Write it down; reflect on what you're eating and on your activity level."
6."Start out at a pace that you think you can maintain, and then keep it going!"

There are several opinions about what's healthy today, which products work best, and the keys to quicker weight loss. But Jalal and her company Inner Strength Fitness emphasize well being, which is the combination of exercise, healthy eating, and positive lifestyle choices in order to create a better individual.

"I think more people are making wellness a part of their lives, and looking at multiple approaches to address their health issues," she said. "Fitness is amazing; I feel like I have my own little fountain of youth!"

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