Name: 

Asanda Walaza

Age: 

38 years

Location: 

Cape Town, Blackheath

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

I was 75,7kg when I started the challenge and finished off with 70,2kgs.

What do you do? [Job]

I am a firefighter at Cape Town International Airport.

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

I run and run and some more running!

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?

I joined Asijiki in 2016 and learned about Sleekgeek in 2020. I never did any 8-Week Challenges till this year January.

How did you find Sleekgeek?

From my highly persuasive colleague and running club mate Chantel Menziwa.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?

The Sleekgeek 8-week Challenges are the best. You learn how to be accountable and disciplined. I am a UNISA graduate so I found Sleekgeek challenges and studying through UNISA requires the same discipline. Accomplishments are self-satisfying. You actually feel like you conquered the world on completion. Committing to something without anyone holding you accountable except yourself requires a certain level of discipline.

YOUR TRANSFORMATION 

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

I used to say I run to eat. I would eat anything and everything in surplus with no guilt knowing that I will run it off. I have a sweet tooth. I was like this because I believed that I am blessed with good genes I do not pick up weight easily and I gym anyway.

A wake-up call was when my sugar levels shot up to the sky during our annual medical examination at work. There and there I knew I had to take accountability for my eating habits.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?

Excessive weight gain.

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

• Hydration: I have my 2ltr as I am typing here.
• Sleeping sufficiently

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

Nutrition – my sweet tooth.

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

Do not strive for perfection. Allow yourself to take it one step at a time.

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

Yes definitely. Rome was not built in one day.

What is better since you got healthy? 

Skin condition. My skin problems were reduced to a minimum.

TRAINING 

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

Strength training.

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

Since I joined the fire station in 2009. The challenge is consistency. I was required to complete a fitness test.

What does your typical workout look like?

I run 4 times a week.

Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]

Squats and Core exercises.

Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]

Burpees and lunges 

How does exercise make you feel? 

They both make me feel like am capable.

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

I prefer to train with others. Kat Darvall once said, “good company makes the legs feel lighter.”

Most embarrassing training moment?

I was running in a bus (a group of runners running together with a pacesetter and a completion target time), I sang “we are rolling” on an uphill place. Did not know “we are rolling” is sang when you are going downhill.

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

• Music
• Towel
• Headphones

Your next training goal?

Muscle building. I like to be thick, fit, and lean.

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

Anything by Makadzi – her energy is contagious.

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

I have become more flexible and healthier mentally. I used to be touchy and easily hurt. 

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?

Umphokoqo (Crumbled pap) and fresh milk

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?

Stir fry (cabbage, carrot, green beans with chicken breast, and brown rice).

Favourite protein?

Chicken breast

Favourite fat?

None: Coconut oil is the preference

Favourite carbohydrate?

Brown rice

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

Do not be too restrictive. Make it a lifestyle rather.

How many meals a day do you eat?

Two meals.

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?

Yes, weekends.

MINDSET

Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?

Completed my first Sanlam Marathon in 2018.

Favorite quote?

To change ourselves completely, we first have to change our perceptions.

Favourite book? 

I am not for novels, I get bored quickly. I love 7 habits of highly effective people by Stephen Covey.

What inspires and motivates you?

The fact that I am healthy with no chronic illness and my ability to push myself to the limit physically.

For what are you most grateful?

My smart daughters, aged 19 and 8 years old. 

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

Being broken, imperfect, despondent, or given up is a requirement. Sleegeek does not want perfect people. They want imperfect people to instill faith and confidence in them. 

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

• Do not set unrealistic goals
• Draft achievable plans
• Do not be too restrictive
• Be consistent
• Celebrate your small achievements