Ateeq Hussain

Well, it’s a new Islamic year, and that means Muslim men all over the world are setting goals to improve themselves over the next twelve months.

Or at least we live in the hope that they are!

If you’re one of these men, here’s a useful mental model to keep in mind as you get cracking on your efforts: progress isn’t linear.

Instead, progress usually looks more like the image below.

It took me a while to internalize this concept, but once I did, it significantly reduced the amount of frustration and angst I experienced as I worked on various personal fitness, professional and spiritual goals.

Up until a few years ago, I had this notion that if I set a goal, planned meticulously, and executed it day in and day out, my progress towards that goal would be a straight line up and to the right.

In the subsequent years I've realised life is extremely messy and achievement is less about A to B, and more about C... consistency.

Whatever the goal is you’re working on in the coming year, I wish you all the best with it. When you encounter inevitable setbacks, remember not to despair. Don’t freak out. Don’t do anything drastic. You don’t have to be moving in the right direction every single day, just the right direction over the course of months, and years.

Focus on the process. Make modest adjustments when needed. And keep on keeping on, my brother.

#muslim #personal #growth #fitness #nonlinear #messymiddle #islam

1 year ago | [YT] | 1

Ateeq Hussain

What are ultra-processed foods and which ones do we eat the most?

The way we buy food, how busy our lives are, and things like cost and convenience all have a big impact on the kind of food we can buy and eat.

The profit margins of the big companies that make the food also play a big part.

Supermarket shelves are full of ultra-processed food, so much so that it can seem hard to avoid.

But it's actually not that hard - and it doesn't mean you can only eat fresh fruit and vegetables.

Some of the most common ultra-processed foods (or UPFs) are:

-supermarket packaged bread
-breakfast cereals and granola
-flavoured yoghurt
-chocolate, biscuits and crisps
-energy, protein and granola bars
-fizzy drinks
-microwave ready meals

The big shock for me was cereal and flavoured yoghurt. I used to have cereal daily for breakfast, thinking it was the healthiest and most filling option.

I threw a couple spoons of sugar on top of a bowl of corn flakes. Finishing off with tasty yoghurt treat. That made me believe I'm kick-starting the day in a healthy way.

Yet, my breakfast was piled up with sugar and ultra-processed ingredients.

It's key to note that not all types of the mentioned food are ultra-processed. For instance, it might be possible to find a ready meal or a certain brand of cereal that isn't ultra-processed.

Also, remember that humans have been processing food for thousands of years. Bread, butter, cheese and (healthier) yoghurt are all processed foods.

But ultra-processed food is a step further. Plain yoghurt, nothing added, nothing changed, is processed because you are mixing a basic ingredient, milk, with microbes. You are creating something, that is processing.

It's when you take it to the next stage... adding various starches, emulsifiers, concentrates, artificial sweeteners and flavourings... that the same yoghurt becomes ultra-processed.

It is that extra step that is the main problem. It is when chemicals that you don't find in your kitchen are being added to foods that have been stripped of all their goodness... to make it look like food again!

Dr Chris Van Tulleken, who is an expert on diseases and also presents science shows on the BBC (the guy in the pic), gave a really easy way to know what ultra-processed food is.

🗨️ He says, if it's wrapped in plastic and it contains at least one ingredient that you don't typically find in a domestic kitchen, then it's ultra-processed food.

Dr Van Tulleken tried eating mostly ultra-processed food, like many teenagers do in the UK and US. He ate whatever he wanted, but made sure 80% of it was this kind of food.

🗨️ I just ate what I wanted, but with 80% of my calories coming from ultra-processed food (similar to a typical UK desi diet). And what happened? I gained a huge amount of weight in one month. I gained so much weight that if I'd continued for the whole year, I would've doubled my body weight.

Download the open food facts app www.openfoodfacts.org/

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1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Ateeq Hussain

Here it is guys, the moment you've all been waiting for.

The magic food formula for feeling fuller for longer is

🪓 Half your ultra-processed food.
➿ Double your unprocessed food.

That's it! Simple as that.

'Deride not what I say because of its simplicity. Truth is always simple.'
- George S. Clason, Richest Man in Babylon

Download the openfoodfacts app to help you.

#truth #realfood #muslimummah #muslimdad #muslimman #muslimmen #fakefood #openfoodfacts #ultraprocessedfood #upf

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

Ateeq Hussain

THIS IS the simple change in thinking that fixed my approach to unhealthy food habits.

This mindset changed everything for me.

"Treating my body with respect is a form of gratitude to Allah."

🌟 "Do not be a slave to your desires; control them as you would control a wild beast." - Ibn Al-Qayyim

Understanding that my body is an amanah (trust) from Allah made me rethink my food choices.

Instead of indulging in mind pleasure foods, I began to choose nourishing options that honor this trust.

Before eating anything, honestly I ask myself:

"Is this food serving my health and well-being?"

🌟 "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." - James Clear, Atomic Habits

Preparing healthy meals and snacks in advance is critical for this to work.

I try and make it a point to keep ultra-processed foods out of the house. (Usually packaged stuff that has ingredients you wouldn't find in a domestic kitchen.)

I eat slowly and savor each bite.

By shifting my mindset and creating supportive systems, I transformed my eating habits for good.

My latest challenge is to quit a tea and biscuit habit that I'm yet to shake off, insha'Allah.

5 days in, so far so good.

1 year ago | [YT] | 1

Ateeq Hussain

Anecdotal evidence of societal ignorance even amongst the most 'well-educated'. (see pic).

Courtesy of Chris Van Tulleken in his remarkable exposé of 'Ultra-Processed People - Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn't Food...and Why Can't We Stop?

A great addition to my armoury in my battle to educate and inform Busy Muslim Dads.

It's not you, it's the food. Join me as I take you through the world of food science and diet of ultra-processed food. Find out why exercise and willpower can't save us, and what UPF is really doing to our bodies, our health, our children and our Imaan.

Book a call to get started if you're a busy professional who is feeling confused and lost on your fitness journey.

ateeqhussain.com/

Changing your eating habits WILL change your life.

#ultraprocessed #muslims #dads #realfood #nutrition #fitness #mindset

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Ateeq Hussain

An autoimmune disorder is when the body mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells by failing to recognise friend from foe.

This is often how many of us behave when we decide to get fit.

We spend hours excercising and even go to extremes to eat healthy.

Sadly, we can overlook the true culprit: ultra-processed and hyper-palatable foods.

Ultra-processed foods are engineered to be addictive

Loaded with excessive refined sugars, carcinogenic fats, and industrial chemical ingredients.

The more we eat, the more hungry we get.

These products are the true enemy.

Continuously sabotaging our efforts even as we strive to improve our fitness.

Can you imagine trying to protect a fort from the gantry but leaving the doors wide open below.

That’s exactly what happens when we focus solely on exercise without addressing what we're letting in.

We put in tremendous effort, yet the damage from these poisonous products continues unchecked.

This often leads to stress, demotivation, and burnout.

Like a properly functioning immune system or fort commander understand these basics, to protect our health, we must:

#1. Understand the poisonous effects of ultra-processed foods and their addictive nature.

#2. Make conscious choices to replace these foods with natural, wholesome options.

#3. Know that fitness is less about burning calories and more about where the calories are coming from.

#4. Educate yourself on food labels and ingredients. Apps like Open Food Facts can help you.

#5. Cook more at home using whole, unprocessed ingredients. to help you control what comes in.

#6. Opt for foods that energise and nourish you, rather than those that lead to crashes and cravings.

If you want maximise your efforts you must first identify the obstacles.

If you're ready to embrace a holistic approach to health that combines exercise with mindful eating I'm open to having the conversation @ ateeqhussain.com/

As my clients are learning, you can’t protect the fort if you leave the doors wide open for the enemies to keep getting in, while you're busy fireing arrows from the top.

If you want a strategy that has proven to work for tens of busy Muslim dads please be quick as I can only help a 3 committed brothers in starting in June.

I simply support you in implementing proven sustainable system based on the latest evidence based scientific practice blended with the timeless wisdom from our beloved Nabi (pbuh) 💚.

1 year ago | [YT] | 1

Ateeq Hussain

An invitation to join the Food Revolution with Open Food Facts!

There's a hidden and extremely distressing issue that's affecting us all: the dangers of ultra-processed foods and their proven link to at least 32 life threatening chronic conditions including hypertension, fatty liver disease, diabetes, heart disease and even dementia and Alzheimer's.

These products are packed with harmful additives, excessive sugars, unhealthy fats, and industrial chemicals but they're marketed as cheap and convenient alternatives to Real Food.

These "chemical concoctions" are designed to be addictive and are driving the rise in chronic health conditions.

As we all know, big businesses including food companies are relentless in finding ways to profit off of our desire for convenience and comfort.

Thankfully there's a brilliant new tool to help us fight back: Open Food Facts. This initiative is a collaborative volunteer project that collects and shares information about food products from around the world.

By using Open Food Facts, I'm starting to can make informed choices about what I eat and I can contribute to a healthier community aswell.

For example, I've recently took a picture of the ingredients in a packet of custard creams which the app automatically converted into text and added the data to the database. The fact is most packaged goods like these biccies are ultra-processed food like substances. They have very little nutrition, so why do I need these iny diet? Answer, I don't!

Open Food Facts aligns perfectly with our Islamic principles of honesty and integrity. It promotes transparency in the food industry, helping us avoid harmful products and choose wholesome, nutritious foods.

#1 - Start by downloading the app for Android and iOS world.openfoodfacts.org/open-food-facts-mobile-app.

#2 - Use the app to scan barcodes and get detailed information about the products you buy. Look for the NOVA classification, which categorizes foods based on their level of processing:

NOVA 1: Unprocessed or minimally processed foods
NOVA 2: Processed culinary ingredients
NOVA 3: Processed foods
NOVA 4: Ultra-processed food and drink products

#3 - Contribute to the Database: Become a FREE member to add new food products to the database by scanning barcodes and uploading information. This helps expand the resource for everyone.

As Muslims, we have a moral obligation to take care of our health and to ensure that our money is spent in the best possible manner.

Choosing nutritious foods and avoiding harmful products is not just an option—it's our duty.

By using Open Food Facts, I'm taking a stand against the exploitative narrative of profit-driven food companies.

Let’s work together as an ethically conscious community.

Let's take a stand together.

#openfoodfacts #healthyfood #realfood #fakefood #upf #muslimummah #biteback #goodfood #sunnahfood

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Ateeq Hussain

People may walk 10,000 steps and eat wrong, thereby reducing the impact of the steps. Alternatively, one may take only 5,000 steps a day and follow a good diet and be healthier.

Today’s best science suggests we do not need to take 10,000 steps a day, which is about five miles, for the sake of our health or longevity. Rather focus on your diet & nutrition and balance it with a bit of exercise.

1 year ago | [YT] | 3

Ateeq Hussain

How a Rainy Walk Reminded Me of the Benefits of Simple, Healthy Choices.

Today, despite the rain, I pushed myself to complete my 5000 steps. Initially, I felt lethargic and lazy, but I reminded myself of the importance of staying active and the benefits it brings. This walk got me thinking about the parallels between physical activity and our dietary choices.

Just like sitting at home being sedentary is the "junk" alternative to an active lifestyle, ultra-processed foods are the junk equivalent to natural, wholesome foods. Here’s what I realized:

**1. Immediate Benefits:

Walking: Energises me and boosts my mood, even on gloomy days.
Healthy Eating: Provides sustained energy, mental clarity and a strong physique.


**2. Long-Term Health:

Walking: Reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
Healthy Eating: Supports overall health and longevity, reducing the risk of obesity and related conditions.


**3. Mental Well-being:

Walking: Helps manage stress and improves mental health.
Healthy Eating: Prevents mood swings and supports cognitive function.


**4. Simplicity:

Walking: Requires no special equipment—just a pair of shoes and the will to move (and get drenched once in a while)
Healthy Eating: Focus on simple, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.


Research shows the stark contrasts between societies dependent on synthetic, processed foods and those that prioritise natural, whole foods. The latter enjoy better health outcomes, both physically, mentally and emotionally.

As busy professionals, especially Muslim dads, finding time for ourselves can be challenging, but small, consistent choices like walking daily and opting for whole foods is having a profound impact on our health and well-being.

👣Just as a simple walk can transform your day.

💥 Making small, healthier food choices can transform your life.

If you're looking for a path to commit to these simple, impactful habits and inspire your family to do the same I'm reaching out for brothers to join me on a FREE strategy session. Just two clicks away @ ateeqhussain.com/

ps in case you're wondering, this IS my happy face 😄

#health #wellbeing #walking #lifestyle #muslim #dads #weightloss #healthyeating #realfood #naturalfood

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

Ateeq Hussain

open.substack.com/pub/ateeqh/p/the-biggest-problem…

1 year ago | [YT] | 0