A Dh5,000 cash reward was enough to get them started. But for UAE residents who took part in the Ras Al Khaimah Fitness Challenge, the prize money turned out to be the smallest part of the story. Months after the competition ended, participants say the real reward is the healthier life they now live every single day. Two young men — one who lost 20kg and another who shed 34kg in just nine months — say they have no intention of going back to who they were before.
Ali: ‘It Completely Changed My Lifestyle’
Ali Mohammad Al Khateri was just 17 years old when he joined the first edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Fitness Challenge. At the time, he weighed around 116 to 117 kilograms. He has since lost approximately 20kg, bringing his weight down to 97kg. Before the challenge, Ali admits he paid very little attention to what he ate. That changed quickly once the competition began. He started choosing foods that suited his body, controlling his portions, and tracking his calorie intake. He did not participate in the second edition of the challenge, but the habits he built during the first one stuck. Ali says his health, his mindset, and the way he lives are all different now. The physical changes also improved his confidence, making him feel more comfortable in his own skin. Receiving the Dh5,000 reward gave him further motivation to keep going, and he says he is still working toward his ideal weight. He credits his mother for encouraging him to join the challenge in the first place, saying her support helped him take that first important step. If you ever get an unknown call from a health programme, gym, or prize notification number and are not sure if it is genuine, you can quickly check using the Who Called Me From This Number UAE tool before calling back.
Abdulla: 34kg Gone in Nine Months
Abdulla Al Masafri, 22, took part in both editions of the Ras Al Khaimah Fitness Challenge and finished eighth in the second edition. Over nine months, he lost an incredible 34 kilograms, going from approximately 148kg down to 114kg. Before the challenge, Abdulla was not exercising regularly. That changed completely once the competition began. Today, he trains at the gym four to five days a week and also goes for daily walks and cycling sessions. The biggest change Abdulla made was to his diet. He stopped drinking fizzy drinks entirely and cut out sweets and unhealthy snacks — habits he has kept up long after the competition ended. He says his family’s support, especially his mother’s, played a big role in keeping him motivated throughout the journey. He praised the challenge’s cash incentive as a strong push for participants to keep going, and he is already looking forward to joining future editions of the RAK Fitness Challenge. His goal is to reach his target weight and maintain a healthy body for the long term. Managing the costs of gym memberships, healthy food, and supplements adds up — a quick FAB Balance Check online helps you keep track of your spending without needing to visit a branch.
About the Ras Al Khaimah Fitness Challenge
The Ras Al Khaimah Fitness Challenge is a government-backed initiative that rewards participants for losing weight and committing to a healthier lifestyle over a set competition period. The challenge was launched under the vision of RAK Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, who has urged UAE youth to focus on their health rather than their appearance. The programme offers a Dh1,000 reward for every kilogram lost by non-winners, with top performers receiving much larger prizes. The Dh50,000 top prize was won by a UAE citizen who lost 19kg during the competition. A key feature of the challenge is its focus on long-term behaviour change rather than just short-term results. Participants are encouraged to build habits that last beyond the competition, and the stories of Ali and Abdulla show that the approach is working. The challenge has received a strong response from young Emiratis and residents across Ras Al Khaimah, with growing participation in each new edition. If you are an Etisalat user and want to stay connected to health news, fitness app notifications, or challenge updates without your credit running out, it is easy to learn How to Check Balance in Etisalat and top up before you run low.
Simple Changes That Made a Big Difference
Both Ali and Abdulla point to the same truth — lasting change does not come from a single dramatic decision. It comes from small daily choices made consistently over time. For Ali, it was counting calories and choosing better foods at every meal. For Abdulla, it was cutting soft drinks, cycling every day, and showing up to the gym regularly even when motivation was low. Neither of them followed a complicated plan. They simply started moving more and eating better, one day at a time. The Ras Al Khaimah Fitness Challenge gave them the structure, the community, and the financial incentive to get started. But the choice to keep going after the prize was collected — that was entirely their own. Their stories are a reminder that a healthier life is available to anyone who is willing to take the first step and then keep taking it, one day at a time.
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