Name: 

Kacie Kimber 

Age: 

32

Location: 

Cape Town

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

A lot? Haha! In all seriousness, over a decade ago I was at my highest weight at just over 100 kgs. I’ve been maintaining my weight between 65 – 70 kgs over the last 10 years.

What do you do? [Job]

I’m a QHSE consultant and ILS medic, I own Kimber Rescue 1. I provide organizations with advice to operate their businesses effectively and safely with reduced environmental impact. I also conduct multiple audits and run emergency drills for businesses that are classified as having high-risk operations to ensure they are prepared for emergencies on their sites. 

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

I love my home, I do a lot of maintenance. I also love woodwork so you’ll likely see me hauling pieces of wood around when I’m not working. I also love oil painting.

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?

I heard about Sleekgeek in 2018, I joined the group in 2019 and entered the 8-Week Challenge for the first time in 2021.

How did you find Sleekgeek?

A lady I met through business told me about it. I looked at the site and then got to like the posts in the community and reading people’s journeys.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?

I like how it is a support structure for many, and how it’s a zero-judgment community. I also appreciate the fact that everyone shares an honest perspective on their lives and the challenges they face on their journey – the people are real. There are far too many “health” groups which never give an honest perspective of what the difficulties are in changing your lifestyle. You see people who are personal trainers on these groups that eat, breathe and sleep fitness and it’s not achievable for most people, where Sleekgeek is made up of relatable people who achieve results whilst maintaining a 9 to 5 job, have children, have challenges, and succeed.

YOUR TRANSFORMATION

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

I was a slightly chubby child (5 years old), I was ridiculed and teased every day at school for being “different” I went on the path of eating my feelings, continued to gain weight through to mid-high school, and dropped it. Then gained it back. As an obese adult in my early twenties, I had low self-esteem and I was sad and depressed and I had a very unhealthy relationship with food – to the point that I developed an eating disorder on both ends of the spectrum. From binge eating and morbidly obese to periods where I would just stop eating. I had an extremely negative outlook on life and my body. I felt unattractive and unworthy and that’s what I kept attracting into my life.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?

I was sick of being a fat child and was determined not to be a fat adult. I saw photos of myself, and I was horrified. That same day I had been to a clothing store to try and find some jeans and nothing fitted. I swore that was the last time I would walk into a shop and walk out empty-handed because they didn’t have my size.

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

I focus on calories as nutrition to feed my body and I have learned how to have a healthy relationship with food. I have also dealt with the fact that being unhealthy, overweight, underweight or any weight that isn’t good for one’s health is primarily a mental issue. I had to fix what was wrong between my ears before I could fix my weight. Anyone can lose weight but keeping the weight off is only possible if you fix what was causing you to gain it.

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

I have days when I am utterly exhausted. I still struggle to have good sleep. There are also days when I just have a bad day and feel as though everything is overwhelming and it’s a struggle to just keep a level head.

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

Never give up.

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

Yes, I think that’s part of life. I’ve been maintaining between certain weight levels for many years now, and whilst on the upper end of the level I don’t like what I look like, I know that it’s just a part of life. Life gets in the way sometimes and accepting the fact that nobody is perfect and that everything can change for the better is the most important thing – nothing is permanent. 

What is better since you got healthy?

Everything. From work, to home, to relationships. When I was unhealthy everything was difficult. Life becomes easier because your mindset changes with your new body. You begin to attract people and things into your life that are in line with your new body. I left old relationships (business and personal) behind that were negatively impacting my life and moved forward with self-respect, self-love, and knowing that I deserve better. It has given me the confidence to know that anything is possible if we just put our minds to it.

TRAINING

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

I haven’t been to a gym in many years – I prefer being physically active at home. Gardening and woodworking. However, I do love running. 

How does exercise make you feel?

Working up a sweat always feels good. It gets everything flowing and it feels satisfying at the end of whatever I’ve done to see what I’ve achieved. It makes me feel confident in my ability that I’ve got strength and endurance. 

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

When I was going to the gym, I liked being alone because it gave me time to think in peace and focus on what I want to achieve. 

Most embarrassing training moment?

The first time I ever got on a treadmill I started jogging and then walked and realized how unfit I was. The gym had a mirror in front of the treadmill, and I looked at myself and was actually ashamed of how unfit I was. On a lighter note, I was weightlifting the one day and strained pretty hard and ended up splitting my pants. I did have a good laugh at myself from that experience.

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

• Water.
• Sweat towel.
• Change of pants. 

Your next training goal?

At the moment I’m working on getting myself toned and back to my lower end of “normal” for my body. 

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

• Kelly Clarkson – Never Again
• Kelly Clarkson – Mr Know It All
• Kelly Clarkson – Dark Side
• Christina Aguilera – Dirty
• Celine Dion – Loved Me Back To Life

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

Being more physically active has given me the confidence to believe in myself. It meant that I always say “yes” to physical activity. I know that if I need to pick up a patient, or if I need to move a wheelbarrow of stone, or mix cement, or whatever other physical task is needed, I CAN do it. 

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?

Sushi!

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?

Sushi!

Favourite protein?

Mussels.

Favourite fat?

This is difficult – it’s between eggs, avocado, and salmon.

Favourite carbohydrate?

Red wine! 

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

I believe in HFLC and OMAD, it’s not always possible with how life goes, but it’s what I try to follow.

How many meals a day do you eat?

Normally one, but not more than two. I don’t like being active on a full stomach, so I prefer to enjoy a nice meal late afternoon.

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?

Yes, when I get cravings I allow myself what my body feels like. If I start craving white chocolate, fudge, peanut butter, or ice cream (or whatever else that my body randomly comes up with) I will have it – but in moderation.

MINDSET

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

A long time ago, the answer to this question would be solely work-related, but now it is relationship based. I got to a stage in my life where I believed I would never have a truly beautiful loving relationship (they all failed). I’ve proved that theory wrong – since 2014 I’ve been in a loving and supportive relationship and I’m most proud that we have come as far as we have, it makes everything in the world easier.

Favorite quote?

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”

Favourite book?

I’d have to say The Secret, and Think and Grow Rich.

What inspires and motivates you?

Seeing positive changes, seeing my family happy.

For what are you most grateful?

My family, my Mom, Dad, my Fiancé – I don’t know what I would do without them.

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

Just do it. Even if you deem your first attempt a failure, it’s never a failure – it was just the first step in learning about what doesn’t work.

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

These come from the book I’m writing: 

1. It’s not about the calories.

You need to fix what has emotionally caused your unhealthy balance in life. Until you find out and fix what is causing you to eat / not eat / binge eat / create an unhealthy relationship with food, you won’t be able to lose the weight and keep it off – I learned that the hard way. 

2. Don’t change for someone else. 

The whole idea of a “revenge body” is a great motivation factor, but never do it for someone else. Do it for you. Learn to love yourself.

3. All or nothing equals failure.

If you have one piece of chocolate, don’t get despondent and eat the whole slab. 

4. You will still feel fat when you have lost the weight.

Nobody tells you this, and I think it’s important for anyone who is going through a transformation journey to realize that it takes your mind a while to catch up with what has happened to your body. When you look in the mirror, really LOOK at yourself. Acknowledge how far you’ve come and don’t let yourself get caught up in how you used to feel – you are changing, you have changed, let your mind focus on who you have become. 

5. Be YOU.

Because you are perfect exactly the way you are. There was a great quote from a book I read which says, “everyone was born rich, they’re just a little short of money”, you were born beautiful, don’t let anyone turn you into something you are not. The journey to a healthy mind and body is all about you, treat yourself gently but honestly.