Name:
Ellaine Payne
Age:
39
Location:
Durban
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
35 kg
What do you do? [Job]
Currently unemployed but I’m selling clothes.
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc].
Cooking, socializing, reading.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
I first joined in 2015 if I remember correctly.
How did you find Sleekgeek?
Through Facebook.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
The motivation and the love.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
Firstly I was always active and fit, I used to train 6 days a week. Then things changed when I met my late husband I stopped completely for 5 years that’s when I gained weight drastically from 93kg to 140.7kg.
Out of the blue my late husband said, “you see that you can’t breathe properly?” We must hit the road and he bought me tekkies to start. At my old job, we did a health check-up and I found out that my cholesterol was 9.5 which was too high. I was advised to change my habits and I did exactly that.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
A health scare, the thought of a heart attack at 30 years due to bad eating scared me. And I changed from there.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
Now I don’t eat to get full but to live and nourish my body. Overeating is dead and buried.
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
Slight cravings during PMS
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
It’s all in the mind always opt for healthier options.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
I’ve reached a plateau a few times in my journey, it is so frustrating but I find that changing my routine and shocking the body helps a lot.
What is better since you got healthy?
I can breathe perfectly fine now, no sweating when I’m getting ready, I’m super flexible. I am more positive than ever before, I feel like nothing is impossible.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Step class, Boxing Class, weight lifting
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
I went back to the gym in 2013, but only got serious and committed from 2016 till now
What does your typical workout look like?
30 minutes Step class or Boxing class
20 Functional training
10 minutes Ab workout
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Squats
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Jumping Jack’s and running
How does exercise make you feel?
Like Super Woman, mentally and emotionally it’s my happy pill.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
I prefer group training, for moral support and encouragement, it’s the best.
Most embarrassing training moment?
When I was still huge and couldn’t do burpees, I would just stand and not even try.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
Gloves, infused water and a towel.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
There is no specific song but a mix of different songs per genre.
Gqom Mix
Amapiano Mix
Gospel Mix
Hip hop Mix
Deep house Mix
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
It has changed for the best, mobility wise, mentally and emotionally I’m in a better place. I’ve healed completely from losing my husband because of being able to gym.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Seafood platter.
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Cajun chicken salad or smoked chicken salad.
Favourite protein?
Salmon
Favourite fat?
Avocado
Favourite carbohydrate?
Mashed potato
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
Drink more and chew less for example I have 2 smoothies and 1 meal per day.
How many meals a day do you eat?
1 meal for lunch.
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
Most definitely but even then I have my seafood with veggies, but if the craving has really called I cheat good with Chicken Licken wings.
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
Losing the weight I struggled with for 5 years was heartwarming. I also learnt that I am the best there is for me and I must never give up on myself.
Favourite quote?
You are worth the effort and hard work, never give up.
Favourite book?
The Secret by Rhonda Bynes.
What inspires and motivates you?
Seeing the results of other people and myself inspires me to keep on working hard.
For what are you most grateful?
For a healthy life we live once, life is so precious hence we must do it right the first time and a second chance to fix where I messed up the first time.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
You are the best project you can ever work on, love yourself enough to start working towards the best version of yourself.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Make a conscious decision first to change your life for the better
- Set small goals for yourself with time frames to achieve them
- Start changing your meals one at a time. Introduce 1 healthy meal
- Start walking to get your body in tune, baby steps yields the greatest results
- Get yourself a tribe or group of like-minded people
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