Name:

Maree Louw

Age: 

54.

Location: 

Newlands, Cape Town.

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

94kg – 73kg = 21 kg.

What do you do? [Job]

I am a Cop, a Colonel at SAPS.

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

No other hobbies as work is demanding.

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?

I’ve been a member since 2013.

How did you find Sleekgeek?

I saw Elan Lohmann on a talk show on SABC 3, then I immediately joined the Sleekgeek Facebook Group.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?

The Sleekgeek Community is like minded and at the 5km walks we meet new friends and share tips!

YOUR TRANSFORMATION

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

The old me was miserable with myself, always tired and finding any excuse to comfort myself with food.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?

After my husband passed on because of a long illness, I suddenly had the time to review my life and to take care of myself.

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

I am eating healthily, exercise everyday, and I make time for myself like pampering myself and sleep.

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

Saying no to chocolate, I immediately eat it when I receive it, I do not buy any sugary things for myself.

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

Learn to say no, or take it and pass it on to someone else.

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

No, I am focused and motivated and even if I plateau, I will not stop my fitness journey.

What is better since you got healthy?

I have more energy, my skin is glowing and I’m happier!

TRAINING

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

Yoga, Pilates and Weightlifting.

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

I’ve trained since September 2021 when I started with my 1st Sleekgeek 8-Week Transformation Challenge.

What does your typical workout look like?

I do classes, depending on the day, I do BST, Thread and Shred, Rumble and Spinning classes.

Favourite Exercise?

Yoga movements.

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

Running.

How does exercise make you feel? 

It makes me feel so good. I love the sweating and challenge myself.

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

I prefer to train with others and meet like-minded people who become my friends. I also like to compare my fitness level to others which motivate me further to be fitter.

Most embarrassing training moment?

In the beginning of my training journey, I was always hiding at the back in a yoga class as I was so unfit, until the yoga instructor decided I need to be in front, where he kept on rectifying my poses and was not happy with my plank, as he would scream at me to rectify my plank. It was a bit embarrassing, and I felt picked on, but now I can look back and know that I was doing all the poses as perfectly as I could…

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

Towel, boxing gloves and water bottle.

Your next training goal?

To do a 10-minute plank.

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

I would die for you by Prince
The seed by the Roots
All my friends by LCD Soundsystem
Hallogallo by Neu
Dancing in the dark by Bruce Springsteen

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

Exercise changed my life in a way that I am so confident with myself that I want to take my exercise to a next level. The next level would be to become more muscular and maybe start competing in my age category…Lol!

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?

Prawn curry and basmati rice.

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?

Veggies and grilled chicken.

Favourite protein?

Chicken.

Favourite fat?

Fat? Nope.

Favourite carbohydrate?

Provita’s and Dark Chocolate.

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

You do not need 3 meals a day.

How many meals a day do you eat?

2 meals per day as I am on intermit fasting.

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?

Yes, on Sunday – dessert.

MINDSET

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

Lost all this kgs without following diet programs and using pills, is for me an achievement.

Favourite quote?

“Nothing tastes better than Skinny.”

Favourite book?

Finding me by Viola Davis.

What inspires and motivates you?

Woman that don’t give up on themselves.

For what are you most grateful?

I’m grateful that I am still alive and of being a cancer survivor.

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

Take one day at a time…but it is important to start!

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

1. When you tell yourself you’re not in the mood to go to gym – Go!
2. Remember your health journey consists of 80% of what you eat and 20% of daily exercise.
3. Be consistent.
4. Plan ahead… Your food, your time to go to the gym and stick with it, don’t let anyone derail you, unless it’s necessary.
5. Rest, as sleep is as important as exercise.