Name:
Steve Webber
Age:
49
Location:
Durban
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
I started the Sleekgeek 8-Week New Years 2021 Challenge weighing in at 120kg. At the end of the Sleekgeek Winter 2021 8-Week Challenge, I was at 104.4kg thus a loss of 15.6kg
What do you do?
I work as a ship’s operator for a major ship owner.
What else do you do?
I enjoy running, yoga, attempting to learn guitar, and a good series or movie on Netflix.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
Since Feb 2021
How did you find Sleekgeek?
Recommended by a friend.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
I would have to say hands down the support from one’s team during the Sleekgeek 8-Week Challenge.
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 fairly active but diet and lifestyle were never in sync with each other. Life, depression, and a marital breakdown took their toll and I picked up weight. A bout of COVID in December 2020 was just the final straw.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
Surviving COVID made me realise that change was needed. The absolute struggle to get active again was only exacerbated by my ballooning weight. I knew I had to turn this around.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
I am very conscious of what I’m eating and in what quantities. I also greatly limit any alcohol intake. No more mid-week bottles of wine.
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
I still have a very sweet tooth so avoiding sugary snacks. Going without peanut butter sandwiches and drinking enough water.
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Progress, not perfection!
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
Oh definitely. My weight loss has most certainly not been steady.
What is better since you got healthy?
I can run a lot faster and for a much longer duration. All my clothes fit and many are becoming too big. I also feel a lot stronger.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Running followed by yoga.
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
On and off since High School. There have been some fairly lengthy hiatus due to work pressures, finances, young family, etc.
What does your typical workout look like?
As a club runner, I don’t really have a typical workout. A baseline would be at least 10k 3 to 4 times per week. This could be a mix of speed work, hills, long run or time trial.
Possibly a bit of trail run on a Sunday.
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Long slow distance on a Saturday morning.
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Strength training.
How does exercise make you feel?
Done right, the dopamine high is the best thing ever.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
I definitely enjoy training with others. There are always those bad patches and someone to talk you through makes all the difference. Aside from this, it’s a good time to chat and catch up with friends.
Most embarrassing training moment?
Rather not say 😊.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
A towel, a spare shirt and a headlamp.
Your next training goal?
This is quite a long term one – run another standard marathon (42.2km) which I last did in 2013.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
I don’t listen to music when I train for safety reasons.
If I had to have a training playlist it would be:
- Run to the Hills – Iron Maiden
- Broken, Beaten, Scarred – Metallica
- Ravens Flight – Amon Amarth
- Bismarck – Sabaton
- Arise – Sepultura
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
Running has taught me the meaning of hard work giving results as well as how much the human body can endure. Yoga has shown me the amazing flexibility and strength that my body actually possesses.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Eisbien
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Peri-Peri Chicken and salad
Favourite protein?
Steak
Favourite fat?
Butter
Favourite carbohydrate?
Sweet potato.
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
I follow a keto/ banting type diet. I have major depression and as such I make sure my fat intake is high to fuel my brain.
How many meals a day do you eat?
Maximum of 3.
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
Again, progress not perfection. Cheats meals / treats occasionally happen. Just make sure not too regularly. Falling off the dietary wagon is no excuse for not getting straight back on it.
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
Running 5km in under 30 min, 27:30 to be exact. I honestly thought those days were long gone.
Favorite quote?
“ Do or do not, there is no try”… Yoda
Favourite book?
Lord of the Rings.
What inspires and motivates you?
My faith and knowing that I can always achieve more.
For what are you most grateful?
Surviving COVID – my health.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
The process of changing your life is both very easy and very difficult at the same time. The steps required are not complicated. Even if changing your diet and getting moving is really difficult to start with, it will get easier. Take baby steps and avoid going too far, too fast, too soon
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Stop making excuses – the only one you are kidding is yourself.
- You don’t become overweight and unhealthy overnight. Its going to take time to change.
- Whatever you do needs to be sustainable.
- There are times when you are going to have to dig deep and ‘vasbyt’.
- Stretch after working out.
