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Name:
Charlene Johnson
Age:
32
Location:
De Doorns (a small town near Worcester)
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
Start 177kg Current 163.6kg
What do you do? [Job]
I am a Professional Nurse at a clinic
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]
Love to read, and spend time with my family.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
I joined during the first lockdown.
How did you find Sleekgeek?
Community member Helen Dowie-Smith posted a QA interview between her and Sleekgeek about her weight loss journey on Facebook.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
The support structure is amazing.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
I was unable to walk fast I was always tired and moody.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
I was in a massive motor vehicle accident almost 3 years ago, had open fractures on both legs. They inserted pins in both legs. I was wheelchair-bound for 3 months. After recovering, I struggled to walk due to the accident with my weight. In February 2020 I said to myself enough is enough.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
Exercise regularly and I am more positive.
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
Some exercises due to my injuries, I also have plates in my whole left arm.
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Push through, it will get better.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
Yes, I struggled during summer with my nutrition as fruit is readily available and I was always snacking on it.
What is better since you got healthy?
I can walk easily, I feel comfortable in my clothes. The pain is a bit less.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Walking on the farm road.
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
Since March 2020 during the lockdown, I started with Leslie Sansone’s indoor walking.
What does your typical workout look like?
Walk for a few kilometers over the weekends. During the week I would do more dumbbells and resistant bands exercise.
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Walking
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Ab wheel and Ab exercise
How does exercise make you feel?
De-stressed.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
Alone, because I believe during exercise time it’s “me time”.
Most embarrassing training moment?
Tried the ab wheel and fell flat on my big tummy.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
Water, water, and more water.
Your next training goal?
Master ab exercise program.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
- Dj ice flakes weekend fix 53 and 52
- Dj Feezol mix
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
It made it better, I have less pain. I am less stressed and happier.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Braai and salad
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Smoothies
Favourite protein?
Pork rashers
Favourite fat?
Avocado
Favourite carbohydrate?
Sweet potato
How many meals a day do you eat?
3 meals and 2 snacks
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
I crave a lot of salty stuff so my cheat meal is a packet of Barbeque Spookies (chips)
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
Losing 10kg was for me a big achievement
Favorite quote?
God will always be by my side.
Favourite book?
The 5 am club.
What inspires and motivates you?
I was not able to walk, to be able to do that, and lose weight.
For what are you most grateful?
For being able to walk again.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
If I can do it who are restricted to exercise you can also do it
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Do it for yourself
- Don’t want to do it because your friends do it and you want to fit in, they must inspire you.
- Make small changes in your diet.
- Its a lifestyle, not a diet
- Be your own hero
