Name: 

Charnelle Jacobs

Age: 

35

Location: 

Mossel Bay

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

 I’ve lost a total of 26kg since February.

What do you do? [Job]

I am a registered nurse.

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

I spend time with my family. I have two busy kids.

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?

Since 2019.

How did you find Sleekgeek?

I saw a friend’s transformation: Melinda Krugel. 

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?

The support and that it is a safe and private space.

YOUR TRANSFORMATION

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

As my husband said “moody and tired”- haha.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?

I just knew I had to but I struggled to commit to start.

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

I accept compliments.

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

Finding time to exercise.

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

To prioritize better.

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

I started in 2019 and lost quite a bit of weight, I fell pregnant just before the challenge ended and picked up all the weight and more.

In Feb 2022 Melody Ockhuis asked me if I would like to join The Sleekgeek 8-Week Challenge Team WaistAway 3.

It was just the motivation I needed.

What is better since you got healthy?

Walking with confidence.

TRAINING

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

I enjoy running (not during but after it ends) and I love spinning.

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

I have been training on and off since 2009, I didn’t go to the gym when the kids were small as I spent time with them, but I do have equipment at home.

What does your typical workout look like?

Spinning at night when the kids are asleep and on weekends I do interval running

How does exercise make you feel? 

Proud.

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

Alone, as you only have yourself to motivate.

Your next training goal?

Losing 10kgs and then just being healthy and maintaining

I would love to be able to run 5km without stopping.

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

Anything from Khalid and CCR.

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?

Chicken wrap.

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?

Chicken salad.

Favourite protein?

Chicken.

Favourite fat?

Avocado.

Favourite carbohydrate?

I buy one seeded brown loaf per month and freeze it.

Don’t really eat carbs when on the 8-Week Challenge.

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

Not saying I am on a diet.

By just eating fruit, veg and meat I never get stuck with ideas and can still go to restaurants.

How many meals a day do you eat?

3 with no snacks.

I only eat till 7 pm then nothing.

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?

No. I do not need it at the moment.

MINDSET

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

Seeing my before and after photos.

What inspires and motivates you?

My family.

For what are you most grateful?

My family.

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

Just start and the results will be slow in the beginning but just push through.

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

• Planning is everything.
• Don’t be too hard on yourself.
• Accept compliments.
• Non-scale victories are the best motivation.
• I give myself mini goals to work towards.