It was the Christmas of 2011; it marked a year of marriage for me. It was a wonderful year with my husband, but work challenged me a lot especially with part time studying. Even though it was a happy time I battled emotionally. Everything seemed to be going wrong, or rather I focused on all the wrong things at the time. I used food to distract me and suppress my anxiety.

My weight grew viciously from a 34 to 40 very quickly. I knew something had to be done, It wasn’t long before I saw a doctor who prescribed me a popular appetite suppressant.

The drugs worked, I ate whatever I wanted. The weight began to shed week by week. I also became physically active, but not quite enthusiastic about exercise still.

A few 10-12 months later the weight started to creep back on very quickly. I was no longer on the appetite suppressant. I was quick to see a dietician whom I placed all my faith in. She was able to keep me from gaining any more, although I didn’t get to lose any either. If I did it was totally unsustainable. I saw her for a year and I struggled to shed any weight. I still had a further 10kg to go.

I kept my exercise regular with about two times a week; I ate most things on the diet like bread, rice, pasta, dairy, processed foods, but all in moderation. My sweet tooth often got the better of me and I found myself gaining again.

By the last quarter of 2014 I joined Sleekgeek Reboot; I remember seeing my cousin shedding 20kg and that was a shock for me. How did she do that? I snooped around and asked to be accepted into the group. It wasn’t long before I hit the 30day reboot and started to shed again. A week before I went to my gp again for a prescription of appetite suppressants. I desperately needed to feel that high from weight loss again. I could not believe that it could be done just by eating healthy/clean and exercise alone.  Although I’m not promoting the appetite suppressant I cannot ignore that fact that it was instrumental in my life as I constantly get hungry within two hours of eating. So I tried what I trusted. Together with the reboot and my meds I was able to shed 10kg in four months. The SG page also inspired me to push my fitness levels. I am now exercising 5 day a week. These days I push myself to do things like push ups, sit ups, lunges, weight lifting etc. I am truly challenging my body now that I belong to the Sleekgeek group. I previously could only do two days of exercise. What I found worked for me was buying a second hand treadmill and exercising at home. I often got sad and upset I if missed a workout due to coming home late form work or if the weather was bad I had to cancel an afternoon jog. I also didn’t like coming home late from the gym. This routine was terribly unsustainable for me.

Having a treadmill at home, and starting reboot, kicked everything in to place. I knew myself and my capabilities so I often prayed over my exercise or during my exercise to let God know I didn’t want  to fall off the wagon.  Communing with God on a daily basis, I was able to leave my appetite suppressants two months before schedule. I am still hungry often, but I am supplementing with clean food. One can often grow weak or become weary of one’s own progress sometimes.

This diet of reboot works for me. I have used the www.naturallynutritous.co.za website to prepare most of my meals. The hardest thing that can impact continuity or consistency is lack of ideas. I’m always so excited about people posting up their meal and inspiring me to recreate those meals.

I am quite enjoying the “cereal” from the website for breakfast. I prepare my lunch on a Sunday for freezing. I also keep my breakfast in little packets and have them ready to go every morning, taking only my coconut milk and ½ banana.

I have to admit that planning is vital if you want to see changes. You have to keep abreast of those cravings. If I stop planning, I will begin to fall of the waggon. Friends and family will possibly view me as a little obsessive, but I do not let it get to me. I know how far I have come and how important this journey is to me; after all I’m leading my best life, I’m more than 20kg down and fitter than ever before.

Sleekgeek all the way.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY AND WIN R500 Wellness Warehouse Voucher

Sharona 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 dom@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.