Fitness Zone helps Siphesihle lose 30kg
M– She moved out of her comfort zone to the Fitness Zone and lost 30.3 kilogrammes excess weight in 14 months.
They say if you want different results then you need to start doing things differently. A change of lifestyle is not only about waking up and going to the gym, but an overhaul of one’s life completely. It takes self-discipline, time, sometimes tears for one to stay focussed in the fitness and health kind of lifestyle. Today we celebrate Siphesihle Masuku, whose turning point was seeing her reflection on a mirror around town and it struck her to start weight loss training in order to look and feel better about herself. Her obesity was beyond a physical challenge and took its toll on her self-esteem. She shares her experiences and future aspirations in her new lifestyle as she also inspires you to be the best you can be as well.
Siphesihle from Lobamba.
Name: Name of gym:
Gables.
Masuku
Fitness Zone
When did you start training and what was the motivation behind?
“I started in August 2021. l passed by a mirror one day in one of the shops and l didn’t like what l saw. A few days later we had a workshop and all the nice clothes didn’t fit; those that did fit me didn’t look good on me and everything was just
BEFORE: Siphesihle was 146kg when she started weigt loss training.
out of place.”
What was your weight then compared to now?
“I weighed 146 now am down
What
kilogrammes, to 115.7 kilogrammes.”
challenges did you AFTER: In exactly 14 months, she has lost 30.3kg and she is now down to 115.7kg. encounter and how did you manage to overcome them and stay focussed?
“To be honest, it takes a lot of effort to lose weight. Regardless of what some people might say or what you might read, there is no shortcut or easy and magical way to lose a lot of weight. It takes effort, perseverance, self-reflection and a change of habits. I did not believe that I could as I had this idea that l wasn’t capable and that I was unworthy. It took a lot of self-reflection to finally change that narrative, and reach a point where I was able to love myself enough to work on myself. Change can be scary but I was focussed.”
What is your What kind of training routine?
“My training routine is aerobics (box, step, spinning), weight lifting and yoga. I have started jogging with coach Mpumi.”
What sort of nutritional changes have you done?
“l always take Herbalife shake, tea, multifibre and Aloe for breakfast. I take five meals a day: every three hours l eat something. l have changed my lifestyle completely when it comes to food. I don’t starve myself but l don’t eat everything. Food preparation is key if you don’t want to find yourself eating junk because of hunger.”
What is your personal motivational slogan that keeps you going?
“l have a few slogans. The first one is ‘It never gets easier, you just get stronger’. The second one is ‘Success never comes to those who quit’ and lastly; ‘Decide, commit and succeed’.
What advice can you share with people dealing with weight issues?
“We are what we eat. Junk is only nice in the mouth but once you swallow, it becomes bad for the body, so you have to decide what you want to look like. Be disciplined. Join the gym, it’s very good for your weight loss journey in terms of motivation, toning up so that you don’t have a sagging body. Be consistent.”
lifestyle made you gain weight and what was your heaviest compared to now?
“In my past lifestyle, I used to eat everything l felt like eating, there was just no balance in what l ate. I would eat, sleep and gain weight. No exercise at all.”
How has your life changed since you lost the excess weight and now living a healthy lifestyle (benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle)?
“I may not be where l want to be in terms of my weight but l feel so light. I have dropped two dress sizes, I am confident, l like looking at myself in the mirror and l now love taking pictures. I just love myself more.”