Name:

Ghadijah Du Toit.

Age: 

31.

Location: 

Cape Town.

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

I have lost 25 kgs.

What do you do? [Job]

Business Intelligence Consultant.

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

I love spending time with my family.

Going on beach walks with my husband and little girl.

I also find cooking very relaxing.

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?

Since February 2017.

How did you find Sleekgeek?

In January 2017 is when I decided it was time to lose weight.

A month later a friend of mine encouraged me to join Sleekgeek to help me on my journey.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?

The love and support you get from the community regardless of where you are in your journey.

YOUR TRANSFORMATION

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

At 27 years old I weighed 101kg, living the unhealthiest lifestyle. Coming from an old traditional Muslim background, good food and treats were a norm and exercise and health wasn’t.

Being healthy and exercising was never a priority. One day I realised I was struggling to tie my shoelaces, getting out of breath, taking short walks. I couldn’t take the stairs. Small day to day activities were becoming increasingly difficult.

I didn’t have the energy to take care of myself, which ultimately led to a decrease in my self-confidence and my ability to find my worth.

I wasn’t feeling my age and knew something had to change. I needed to change this vicious cycle.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?

My brother invited me on my very first hike and I was so out of breath and struggled to put one foot in front of the other.

Right there I knew something had to give.

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

I have a more balanced approach and I learnt that being consistent 80% of the time is progress too.

The new me would get up early to workout. The new me has the energy to play with not only my own daughter but all my nieces and nephews.

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

The girl in the mirror. I still struggle to see the progress I’ve made.

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

Be gentle with the girl in the mirror, she is stronger than you realise. She is worthy.

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

I’ve plateaued, I’ve fallen pregnant, I’ve fallen off the wagon, I’ve burnt the wagon to many times to count. But I’ve always pushed forward.

What is better since you got healthy?

I have so much more energy, I can keep up with my busy little daughter. I can walk, exercise with ease. Most of all I’m so much happier than I was before. The grumpy me no longer exist.

TRAINING

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

Weightlifting.

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

In 2017 I started with walking short distances and built from there. I then signed up to a gym and a personal trainer who taught me how to lift weights.

I didn’t enjoy the time traveling to and from gym and started building up my own equipment. I now have my own little gym at home and absolutely love the flexibility it gives me.

What does your typical workout look like?

My minimum step target for the day is 7500 steps.

Monday lower body, Tuesday upper body, Wednesday lower body, Thursday active rest day, Friday full body, Saturday HITT, Sunday rest.

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

Hands down has to be a deadlift.

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

Cardio, but I know it has its place.

How does exercise make you feel? 

Strong and full of energy. Like I can take on the world.

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

I prefer working out alone. It is my time to fill my cup.

Most embarrassing training moment?

When I bent over at gym and ripped my tights.

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

I don’t have a gym bag. But at home I must have my water bottle and gloves. 

Your next training goal?

To build more lean muscle.

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

I don’t have a top 5 but anything with a decent beat works for me.

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

It’s given me an outlet to release my stress. I’m so much happier and more confident than I was before.

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?

Fall off the bone, juicy basted rack of ribs with a side of onion rings and chips lol.

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?

Smoked salmon and veggies.

Favourite protein?

Steak.

Favourite fat?

Avocado.

Favourite carbohydrate?

Sweet potato.

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

1% Progress is still progress.

How many meals a day do you eat?

2 Meals and one snack.

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?

Not exactly a cheat meal but I’ve learnt to have treats in moderation. If I want to have a treat, I will and move on swiftly.

MINDSET

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

Lifting the amount of weight, I do at the moment.

Favourite quote?

“It always seems impossible until it’s done” – Nelson Mandela

What inspires and motivates you?

Wanting to see my daughter grow up. Knowing she is watching me and wanting her to grow up knowing being healthy and exercising is the norm not out of the ordinary.

For what are you most grateful?

My husband for always being my biggest supporter.

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

Don’t wait for Monday. Start by making your next meal a little healthier, then the next.

It does get easier once you’ve found your groove, but you have to start.

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

This is your journey and yours alone.
Don’t compare your progress to anyone else.
Create habits that are doable for you.
Focus on your next meal then the next.
Accept that you are worthy.