Cecilia Ferreira
Age:
35
Location:
Mokopane, Limpopo
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
45kg
What do you do? [Job]
Tax Practitioner, working for an accounting firm. Mainly dealing with SARS.
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]
Love reading, mountain biking with friends. Hikes and fishing.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
About 4 years now.
How did you find Sleekgeek?
Facebook suggested pages.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
The fact that everyone is motivating each other. There are no bad comments!
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
I was stuck in a dark place after my mom passed away in April 2018, from there the weight just packed on. Although I did feel sick at that time, I knew that I was eating to deal with my emotions. With all this, I couldn’t exercise like I used to. I went from one doctor to another, one specialist to another. Then one told me to give myself time, it will get better.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
After hearing the words of that one Dr, I decided not to be so hard on myself. I still felt sick at the time and sought help from another Dr. This Dr set me in the right direction. She did eventually find that although I have emotions to deal with I also had hormone problems, underactive thyroid and adrenal fatigue issues, once that was sorted, I took all the Drs advice and turned it into something positive.
What are some of the things, that the new you does differently now?
I’m not so hard on myself. I will have good days and I will have bad days and that’s okay. Just be me and that will be great.
What are some of the things, that the new you still struggles with?
Cravings still happen.
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Try to make smarter choices. I can still have something but in moderation.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
Yes, of course everyone does and that’s okay, as long as I acknowledge these backwards steps, and try to move forward.
What is better since you got healthy?
My sleeping, my energy. When I start to feel better about myself and I’m not too hard on myself, I start to glow differently and people notice that.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Currently, I have 3 favourites and I think the combinations are working for me, Running, cycling, and Sleekgeek Roadblocks.
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
I’ve been training for 2 years now. I started in lockdown, running on the treadmill and in the yard. After we got the green light, I started running 3 km and then added MTB to it.
What does your typical workout look like?
Monday: I run hills
Tuesday: I cycle 20-30km and gym
Wednesday: I run 10 km
Thursday: I cycle 20-30km and run 5km
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Run 15-36km
Sunday: Cycle 30-80km
Favourite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
MTB, long distance music in my ears.
Least favourite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Gym was never my favourite, but it did help me when I couldn’t do cardio.
How does exercise make you feel?
I feel good when I’m doing it and when it is done. A week without training makes me grumpy.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
With others! It motivates me to get up and get it done.
Most embarrassing training moment?
I had a personal trainer, luckily a lady and very nice! We would normally end with core…. And somehow I always have gas when I gym…..no need to say more. But yes, I have farted in the session in front of everyone! LOL.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
- Water bottle
- Earphones
- Banana
Your next training goal?
I’m training for a 120km cycle race and running Kosmos 73.1km.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
- Wegloop – Karlien van Jaarsveld
- Potte – Early B
- Dinge raak warm – Afrikaans Wil Dans
- Dromer
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
Much better, not only losing weight, I can see how much stronger I am getting. The pbs I’m reaching. It feels amazing! Testing limits is what I like!
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Sushi!
Favourite protein?
Fish
Favourite fat?
Avo
Favourite carbohydrate?
Potato
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
Eat smart.
How many meals a day do you eat?
Fasting is working for me, so mostly I eat 2 times a day.
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
Yes, Sunday is my cheat meal, not the whole day, only one meal. What I have craved for all week!
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
Losing this weight , I have lost almost 50kg and it’s amazing how strong I feel. Running at a pace, I thought I never would! Cycling at a good pace. You know that feeling when you start to run with the faster guys, but you still don’t believe it, because you never thought that this would be you!
Favorite quote?
“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do – It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t do”.
Favourite book?
I read anything!
What inspires and motivates you?
People who are motivating, is what motivates me. Someone that sees the good in me and I try to be better. People who are supportive towards me.
For what are you most grateful?
My health now.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
Just start! It doesn’t matter how small the start, even one glass of water more is a start in the right direction and to first love yourself and don’t measure yourself with someone else. This is your journey!
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Dont be hard on yourself.
- Find people with the same goal.
- Be consistent!
- Try your best.
- Just be happy now …. don’t wait to be happy…you might not get that chance.
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