Name: 

Anati Jadezweni

Age: 

33

Location: 

Forest Village Eersteriver.

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

I started my weight loss journey on the 17^th of January 2022 and my weight was 107.2kg, I am currently 89.3kg

What do you do? [Job]

I’m a Construction Health and Safety Officer.

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

Reading motivational books or anything related to finance education.

I also love outdoor activities (aerobics and running).

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?

I have been a member of Asijiki Sleekgeek since 2016 and only joined Sleekgeek Revolution on the 25th of September 2022.

How did you find Sleekgeek?

Rosie Lande told me about Sleekgeek Revolution and I’ve always known about it but just decided to remain with Asijiki.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?

The support one gets from the members is amazing, the community has got a lot of experts and they make you feel like you belong there. The atmosphere is just great. The healthy diet plans and exercises are also my favourite. 

YOUR TRANSFORMATION

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

I was always grumpy, shouting at my kids all the time. I was like a ticking bomb. I was so unhappy about my life and I always took selfie photos because I just didn’t like the way I looked. I gained a lot of weight after my son was born in 2018 and I had all the theories about what I needed to do but failed to implement. I would eat healthily and exercise every year from January-April and drop the ball during winter and start again in September with the hope of having a summer body.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?

In 2021 December, my husband and I decided to have a photoshoot for our anniversary, I will never forget the shock or disbelief I had when the photographer sent us our photos, I couldn’t even recognize myself.

I knew I was a size 44/42 but I used to just say that certain shops make small clothes and all those excuses. I just didn’t like the person I saw in those photos and made a decision on that day that January 2022 I was going to start and I have never looked back.

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

I sleep enough, I always have time for myself and I’m aware now of what I eat. I drink water and I’m at peace.

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

Drinking water.

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

Just give it a try and always have a bottle or glass of water close by.

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

Not even once. Every month I did a 21-day challenge and that helped me a lot. I would use the other week to relax and plan for the next challenge. 

What is better since you got healthy?

Suddenly I’m a cool mom – peaceful and full of energy.

TRAINING

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

Running and weightlifting.

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

I have been doing 5km park runs now and then but the running bug got me now I see myself checking every race available. 

I have been training as of January this year 3 times a week.

What does your typical workout look like?

Its a 10 min warmup with skipping rope and 1 hour of exercise.

I run 4 times a week ( 25km)

Monday 5km

Wednesday 5km

Thursday 5km

Saturday  10km

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

Squats and lunges. Distance 10km. Shoulder pose

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

Chair dips

How does exercise make you feel? 

It makes me feel good, especially after a jog, I feel like I can conquer the world and do anything I put my mind to.

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

I prefer to train with others but I have learnt along the way to rely on myself and I also enjoy now training alone.

Most embarrassing training moment?

I was doing a skipping rope challenge and as I was skipping I don’t know how I peed on myself, I saw a stain on my pants and luckily we were almost done with exercise. I just placed a jacket on y waist to cover up.

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

• Towel
• Water bottle 
• Skipping rope 

Your next training goal?

I want to have muscles more than anything else so I will focus more on weightlifting and running my first marathon (The Two Oceans).

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

I love hip hop so anything from Nicky Minaj or The Young Money Stable or Migos.

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

I am more disciplined now, my finances improved drastically, and I’m able to stick to my workout plan.

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?

Pasta with bell peppers, mushrooms and chicken strips add and some cheese sauce.

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?

Greek salad, I find it easy to make.

Favourite protein?

Chicken breast.

Favourite fat?

Avocado.

Favourite carbohydrate?

Low-GI wheat bread

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

I don’t have one really but I always try to have a balanced diet and I eat every in moderation. I avoid sweet stuff though.

How many meals a day do you eat?

I eat 2 meals: breakfast, a snack, snack and dinner 

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?

Once in a while, I do spoil myself with a slice of cake.

MINDSET

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

I ran 15km yesterday and that was my first of many. I also lost 23cm on my waist and it feels so good and clothes suddenly fit me better.

Favourite quote?

Rome was not built in 1 day, baby steps will get you to your goal.

Favourite book? 

The 5 am club by Robbin Sharma 

What inspires and motivates you?

My family.

For what are you most grateful?

I’m inspired by people doing good things and changing their lives daily for the best.

For what are you most grateful? 

I’m grateful for my family, my husband has been amazing throughout my journey and he has pushed me even on days when I wanted to give up.

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

One day at a time and once you go through the first day everything will eventually workout. Just start.

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

• Get enough sleep
• Avoid junk food and eat before you leave your house 
• Have an exercise  plan
• Decrease alcohol consumption or fizzy drinks
• Journal everything to track down the journey