Q What is your secret to looking fabulous?
A Being comfortable with who you are and keeping a positive outlook really help.
Q Was there ever a time when you weren't fit and fab?
A I had horrible acne up until I was 17 years old and I was also severely underweight. I think I had questionable fashion and hairstyle choices in my teen years too.
Q What was the turning point for you?
A It was towards the end of my national service stint when I was sick of being labelled as a scrawny boy. I felt that people viewed me as weak and thus more likely to be taken advantage of.
Sometimes, I felt that I was the type that others would not take a second look at and all this affected my self-esteem.
Q What are your fitness goals?
A To put on a little more muscle mass and reduce my body fat percentage. I've put on 20kg since I started, so now I need to fine-tune my body and improve my stamina.
Q What are your indulgences?
A Sushi is life. My own sushi bill at a restaurant can come up to $60.
Q How important is it for you to keep up with your fitness routine?
A Extremely. I feel sluggish and uncomfortable if I don't work out for more than three days. I plan workouts around my class schedule and social activities are planned around them.
Sometimes, I use workouts as a means to socialise, encouraging my friends to exercise and teaching them the correct techniques while catching up with them.
Q How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
A There were times when I chose to go to the gym instead of hanging out with friends, but I suppose everyone has different priorities.
Do what feels right for you to live the kind of life you envision.
Q What is the most extreme thing you have done in the name of fitness or diet?
A When I was adding bulk, I ate seven to eight eggs and four bananas, in addition to four meals a day.
Q How has your active lifestyle influenced your family?
A Not much, but I do give advice on healthy or unhealthy food choices and how important it is to be active.
Q What are your favourite and least favourite parts of your body?
A I don't really have a favourite but, in terms of what has shown most improvement, I'd say it's my chest. My calves, on the other hand, have shown the least improvement.
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Bio Box
MOHAMED HANIF MOHAMED MUSTHAFAH
Age: 27
Height: 1.79m
Weight: 70kg
Mr Mohamed Hanif used to be an art teacher and then a full-time personal trainer, before he returned to school.
He is now doing a communications course at the Singapore Institute of Management, while working part-time in digital marketing. He is considering a career in public relations or digital marketing when he graduates.
He lives with his aunt, a 69-year-old housewife.
Q How does your workout plan affect your daily diet?
A I eat more on workout days to get sufficient nutrients to repair and grow my muscles. I usually eat less on the days that I don't work out.
Q Would you go for plastic surgery?
A I have thought of it but I don't think I would do it. There are much better ways to spend money to enhance my quality of life, such as good food or travel.
Q What is the biggest sacrifice you have made to stay fit and fab?
A At first, I felt that it reduced the time I had to relax, socialise and spend time with family. But after working out became a habit, I feel like I don't know what else to do with the time anyway.
Q Do you think you're sexy?
A I have been told that before, but I think I'm too clumsy and awkward sometimes.
