Q & A: Zaytoon Esack – 2nd in Women’s Weight Loss

Please give us a short history of your journey to health and fitness before the challenge.

In 2013 I weighed my heaviest ever at 126kg and after a visit to my Docter, I realized that I had to do something as my weight affected my health. I then started my journey by joining a gym and following a healthy eating plan. From 2013 to 2015 I lost 42kgs. I kept going to the gym, I would gain weight and then lose some and this was basically my life from there until 2020 when covid had an influence on my life as gyms closed down and going for walks wasn’t allowed. Yes, there were online gym classes… but it wasn’t the same I personally was not into it, I wasn’t motivated.

What prompted you to join the Sleekgeek Transformation Challenge?

With lockdown happening I worked from home and had easy access to the food, exercising was minimal to none and I gained a lot of weight during this period. I then chatted to my sister Rahldeyah Esack and she asked if I don’t want to join the summer challenge with her which I did. During this challenge, I did well with losing weight and winning some prizes. For me, it wasn’t about the prizes the biggest win for me was losing 20kgs in 8 weeks. I was so excited about the weight I lost that I decided to do the new year challenge. With the winter challenge, I lost 26kgs and I’m so glad I did the challenge that I’m planning to continue.

Give us a quick overview of the nutrition and eating plan that you followed during the challenge.

I didn’t follow a set eating plan. I juggled my eating plan between a banting plan and also doing OMAD. But I came to realize that eating healthy is not a short-term plan but it is a lifestyle change.

Give us a quick overview of the training and exercise plan that you followed during the challenge.

I trained for 30 to 45mins for 6 days a week and did a 5km to 10km walk on a Sunday.

If you could give 3 pieces of advice to future challengers, what would they be?

1. Start with a positive mindset.
2. Plan upfront – know what you want to accomplish during the 8 weeks, and draw up an eating plan and exercise plan.
3. Do it with a buddy or join one of the teams they help to support.

Why should people enter the challenge?

Like me, I’m sure most people tried various ways to lose weight and end up giving up halfway through it. You might be doing it alone and you are just not motivated enough to continue. By joining the Sleekgeek challenges you are not alone, you have a family, you have the support from the beginning to the end and beyond, and you have daily check-ins and weekly weigh-ins. The Sleekgeek family gives you the support you need and Sleekgeek management gives you the guidance you need. This way you stay motivated and it’s a start towards a healthy lifestyle and a healthy YOU.