My Food & Fitness Regime: Faisal Abdalla

I take an ice bath three times a week. Cold therapy has always been part of my life – when I was a kid it was a family joke that I’d jump into the sea even when it was freezing. At the start of the year, I invested in a stock tank, which I use three or four mornings a week for a cold plunge. It’s the best way to aid recovery post-workout. Stock tanks are made to withstand extremely cold temperatures and are one of the simplest ways to create an ice bath at home. I aim for 11 minutes each week, for a minimum of four minutes each time. The effect it has had on muscle recovery has been incredible – that’s the thing I’ve noticed the most. The cold water reduces swelling and inflammation, which reduces pain and stiffness. You don’t need a stock tank to reap the benefits – even finishing your shower with a minute of cold water will make a difference. 

I stretch for 20 minutes every evening. This has become a ritual in the last few months – it’s a great way to wind down after a busy day and improve blood flow and relieve muscle circulation, all of which aid muscle recovery and sleep quality. Flexibility is key for everything you do. If you don’t include flexibility and mobility in your training, you’ll start to pick up niggles, which could turn into a full-blown injury. 

You can’t out train a bad diet. I tell my clients that success is down to 100% training and 100% nutrition. I focus on nutrients rather than calories or macros, and always ensure I get a good source of carbs post-workout. Carbs aren’t the devil – the focus should be on when you eat them. When you train, you dip into your glycogen stores for energy, so you need to top them up post-training so you’re ready for your next session. My go-to post-workout breakfast is a cinnamon and raisin bagel with peanut butter and sliced banana. 

I’m more relaxed with my diet than I used to be. I eat what I want, when I want, unless I’m training for a race or there’s a goal on the horizon, in which case I will cut back on sugar. When I was younger, I was really strict with my diet during the week and would have a cheat day on a Sunday. I’m now more balanced across the week and believe food should be something you enjoy. You just need to find a way of enjoying it that allows you to stay healthy. Of all the macros, the one I focus on the most is protein – I eat a lot of eggs and yoghurt. Whether you’re looking to build muscle, lose weight, do both or maintain your current state, protein will help. 

Staying hydrated is key. Everything in your body works better if you are hydrated. It boosts metabolism, aids muscle repair, improves digestion and aids circulation. We’re all slightly different, but I aim to drink around three litres of water a day. Your body weight in kilograms divided by 30 is a good way to work out your suggested daily water intake in litres. I add another 350ml to this number for every 30 minutes I work out. 

Plant-based protein powder has been a game-changer. I find the whey in most protein powders doesn’t agree with my digestive system, so stick to plant-based versions. I stir it through porridge and overnight oats, add to smoothies, or even add to yoghurt. 

The right supplements can help. On the daily, I take a multivitamin, omega-3, and a standalone bone and joint formula. I also take ZMA – a blend of zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 that supports muscle and strength gains. It can also reduce tiredness and fatigue, while magnesium helps with sleep. When it comes to brands, I rate PHD Nutrition. 

So much of fitness is in your mind. For me, the glue that holds everything together is a positive mental attitude. Once you learn the basics of nutrition and how you should train, what will keep you on track is a positive mental attitude. It’s your mind that holds the power – the decision to either give up or power on comes from the mind. Looking after your mental health is also important. I live out in Essex and being near green spaces is a game-changer. We’re an hour-and-a-half from the Cotswolds in the car and love spending time there on a Sunday – disconnecting for the day is so good for the mind. I’ll switch off my phone, go for a walk with the family and finish the day in a country pub with a good roast – it doesn’t get better than that.  

Faisal is a coach for audio-led fitness app WithU – to access his workouts on the app, including his newly launched HIIT workouts, download WithU from the App Store or head to WithUTraining.com. You can also find him at PMAFitness.co.uk and on Instagram @FaisalPMAFitness