Name:
Savannah Taylor
Age:
25
Location:
Cape Town
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far? Please provide start and current weight thanks
I have lost 10kgs. I went from 90 kgs to 80 kgs
What do you do? [Job]
I work for Sleekgeek – I deal with the merchandise, coaching admin, photo approvals, and teach swimming lessons/coach Waterpolo in the 1st and 4th quarter of the school year.
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]
I love horse riding, cooking, baking and crafting.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
Since 2015
How did you find Sleekgeek?
I met Eric and he added me into the group.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
The support, the advice that is shared and the motivation from other members in the community is great.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
I had always been active in school, swimming, and horse riding (showjumping). After leaving school I initially transitioned to CrossFit style of training at our local gym in Zimbabwe. After leaving Zim to come to SA I started off keeping up the gym routine, but then things started to slide. Also eating changed from my mom’s paleo style in Zim to anything that goes in Cape Town. Leaving the nest to being able to buy your own food and what you want was a big thing.
Fast food was not something I grew up with so it was easy to buy and it’s cheap. The old me was lazy and unmotivated to do anything.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
I stood on the scale one day and it was 90kgs, the heaviest I have been. I could visualize that just going up and up, and I hated myself for letting myself go so much. I have a knee problem, it dislocates, and the more weight I put on the more it happened.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
I try to exercise consistently and make better choices when it comes to eating.
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
Motivation to exercise especially when it is cold and junk food.
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Take every day as it comes and do 1% better than the day before.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
Yes, I think most people will reach a plateau on their journey. I use the Sleekgeek 8-Week Challenge to push a little harder and that tends to help.
What is better since you got healthy?
Body-wise my knee has not dislocated in a long time, so pain is non-existent. It’s been easier to keep and make new friendships. My relationship is better, as it’s easier if both are on a health journey than just the one. We are able to do more together.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Weight Lifting or Swimming
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
Over 7 years on and off.
What does your typical workout look like?
2 upper body gym workouts and 2 lower body workouts. However, with lockdown, I have changed to walking 2-5kms, at least 3 times a week.
For swimming, I try to do a stroke a week, so Fly-Back-Breast-Free and IM. I alternate between drills, speed and distance.
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Sumo squats at the moment.
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Overhead press.
How does exercise make you feel?
Empowered and happy.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
Others, a personal trainer or one other person on the same level or above. Alone I tend to slack off, and if it’s someone not on the same level, it takes too much time setting up and explaining. I enjoy being pushed.
Most embarrassing training moment?
Training with this personal trainer is an embarrassment enough. Its a good thing he is a close friend.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
- Gym card
- Towel
- Water bottle
Your next training goal?
I would like to run 5 km.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
Moca Louca – Yudi Fox
Nao para – Mika Mendes (feat. Atim & Elji)
Danca Kizomba – Elji Beatzkilla
Faz Acontecer – Yudi Fox
Baile – Badoxa
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
It has allowed me to strengthen my knee so that it does not dislocate regularly like it used to. So I’m not living in pain or in fear of dislocating it. It has allowed me to be more social, I can now do things I used to not be able to do, like go for a walk.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Pasta
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Chicken wrap
Favourite protein?
Chicken
Favourite fat?
Avocado
Favourite carbohydrate?
Potatoes
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
Everything in moderation. And plan your meals, it is easier to stay on track. I shop on a Sunday for the week’s meals.
How many meals a day do you eat?
2-3 I normally only eat when I am hungry. And I don’t tend to snack between meals either.
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
Usually something sweet on the weekends.
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
Walking a Parkrun when my knee was still an issue.
Favorite quote?
“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”— Lao-Tze
Favourite book?
Beach Music by Pat Conroy.
What inspires and motivates you?
The people around me that have made great changes such as friends, and the team that I work with.
For what are you most grateful?
My health, and that my family have been with me through my journey.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
It is never too late to change, it takes courage to make the decision to change and push through. Make sure you have someone backing you on your journey and take each day as it comes with an attainable goal in mind.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Find a type of exercise you enjoy or a variety.
- Create habits.
- Plan your schedule for both workouts and nutrition.
- Show up, if you struggle like me to be accountable get a Personal Trainer.
- Never give up.
You must be logged in to post a comment.