Name:
Anika da Silva
Age:
25
Location:
Johannesburg
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
22.6kg. Start: 86.5kg Current: 63.9kg Goal: 55kg
What do you do? [Job]
Product & Marketing Assistant at AfricaStay
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]
I love hiking, fishing and taking my puppy for walks.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
About 6 months
How did you find Sleekgeek?
Came across it on Facebook
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
I love how we can motivate and inspire each other. It is amazing to see the results and hard work of everyone in the community.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
LAZY! There is no better word for it. Always coming up with excuses about why I’m overweight. It started in high school when I stopped playing hockey and from there I just started eating unhealthy food and not worrying about exercising. I lost over 10kgs for my Matric Dance but after a while just picked it up again.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
My sister started exercising during lockdown which inspired me to start. I also came across Intermittent Fasting and became intrigued and wanted to try it.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
Before I would eat 3 meals a day sometimes with some snacks in between – Now I only have my 2 meals a day combined with intermittent fasting. I used to drink at least one can of coke a day – now all I drink is water / coffee / rooibos tea. I use to have 4 slices of white bread every day, now I only have 2 slices of Albany Ultima Kilojoule Controlled Brown Bread every second week. I have cut down on sugar and carbs drastically. I work out at least 4 times a week, whereas before I’d just sit and watch series after work.
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
Temptations 😂 I love cookies.
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
It is ok to sometimes give in to temptation and have that 1 cookie, we are only human but don’t overdo it. Reward yourself, even if it is by buying yourself a new workout outfit rather than a cheat meal/ snack.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
I have been really lucky so far. I might be going slower compared to a lot of people but I have been able to lose a minimum of 2kg per month. I also have a bit of “OCD” so I haven’t missed a fast since I started.
What is better since you got healthy?
I’m happier, fitter and I have some more confidence.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Running on my treadmill and strength training.
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
I started training in September 2020, I was still working from home because of COVID & lockdown so I started doing online videos – I used water bottles as weights and eventually ordered some dumbbells on Takealot. My boss also gave me his old treadmill in February and since then I became addicted to running on my treadmill.
What does your typical workout look like?
I can’t afford to go to the gym so all my workouts are done from home.
I either run 6km on my treadmill + 500m cool down and do 15-20min strength training after OR
I run 4km on my treadmill + 500m cool down and do 30-40min strength training in the week.
Every now and again I do HIIT or Pilates.
Over the weekends I either go hiking / take my puppy for walks.
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Treadmill Running & Hiking
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Pushups – for the life of me I can’t do more than 1 😂
How does exercise make you feel?
Empowered and free. It’s “ME” time where I can just relax.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
Alone. I love to exercise with my earphones in as the music motivates me to push harder.
Most embarrassing training moment?
So far I don’t have one and luckily I train at home alone so no one can see me.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
Water, phone for music and lip ice.
Your next training goal?
To train for the Otter trail Hike.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
I have a very different choice in music than most people (Hard Rock) but I love:
- Falling In Reverse – Popular Monster
- Stitched Up Heart – My Demon
- Falling In Reverse – Chemical prisoner
- Citizen Soldier – Stronger Than My Storm
- Falling In Reverse – I’m Not A Vampire (Revamped)
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
My relationship with myself, my body, and food are all better. Working on my fitness has helped me learn to take care of my body and my mind. Exercise makes me feel happier and despite some sore muscles every now and then, it really does give you new energy.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Pizza 😅
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Chicken Salad
Favourite protein?
Steak
Favourite fat?
Avo
Favourite carbohydrate?
Jungle Oats
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
Cut down on carbs and sugar. Have everything in moderation, still have meals you can enjoy just make healthier choices.
How many meals a day do you eat?
2 meals a day – Lunch and Dinner
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
Yes. I try to limit cheat meals to once a month and treats every other week. I believe it’s OK to indulge once in a while! Just don’t overindulge.
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
I can now wear a size small and my size 10 jeans are even starting to become too big. But for me as a woman, my biggest achievement is going down 3 bra sizes! Something I never thought would be possible.
Favorite quote?
¨Most people fail, not because of lack of desire, but, because of lack of commitment.¨ – Vince Lombardi
Favourite book?
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
What inspires and motivates you?
Seeing other people’s weight loss journeys and how hard they work to achieve their goals. I am also motivated by seeing old photos of myself and comparing them to where I am now, it inspires me to try harder and to keep going.
For what are you most grateful?
The struggles have formed me and made me stronger. I have been overweight for a few years now but those struggles have made me stronger today so that I can achieve my goals.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
Start TODAY! Don’t wait for anyone to join you. You have to be your biggest cheerleader. If you wait for other people you will never start. I was scared to start on my own but now I am so happy that I did.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- You have to be in the right mindset to start – if your mind isn’t in the right place, you will struggle or even give up.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself when starting out – just start by making healthier choices and being more active and then work your way up.
- Do NOT compare yourself with anyone, we are all different and some of us need to work a bit harder to get where we want to be.
- This is a lifestyle, not a diet – you are allowed to treat yourself once in a while, we are all just human. You do not need to punish yourself, do workouts you like.
- Be consistent but accept that you might have setbacks, and that’s OK.
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