QA: Geraldine has lost 35kgs and here is how.

Name:
Geraldine Deyzel

Age:
24

Location:
Muizenberg, Cape Town

How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
I have lost about 35kg, I went from 155kgs to 120Kgs (I still have a long way to go but the road is paved 😉)

What do you do? [Job]
IT Consultant/ Developer

What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]
I like to cook fine dining type of meals which isn’t always healthy but I just like to make them not eat them.

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YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
About 2 years

How did you find Sleekgeek?
Facebook adds I think, I don’t remember.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
The motivational transformations that people post about and the HONEST struggles they face.

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YOUR TRANSFORMATION 

Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
Before losing the weight, I was so tired and didn’t care about my appearance, I would go days without brushing my hair (I did wash it with knots in and everything), I would wear clothes that were torn because who cares I’m ugly anyway. 

But when I started on my journey, I made it a goal to acquire the habit of self-care, I’m not tired anymore, I look after my body, my soul, and my appearance.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?
I was on an Afrikaans show called “Kom ons braai” and when I saw myself on TV, I was mortified of what had become of me, how could I have let myself fall so far down the rabbit hole? 

I have never been overweight in my life and after I gave birth to my beautiful daughter, my depression started to worsen and though I cant only blame the weight gain on that, the depression sure made it harder to look after myself.

I am doing fine now though. 

What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?

• I have a Selfcare routine
• I have an exercise routine
• I believe in myself 
• I choose to eat wholesome foods
• I try not to get demotivated when I fall off the ladder 
• I’m a better mom

What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
My cravings for Dunked wings! Also, I struggle to exercise without making excuses.

If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Allow yourself some pleasure and just continue on your road to success the next meal/day.

Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
I did yes, the first 25kgs fell off in about 4 months, however, the last 10kgs took about 8-9 months, I plateaued on 120kgs for so long before finally getting below that.

What is better since you got healthy? 
I have more energy and my skin looks and feels beautiful. I feel healthy and have more self-confidence.

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TRAINING 

What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Running and rowing (with the machine at the gym)

How long have you been training and how did you get started?
Since September 2019, I just decided to go to the gym and I loved it after I started to see results. I recently started doing 5km power walk/ runs in the morning and to my surprise, it’s not as hard as I thought.

What does your typical workout look like?

• 30 mins on the Elliptical
• 20 mins of strength training
• 30 mins Bicycle 
• 20 mins Rowing machine
• 5-6km power walk/run

I mix it up with a total workout at the gym of about 60 mins

And every alternative day I go for the run

Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
5km Power walk/run

Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Squats

How does exercise make you feel? 
Accomplished

Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
Alone, I’m an introvert.

Most embarrassing training moment?
I don’t think I have one.

Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
Water, Towel, Headset

Your next training goal?
Half Marathon

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
I’d rather not say 

How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
It made me more fit, which helped me with running after my 3-year-old when she tries to escape my hands in the mall. I feel like I am physically stronger I don’t really need any help with picking up things or moving things. I can definitely hold my 16kg daughter in my arms for longer (She’s a little weight lift on her own)

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NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?
Dunked wings

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Lettuce wrap stuffed with Tuna and feta with some cayenne pepper and a spoon of plain yogurt

Favourite protein?
Eggs

Favourite fat?
Avocado

Favourite carbohydrate?
Potatoes

What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
If it’s natural, it’s good (Don’t judge)

How many meals a day do you eat?
2 (Breakfast and Dinner)

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
Yeah, I allow myself one cheat snack on a weekend to treat myself for my hard work during the week.

MINDSET

Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?

Run 5km without collapsing.

Favorite quote?

If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it would spend its whole life believing that it’s stupid. Albert Einstein

Favourite book? 

Power of Habit – Book by Charles Duhigg

What inspires and motivates you?

Reading the transformation posts on Sleekgeek

For what are you most grateful? 

My Daughter

What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?

Just take it one day at a time, you don’t realize how quickly a week of healthy eating goes by if you are 100% committed to your goal

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

1. Start by going into a Calorie Deficit, because you can still allow yourself the small pleasures but in moderation.
2. Start to walk even if it’s 10 mins, increase it every day (It will become a habit without you realizing it).
3. Believe in what you can accomplish (THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE).
4. Don’t beat yourself up if you fell off the ladder, just keep going.
5. Try to make your food fancy (Get some recipes from google) and you would be amazed at how good that plate of food will make you feel, none the less taste like a dream