For social media shy grampies and grannies about to read this, Fitfam is a trend started a while back to encourage people, both youths and adults alike to stay fit and healthy. Generally, it's never too late to get on a healthy diet and start a healthier lifestyle.

Fitfam encompasses personal workouts or regular visits to the gym, a regular diet of fresh fruits, cutting back on junk food and sugar laden drinks and a couple of other personal tweaks by the individuals.

Fitfam in the long run has it's obvious benefits: a trim and healthy body, better hair and skin, higher resistance to disease and illnesses, a longer life expectancy and more. However, Fitfam in the short term is a test in endurance and sacrifice. To put it lightly, it is almost the epitome of struggle.

Lagos is a sprawling mega city and within it abounds a vast majority of fast food restaurants, junk food malls, oily bukas and overpriced stale fruit inside marts, outside in traffic or by the roadside.

Consequently, it is easier to find a Shawarma or Suya spot and chicken and chips joint than it is to find a restaurant that sells healthy food at an affordable price. It is also quite ironic that a salad is actually more fattening than a plate of rice and chicken in the average restaurant.


Eating healthy in Lagos is quite challenging but like most challenges, there are some ways around it.

Subscribing to health and food blogs is a good way to start.[color=#006600][/color]

Dunni Obata of Dooneys Kitchen is a great cook and fitfam advocate who provides yummier and less fatty alternatives and recipes to our regular carb infested native delicacies.

Afrolems has a great food blog you would want to check out and so does 9jafoodie with their innovative cooking and plating ideas. Terrific!

Gbubemi Fregene aka Chef Fregz is also a funky chef who whips up healthier food options with affordable, easy to purchase ingredients and relatable how-tos. Starting with these cooks, you can't go wrong. Other food bloggers just basically provide recipes for our usual dishes.

Find your spot.
The same way we have our favorite restaurants and fast food joints, is also how you should take time to visit healthy restaurants and sample their stuff while taking time to find and settle with what works for you. Align your budget with your taste buds and treat yourself whenever you can.

Wriggle into a Fitfam circle.
A problem shared is a problem half solved. Socialize with friends and colleagues who are looking to live and eat healthy like you. When in a group, it is easier to encourage and motivate each other.

Cheat days.
While this is reluctantly debatable, cheat days are actually a motivation to stay healthy. Reward yourself for staying clean and steering clear of junk food by eating more calories on a selected day of the month or binge-ing on that greasy burger or lean steak. Don't make this too often however, it is extremely easy to slip back into the clutches of Lady Junk food and her evil minions called calories.

Balance your budget.

Okay this should have been at the top... But quick question, do you think it's so expensive to eat well especially if you're cooking it yourself?

Work out.

Really, we didn't have to tell you that. Okay, fine, you're too tired or reluctant to go to the gym. Ten crunches or push ups a day for a start will keep your heart pumping and abs popping after a while. Don't say "eww" ladies. Squeeze in a few sit-ups daily and watch your belly meat gradually disappear. Bye bye body-magic. Welcome magic body!

Cook. A lot.
Experiment. Cook up a storm. Try something new. A tossed salad with less cream, how about avocados with that? And some juicy mangoes in that fruit salad too? Do something wild, zobo flavored pounded yam doesn't seem to have found favor with Nigerians yet but it was born out of someone's creativity in the kitchen. Ebbage is a mash up of cabbage leaves into a mound created by Dooneys Kitchen to replace the traditional Eba. Let your imagination lead.

Subscribe to Gingerbox.
Gingerbox, formerly Jaramall, is now exclusively selling fruits and vegetables at an extremely affordable price in a bid to encourage a healthier lifestyle among people in Lagos. They currently supply fresh produce to companies in Lagos and while they don't do home deliveries yet, pickup at their office is available. They have a wide range of fruits and can be reached by telephone and via email.

Lagos is a bubbly and bustling city full of people larger than life yet the stress of this fascinating state cannot be discounted. Stay trim and healthy and increase your productivity, peace of mind and life expectancy while also eating and living right.

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