QA: Cindy Naude – 2nd in Women’s Transformation

Today we chat to Cindy Naude who placed 2nd in the Women’s Transformation Category of our New Year 2021 Sleekgeek 8-Week Transformation Challenge.

Give us a short history of your journey to health and fitness before the challenge.

Beginning of 2017 I was overweight at 98kg. I couldn’t walk far without breaking into a sweat and getting out of breath. I was also on two different chronic meds and antidepressants for over two years. My lifestyle needed to change drastically!

I was introduced to Sleekgeek and for a year I followed the stories of all these inspiring people. I accepted a challenge to start kickboxing classes and decided to move away from my comfort zone and go for it. I could not keep up at all in the beginning and felt so uncomfortable and embarrassed at being overweight and unfit. Each time I thought about quitting either a personal testimony or a message of encouragement from Elan would pop up on the Sleekgeek Facebook page. It helped me to persevere and keep trying. Shortly thereafter, I won a fantastic cash prize which I used to buy proper boxing gloves and was also given a free entry to the upcoming Sleekgeek challenge. This was the spring board I so desperately needed and I feel it truly made the difference between giving up and where I find myself today.

Fast forward to 2021. I entered the challenge this time as a completely different person to who I was the first time. My self talk has changed probably more than all the changes people can see on the outside. I feel confident and strong and also so glad to say that I am no longer on any meds. To date I have lost 20kg! I hit this milestone at the end of my 8-Week Challenge. I am grateful to the Sleekgeek team and each and every one of you who put your stories out there for us to see.

What prompted you to join the Sleekgeek 8-Week Challenge?

It was actually a very spontaneous and quite literally a last moment decision just before the cut off time for the early bird special! The reminders were in my inbox and on facebook every day and I had been debating with myself whether or not I really needed to enter the challenge in order to lose weight. So glad that I did as it kept me accountable throughout the whole 8 weeks.

Give us a quick overview of the nutrition and eating plan that you followed during the challenge.

Followed the high protein low carb vegetarian diet in the Sleekgeek Vault. Extremely helpful as it’s easy to follow and very well laid out to help with planning.

• Kickboxing training 3 sometimes 4 evenings a week.
• Jump rope – 30 minute video tutorials on days not kickboxing
• Started each morning with gentle 10 minute stretching exercises

If you could give 3 pieces of advice to future challengers, what would they be?

1) Find YOUR motivation. Create a reason if need be that will help you to stick to your goals.

2) Plan, and then plan some more. Make sure you are ready with meal planning and training schedules before the week starts. Visualize and write down what you would like to achieve in the next 7 days.

3) Keep a balance so that you don’t burn out. It’s good to be focussed and to work really hard at the challenge but it could create unhealthy attitudes towards your weight loss journey if you don’t intentionally take a rest from it. Choose a day to enjoy a planned treat – even better if you do it together with your family or friends. Don’t track any calories that day. And if all you feel like doing is curling up with a good book then do it – totally guilt free because you have worked hard all week and earned it!

Why should people enter the challenge?

Winter is a time where people tend to eat more and put on weight due to the cold weather. It is so easy to slip into bad hibernating habits like vegging on the couch after work or sleeping in late every weekend. No matter how comfortable this lifestyle is at the time, we know that regret is waiting right around the corner come spring time. That’s why entering this winter challenge, using it as a tool to overcome instead of succumbing to bad choices, and joining the Sleekgeek community will inspire you to keep moving and remain focused on your goals. This challenge could be the turning point towards something really great in your life!

Want to be our next Success Story?

We run 3 challenges a year only – New Year, Winter and Summer.

Why can’t it be your chance to shine? Why can’t you be our next success story? Only one way to find out!

 The Sleekgeek 8-Week Transformation Challenge will give you the  focus,  support, and  tools that you need to stay on track and achieve amazing results.

The winners walk away with some incredible prizes worth R100,000!

You also get an accountability check-in system, brand new home workouts, nutrition plans, toolkits, printables, videos, email series, bonus resources, expert tips and more. – all online! You can find out more about how Sleekgeek’s 8-Week Transformation Challenge works over at www.sleekgeek.co.za/challenge