Waking up in the morning was probably the worst. The sound of vertebrae cracking like burning sticks greeted me as I sat up to face a day of physical agony.

It was as if bramble sunk beneath my skin; its thorns enveloping my muscles. A suffocated airway and incinerated throat completes the morning rise. I am 23 years old.

I received my BA hons. degree in March 2012. I graduated cum-laude and was working in an industry that promised massive financial growth. My personal life and health stood at zero. I was 135 kgs at that point. I hadn’t met a guy of my age any heavier than 115kgs. I was embarrassed and always depressed. Gradually, I started hating work and would reward myself for ‘making it through the day’ with two portions of KFC pops, large chips, a McFlurry and two cheeseburgers.

“They are small cheeseburgers,” I would tell myself. “Best get two”. This would happen 5 days a week, complimented by a sausage roll or Nandos’ for lunch.

I quit my Job in September 2012. This time, on my way home, I decided to reward myself with a rather expensive present. A week later I was working out on my R20 000 elliptical machine.

This method is not for everyone, but I figured that if I spent a small fortune on it, I would feel too guilty not to use it. Two months later I had lost a wonderfully ‘pathetic’ total of 1.5kgs and I became despondent.

I had been working out every day, sweating like crazy and I felt that my progress didn’t reflect my input. I then found a website called My Fitness Pal.

That was a turning point in my weight loss campaign. The site encouraged me to log my food and explained the concept of calorie deficit and control. It became a challenge: make sure to be at least 200 calories under 500-calorie deficit allowance.

I became aware of what I was eating, and in order to win the game, I stopped eating food that destroyed my calorie limit. The rest is history.

May 2013 I reached my goal of 60kgs weight loss.

At 75kgs, my blood pressure, cholesterol and back are all A-ok.

Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper is my motto.

Snacks in between really do quench late night munchies. Secondly, I follow the one-ingredient rule. I try eating items that consist of one ingredient such as eggs, fruit, nuts etc.

The more ingredients I see listed on a product, the further away I stay.

Cheat days were, and still are non-existent. Its like telling an alcoholic they are allowed to drink on a Sunday – for me at least.

I am far more energetic and lively throughout the day. At night, depression is less severe and I’ve been told I no longer sound as if I am about to choke as I snore. I wake up less during the night, but waking up in the morning is probably the best!

Now in August 2013 I am still on track – still at goal – I am at the moment working on strength and tone… Building a bit of muscle.

So that is now the new journey I am on.

Good luck on your journey!

Kyle.

Cape Town

SUBMIT YOUR STORY AND WIN R500 Wellness Warehouse Voucher

Kyle 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.