Name:
Tanya Iraklopoulos
Age: 35
Location:
Roodeport
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
I have lost 29kg.
What do you do? [Job]
I am an office based Insurance Broker.
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc]
I enjoy hiking and off road motorcycles.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
A month.
How did you find Sleekgeek?
My friend told me about Sleekgeek and asked me to post some transformation pics. She has been a member for a long time and encouraged me to join and post – even if it’s just to help inspire one person.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
The support for each other and the comminity.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
I ate whatever I wanted to eat and went out every weekend. This involved a lot of junk food and alcohol.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
I was widowed and went out with a friend one night and we realized how overweight and unhealthy we were.
He told me “right, tomorrow we changing and joining the gym”.
We joined the gym the next night and started following healthy lifestyles and so the journey started…
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
I eat healthy every day and CrossFit about 5 – 6 times a week.
I make sure I am active over weekends as well and enjoy hiking. I do still have a cheat meal every Sunday and an odd drink. Eating out just means choosing healthier options so you can still enjoy life.
What are some of the things that the new you still struggle with?
I do have days where I don’t feel like working out or feel too tired to. I still go and remind myself that consistency is key and as they say “the only bad workout is the one you haven’t done”.
If you could give yourself one piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Be consistent with your eating and training until it becomes second nature.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
Yes, there were weeks when I would lose no weight/cm and feel demotivated and had to remind myself that there will be changes again the next week. If I ate badly one day, I would get back on track the next day.
What is better since you got healthy?
I have a lot more energy and I am no longer insulin resistant. My self-confidence has definatly improved as well and learnt that I can push myself a lot more than I ever thought possible.

TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Crossfit and weighlifting.
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
I started with gym and have been doing CrossFit for almost two years
What does your typical workout look like?
It always has strength and some cardio included.
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Power clean and handstand push-ups.
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
The snatch as I still battle with form.
How does exercise make you feel?
It always makes me feel good no matter how tired I was before or if I had a bad day. Best way to relieve stress!
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
I like to train with others – enjoy the vibe of everyone pushing and encouraging each other to do better and get stronger.
Most embarrassing training moment?
My coach was teaching me snatch form and I whacked myself in the girls while pulling the bar up.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
- Water
- Towel
- Roll on deoderant
Your next training goal?
Master the snatch and compete in the RX division next year this time.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
- Pursuit of happiness
- Shadow
- On my knees
- Move slow
- Bad Habits
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
I have higher energy levels and always want to keep busy. I am definatly more confident to try new things and push myself to do better – always setting new goals along the way.


NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Burgers or pizza.
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Rice, mince and mixed veggies.
Favourite protein?
Steak
Favourite fat?
Nuts
Favourite carbohydrate?
Rice
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
Eat a healthy balance diet and you can still enjoy the odd treat.
How many meals a day do you eat?
I eat 3-5 meals a day.
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
Sundays are cheat meal day!

MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
My team partner and I came 2nd in our division for an inhouse competition and I did not even expect to come in the top 3.
Favourite quote?
You don’t have to be extreme. Just be consistent.
Favourite book?
I don’t have a favourite book.
What inspires and motivates you?
To do better than I did yesterday.
For what are you most grateful?
My health and friends who motivate me.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
Take the first step and be consistent.
Don’t give up when you feel you are not seeing a difference fast enough. Remember you can’t lose years of weight overnight.
Set realistic goals and celebrate them when you reach them. My goal was to loose 5kg and celebrate my achievement and then the next 5kg goal would start.
The weight loss slowed down when I lost most of it and I would then adjust it to 2kg and so forth.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Set a goal and work towards it
- Be consistent with your eating and training
- Surround yourself with likeminded people on the same journey
- Follow your eating plan on weekends and have your cheat meal on a Sunday night so you don’t end up cheating the whole day
- Don’t chase the scale, its how your clothes fit and how you look and feel.
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