When did your fitness journey begin?
I grew up skinny. I use to be a size 28, but then I gained a lot of weight in 2013, which is when I decided to shed the extra kilos.
How do you stay disciplined?
I know the ultimate goal I’d like to achieve when it comes to my body, so I make sure I eat right and exercise accodingly – that’s what pushes me. I check my results weekly, which motivates me to do more, stay dedicated and disciplined. That way, you look forward to seeing what will happen next, how much you’ll lose next week, next month and so forth.
What do your meal plans consist of and what are your go-to foods?
I try to strike a balance between carbohydrates and protein. I eat a lot of vegetables too. It’s vital that your diet is balanced – you cannot have carbohydrates or protein alone. If you’re exercising, then you need to have enough protein. If you don’t, you’re going to lose a lot of muscle, which is unhealthy.
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My favourite foods are:
1. Protein – chicken breasts and quinoa
2. Healthy fats – avocados
3. Carbohydrates – brown rice and sweet potatoes
4. Vegetables – I’m obsessed actually obsessed with brocolli!
My tip is to make your meal plan fun. Also, use spices in moderation and rather opt for coconut oil.
You workout at home. What would you say are the benefits of an at-home gym?
I first attended a few gym classes, so I could see the kind of equipment I needed for a home gym.
READ MORE: The gym helped me build muscle and better my mental health
Working out at home is cheap – you don’t need to pay gym membership. You only need to buy few items. And, it’s very convenient – you just wake up and exercise. You don’t have excuses of not having money for petrol, the gym being far etc. So it helps you keep disciplined.
What are the biggest mistakes that women make when trying to maintain their healthy lifestyle?
There’s no quick solution to weight loss. You need to learn to eat healthily almost every time and every day. With these popular meal replacement diets, if you can’t afford the meal replacement for that month, what’s going to happen and what are you going to eat? Chances are you’ll end up eating food that’s unhealthy because you didn’t learn how to eat health food, and you relied too much on shakes.
READ MORE: These 5 budget items are all you need to create an epic home gym
What advice would you give to someone who is starting their fitness journey?
Consistency and discipline are crucial. You need to be consistent with your exercises. You can’t workout today, take a break and then pick it up again after four days or when you feel like it. Also, you must keep in mind that bodies are different; understand your body and what works for it.
