Name:

Natasha Armstrong 

Age:

32

Location:

Gauteng 

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

44kg

What do you do? [Job]

Final costings administration. 

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

I have an 8-month-old baby so I don’t get much free time. I gym, cook, go to markets with my family, or do kiddies activities. A nice braai or potjie with friends once in a while to unwind. 

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?

2 years

How did you find Sleekgeek?

Heard about the reboot on Facebook.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?

That it’s real! Real people, real problems, real goals, super supportive, real prizes, and a group full of motivation!

YOUR TRANSFORMATION 

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

I was always the “fat kid”. I grew up loving food and had no limits. The more I had, the more I wanted and it became a bad habit. I would hide under my clothes, always wearing jackets (even when it was hot) and clothing to swim in so that I was always covered. I was quiet at school and didn’t do much sport. 

What ignited your initial motivation to change?

At the age of 14, I realized that I needed to do something about my weight and confidence, my family decided to support me and we started dieting together.

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

I’m much more active, absolutely love the gym (my happy place), no more weekly takeaways, rather weekly food prep and once a month “treat”.

When grocery shopping, I choose better options to keep in the house and always have healthy snacks around so that I’m not tempted into bad things often. 

Staying active and busy keeps me from wanting to eat all day. 

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

I still crave all the foods that I used to have all the time. 

I still struggle to manage a social life and stay on track, I tend to have no social life while on a plan. I need to learn balance. 

I weigh myself too often, I’m trying to build muscle and get upset if the scale does not drop, but I know it’s not my goal at the moment… bad habit! 

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

Be happy with how far I have come. The “old me” would have looked at someone like me and wanted to be that person. 

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

Yes, many times. I’m human, it’s not easy to break bad habits or addictions, to this day it’s still a struggle. But I don’t give up and I always find my way back to this happy place because feeling good and healthy is amazing. 

What is better since you got healthy? 

I am confident. I can wear anything I like. I’m so much happier and want to achieve more in life.

TRAINING 

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

Weight training for sure! It’s so much fun and I can push myself to improve. I love seeing changes in my body with weight training. 

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

When I first started my journey, I was young and it was a great idea so my dad signed me up at a gym, that came and went with time. Then around 2012, I started gyming more regularly and enjoying it, if you choose things you enjoy then it becomes part of your life. 

What does your typical workout look like?

General day:

10 min stepper or treadmill to warm up

45 min weight training (different muscle groups per day) 

Mondays and Wednesdays – Rumble class (boxing and fitness). 

Saturdays/Sundays  – fitness class or full body weight training on low resistance.

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

Sit-up bench: trying to add weight.

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

Leg extensions: I just battle with legs, so I do it twice a week.

How does exercise make you feel? 

Ready to take on the world.

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

I like to alternate. 

Training alone – I can do things that others don’t want to do. 

In a group – others can push me in my weak areas so that I don’t give up. 

Most embarrassing training moment?

I didn’t put the stop bar in place properly on the leg press machine and dropped the whole thing… guys had to come to help me! 

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

• Water bottle 
• Gloves
• Towel 

Your next training goal?

Build muscle in my legs and firm up.

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

• Callum Scott – Where are you now 
• LMFAO – Shots
• Ed Sheeran – Shivers
• Lil Jon and East side Boys – Get Low
• Billie Eilish – Bad guy

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

I’m more energetic, I want to do activities instead of stay in the house.

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?

Roast Potatoes and sushi.

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal? 

Salmon bowl

Favourite protein?

Chicken

Favourite fat?

Avo

Favourite carbohydrate?

Bread

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

High protein, medium fat, low carb.

How many meals a day do you eat?

6

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?

I keep my cheats for occasions when I am out or with friends. 

MINDSET

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

I did a 10km fun run, I struggle with my lungs so that was a huge accomplishment. 

Favorite quote?

Don’t stop when you’re tired, stop when you’re done! 

Favourite book? 

I don’t read.

What inspires and motivates you?

When I see people reaching goals and seeing results, I want to push to reach that as well.

For what are you most grateful? 

That I have the love and support from my husband, family, and friends. 

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

Just do it, you may fall a few times but keep getting back up. You are worth it! 

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

1. Log your food on an app (eg. My fitness pal) 
2. Portion control 
3. Be mindful of hidden ingredients 
4. Make it enjoyable 
5. Treats will always be there again, stay strong!