Name:
Cherise Stoltz
Age:
33
Location:
Kempton Park, Gauteng
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
Around 18kg
What do you do? [Job]
Software Tester
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]
Come to think of it, I don’t really have any hobbies right now. I have been focusing on my health and weight loss journey. I love camping, so we try and do that as often as we can.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
Since last year (2021). My 1st challenge was the Winter 2021 challenge – in which I won 2nd place in the transformation category. I have completed every challenge since. This will be my 4th challenge.
How did you find Sleekgeek?
When I decided to start my weight loss journey, I entered a challenge that I saw on FB (not Sleekgeek) and lost some weight, but straight after the challenge, I just went back into my old bad eating habits. So I started searching for another challenge to join and found Sleekgeek and I’ve been hooked ever since. These challenges are the perfect motivation for me as I feel some sort of accountability and push myself much harder while doing a challenge.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
Every single person in the Sleekgeek community is on some sort of journey, whether it be weight loss/gain, muscle toning/building, mental wellbeing, etc. We are all on a journey and it is so motivating to see what others are achieving on their journeys. Everyone is so positive and motivating.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
The old me used to blame my weight on ‘having children’, but that is far from the truth. I weighed a lot more before my journey started than I ever did while being pregnant or even after being pregnant. I think I was lazy, enjoyed eating (over-eating), and had a good excuse.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
My husband and brother were diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and sadly my brother passed away. I started eating a lot, it must have been emotional eating and packed on a lot of weight in a short period of time and it actually just made me feel worse. I realized that I needed to make a drastic change for my own health and wellbeing.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
I don’t over-eat or binge eat anymore, that was the biggest and hardest change that I made.
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
I still get urges to eat like a maniac, but I can’t even if I try, haha
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Eat whatever you like, just in moderation. I don’t believe in restrictive dieting (cutting certain foods out of your diet). It helps with cravings and is so much more sustainable in the long run.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
YES!! I feel like I am currently in a plateau – I just can not get rid of this last 3 – 5kg of weight.
What is better since you got healthy?
EVERYTHING!! I am happier, fitter, and healthier than I have ever been in a very long time.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Rebounding and Strength Training
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
It’s been exactly 1 year now. I started by following an app with some bodyweight exercises and HIIIT, then started skipping and jogging. Now that I am more fit, I joined a Rebounding class and I also do strength training about twice a week.
What does your typical workout look like?
1 hour of Rebounding – 2-3 times a week
Strength Training – twice a week
On weekends, when I have time, I like to go for a 5km run.
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Rebounding with 3kg weights and I also enjoy doing a variety of AB exercises.
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
BURPEES, ugh…
How does exercise make you feel?
I seriously love exercising now. I recently had covid and couldn’t exercise for 3 weeks and I couldn’t wait to start again.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
Both… I don’t mind doing strength on my own, but I really enjoy the rebounding classes. I push myself a lot harder when training with others.
Most embarrassing training moment?
Mmmm, I can’t really think of anything right now.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
Waterbottle, Towel, and my Garmin watch
Your next training goal?
Definitely to up my weights in strength training. I would like to start running more.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
- BOOM – Tiesto
- Roses – Imanbek
- Sweet but Psycho – Ava Max
- No Limit – 2 Unlimited
- Bad Habits – Ed Sheeren
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
I don’t get out of breath when climbing a few stairs. I can play with my kids without getting tired and I want to move more now.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Chippies – any type… French fries, crinkle cut, oven-baked or fried, wedges, you name it, I love it.
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Salad – any type… Greek, French, potato, coleslaw, especially the healthy ones from Woolies with quinoa, bulgar wheat, couscous, etc.
Favourite protein?
BEEF – steak, biltong, droewors, mince
Favourite fat?
The unhealthy type – meat fat
Favourite carbohydrate?
Definitely potato – due to my chippies addiction.
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
Calorie Deficit – I believe this is the answer to healthy weight loss and sustainable to maintain your weight.
How many meals a day do you eat?
2 Meals and plenty of snacks.
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
Yes, I have a cheat every day (I don’t call it cheating as I don’t think you should restrict yourself from having anything as long as you have it in moderation and within your calorie allowance for the day). I eat what I feel like eating, every day.
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
I never imagined that I would be able to lose 18 kg in just a few months. I kind of accepted that I will never be skinny again and boy was I wrong!
Favorite quote?
You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward, just take the next step.
Favourite book?
Mmmm, I don’t read.
What inspires and motivates you?
Other people – I am most motivated by seeing what other people do and achieve. It gives me hope and if they can do it, then so can I.
For what are you most grateful?
My health, my children, my husband, and my family.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward, just take the next step. Slow progress is still progress. Just don’t stop, keep going and you WILL achieve your goals.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Find what works for you and stick to that – this is your journey
- Take it day by day, slow and steady wins the race
- Just don’t stop, keep going and you WILL achieve your goals.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself, we all fall off the wagon. There will be good days and bad days. It’s important to get back up and push on
- Have fun!
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