Name: 

Nicole Heinze

Age: 

29

Location: 

All over the place (literally 🤣 Gaborone/Harties) and soon to be Cape Town.

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

Since starting my SG journey my starting weight was 85kg and I am currently on 69kg (down 16kg).

P.s: Nicole placed 8th in our Winter Challenge!

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

I am a mom. I love hiking and eating.

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?

Uufff, a very long time, at least 6/7 years.

How did you find Sleekgeek?

I don’t actually remember but I remember seeing this group that promoted healthy living and thought that’s a good follow.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?

The support.

YOUR TRANSFORMATION

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

Old me… mmmm well, old me was kind of just the way I always was. I was always overweight and was just making constant excuses of “next week, yea I’ll eventually change.”

I was basically waiting for a miracle to happen without any action.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?

My kids and seeing the proof that kids will do as they see not as they’re told.

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

I eat much better, more consistently, and more mindfully

I move more and work out more.

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

I still struggle with exercise. 

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

Be forgiving towards yourself, a little bit is better than nothing. Things don’t change from one day to the next.

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

Oooooh yes, the last 2 weeks I think of the winter challenge my weight just would not budge.

What is better since you got healthy?

Everything! I feel better about myself, look better, move better 

TRAINING

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

Running.

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

On and off since forever so can’t really say, even now I’m struggling to be consistent with my running/training.

What does your typical workout look like?

I’ll do a 3-5km run and then I’ll work on weight training

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

Swimming although I don’t get to do it much.

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

Burpees.

How does exercise make you feel?

Good, it helps clear my mind.

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

I’ve always trained alone but would actually enjoy training with someone.

Most embarrassing training moment?

Luckily haven’t had any yet…

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

• Towel
• Water
• Headphones 

Your next training goal?

To tone this body and find some abs!

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

My playlist is a hot mess!

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

It’s a release, a healthy one, helps me cope with stress and a messy mind.

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?

Spaghetti Bolognese.

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?

Almond-crusted salmon with vegetables.

Favourite protein?

Salmon.

Favourite fat?

Olive oil.

Favourite carbohydrate?

Sweet potatoes.  

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

Moderation.

How many meals a day do you eat?

4 – 6meals (I have a toddler who snacks as her life depends on it, so we snack together🤣).

Do you have a cheat meal/treat strategy?

Not really, I’ll reserve my treats for times I go out and can try something I can’t just eat at home and then I’ll end up sharing anyway because it’s more just to satisfy the craving.

MINDSET

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

Dropping under 70kg.

What inspires and motivates you?

My kids, they deserve the best version of me.

For what are you most grateful?

The opportunity to better myself.

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

You’ll never know unless you try. What’s the worst that can happen? You give up? Best case is that you succeed and learn to make better lifestyle choices. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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

• Just try, and when you fall, try again and again and again. 
• Make changes that you can keep up with even if it’s not what everyone is doing. You’re trying to improve *your* life.
• Be forgiving towards yourself.
• Be consistent.
• Be open, it’s ok to have a hard day, to struggle and even want to give up, I found the hardest part to be our minds, sometimes we are our own worst enemy.