Name:

Lerato Shabalala.

Age: 

33.

Location: 

Gauteng, Brakpan Tsakane.

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

I have lost 26 kg.

What do you do? [Job]

I am a stay at home mom, and run my small business.

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

Trying new lunchbox ideas and baking.

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?

7 Years.

How did you find Sleekgeek?

I came across it on my Facebook and joined because I liked seeing the Before and After’s.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?

It’s how you always get positive feedback even when you fall of the wagon, it’s the words of encouragement for me.

YOUR TRANSFORMATION

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

I was lazy and ate junk food everyday, especially fat cakes and cold drinks and would then nap afterwards.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?

I had painful chest pains. It was hard for me to walk and keep up with my then 3 year old
was such a mission. The thought of me leaving him in this world alone pushed me.

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

I drink my water, I am obsessed with my water intake and that is one thing I don’t struggle with.

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

Sweet stuff, I have a sweet tooth and I enjoy my cakes and ice cream.

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

Take it one step at a time and be kind to yourself! Stay away from the bathroom scale.

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

I did get stuck, especially after my miscarriage, it was hard for me to get up again. Dealing with my
miscarriage took its toll on me.

What is better since you got healthy?

I love walking and playing with my 12 year old and being able to keep up with him has been
such a blessing.

TRAINING

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

I love jogging, although at first I didn’t like it at all.

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

It has been 8 years.

What does your typical workout look like?

I do a 7 km jog every morning and then I do a whole body work-out.

Favourite Exercise?

Jump rope and mountain climbers.

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

Jumping jacks, burpees and planks.

How does exercise make you feel? 

I feel so refreshed afterwards and I have so much energy, especially now that I am pregnant I
don’t feel as tired as I did with my first pregnancy.

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

I prefer training alone, I think because I am still self-conscious about my body and my training
pace.

Most embarrassing training moment?

Having my exercises tights tear at the gym, shooooo after that was when I started investing in good
quality gym clothes.

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

Yoga mats.
Resistance bands.
Jump rope.

Your next training goal?

Being able to do burpees, without feeling like my life is about to come to an end.

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?

Funnily enough I don’t have any, for me it depends on my mood for that day, but I always usuallly
start with a worship song.

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

Shopping, honestly I won’t lie, being able to go to a store and buy a pair of jeans that has my
size and finding cute bras that actually fit me and don’t hurt me at my shoulder, that has to be
the highlight for me.

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?

Pork ribs with chips and onion rings, I swear that’s where the devil is at.

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?

Butternut with green salad of course minus the olives, spinach and BBQ chicken.

Favourite protein?

Chicken, pork and beef.

Favourite fat?

Coconut oil.

Favourite carbohydrate?

Sweetcorn.

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

I honestly don’t have one.

How many meals a day do you eat?

2 x Meals and 2 x snacks.

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?

I set a goal for myself, for example I will buy a dress that doesn’t fit me and once it fits me, I take
myself out for ribs and chips.

Most memorable personal achievement to date. Something you maybe could never have imagined.

Being on 2 digits on the scale and wearing a size below 40 I never thought I could accomplish
that.

MINDSET

Favourite quote?

“Nothing is impossible only you have the power to sculpt yourself into what you want to become.”

Favourite book.

I’m not into books, I enjoy documentaries.

What inspires and motivates you?

I am my own inspiration. Every time I look at my before picture I am in awe, because I have tired so
many times and failed.

For what are you most grateful?

My health, being able to see my son reaching 12 years old. At some point I never thought I would as I was struggling with my weight and unexplainable chest pains.

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

Don’t be in competition with anyone, follow your own pace and celebrate every little achievement
no matter how small.

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

1. Be kind to yourself.
2. Stay away from the bathroom scale.
3. Take it one step at a time.
4. Do not listen to people’s negative comments, especially the ones where you are told you should stop because they don’t see any difference.
5. Do it because you love your body, it’s not a punishment.