Name:

Carien Wright

Age:

34

Location:

Boksburg

How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?

10.5kgs

What do you do? [Job]

I am currently self-employed and receive my work from the UK so I basically work from home.

What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]

My hobbies include making creative (pretty looking) food and I sing in my church band. I also love to read the Bible and spend time with my husband and two kids.

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?

I have only signed up for the Sleekgeek 8-week challenge so 8 weeks.

How did you find Sleekgeek?

From a Facebook advert.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?

I would say the entire Sleekgeek 8-Week challenge, the setup from the communication via email and the teams on WhatsApp and the Facebook there is just support everywhere you turn.

YOUR TRANSFORMATION

Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?

The last time I was active and healthy was before my kids. I must be honest, picking up weight during pregnancy was my excuse for living an unhealthy life for 6 years, and then all the excuses that followed after that were: I am too busy, too tired, don’t get time to exercise, to cook.

But I also think the lack of understanding of my body contributed to this as well. All my life I have been a top athlete, playing all kinds of sports and I was always able to eat whatever I wanted. I never really educated myself on portion sizes or healthy choices. But as I got older my lifestyle got very sedentary and my food choices got worse. I used to get takeaways for most of last year.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?

A couple of things ignited me to change. My husband for the most part completely changed his lifestyle and the moment I realized that I was not able to fit in a size 38 pants anymore.

I had trouble with breathing and just the feeling of being tired and unhealthy all the time. I have also tried to “diet” and struggle to commit to letting go of my “sugar addiction” so I sat and prayed feeling so defeated after the last “diet”, the Lord spoke to me saying that I should cut sugar for 30 days. I was hesitating but nonetheless, I did what I heard Him say.

What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?

I am completely aware of what I choose to put in my mouth if it’s green list foods making calorie-wise decisions, I am drinking a lot more water, moving a lot more, and sleeping more as well.

What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?

I must say I still struggle to set time for regular exercise.

If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?

To just be determined to do it, and at least start even if it’s not the goal I have set myself but it will definitely progress in the right direction.

Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?

I have stayed completely true to the nutrition side but in the last two weeks of the challenge, we had burglars that broke into our house and I feel that event slid me backward in the exercise and sleeping routine.

What is better since you got healthy?

The feeling of being well. The look on my husband’s face.The motivation that nothing is impossible to reach. My overall health and body image.

TRAINING

What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]

Doing steps, resistance bands, and the roadblocks that were part of the team challenge.

How long have you been training and how did you get started?

Every day I would aim to do 10 000 steps of walking in the morning and sometimes in the evenings. Then I would complete the roadblocks on some days and on other days focus on a particular body part where I would really like to see change and this all was since the Sleekgeek 8-week challenge started.

What does your typical workout look like?

Steps, Roadblocks, and lots of movement during the day.

How does exercise make you feel?

Absolutely great, exercise wakes up my purpose for healthy living

Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?

I prefer any. I like motivating and pushing myself but it’s also nice being motivated by others.

Most embarrassing training moment?

This one day I decided to run around the block but as I was running my husband and kids drove behind me, well I was so motivated I tripped and they couldn’t keep their laughs in and I wet my pants BUT I managed to complete the entire run.

Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?

All my training is at home but I would say Water bottle, Yoga mat, Smartwatch.

Your next training goal?

To do more weight training to build muscle.

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

That would be any worship songs.

How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]

It’s helping me be more active with my kids.

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?

Anything with potatoes.

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?

Haddock, Salad, and Mango.

Favourite protein?

Chicken

Favourite fat?

Avo

Favourite carbohydrate?

Banana, p§otato (which I chose not to eat during my journey).

What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]

Be mindful of what you eat and the portion sizes you consume.

How many meals a day do you eat?

3 sometimes 2 depending on the food choices I make.

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?

I would say I kinda do. I just stay in the calorie deficit that I prefer to be in. If I choose to eat a treat I will forfeit another meal or eat a less calorie-dense meal after that.

MINDSET

Most memorable personal best achievement to date.

Something you maybe never imagined you could do? No eating any refined processed sugar for the entire Sleekgeek 8-Week Challenge and I mean none.

Favorite quote?

It’s all about progress.

Favourite book?

The most accurate lifestyle book the Bible.

What inspires and motivates you?

JESUS, family, goals, and results.

For what are you most grateful?

For health and understanding that I have never had before in relation to healthy living. Grateful that I have learned so much in such a short time for support and a favorable outcome.

What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?

Forget about all the reasons you have about not doing it, make that one decision to start. You cannot fail, you can only progress every day. You have that decision in you.

What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?

1. Be honest with yourself and your current situation.
2. Completely let go of all the excuses.
3. Set goals and progress till you reach them.
4. Seek understanding of how to eat, exercise, etc.
5. If you fall, get back up, and carry on don’t ever give up, YOU WILL DO GREAT.