Name: Veruschka van der Linde
Age: 25
Location: Johannesburg
What do you do?
Jack of all trades, Master of fun! Kidding! I am a Software Support Team Leader.
What else do you do?
Other than work on everyone’s nerves, I love photography, 4x4ing, camping, drawing, painting and cooking.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
I have been a Sleekgeek member since August 2017 but only got the motivation to do a challenge in June 2019.
So I have basically been stalking Sleekgeek warriors for 2 years.
How did you find Sleekgeek?
It was all word of mouth, I knew someone that took part in a Sleekgeek walk in Cape Town and I searched the group and boom joined an amazing community.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
My favourite part is the REALNESS!
You can relate to the “affordable meals” post. You can relate to the “I ate junk this weekend” post. You can relate to someone being new to the gym and not knowing what to do and not feeling like an absolute plank when asking questions.
You can be yourself and you can be vulnerable because in Sleekgeek you realise that you aren’t the only one going through it, you have support!
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
The old me was addicted to eating, not food, just eating – if my jaw moved I was happy, but not happy with gum.
The old me used to say “The less you move, the more you relax.” Pfffftt – listen to that!
A Mega McMuffin and oats for breakfast, KFC Wicked Box Meal AND a bar of chocolate for lunch and supper was whatever was cooked.
A little takeaway here and a little chocolate there resulted in A LOT of fat bulging everywhere!!
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
I just got fed up. I got tired of cutting off my bloodstream when trying to fasten an aeroplane safety belt.
I got tired of huffing and puffing when walking up and down Pick n Pay’s aisles.
I got tired of only being able to shop at certain stores because they don’t cater to my size. I got tired of paying for a gym contract I never used. I got tired of spending money every month on new clothes because the old ones were too small.
I got tired of getting stared at. I got tired of being lazy.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
The new me will take the stairs instead of the elevator. The new me will rather drink 5 cups of tea with no sugar and milk than drink a cappuccino.
The new me says no to junk food much easier.
The new me can’t wait to clean because cleaning means burning calories!
The new me is excited about life!
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
I struggle with staying on track during weekends and I have struggled with following a gym program.
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
If you can’t say no during weekends, keep yourself busy so that no one even has time to ask you!
Print the program out and remember that if you can stick to your getting ready routine then you can stick to the program.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
OMG YES! My worst backwards slide was when I recently went to visit my folks in Cape Town.
A little wine here, a little snack there – I messed my entire routine up.
What is better since you got healthy?
My emotions are stable. My skin is glowing. My hair is growing and getting so strong.
I can feel myself getting stronger daily!
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
I love walking, Elliptical, Cycling and Pilates
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
I have been training for about 5 months. I started by packing my bag every morning and walking on the treadmill for 20 min.
What does your typical workout look like?
20 min walk with 5 min jogs in between.
20 min elliptical.
Start at level 2, reach level 12 by doing 2 min each and then work down towards level 2 again.
20 min rowing.
10 min weights.
10 min light cycle.
Favourite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Cardio – I don’t know why!
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Weight training!
How does exercise make you feel?
Exercise makes me feel in control. It makes me feel empowered and makes me feel relieved.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
I prefer to train alone but I am interested in getting a trainer to push me further.
Most embarrassing training moment?
It was a hot summer day, Virgin active had an average temperature of about 25 degrees.
Veruschka was dripping with sweat, her legs felt like jelly and it was at that moment that Murphy decided to pop in and say hello.
She dropped her water bottle, bent over to pick it up and the sounds of a VR6 came out vrrrrpaaah!
Virgin Active’s room temperature was now at 30 degrees!
Worst moment ever!
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
- Towel
- Earphones
- Water bottle
Your next training goal?
To be able to jog 5km without stopping. (I am not a runner, can you tell?)
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
- Brand New – Naomi August
- Back in Black – ACDC
- Dagdrome in Suburbia – Francois van Coke & Spoegwolf
- Wololo – Babes Wodumo ft Mampintsha
- West Side – The Game
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
My posture has improved and I don’t get tired easily. I actually enjoy food shopping. I walk around with more confidence and I do bodybuilding poses to boost my self-confidence.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Sushi!
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
V’s summer salad:
Baby Spinach, boiled eggs, tomato and carrots.
Favourite protein?
I love me a good chicken!
Favourite fat?
Avocado.
Favourite carbohydrate?
Veggies.
What’s your nutrition philosophy/approach? [If you have one]
Keep it clean yet interesting. Eat your greens- they taste better than you think.
Play around with your meals, create your own recipes and get creative.
How many meals a day do you eat?
2: lunch and supper
Do you have a cheat meal/treat strategy?
Don’t cheat more than once, keep it at a cheat MEAL and not cheat DAY.
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
Saying “no” without justifying myself.
It is an achievement for me because I never used to be able to.
Favorite quote?
“Your only limit is your mind.”
“Prove yourself wrong.”
Favourite book?
The Bible.
What inspires and motivates you?
The transformations of others, it shows that I am not alone and we all have a story to tell.
For what are you most grateful?
My relationship with God.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
- Don’t be embarrassed.
- Start right now, not tomorrow.
- You are not alone.
- Self-care is important, you are important.
- Trust the process.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Declutter your house, fridge and your car.
- Get rid of any bad junky food in your house.
- Rather take the stairs.
- Swap out your cold drink for water.
- Don’t start on Monday, start NOW!
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