Ali Al-Haddad is on a mission to rid Kuwait of faulty diet fads, lower the alarmingly high rate of obesity, and empower people to choose healthier food options through GET2FIT. An extension of his GET2FIT nutrition clinic located in Kuwait City, it seems that the Instagram account, @GET2FIT, is garnering an interestingly increasing number of followers. If you haven’t already checked out the account, you’ll notice that it is really helpful, and includes huge lists with calorie counts of different dishes from various restaurants. Additionally, the lists are tailored to suit different people in terms of height, weight, level of activity, age, etc! So, in layman’s terms, you will know exactly how much you need to eat from that burger without feeling guilty!

In my mind, this is a great sign: People are finally fed up with following regimes that yield short terms results, and even opposite results in certain cases than what was intended. People want to get fit, the right way, all the time, and not just for that summer trip to St. Tropez. Ali states that the best diet is not to be on one, yet to correct unhealthy eating habits into ones that work for you. He’s looking to update our diet systems, to include all the things we love, like chocolates and ice cream, and STILL lose weight!

What motivated you to start GET2FIT?

The reason behind GET2FIT is that I was surprised by how people deal with the notion of food and nutrition here in Kuwait. In our culture, most people are well informed about politics, sports, video games, travel, and technology. When it comes to food, however, they tend to have no idea what they should eat, what is considered as healthy, and what isn’t. Along with people’s perceptions of food, and the fact that obesity is a huge problem here—all of these factors motivated me to start GET2FIT.

Have you always been interested in nutrition and weight loss?

Absolutely, as I love the subject and all that it entails. Creating ways to spread awareness, working hard and digging deep for the latest news and updates in this field, maintaining great client relations; all of this hard work pays off when I see my clients lose weight and get closer towards their goals. That factor alone makes me love my job even more and pushes me to work harder all the time.

What’s difficult about maintaining a healthy diet?

The most common obstacle is altering people’s perceptions about what is considereda healthy diet. Does it include only eating grilled items, and nothing else? That might be a common perception, yet it is not entirely true. A healthy diet should allow you to eat everything you want, but you simply have to remember the factors of when and how much you should eat from each type of food.

What does it mean to DIET SMART?

To diet smart means no deprivation whatsoever, where nobody chooses for you what to eat. To diet smart is to eat what you love and love what you eat, and that you should always choose the foods you eat. However, you choose what you want, and we tell you when to eat it and the quantity that suits you the best based on your weight, height, level of activity, gender and BMI (Body Mass Index).

What are some of the services offered via the GET2FIT Instagram account?

The GET2FIT Instagram account is a tool that raises awareness about nutrition. The posts include the latest studies, tips and hints about what comprises a healthy diet. We also like to remind people that the best diet is not to ‘diet’ at all, but to simply correct bad eating habits into good ones. We encourage healthy eating habits that will stay with you throughout your life, won’t disappear with the first appetizing ad you see, or temptations you’re confronted with at family gatherings.

Where would you like to take GET2FIT in the future?

I see the concept growing day after day, because people are finally beginning to realize that temporary diets, or fad diets, simply don’t work. Our lifestyles are extremely different nowadays, with new challenges to maintaining a healthy diet. For instance, restaurants are everywhere, kids want to go out for food all the time, and healthy options are becoming more and more scarce. Since our lifestyles have become very dynamic, GET2FIT aims to play a role in catching up with the latest health and diet updates to help people deal with these challenges.

Check out @GET2FIT on Instagram. The GET2FIT Clinic is located on the first floor of Shaymaa Tower in Kuwait City. Please call 9718 8033 and 5571 0033 for more information.