Name:
Noleen Roets
Age:
37 Years
Location:
Pretoria
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
Feb 2020: 96.8kg
Dec 2021: 60.5kg
Weight lost to date: 36.3kg
What do you do? [Job]
An educator by profession but currently a home executive (LOL) who trains and juggles being a wife, and mom to 4 children.
Stepson aged 20 years.
Firstborn son aged 11 years.
Boy/Girl set of twins aged 6 years.
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]
Love scrapbooking (when I have time) and doing dinner dates with hubby trying out fine dining restaurants.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
Signed up for my 1st Sleekgeek 8-Week Summer challenge 2021.
How did you find Sleekgeek?
Social Media (Facebook)
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
Before and After “real people” photos. These are such an amazing motivation to see. Also, love the pure honesty of members in their FB posts and that it’s not always sunshine and roses and that we all have difficult days, ups & downs etc.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
Honestly, I’m still the same outgoing, bubbly person. The only difference is that I feel healthier, fitter and a little more confident. I also finally have clothes that fit and that I feel comfortable in.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
Hubby and I were going out for a dinner date and NOTHING in my wardrobe sat comfortably. I had an emotional meltdown when I realised I was wearing a size 40 which was now tight fitting. I literally threw all my clothes out of the cupboard and sat sobbing on the bedroom floor. I knew a change had to be made.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
Make far better food decisions. I like to challenge myself in the training department, seeing if I can push the weights just a little heavier or do just a few extra reps each week. I have realised I am actually very competitive.
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
The number on the scale actually doesn’t matter!!!!!! My whole life I have been obsessed with the scale. It has taken a VERY long time to come to terms with the fact that I will not always weigh the same. It’s just a number. Muscle weighs more than fat, so as I gain muscle the scale will increase, this doesn’t mean that I’m getting ‘fat’ again. In fact, I actually prefer being “bigger” with muscles.
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
You need to eat to actually loose weight. The trick is to eat the right amount of food and CORRECT food regularly.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
When I put my mind to something I give it 300%. I have a complete goal in mind. I do everything in my capacity to not “drop the ball”.
What is better since you got healthy?
Health is EVERYTHING!! I believe that when you have your health you have life. My children now have a mom who will (God willingly) have many, many years to celebrate life with them. I also believe that this change in my lifestyle actually SAVED my life. In June 2021 I had COVID. I was on an Oxygen machine, seen by doctors and received physio daily for over 2 weeks (all while my husband was also fighting for his life in ICU with Covid). Had I been my old, overweight self, I don’t think the outcome would have been the same.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Weightlifting is my happy place.
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
After my wardrobe meltdown, I knew I needed professional help. Someone with expertise in the weight loss field to keep an eye on me and hold me accountable for my actions. We found a personal trainer to help me.
What does your typical workout look like?
Drop kids at school and head to the gym. +- 1hr 30min weight training followed by 30 min cardio. This is sometimes adjusted to 30-60min fasted cardio at home in the mornings, then dropping kids and heading to the gym for the same weight training session. It all depends on my goals at each stage of my journey.
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
I love training upper body. Biceps/triceps. My goal is to have arms with beautiful definition (LOL)
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
LUNGES!!!!!
How does exercise make you feel?
It’s my ME TIME. The time I get to focus on myself and my goals, listen to a fantastic playlist and just see how far I can push my body.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
I don’t mind either. Both have a time and place, it’s always great to change things up and try new things otherwise you become “stuck in a rut”.
Most embarrassing training moment?
Gym legging tore on the inside of my thigh. THANKFULLY I was training my arms that day so could tie my jacket around my waist. NO squats or lunges were to be done on that day. Haha.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
- Training gloves
- Sweat towel
- My OWN ankle cuffs & tricep rope as there are NEVER enough and someone is always needing them.
Your next training goal?
GLUTES. more muscle, less flab.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
Weight training playlist:
- Eminem:- ‘Till I Collapse
- An Army of One:- Came for War
- The Phantoms:- Fight for my survival
- DJ $crilla:- This is Motivation
- WakeUpTime:- NEW (motivational speech)
Cardio Playlist:
- Steve Aoki:- End of The World
- Ed Sheeren:- Bad habits
- Mike Perry:- One life
- Tiesto, Ava Max:- The Motto
- Pink:- Cover me in sunshine
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
You have NO IDEA… I sometimes have to look at old photos just to see how far I have come. People who I haven’t seen in a while don’t recognise me. I get messages, FB inboxes and even phone calls from people saying I have inspired them in so many ways that they actually have hope again to try and change their own lifestyles.
For the first time in 37 years, I am happy in my own skin.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
FOOD in general (smiley face).
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Protein pancakes
Avo on rye
Favourite protein?
Chicken
Favourite fat?
Avo
Favourite carbohydrate?
Oats and rye bread. Aggggg let’s be honest, ALL carbs are amazing, they are just not all good for you.
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
You may have everything in moderation. My grandmother’s favourite words. It wasn’t until she passed away that I actually took it to heart. Being healthy doesn’t mean you can never have cake, just don’t eat the WHOLE cake or eat cake every day.
How many meals a day do you eat?
6 meals per day
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
Usually a cheat meal over weekends. If it’s during the week for a special occasion, I try to eat better over a weekend then.
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
I have many and each for various reasons. From wearing a bikini for the very first time to deadlifting 100kg’s. Going to have my hair done where my own hairdresser didn’t recognise me to waking up at 04:30 am to train.
Having people send me the most amazing messages, to walking on the beach feeling like a million bucks.
I have sooooooo many moments and am grateful for each and every one of them.
Favorite quote?
I have a Bible verse and it’s tattooed on my inner forearm and a constant reminder.
Jer 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord.
Favourite book?
Honestly don’t have time to read unless you count fairytales read to the kids.
What inspires and motivates you?
People who actually put in the HARD WORK and effort to change. There is no easy way out or quick fixes, otherwise, everyone would look phenomenal.
For what are you most grateful?
Might sound cliché…. But I am grateful for EVERYTHING. I have an amazing family & group of friends who support and push me daily. A husband who is my biggest supporter and I am able to be surrounded by people I love.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
Today you might literally only be able to walk for 10min or pick up a 2kg dumbell, after 3 weeks it will become 15min of training and 3kg lifts and before you know it you could possibly want to run a marathon!
Consistency is key. Just keep going. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it WILL HAPPEN.
ALSO, THROW AWAY THE SCALE!!!!!! It’s about how you FEEL, not the number.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Just get going.
- Consistency is key.
- You will have up’s and down’s, just never give up.
- It won’t happen overnight.
- Believe to achieve.
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