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by Caroline Berson | Dec 17, 2008 9:05 am

(1) Comment | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author

Posted to: Arts

As a daughter, Mubarakah Ibrahim has seen up close the toll diabetes can take. As a local fitness guru, she has seen how exercise and nutrition can keep diabetes and other health problems at bay.

So in time for the holidays, Ibrahim has put out a challenge.

Teams of three can sign up to participate in her Connecticut Fitness Challenge, a 12 week weight-loss competition with a $3,000 prize to be split among the winning team members. The challenge encourages participants to employ both nutrition and exercise in their weight-loss regimen.

The event is sponsored by Mubarakah Ibrahim (pictured), owner and head trainer of Balance Fitness. Teams will be judged based on overall percentage of weight loss as well as the answers the put on the questionnaire form. Additionally, all proceeds from the $49 entry fee go toward the American Diabetic Association. The award money is donated directly from the studio to the winning team.

The connection to diabetes is personal, says Mubarakah, whose mother suffers from the condition. Additionally, exercise and diet are the two main factors contributing to diabetes, she said.

To be eligible, participants must be residents of New Haven County, over the age of 18, weigh in with their health care professional, and complete the registration form by Jan. 10th. After registration, they will receive a welcome package including a t-shirt, food diary, and recipes approved by the American Diabetes Association.

The contest will be judged by a panel of five. Mubarakah’s clients will not necessarily be the winners. Additionally, the contest is open to both men and women.

“My clients don’t have an unfair advantage,” Mubarakah said. “It’s all about self-motivation.”

Mubarakah has been planning the event for over a year, but she wasn’t sure how to put it together. She said she landed on this model because people respond better when there is a goal and a reward. Requiring contestants to be weighed in by their health care professional encourages them to think about and discuss the correlation between weight and health. Additionally, working in a group of three establishes a support system.

“Weight loss is more successful with team work,” Mubarakah said.

As of Tuesday, six teams have registered. Mubarakah said she hopes at least 100 teams will participate. Additionally, people who have undergone gastric bypass surgery or liposuction in the past six months are not eligible.

Mubarakah offered to come give free, personal presentations about the Connecticut Fitness Challenge to organizations that request this service.

More information can be found online here, through email, or by phone at 203-624-9999.

Comment

posted by: Anonymous on December 18, 2008 10:00am

This young lady is doing an awesome job for the New Haven County. Her marketing techniques and knowledge in her field has transformed the wellness community in the city. No wonder President Obama if looking at you!

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