Name:
Carika Smith.
Age:
36.
Location:
Johannesburg.
How much weight have you lost on your journey so far?
20 kgs.
What do you do? [Job]
I studied industrial psychology and have worked in many areas within the field including psychometric assessment, recruitment, wellbeing, people engagement and in my current role I focus on leadership development and digital learning.
What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc.]
I enjoy running and going to gym. While this is all part of leading an active and healthy lifestyle, I enjoy training for specific events like long distance runs and a Warrior Race. Quality time with my incredible husband and 2 girls is what makes my heart full. We love camping and taking the road less travelled in our beautiful country. Of course, most weekends consist of a braai, a few drinks and good music.
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
I first joined the facebook page in 2016.
How did you find Sleekgeek?
A colleague at work introduced me to the page.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
There’s literally a place for everyone; all lifestyles and approaches are embraced. Most importantly it’s about holistic wellbeing and getting back to basics with good nutrition and exercise; as well as looking after your mental health – no fads, no gimmicks, no shortcuts, no expensive lotions or potions.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
I struggled with balance for a long time and for most of my life had an all or nothing mindset with regards to nutrition and exercise. The classic illogical thoughts that If I had an unhealthy breakfast I might as well just eat unhealthy for the rest of the day; OR if I don’t exercise on Monday my whole week is a write off and I might as well leave it for the rest of the week. I (like most woman) desired to look like a Victoria Secret model. I also believed that the best way to lose weight was to follow a strict diet, cutting out many foods, do crazy portion control and drink green tea all day.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
The first big event was a Caribbean cruise in 2017 and I wanted to look and feel good for this holiday. That’s when I did my first 8-week challenge. More recently, for me and my husband it has been a combination of an upcoming family holiday to Mauritius and also a desire to level up in 2023. Our diet and exercise routine has been somewhat established, but we wanted to commit to really getting it right and making sustainable and impactful changes. I’ve also realised that I am already being a role model to my 2 girls of living a healthy lifestyle and feeling good about your body from a very young age!
What are some of the things that the new you do differently now?
I love the new mind of the new me! I no longer have this all or nothing mindset, but like a recent post by Eric on Sleekgeek “Be less all or nothing and more always something!”. If I have one bad meal, I make sure the next one is healthy. If I can’t go to gym on Monday, I make sure I go on Tuesday. I try to stay within the boundaries of my commitments – exercise 5 days a week, eat mostly green and orange list food (red on weekends or on occasion). My goal has changed from wanting to be ‘thin’ to rather being a physically strong woman! I realised I HATE green tea and the only thing I have in common with a Victoria Secret model is that we are both hungry!
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
The weekend braais, drinks and snacks! Maintaining healthy choices during social events are still sometimes difficult for me.
If you could give yourself one piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
It’s one event/day a week which is not going to ruin the other 6 days of healthy choices. Enjoy the socialisation and moments for what they are and just make sure you get back to it the next day.
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
Yes. We established a few bad habits like having a few drinks, snacks and unhealthier type of food with our Friday night braai and then indulging until Sunday. This happened every week for quite a few months, before we started our 8-week challenge in February.
What is better since you got healthy?
Physically: No food hangovers on a Monday and higher energy levels overall. Major improvement in my running fitness and overall strength I can see my abs! Psychologically: I am more confident and happier with who I am, I see myself as strong, determined and capable.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Running and strength training.
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
I was moderately active from 2016 till 2019 and then I was practically sedentary after I had kids. It was difficult to figure out a new routine and find time for exercise with a toddler and newborn, but I slowly started running again in January 2022 after I had my second baby and re-joined the gym in September 2022. Although I lost most of my baby weight, I felt weak and unfit, so as soon as my maternity leave was over, I committed to incorporate exercise in my daily routine when I got back to work.
What does your typical workout look like?
Running three times a week (8 km twice a week and 10 to 15km long run on the weekend).
Strength is 1-day upper body and 1-day lower body which is a mix of cardio and strength training. I mostly use free weights or do body weight exercise to increase my strength.
Favourite Exercise?
10 km runs, kettlebell swings and skipping.
Least favourite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Push-ups and lunges.
How does exercise make you feel?
Confident, strong, capable and energized.
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
I prefer to train alone because I am a huge extrovert and will not stop talking, LOL. These days I can run and talk (which I do with my very cool neighbour who is now also my running buddy), but at gym I need to be alone so I can get through all my sets.
Most embarrassing training moment?
None, thank goodness.
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
- Skipping rope.
- Earphones.
- Ab wheel.
Your next training goal?
I am running my first 21km in May and then I want to be able to do a pull up so I can get myself at least half way over the walls when I do the Warrior Race in October.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
- Phoenix in the Night: Rolipso, Van Herpen.
- Smells like teen spirit: Coopex, Nito-Onna, CPX.
- Savage: Tiesto, Deorro.
- We are young: Beachbag.
- Freed from Desire: Drenchill, Indiiana. The beat must drop!
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life? [Made it better, etc – please be specific]
It has really built my mental resilience. Whenever I struggle or feel like I can’t do something, I remind myself of specific times in the past where I overcame a challenge. A few weeks back I tripped and fell about 2.5km into my run. I had no major injuries, just some bad scrapes, bloody hands and torn pants. I stopped, took a moment to feel sorry for myself and then decided to continue. That is now a pivotal moment in my running journey. Because I am much more confident, I experience and live life to the full, because I don’t feel ashamed of the way I look. On the contrary, I feel confident, content and proud of my body and what I have achieved.
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
Sushi, lamb and ‘braai broodjies’. (Not together, LOL)
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
Wholewheat pasta with homemade tomato and veggie sauce.
Favourite protein?
Lamb.
Favourite fat?
Peanuts.
Favourite carbohydrate?
Fruit.
How many meals a day do you eat?
3 Meals a day.
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
We incorporate treats into our diet, but have found healthier alternatives (like sugar free chocolate and cookies, air popped chips, veggie chips etc). But if I feel like a burger, I plan for it – it remains a ‘cheat meal’ and not a ‘cheat day’!
Most memorable personal achievement to date. Something you maybe could never have imagined.
Running my first 5km under 30 minutes and soon to complete my first half marathon.
MINDSET
Favourite quote?
Never be afraid to share your journey because your story could be the key that unlocks someone else’s prison.
Favourite book?
I don’t read many books.
What inspires and motivates you?
My daughters and my husband every day. In terms of health and fitness, strong and fierce woman are my role models.
For what are you most grateful?
For a supportive and patient husband who cheers me on and notices my achievements. For the privilege to be a mom and experience life to the full with them because I am fit and healthy. And for having a strong, healthy body that can run, lift weights and hug the people I love.
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
‘One day, or day one, you decide!’ It’s never too late to start, don’t overwhelm yourself with the massive task that lies ahead, just take it day by day. Think about how fast the last week/month/year has gone by…imagine what you could have achieved in that time.
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Rely on your commitment and not your motivation. There’s a great piece about this in the resources you receive as part of the 8-week challenge.
- Find healthy alternatives for typical unhealthy food items (e.g., sugar free chocolate, low carb condiments, kilojoule-controlled bread, whole wheat pasta). This makes the changes more sustainable over the long term.
- Set non-negotiable exercise and nutrition boundaries rather than strict rules. (e.g. Exercise 5 times a week for any amount of time, eat mostly from the green list, only have a certain amount of drinks on social occasions).
- Increase your knowledge and understanding about health and nutrition. Then start reading food labels, plan your meals and draft your exercise routines.
- Embark on this journey with someone and tackle it together so you can hold each other accountable and support each other to make healthy choices.
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