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Bhakti Mathur

When Raeza Ibrahim was handed his medical report in December 2023 it read like a death sentence. He was diagnosed with high cholesterol and fatty liver, with a high risk of developing hypertension, diabetes and liver disease.
And he weighed 100kg (220.5lbs), more than ever in his life.
“The report was the wake-up call that I needed,” says the 38-year-old Singapore dispute resolution lawyer and co-founder of live music venue The Blackbird. “I was aware that I was overweight but had not imagined the extent of the damage.”
He suffered from chronic backache for years because he was carrying excess weight, and was admitted to hospital with chest pains in 2017 and again in 2020, when he was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea.
I didn’t like the way I looked and felt, and developed low self-esteem.
Raeza Ibrahim
The threat of his life being cut short spurred Ibrahim to change his lifestyle.
Within six months his cholesterol, fatty liver and blood marker levels returned to normal, and his sleep apnoea and back pain were gone. By August 2024 he had shed 26kg and reduced his body fat from 34.8 per cent to 14.5 per cent; his clothing size dropped from XL to S.

Today he is in the best shape of his life, both physically and mentally. Here’s how he fell to his lowest and climbed to his highest points.
Ibrahim was physically active in school and college. Growing up he played badminton, rugby and cricket. However, at the start of his demanding law career, he worked 10- to 14-hour days, five or six days a week. The weight began to pile on.
“I did not get enough sleep, going to bed at 3am and rushing off for work at 8am. My meals were irregular. I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I woke up feeling lethargic and went to bed feeling the same way,” Ibrahim says.
The fear of losing my life prompted me into action.
Raeza Ibrahim
The weight gain took a toll on him emotionally, as well.
“I felt rushed all the time, rushing through assignments, court hearings and client meetings. I didn’t like the way I looked and felt, and developed low self-esteem.”
Over the years, he made many attempts to get back into shape, all unsuccessful.

In 2016, he took a three-month sabbatical to enrol in Tiger Muay Thai, a fitness camp in Phuket, Thailand. He lost 6kg – only to put it back on when he resumed work.
“The fear of losing my life prompted me into action. It is one thing to feel bad about the way you look; it is an entirely different feeling that your life may end prematurely because of your own negligence,” he says.
He did not enjoy following short HIIT fitness routines on YouTube, so he signed up with a Singapore gym in March 2024, for “structure and in-person guidance”.
The first session with his trainer, Haziq bin Elvis, was like the first day of school, Ibrahim says, “both intimidating and exciting”. As his body measurements were recorded, he looked at before and after photos of super fit gym members on the wall, and felt disappointed in himself.
“Nevertheless, I was excited about what was ‘possible’.”
Bin Elvis began with having him do split squats holding 2kg dumbbells in each hand. He struggled. Nearly a year on, he does multiple sets of split squats with 26kg weights.
The ‘likes’ and compliments I received from family and friends motivated me to keep up with my new diet. Being able to show toned arms with some hints of abs was nice
Raeza Ibrahim talks about his journey to fitness
Bin Elvis’ training plan had Ibrahim walk 10,000 steps every day, follow an 1,800 calorie-a-day diet – fewer calories than he was expending – and do strength training three times weekly.
“We worked towards getting Raeza strong on basic compound movements such as split squats, incline chest press, pull ups and various dead lift movements” and worked to target smaller muscle groups such as triceps and shoulders, bin Elvis says.
Ibrahim grew stronger, reaching a “proud moment” when he was able to push 100kg on a sledge plus the weight of his trainer.
He took up walking everywhere – to the office, where he took stairs instead of the lift, and in shopping centres. He started Muay Thai training, and hiking on weekends.
He also overhauled his eating patterns, began cooking for himself and eating regularly.

“Eating used to be a way of dealing with stress. I was eating away my bad feelings. Food was quick relief and pleasure,” says Ibrahim.
These days breakfast at 8am could be sourdough bread with eggs or fruit, followed by a protein shake at 11am. Lunch at 1pm is typically salad with protein. A bowl of mixed berries at 5pm tides him over until dinner at 8pm, often lean meat or fish with vegetables and sweet potato.
He began posting images of his new healthy meals – and himself – on social media, which helped him stay on track.
“The ‘likes’ and compliments I received from family and friends motivated me to keep up with my new diet,” he says.
“Being able to show toned arms with some hints of abs was nice.”

He started going to bed by 11pm, getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep – and drinking four litres (seven pints) of water daily.
“If you’re feeling hungry, there’s a good chance that you’re actually thirsty,” Ibrahim says.
He also quit alcohol during 2024 – and has cut back from having eight or nine glasses of whisky a week, socially with clients and friends, to drinking one or two glasses a fortnight.
The hardest part of staying on his path to fitness, he says, “was turning up for the workout sessions”.
“The fear of losing my life drove me to show up. Haziq checked in with me regularly to see how I was feeling. When I had to eat meals out, he would help look up the restaurant menu and suggest the healthiest options. He was making such a huge effort; I felt accountable to him.

“Having to fill in details such as calories consumed, sleep, and hydration levels on an app on a daily basis helped me stay on track.”
The greatest satisfaction from his weight loss stems from the way he feels now: happy, upbeat – and confident.
“I feel I can do whatever I set my mind to. It has enabled me to become a better friend, sibling and team leader, and made me disciplined in other areas of my life.”
He is more productive, so does not work long hours any more, he says. That leaves time for his passion for theatre, and singing and playing music at The Blackbird.
He and his friends opened it in 2022 after many live-music venues in Singapore had shut during the Covid-19 pandemic and many musicians had lost regular gigs. He is a non-executive director of this place, where he spends time and sometimes performs.

His transformation has inspired others.
“There are at least 15 colleagues who have started their own fitness journey after witnessing mine. To know that I have made an impact on them is a great feeling,” he says.
His advice for those who want to get fit? Persevere.
“Remember that it took many years to get yourself out of shape. It’s going to take some time to get yourself in shape. Accept that it’s not going to be a linear path. There will be good days and bad days. Never give up,” he says.
“And sleep more!”
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Raeza Ibrahim in a suit weighing 100kg, at the gym weighing 91kg, and on holiday weighing 76kg. Photo: Raeza Ibrahim

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From left: Raeza Ibrahim in a suit when he weighed 100kg; in a pair of shorts at the gym weighing 91kg; and on holiday in Cebu, the Philippines, in swimming trunks where he weighs 76kg. Photo: Raeza Ibrahim

Ibrahim practises Muay Thai in March 2024 on his road to fitness. Photo: Raeza Ibrahim

Raeza Ibrahim’s preferred breakfast on colder days is oats with coconut shavings and strawberries (left), and a typical home-cooked dinner is fried rice, pan-fried salmon and Chinese vegetables. Photo: Raeza Ibrahim

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Ibrahim’s trainer, Haziq bin Elvis (right), made such a huge effort to help him that Ibrahim could not give up as he felt accountable to him. Photo: Ultimate Performance

Ibrahim (left) performs at The Blackbird, in September 2023, before he began his fitness journey. Photo: Raeza Ibrahim

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Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Health

After a scary medical report, Singaporean Raeza Ibrahim changed his diet and sleep routines and worked with a fitness trainer to shed kilos


After a scary medical report, Singaporean Raeza Ibrahim changed his diet and sleep routines and worked with a fitness trainer to shed kilos.


How 26kg weight loss gave an unhealthy lawyer in Singapore his life and happiness back

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}After a scary medical report, Singaporean Raeza Ibrahim changed his diet and sleep routines and worked with a fitness trainer to shed kilos

After a scary medical report, Singaporean Raeza Ibrahim changed his diet and sleep routines and worked with a fitness trainer to shed kilos