The Khatib/Halawa Family
September 2018
Nadine and Faisal are busy parents of Norah and Rayan, but this active family can often be found around the CGC. With a 'healthy body, healthy mind' mentality, Nadine finds balance and community in her visits to the CGC; Faisal, having undergone major surgery for Crohn's Disease, likes that he has so many options to keep him active and healthy.
"It's not just a place for people to work out; it really is a community that you feel you belong to."
Nadine - "Charlotte, North Carolina."
Faisal - "Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia."
- What do you like about the CGC?
Nadine - "How family oriented the Centre is and the staff."
Faisal - "Everything! It’s a cliché, I know, but I play basketball with my friends there, I work out, take my kids to the pool. What’s not to like?"
- What motivates you to maintain an active lifestyle/why is fitness so important to you?
Nadine - "I noticed that it helps me cope with the demands of life in general, and also makes me more 'whole' and centered."
Faisal - "I have Crohn’s Disease, and had undergone major surgery. Because of that, it is critical that I maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay active."
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
Nadine - "Relax with my husband while watching something in our home theatre; go for a walk."
Faisal - "With two kids, it’s hard to find spare time, but when I do get some time, I’m either playing basketball, volleyball, or out on my side-by-side."
- What is your favourite workout routine/where in the CGC will we find you?
Nadine - "Cardio Combat with Amber."
Faisal - "I am currently focusing on weight strength training, so you will find me in the weight room."
- What is your favourite food or indulgence?
Nadine - "Chocolate, specifically dark, or a piece of Mille-Feuille, which you can’t find here in Halifax."
Faisal - "I am on a very strict diet because of my Crohn’s Disease, but when life gives me lemons, I either go for a bag of Maltesers chocolate or mango sorbet."
- What is your favourite post-workout snack?
Nadine - "Almonds or walnuts, sometimes a second coffee precedes that."
Faisal - "Hummus and bread."
- What is your favourite movie/book/TV show?
Nadine - "Legends of the Fall, and the good old Friends TV show is always going to be my favourite."
Faisal - "Movie: Fight Club/Book: any Greek Mythology/TV show: Everybody Loves Raymond."
- What is your go-to workout song or what are you listening to right now?
Nadine - "Variety, nothing specific."
Faisal - "Balenciaga – Cheat Codes."
- What is your favorite quote?
Faisal - “In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king”
- What is your current workout goal or accomplishment since starting at the CGC?
Nadine - "To build more muscle mass and lose all the pregnancy weight; working out has also prevented my vertebral migraines from coming on."
Faisal - "My goal is to maintain my fitness level to beat my kids in a game of one-on-one when they are old enough. I have accomplished a lot since my surgery; I was 180 pounds four years ago and very fit. During my surgery, I went down to 150 pounds, and am now at 170 and staying strong!"
- What was your first impression of the CGC?
Nadine - "Impressed; I was impressed with the variety of what was offered."
Faisal - "Finally! A facility that has everything in one place!"
- What is your favourite memory of the CGC?
Nadine - "My recent maternity leave in 2018, taking the kids on a daily basis. They always enjoyed spending time in Child Minding, as well as the pool."
Faisal - "My kids slamming the Child Minding door behind them and running to play without saying bye, and leaving me to go workout."
- What do you wish other people knew about the CGC?
Nadine - "How great the trainers and instructors are, as well as the staff. I also wish people knew that it’s not just a place for people to work out; it really is a community that you feel you belong to, which is one of the main motivators that gets me going there on a daily basis, during the week and sometimes on the weekend as well."
Faisal - "The cleanest Subway restaurant is at CGC!"
