A Cool Fitness Founder Shares Her AM & PM Routine

My day usually starts early, around 6am. When the weather’s good, I love grounding myself with a walk along the beach. I try to wake up before my children to enjoy a bit of me-time and get set for the day ahead. I always kick things off with a large glass of water and a serving of Health Nag’s Collagen Jelly – it’s great for gut, joint, skin, hair and nail health. My morning skincare is quick and minimal, as I’m either teaching or in a class most days. On quieter mornings, simply waking up early and enjoying a peaceful coffee is enough to set the tone.

My skincare routine consists of Clarins Total Eye Lift, as it helps brighten my eyes and gives my undereye area that extra lift. I also never leave the house without an SPF for my face, I am currently using Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50. Then, for my make-up, if I’m wearing any, I will add a CC crème. I like the It Cosmetics one as it’s hydrating and evens out my skin tone, and then I finish off with a dash of mascara. My go-to is Too Faced’s Better Than Love.

I have a lot of regrowth and baby hairs from postpartum hair loss, so when I’m going for a sleek style, I reach for the Dae Styling Cream. It’s super lightweight, smells amazing and I love the brand’s ethos. For nights out, I rely on my Dyson Airwrap to create easy, effortless waves –it never fails to pull a look together.

When it comes to workout gear, I’ve tried plenty of brands, but I always come back to Lululemon. The fit is second to none and the quality means it really lasts. Especially when I’m teaching, having something that fits perfectly means I’m not constantly adjusting or distracted.

I can’t go a day without my morning cup of coffee. Lately, I have been adding Lion's Mane mushroom powder for mental clarity and focus, along with having antioxidants and probiotics. My breakfasts tend to be light, filling and high in protein. I alternate between kefir with homemade granola and berries, or Garden of Life plant-based protein powder with an extra helping of chia seeds, flax seeds, frozen berries and spinach. I also take some Omega 3 and Vitamin B supplements. 

As I work out five days a week, and always on the run, I make sure to have at least two servings of electrolytes per day. I love Humantra as I find it very balanced and great for overall health. On sweatier days, I include LMNT Electrolytes as they have a higher sodium content and I consciously drink two, if not three, litres of water per day. 

Japanese cuisine is my favourite, and one of my go-to spots in Dubai is Mimi Kakushi. I love both the food and the atmosphere –it’s cosy and intimate, not overly large, which makes it feel more personal. I also recently tried Girl &  The Goose; the menu was creative and unique and everything I had was delicious.

Throughout the day I usually have a coconut matcha latte and an americano. For me, it’s very important to snack between meals, I always reach for nuts or fresh fruit. I also love Chief Collagen, they have delicious protein bars that are clean, and high in both protein and collagen. 

No matter how busy my day is at the Barre Effect Studio, I deeply value quality time with my friends and enjoy exploring Dubai's vibrant food scene. Once a week, my husband and I also make it a point to have a date night. However, most evenings are spent with our children, where we sit down to an early dinner around 6:30 PM, focusing on high-protein meals accompanied by a variety of vegetables. I love a good steak, but I try to limit it to once a week. Most days, I opt for grilled white fish or chicken instead, with some carrots, broccoli and sprouts.

I’m mindful about certain food products, particularly salt and sugar. I don’t add salt to my meals or sugar to my coffee or tea. I think these ingredients are often added out of habit rather than necessity, and I’ve found that I genuinely prefer the natural flavors without them.

I try my best to be in bed by 9pm, where I can unwind and reflect on the day I had. I tend to keep electronics away from the bedroom and like to spend time reading. I tend to bounce between memoirs and fiction/beach reads. I just finished the memoir Crying In H Mart by Michelle Zauner, and am now reading something a bit lighter, People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry. 

Before hopping into bed, I must do my evening skin care ritual. I wash my face with ZO Dual Action Scrub and alternate between ZO Wrinkle & Texture Repair cream or the brand’s Hydrating Crème. I have combination skin, and large pores so using retinol three times a week helps with my skin texture and evens my skin tone. I also never neglect my eyelashes –  I love using NYK1’s lash serum. I always reach for Laneige’s hydrating Lip Sleeping Mask, it leaves my lips feeling refreshed for the next day and I’m amazed at how long it lasts. Lastly, I always take magnesium and probiotics. My preferred brand is THORNE and its Magnesium CitraMate. THORNE was recommended to me and has an excellent reputation, I swear by its supplements for my sleep regulation and digestion.

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