Name: 

Irene du Preez

Age: 

33

Location: 

Brackenfell, Western Cape

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

I went from 118.6kg to 74.6kg. 

What do you do? [Job]

I have two beauty salons and do aesthetics.

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

I spend time with my family mostly keeping my 3-year-old entertained. I love going to thrift shops and markets and doing outdoor activities.

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?

I joined in 2014 but started being active on it again a year ago.

How did you find Sleekgeek?

I saw Elan’s testimony/ transformation on Facebook.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?

I love the challenge (The Sleekgeek 8 Week Challenge) and being part of the teams – I have met the most amazing people

YOUR TRANSFORMATION

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

I have been up and down on my fitness journey. I was very active then got a really bad back injury in 2015. I then went through a fertility journey for 3 years which contributed to a lot of weight gain. I have an auto immune disease and I am struggling with a lot of training limitations.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?

I had Covid last year and ended up in the hospital with a very near-death experience. I decided that I have to try to do what I can to be as healthy as possible for my daughter.

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

 I walk and train every day – something that until January this year was deemed impossible to manage.

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

I struggle with sleep and I actually need to purchase a sleep apnea machine, my breathing has suffered tremendously after Covid.

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

Be kind to yourself, we can’t control everything.

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

Many times, I often feel like nothing has changed when looking in the mirror and I have to constantly remind myself where I started.

What is better since you got healthy?

I think just to be able to play more and do more activities with my daughter. I also haven’t been getting sick as often.

TRAINING

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

I enjoy strength training.

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

I have been training for years on and off and studied sports science. I have always done sports at school etc

What does your typical workout look like?

I walk 5km daily.

5 x strength training low impact and an ems session.

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

Ems training – love that I can train my back since I cannot do a lot of exercises due to my back ( I am having a spine decompression soon).

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

Squats!

How does exercise make you feel? 

I am often so tired when going to training but love how I feel so much more energized afterwards.

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

I prefer alone else I talk too much 😂

Most embarrassing training moment?

Walking into the glass mirror

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

• Water
• Sweat towel
• Lip Ice

Your next training goal?

Build muscle and do a lot of toning up.

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

• Unstoppable
• Not afraid
• Temperature
• Pump up the jam
• Stronger

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

It has kept my injuries at bay. I have arthritis and training has kept my joints and inflammation at a better level, and has also improved a lot of my aches and pains.

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?

Sushi by a landslide.

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?

I make a chicken-based pizza which I love!

Favourite protein?

Chicken and kudu.

Favourite fat?

Avocado.

Favourite carbohydrate?

I don’t have one but I love fruit.

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

I eat everything in moderation, I try to source better alternatives where possible and to make food rather than buying for convenience.

How many meals a day do you eat?

4 and some snacks/ protein shakes.

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?

No, since I still eat my favourites daily.

MINDSET

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

I never imagined finishing a challenge in the top 5!

Favorite quote?

A girl should be two things – classy and fabulous.

Favourite book? 

I don’t have one

What inspires and motivates you?

I love watching transformation videos on weight loss but also love reading about people that have gone through struggles and come out on top.

For what are you most grateful?

Most grateful for my daughter and for being able to wake up to her every day.

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

You just need to start, it won’t be easy every day and you will fail many times but you have to start or else nothing ever changes.

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

• Surround yourself with people that share the same goal.
• Don’t compare your journey with anyone else’s.
• Just start – 80% will get you to your goal.
• Get up after a bad day and start the new day leaving it behind.
• Don’t wait for the right time – life doesn’t have a perfect time.