Q&A: Zaytoon Esack – 3rd Women’s Weight Loss

We sat down with Zaytoon Esack who placed third in the Women’s Weight Loss category of our Sleekgeek 8-Week Challenge. We wanted to find out the secret to her success and she was happy to share it with us.

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

Hi everyone. I have been doing the ‘diet’ thing forever. I have spent money on buying eating plans, buying tablets that did nothing for me. I might have lost a few kgs but as soon as the tabs ran out I picked up double the amount of weight and this I did for most of my life.

So last year after being encouraged by a family member I decided to join the Sleekgeek Summer Challenge. At the time I have picked up a lot of weight and I was so unfit. I was at such a low and had a lack of self-motivation. At the time I thought I had nothing to lose except the weight so I went ahead and joined and I am not sorry that I did.

What prompted you to join the Sleekgeek Transformation Challenge?

After doing the Summer Challenge last year, and the New Year’s Challenge I did not want to stop there as I felt that I could get to my goal weight. I also wanted to make this a lifestyle change and I really appreciate the support the Sleekgeek family offers.

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

Eating plans don’t always work for me so I have adopted the attitude that when doing the challenge it’s not a diet it’s how I want to eat not only during the challenge but for the rest of my life. I have just adjusted my sugar intake, cut out the ‘junk food’ and do more healthier options and portion control.

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

I went on walks 3 times a week. I did my roadblocks daily. I did other cardio exercises.

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

1. Have a positive mindset.
2. Set a reasonable goal for yourself and have a plan as to how you want to achieve it.
3. Never give up. If you have a down week pick it up from there and carry on.

Why should people enter the challenge?

1. If you are serious about your health join the challenge.
2. If you need to get through the 1st few days and need some encouragement join the challenge
3. If you want the support that you never had before then you should definitely join the challenge.