Kashmir is progressing, and the good news is, it is doing so on every front. Aliya Farooq is another Kashmiri who exemplifies progress across the valley. A mother of two, who combated obesity after her first pregnancy, Aliya is now setting benchmarks across the fitness space. She has helped several women overcome obesity and gain shape. Yes. Aliya is Kashmir’s first certified woman fitness trainer, who has changed the lives of other women around her!
Aliya’s Background and History
Aliya is a resident of Khanyar in Srinagar. She completed schooling from CMP Higher Secondary School at Khanyar and higher secondary and graduated from Women College, Kashmir. She is a mother of two children who struggled with health concerns such as obesity and depression after the first pregnancy. Her husband suggested joining a gym to overcome the issues. But she was skeptical whether a male trainer would understand female fitness needs.
Aliya then went for a vacation to Delhi with her husband. While in Delhi, she consulted a doctor for weight loss and depression and was advised to join a gym. Besides, the sight of several married women exercising in the gymnasium and keeping themselves fit inspired her to join a gymnasium in Delhi. That’s when the journey started. Aliya lost a whopping 28 kilos in only four months and embarked on the way to becoming fit and setting an example.
What Drove Aliya & the Story of Fitness Solution
Aliya observes women ignore fitness in the wake of balancing between household and professional responsibilities. Besides, like her, many women are hesitant to train themselves with a fitness male trainer. Aliya, who resonates with the thoughts of such women, stepped into the fitness world as a fitness professional to change things.
She traveled to Hyderabad for comprehensive fitness training and returned to take charge of her husband’s fitness venture as an instructor in 2012. Took charge of her husband’s gymnasium? Yes. Aliya isn’t just a fitness trainer. Her determination and courage to change herself also helped revive an otherwise failed venture into a successful one.
What’s that story? Aliya’s husband started a gym, named Fitness Solution, in Khanyar way back in 2000. However, the gym met with little success. In 2010, her husband attempted to revive the gymnasium by hiring a male trainer. However, that too couldn’t reap fruits for the couple. Things changed when Aliya stepped in. With her skills and determination, she turned the situation around and made the gymnasium more successful than ever!
Husband’s Support
Aliya’s story is undoubtedly inspiring. However, she has had her share of challenges, which perhaps, a lot of women in the valley, who dare to do something different, encounter. Aliya’s decision to handle her husband’s gym business met with a lot of criticism initially; however, she was hell-bent on turning things around and making a difference.
One significant source of support are her in-laws and especially her husband, who, despite the criticism and opposition, supported her decision and helped her succeed. Her parents have also supported her financially and morally. Initially, she borrowed some money from her father to establish the women’s gym. The venture garnered an encouraging response. Today, Aliya is a recognized trainer who has been applauded for her exceptional contribution with several awards, including an interview at one of the local radio stations.
Aliya’s Fitness Message to Women
Aliya has a message to the youth as well as to women. She urges the youth to stay strong in every situation, and when it comes to choosing a career, not to get carried away to make a random choice. She suggests, everyone must choose a career prudently, after a considerate thought.
To date, Aliya has trained thousands of women from various parts of the valley. She continues to help them turn fit and overcome several issues. According to her, a lot of women suffer from problems such as high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, obesity, infertility, etc. Hence, they need to exercise regularly to keep themselves healthy.
So, Aliya urges women to exercise regularly. Of course, it is a bit difficult for women engrossed in several activities and responsibilities at a time. However, she refers to the lessons COVID has taught everyone and the significance of health and fitness that everyone must realize to stay immune.
Aliya’s success, especially after her struggle, courage to fight the odds and face criticism, and overcoming her own challenges is certainly an inspiration for many other ladies across the valley to step out and create their identity. However, the best thing about Aliya is that she did not limit her success to herself. Her strong urge to make a difference in society has benefited many others and, we hope it continues to do so in the future as well!
