What can be better at the end of a long week then being reminded of the physical effects of Cairo's soup-like pollution, and then being told that however gorgeous your external appearance is, your body may in fact be an enormous bundle of fat? This was the bleak message delivered to a group of journalists invited to view Dr Ahmed Noweir's Mohandiseen-based Healthy Life center, which provides its clients with the tools to live healthy lifestyles. Noweir, a health and nutrition expert who is already the owner of a center in Alexandria, explained that individuals unsatisfied with their weight or general state of health often concentrate on short-term objectives which inevitably cannot offer long-term results. "Forty percent of men and 55 percent of women are unsatisfied with their weight and the media constantly gives false hope with quick-fix promises of weight loss. We always look for the quick solution but in fact, Egyptians are getting fatter because of dieting, Noweir said. Healthy Life encourages life-long healthy eating and exercise habits through a holistic body, mood and food approach. New clients are asked 26 questions in order to determine their goals and motivations before their body mass index, metabolism and other indicators are measured. On the basis of these results Noweir will draw up a nutrition and exercise program according to clients' needs and goals. Healthy Life center equipment is based around EWOT, which stands for Exercise with Oxygen Therapy - not the name of a Star Wars character. Clients exercise, are massaged and receive facial treatments while breathing in pure oxygen. According to Noweir, an intake of oxygen leads to reduced stress, improved sleep and enhanced metabolism. "Pollution, leading a hectic life and stress can all contribute to a lack of oxygen. This leads to exhaustion, retention of toxins, fatigue and poor metabolism, Noweir explained. Healthy Living opens in March. Treatments begin at LE 50. Healthy Life20 Gamal Salem St., Dokki, Cairo.Tel: 2 (02) 3 7600 591
