Name:
Ferial Effendi
Age:
38
Location:
Cape Town.
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
Total loss 21kgs.
What do you do? [Job]
I’m a pharmacist.
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]
Full-time mom of two.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
Since Jan 2014
How did you find Sleekgeek?
On Facebook, while looking to start eating better, then started with a reboot.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
The amazing transformations and support amongst members.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
Mom of two, at the time a 10-month-old and a 5-year-old, with a full-time job, I was always tired, and very lazy.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
Being at my highest weight, which was even higher than what it was at full term with my pregnancy.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
I train 4-5 days a week. I meal prep. I even wake up super early to go for a run.
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
Struggle with time. Having enough time to share with my family, my job, and the gym.
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Just do as much as you can. Most days, I manage to fit it all in.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
Plateau, yes… for more than a year. Covid happened and my weight stayed at 95kg for a year.
What is better since you got healthy?
My mood, my quality of life, my energy levels, everything.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Functional Strength training, weightlifting, and HIIT.
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
Started Dec 2018, reached out to a personal trainer (the best thing I could have done), and have been going ever since.
What does your typical workout look like?
Some cardio, some strength training, some lifting.
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Deadlifts / barbell anything.
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Running , but i’m working on it.
How does exercise make you feel?
A whole mood changer, even if you super tired, you feel revitalized after. That’s the feeling you get addicted to.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
A little bit of both. Some days you need that time alone to just clear your head, other days, you need a partner to give you that extra push.
Most embarrassing training moment?
Doing a box jump and missing, then falling and pretending it didn’t hurt.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
Water, a towel, and earpods.
Your next training goal?
To run longer distances without stopping and to strengthen my arms.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
Too many to mention, really old school, ranges from Kelly Clarkson, Dixie Chicks, Avril Lavigne, Adele, Michael Buble, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran. Mood dependant 🙂
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
Training has become my outlet, a stress reliever.
It has improved my mood and my overall confidence levels. It has become an addiction, where if you sick, you feel bad for not moving.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Pasta
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Warm chicken, butternut avo salad
Favourite protein?
Chicken
Favourite fat?
Avocado and nuts
Favourite carbohydrate?
Sweet potato
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
Eat everything in moderation. Little bits of everything, I don’t cut out any food group.
How many meals a day do you eat?
3 meals
2 snacks
And coffee
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
No, I eat when I feel like having that meal. I don’t consider it a cheat meal.
MINDSET
Favorite quote?
It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes us, it’s what we do consistently.- Anthony Robbins
Favourite book?
n/a
What inspires and motivates you?
Seeing the results, seeing how far I have come.
For what are you most grateful?
The patience and love from my family, allowing me time to go to the gym, and understanding that I need this time to myself
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
Just do it, it will be hard, but when you start feeling healthy, I promise you won’t stop.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- One day at a time, one bad day doesn’t mean you need to quit.
- Just keep going, you never too old or too big to start.
- Always make the time, schedule other things around your training time. Put in the work and you will see results.
- Start with small changes and just follow through.
- Consistency is key!
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