Q&A with Angie Lazaro:

We sat down with Angie who placed first in the Women’s Transformation category of our Winter’s 8-Week Challenge 2023. We wanted to find out the secret to her success and she was happy to share it with us.

Please give us a short history of your journey to health and fitness before the challenge.

I was very self-conscious as a child and in primary school when I compared my size to other girls that is when I started dieting. I went to extremes, like eating only grapes (Fit for Life). I would even get off the school bus sooner to walk further to follow the Thin Thighs in 30 days program. In high school I went on diet pills and in the last decade I went as far as injecting myself daily (Slender Wonder).

What prompted you to join the Sleekgeek Transformation Challenge?

My journey with Sleekgeek began when I won a free entry to my first 5 Km Run program with Pamela and Sleekgeek. This achievement gave me a sense of accomplishment, and I wanted more. So, I entered again, winning a free entry to the Summer Challenge. I couldn’t let this opportunity go to waste and gave my all. I joined the Winter Challenge this year as well because I realised that my weight was going in the wrong direction, and I needed the support and guidance that Sleekgeek provides.

Give us a quick overview of the nutrition and eating plan that you followed during the challenge.

Regarding my nutrition during the challenge, I focused on staying within my calorie allowance, but what mattered most was the quality of the foods I consumed. I primarily chose foods from the Sleekgeek green list, emphasising protein and vegetables while trying to minimise carbohydrates. There were tough days, but I kept resetting every morning.

Give us a quick overview of the training and exercise plan that you followed during the challenge.

On the exercise front, I committed to daily workouts, and as the challenge progressed, I even exercised twice a day, especially when I indulged in something I shouldn’t have. I found that raising my heart rate through cardio workouts was crucial for my progress. I ran 5 kms twice on weekends. During the week, I mixed things up with the skill mill, stepper, cycling, rowing, and weight training at the gym. When I couldn’t go to the gym, I turned to exercise videos, incorporating ankle weights and dumbbells for a mix of cardio and resistance training.

If you could give 3 pieces of advice to future challengers, what would they be?

Not all calories are created equal therefore avoid packaged foods even though it may be low in calories, focus on fresh, and prepare your own meals.
Prioritise exercise. It will take time, but your body will become stronger. Always push a bit more than what you had planned without causing injuries. This is an exercise in delayed gratification, the results are gradual but real.
Embrace the team challenges, the roadblocks are an opportunity to try different exercises that will help tone and strengthen you in ways that you hadn’t expected.

Why should people enter the challenge?

There are countless reasons to enter the challenge, but primarily do it for yourself, your health, your well-being, and confidence. It is not just about losing weight; it’s about creating awareness of how to improve your daily habits. Sleekgeek equips you with the tools to change your habits, shift your mindset, and make yourself a priority on the journey to a healthier, fitter you.