Starting at a staggering 122.5 kg’s and 36% body fat on the 2nd of September 2011, I made a life changing decision.

Signing up with a personal trainer at our local Virgin Active and a complete change of diet started my journey towards a healthier life and n slimmer body.

Following a meal plan based on the well known “paleo diet” combined with training 4-5 times a week ( 1/3 cardio 2/3 weight training ) had me lose 44kg’s and 24% body fat in around 8 months.

Today, I’m still following a mealplan based on the “paleo diet” as I’m 100% sure it works the best to maintain a lean and healthy body.

Always remember that its lifestyle and not a quick fix.

Overweight, rejected and miserable

For most of my life I’ve been overweight. I was that kid that spent all my monthly money on sweets and fizzy drinks at our school tuck-shop. During my school career I was overweight.

After school when drinking became legal, eating fast foods after a night out and just being lazy took me from being overweight to fat. I always had the idea that everybody accepted me that way, so it never really bothered me.

After school I went to study law at the university of Johannesburg. I eventually met a girl which was the love of my life. Yet again I was seen as the friend and not the boyfriend. That was just the tip of the iceberg.

The fact that I always had to buy clothes in which I could find sizes and not what I really liked, the fact that I never enjoyed holidays away with my parents and wished them over since the moment we got there.

My life became miserable. I tried to hide my tummy, my “moobs” (man boobs)  and overall fat body.

Starting with this journey, I was very excited and motivated to start. The fact that I lost a considerable amount of weight in the first month made it even better. My parents and best friends gave me lots of support and motivation.

After a few months when I reached a type of plateau with regards to weight loss, I hit serious low in my life. I couldn’t understand why all my hard work and clean eating didn’t give me that body I really want.

My friends could eat what they want, drink what they want and yet look good and not gain a single ounce of weight. Well I went on a binge spree and ate sweets, chocolates, pizza chips, you name it I ate it.

And suddenly I had this guilty conscious that I never had. I immediately went to the gym and ran a hour straight on the treadmill.

After that I was motivated like never before, I wanted to look good no matter what. I set myself a goal, at the end of 2012, I wanted a 32 inch waist.

Training hard and eating clean (based on the Paleo diet) I reached my target at the end of 2012. December 2012, I weighed 80 kg’s with 10% body fat.

My routine 

Breakfast : 4 egg whites, 1 whole egg, 150 g mixed steam veg, 1 fruit ( 1 green apple / 1/2 grapefruit ) 1 cup of coffee

Snack : lean beef or chicken slices ( 100g ) + 12 nuts ( almonds etc )

Lunch : 200 g fish / chicken / lean beef with a mixed green salad ( green leaves, 1 tomato, 1/2 cucumber, mushrooms, 1/2 avocado and peppers )

Snack : 100 ml fat free Bulgarian yogurt + 1/2 cup berries ( blueberries, raspberries etc)

Dinner : 200g Chicken / fish / lean beef ( depending on lunch ) 150 g mixed steamed veg and a mixed salad.

I drink a cup of green tea after each main meal with 2 CLA tablets.

I take a multi-vitamin everyday as well as a calcium and magnesium supplement.

Life is very different

December 2012, was the first ever holiday I really enjoyed. The changes in my life made a big difference towards my life and health, I can’t even remember when was the last time I’ve been to a doctor due to being ill.

Today almost 2 years later, I still live a healthy life. Eating clean and training 5-6 times a week. Its a lifestyle. And I have to admit, once you start its difficult to stop.

My life has changes like day and night, I have self-confidence, I enjoy my life, and I wish I could’ve made the change earlier in my life.

I would recommend it and wish you well on your personal journey! 🙂

Ceejay

• Ceejay is 24 and from Krugersdorp, Gauteng

SUBMIT YOUR STORY AND WIN

Ceejay wins a R500 voucher courtesy of our sponsor for the “YOU CAN live life well” series Wellness Warehouse to be spent on their online store with free delivery nationally.

I believe very strongly that ordinary every day people like you and I derive great inspiration from the achievements of people who seem similar to us. If they can do it.. damn.. so can I! Right?

So through this program we will continue to tell people’s personal stories.

I want to great an archive of hundreds of stories of people who have changed their lives while others believe they cannot.

Submit your story to help@sleekgeek.co.za with the Subject line “You can live life well”

We require:

• Your story in your own words covering at least (How you got to a point of change, how you made the change, tips and advise for others)
• A selection of before and after photos
• As many words as you need to tell your story

In advance, we regret that not all stories may be published. Your story is as important as anyone’s story but we can only publish one a week and the editor will make decision on this.

If your story is published you will receive a R500 voucher to the Wellness Warehouse online store with free national delivery.