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💪 8-Week Body Transformation Challenge! 🥗

QA: Charnelle loses 24kg in 109 days!

Name: Charnelle Jacobs
Age: 32
Location: Mosselbay

What do you do?
I am a Registered Nurse/Ward Manager for Life Bayview Hospital.

What else do you do? 
I spend time with family, go out for dinner and travel

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek? 
I have been a silent member for about a year – just observing and building up the courage to finally commit.

How did you find Sleekgeek? 
A friend of mine Melinda Krugel posted something about a year ago.

And we are now competing in the buddy challenge together.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
The positive support and how everyone encourages each other. 

YOUR TRANSFORMATION 

Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
I was tired and moody (my husband will say I still am haha).

Never felt like getting up, and most daily tasks felt like an effort.

.What ignited your initial motivation to change?
I realized that it should be a mind change and something I do completely for myself, even though people around me, like my family, will benefit from it- it is still my personal journey.

What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
Every afternoon after work I meal prep, and before I sleep at night I reflect on what was good, what can change and rate my success.

This helped me take it day by day

What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
Getting up the courage to join the gym, I found it very stressful to make the commitment. Luckily I was semi-forced into it by my brother-in-law. Maybe we all just need that extra push.

If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
You should have started earlier!

Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
I had quite a few plateau’s – but I am glad it happened because I realized that even when the scale didn’t budge, I stuck to it and pushed through. It actually motivated me more to push to the next lower number on the scale

What is better since you got healthy? 
My general outlook on life- I am more positive and have more energy.

I think much clearer and don’t get flustered as much.

TRAINING 

What’s your favorite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
I joined the gym on 1 September and I enjoy circuit training and CrossFit (it was an instant addiction).

How long have you been training and how did you get started?
For the first 3 months, I only did cycling in my TV room while watching 7 De Laan (yes, judge away hehe) and did 2 kg weight training from youtube videos.

What does your typical workout look like?
I run/walk 2 km’s on the walkway right next to the beach. Then I’m in the gym for 10 minutes on the Orbitrek. I do circuit training/CrossFit training. I also spend about 15min on the spinning bike.

Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
I like running, I just wish I was fitter and could run longer distances at a time- this is my next goal.

Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Stretching- but realize the importance so I just do it

How does exercise make you feel? 
Great, when I have had a bad day my husband sends me off to the gym to feel better.

Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
Alone- because it’s my time to myself. I also don’t train with my phone, as I don’t want distractions I use an iPod and just listen to my music.

Most embarrassing training moment?
Um, getting the wrong sports bra and then attempting to run.

Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?

  • Water
  • Lip ice
  • iPod

Your next training goal?
5km run without walking in between.

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

  • Queen
  • Pitbull
  • Post Malone
  • Khalid
  • CCR

It’s more about albums than particular songs – and yes it a very random selection!

How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
Having more energy, focus and a better temperament (my husband agrees with this one).

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?
I do miss pizza!

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Steak and salad.

Favourite protein?
Chicken

Favourite fat?
Avocado

Favourite carbohydrate?
Bread, I limit to one slice once a week and it is whole-wheat.

What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
I was on a diet for about a month, I realized it is not the most natural route and that I will not be able to maintain that strict lifestyle forever. However, I am grateful for the experience as it gave me the head start and confidence to start this whole journey.

I am feeling much better doing it the natural way and focusing on exercise.

How many meals a day do you eat?
3, I don’t snack as I found that the more I snack, the more I wanted to eat

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
I don’t have a planned day or treat- more a week of being more flexible, as we will be going on holiday.

I will still eat healthily and exercise but will eat local food without feeling guilty.

MINDSET

Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
Standing on the scale and realizing I am 20 kg’s lighter, and my dad telling me my head is small (yes it’s a compliment).

Favorite quote?
At the moment it’s: “you are what you eat” I never really understood the quote, but now I feel that there’s a lot of truth to it.

Favourite book? 
I have a 4 yr old daughter, so no time for that, other than nursery rhymes.

What inspires and motivates you?
My family.

For what are you most grateful? 
Support from my husband and encouragement from my family.

What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
The first 2 weeks are a constant challenge, but after that, you will get the confidence to push through

What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?

  1. Don’t wait for Monday – just do it.
  2. Accept compliments.
  3. See change and realize it – it can be small, but lots of small changes make a big difference.
  4. Don’t look for excuses.
  5. Keep a food log.

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