She runs marathons, hikes, paddle-boards, and weightlifts – honestly, she does it all. Emirati personal trainer and CrossFit coach Abeer AlKhaja is the sporty Arab woman that we should all be learning from. From being underweight and ill, to now having enough strength to run 7km with a weighted vest, Abeer has transformed her life for the better. 

We spoke to the fitness fiend about how exercise became so important to her, and how the Apple watch is a *huge* help. Scroll down to read more… 

Cosmo ME: How did you develop a passion for fitness? 

Abeer: I only got into sports and when I was 26-years-old – I’m 34 now. I wish I had known how great it was and had started much earlier. It was initially to get stronger and healthier in order to be able to continue my volunteer work. In Ramadan 2013, I wasn’t able to do that but come Ramadan 2014 I went back and volunteered and I remember that day we managed to hand out over 200 meals to fasting workers.

It all started years ago, I was out midday in Dubai volunteering with a group of friends when suddenly I felt weak and everything in front of me turned white. I had to quickly run inside and lay down. It was then that I realized that I have to get healthier and workout to be able to continue to do what I love most, volunteering.

What started with a goal to become healthier turned into a lifestyle. I had fell in love with fitness and started to try all kinds of sports from body building to boxing, fencing, crossfit, and finally running.”

C: You hike, you SUP, you lift weights, you run… Do you have a favourite exercise?

A: “I guess my top 3 would have to be running, endurance training, and CrossFit. In every class or every activity I found girls that loved it as much as I did and eventually we became friends. With them it became more than just working out. We were now a community of sporty sisters who came together because of fitness.”

C: How has using an Apple Watch helped your workouts?

A: “The Apple Watch is more than a smart watch for me. It helps me keep track of my goals. It is unique in a way that it sends notifications or reminders to stand up, breathe, even wash my hands! Whether it’s strength training, mobility, cycling, or running, the Apple Watch tracks them all.”

C: What are your favourite three functions of the Apple Watch that you can’t live without?

A: “Activity App: Apple Watch shows my daily movement through the Move, Exercise, and Stand rings that make up my ‘Activity’. I track my progress throughout the day with the aim of closing all my rings.

Workout App: I use this to measure my favorite workouts from running to strength to HIIT.

Music App: The Apple Watch allows me to stream my favorite music even without my iPhone near by – which is quite useful at the gym.” 

C: What is the best Apple Watch hack/function that not many people know about that is one of your best discoveries.

A: “Apple Pay is so convenient with Apple Watch! After setting it up all you have to do is double click on the side button to get it activated! So simple and effective.”

C: Let’s talk about mental health and mindfulness… Do you have any routines you do that helps you take care of your mental health?

A: “I pray on a daily basis and besides that I join a Mobility or Yoga class when I can and right now that’s about 2-3 times a month.”

C: Has the Apple Watch helped any of the practices? If yes, how?

A: “Yes! The new update includes mobility and cool down in the workout app.”

C: Do you think exercise helps your overall mental state and well-being?

A: “Most definitely, it reduces anxiety and put you in a better mood. I’ve also read that it reduces depression and that a 30 minute workout daily is all you need to be healthier both mentally and physically.”

C: If you could share one message with young Cosmo readers, what would it be?

A: “Enjoy and love what you do whether that’s boxing or running or Zumba! Be patient with yourself. Every small accomplishment motivates us to continue and to become better at what we love and what we do.”