Name:
Jadin Garcia
Age:
24
Location:
Cape Town, South Africa
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
I started at 150kg and at the moment I’m about 80kg.
What do you do? [Job]
I am a grade 1 teacher in a small town in Cape Town called Elsiesriver.
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]
I don’t have hobbies. I’m an extrovert person so anything to do with people. I love spending time with my friends and family. If the activities include children it’s a plus. You will more often see me with children than people my age. Other than that gym, running and trying to better myself has become a hobby.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
About 6 months, I think. When I started with my journey I was just looking for support everywhere and follow like-minded people.
How did you find Sleekgeek?
One of my gym buddies posted a picture on their page and then I decided to also join and never looked back one day.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
The people are so supportive and like-minded. They always find something positive in a situation when I need it the most.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
I have always been a huge child, since birth. I remember my primary school days where the kids kept calling me names. I hated my life and went from diet to diet but always ended up cheating because why would I eat tomatoes if my friends get peanut butter sandwiches.
I still have a very low self-image today. I have never been satisfied with myself because I know I can be better and there is no end to it. Every year the results just get better and get more addictive.
I must say not much changed personality-wise in that transformation I decided from the start I want to stay the same, just be more healthy and positive.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
Well, people are rude. I got comments from everyone and people were seriously hurting me with the stuff they used to say. I then started studying for teaching and found that kids don’t have a filter. They would say what they want to and then it would bother me for days.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
I feel much better about myself. But the new me is trying to inspire and help others around me where the old me only felt like a disappointment. The new me tries to not punish myself for every cheat but rather start again tomorrow on a clean page.
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
Eating perfectly, I still struggle now and then. People’s judgement still gets me down. People always find something new to say about you and that gets me under because I’m a people’s pleaser and one bad word from someone can ruin my whole day.
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Stop caring what people say about you. You have come so far already and keep going.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide back a bit on your journey?
Yes, too many times. I picked up about 15kg at one time, but you just have to get up one day and start clean again and stay motivated.
What is better since you got healthy?
I love gyming and being outdoors now. And walking up a flight of stairs I used to die. And now I can have a conversation and walk-up stairways.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Any form of exercise with other people. Mostly running and gyming.
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
I have been training since 1 February. And I did a challenge to try and lose 9kg in 6 weeks and smashed that and then just kept going at the gym and now loving it.
What does your typical workout look like?
Well, what the trainers say lol. I’m at CrossFit now. So mostly a mix of cardio and weights. But I will usually go to a class at 5 am in the morning to the gym and then enjoy a 5/10km jog in the afternoons.
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Running I would say at the moment.
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Push-ups. I suck at those.
How does exercise make you feel?
Really good. My day feels weird without it.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
With others to have a chat and also their motivation helps.
Most embarrassing training moment?
Well, I can’t do a lunge to help myself. And did one in the gym and fell in slow motion solid on my side. And yes there was a pretty good looking guy next to me.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
Jelly Bean BCAA’s. My cellphone for selfies. And then lastly a little towel. I sweat badly.
Your next training goal?
I want to do the 2 oceans 21km 2022.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
I’m easy. Just not slow music so whatever plays in the gym with some beat.
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
I made so many friends and met really good-hearted people.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Peanut butter and ice cream
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Oats with peanut butter
Favourite protein?
Cinnamon flavour protein powder
Favourite fat?
Did I mention peanut butter, haha!
Favourite carbohydrate?
Toast.
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
None
How many meals a day do you eat?
5 times a day – 3 meals 2 shakes.
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
No. I eat it when I feel like something, else I just get hangry.
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
Well running 10km. That was seriously scary for me. I didn’t know how to manage my jelly legs afterwards.
Favorite quote?
Always get up. Dress up. And show up.
Favourite book?
I don’t read at all.
What inspires and motivates you?
Seeing other people succeed and the amazing messages and support I get from the social media posts.
For what are you most grateful?
That I have supportive friends and family. When you fall they always help me up.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
Just start. It gets easier.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Be careful of people’s ideas of healthy
- Keep going no matter how hard it gets
- Take lots of photos of your progress
- Don’t let people get you down they will always find something to say.
- Get someone to join you and keep you accountable on your journey.
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