Maleeha Sheikh

I didn’t grow up being active. In fact, I hated gym class mainly because it ruined my make up. In fact each of my siblings struggled with obesity in their early years. (Now everyone is ripped). I have no memories of running around with my mom.
My mother didn’t have time to focus on health and fitness. She was a single mom at 38 raising four kids and was busy making sure we had food on the table. Bless her 🙏🏽.
Something changed in first year university for me. My pant size. I put on 10 pounds of fat. This is when I had a wake up call. I thought to myself - wow it’s easy to put on weight now and if I keep eating the way I do and don’t exercise then I’m in trouble. Forget aesthetically, I just didn’t feel good.
I joined a gym and started working out. It was new territory but very quickly I started having fun. My mindset for the past 19 years has been I need this and damn it, this is fun! It did a lot for my self-confidence.
The exciting thing is we can change the cycle. We can change the story. Just because we didn’t grow up seeing something or doing something, it doesn’t mean we can’t do it now and be an incredible role model for ourselves and our future generation.
Never in a million years did little Maleeha think she would run a marathon.
Fun fact - my mom drinks protein shakes now and is in great shape as she heads towards her 70th birthday. “Everyone tells me I look so young.” I hear this every day from my mother.
She too changed her story and is healthier than ever.
What’s my long term goal? To get stronger and faster and run a marathon with my kids one day Inshallah. Let’s go.

A marathon on my birthday weekend because why the heck not? I ran 21 km today. It was really really hard. Running doesn’t get easier because you end up wanting to get faster so it’s always challenging, which makes it so special.
Your girl finished at 2 hours and 11 minutes (6:15 pace per km). 13 minutes faster than my first marathon five months ago. While my feet are covered in blisters and I’m limping around the house due to very sore legs, I have a permanent smile on my face. I gave it my all. I trained my butt off and my mind and body came through today. Blessed to be a year older. Blessed to be healthy. Blessed to continue this journey where Inshallah l only improve in my fitness goals.