Name:
Hester Day
Age:
28
Location:
Small little town in KZN, called Camperdown
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far? Please provide start and current weight thanks
22 kgs
What do you do? [Job]
I am currently a stay at home mom.
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]
I love doing crafts, writing dramas and swimming.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
5 Years
How did you find Sleekgeek?
A friend from my antenatal group invited me to take part in the Sleekgeek 8 week challenge and I was hooked for life.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
The support is something epic. In the world we live in, people unfortunately need to put one another down in order to feel better about themselves. In this community people encourage and uplift one another. We all need cheerleaders.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
5 years ago, I took part in the New Year challenge and I lost 9kgs, I was so proud of myself. But I started gaining weight soon after and it turned out that I was actually pregnant, 19 weeks along already, with my second son. My sugar was always low so I started living on licorice. After I had my son, my gynecologist put me on Eglonyl, to help my milk production. However this also made me gain weight like crazy, before I knew it, I had gained the 9kgs and an added 13kgs with it. I became very self-conscious, so much so that I would not allow my husband to see me naked. I also become quite lazy. Sleeping and lying most of the time. I was also not a fun person to be around.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
When my husband had enough of me covering up all the time. And the fact that I didn’t even have enough energy to play with my two boys. I knew I needed to do something. I had lost my bubbly personality and I had lost the will to chat to everyone I met.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
I now proudly prance around the house in just underwear, I don’t wear only black any more, I play with my kids all the time and I am confident again.
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
I still struggle to wear shorts and short summer dresses, when I do, I am constantly worried that people are looking at my legs and seeing the cellulite. I still also struggle to love myself everyday. But I am getting there.
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Do not stop loving yourself and appreciating how far you have come, especially after everything you’ve put your body through. Enjoy the journey and don’t be so critical. For me especially with two little boys watching my every move, they need to know that self-love and self-worth is a must in life.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
I have been stuck in a plateau for about a year now, my weight has just started to budge again. I was stuck on the same weight, same size clothing for a year. I am very thankful and proud of myself for not gaining any weight during this period.
What is better since you got healthy?
My energy and my confidence.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
I absolutely love swimming. I was a squad swimmer in school and started swimming again after having my boys. I just love the water.
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
I have been active for 3 years, however I got horribly sick in December and only got better again just before lockdown. Only started working out again since the beginning of lockdown.
What does your typical workout look like?
So this is a new kind of normal for me, as I absolutely hate running. But stuck in our own yard and being determined to get fit again, I have taken to doing a garden route 2km and 2km on the treadmill. So doing 5 times a week of cardio, in the morning, and doing strength exercises at night. So using my body weight to do strength exercises.
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Swimming 2km is my favorite cardio and squats.
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Running any distance.
How does exercise make you feel?
It makes me feel really good. I know I can achieve different things when I complete a race or a swim.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
I prefer to train on my own, it’s just me and God then. I motivate myself and I have good chats to God in this time. I do enjoy doing certain activities with people, like the parkrun. Swimming I prefer on my own.
Most embarrassing training moment?
We were doing dance fitness and my pants ripped right down my bum when we did a squat. Thankfully I was wearing appropriate underwear!
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
- Earphones
- Towel
- Soap
Your next training goal?
Running my garden 2km in 20min. It has stairs, dog bogs, hills and a windy dryer.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
- Raise a Hallelujah – Bethel Music
- Thunder – Imagine Dragons
- Boerepompie – Ricus Nel
- Jesus Messiah – Chris Tomlin
- Old Town Road – Lil Nas X ft Billy Ray Cyrus
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
It has really shown me that I can finish what I started. I can achieve goals I set for myself and that this is completely up to me, no one can get fit for me, no one can make me healthy, but me. It has taught me that having energy to play with my kids is better than anything. If I believe in me, other people feed off of that and they then also realize that if I can do it, so can they.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Mutton Curry and Rice
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Roast Chicken with broccoli and cauliflower bake
Favourite protein?
Chicken
Favourite fat?
Avo
Favourite carbohydrate?
Potatoes
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
I follow the 16:8 intermittent fasting, I absolutely love it. I have followed it for 2 years and I dropped almost 4 dress sizes. And this is how I have maintained my weight-loss in my plateau state.
How many meals a day do you eat?
During the week 2, Weekends 5
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
I have a cheat, normally on a Saturday, where I will then have chocolate , ice cream or cake and I will then not have veggies on a Saturday.
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
Swimming the Capital K, I have never done an open water swim, it was much tougher than I ever thought. I was kicked in the face and the wind was against us. But I pushed through and finished. I have never been prouder of myself.
Favorite quote?
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
Favourite book?
The only book I read is the Bible and daily devotions, so I guess, the Bible would need to be it.
What inspires and motivates you?
My husband and my kids. My husband because he is the hardest worker I know and he goes for what he wants. My kids because they never give up, they fall and they get back up and carry on. They also motivate me, because I want to show them that you always keep trying.
For what are you most grateful?
My husband and my kids.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
Don’t always focus on your goal, start with small mini goals and small changes. Do not get overwhelmed and compare your journey to anyone else. Also do not do it for someone else, do it for you and your own health.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Write down your goals
- Have a game plan
- Find a buddy who can keep you on track
- When you mess up, get back up and try again
- Do not compare yourself with anyone else.
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