Times of Eswatini

All in 3 months for Mpumi

- (Courtesy pics)

M– She made a conscious decision to be who she is and beyond.

What an epic way to wrap up the year with another jaw-dropping fitness and health transforma­tion article which will be the last one this year. Join us in celebratin­g Mpumi Dlamini’s fitness and health transforma­tion goal, and be inspired to chase after your own in the New Year. This is what the fitness goddess had to share ...

Mpumi Dlamini, years old from Mahlanya.”

Bodybuildi­ng.

Name: Sport of choice:

25

How has your body transforme­d in the past three months in terms of weight, appearance and health?

“I lost a bit of weight from 68kg to 60kg, but gained more muscles. I currently look more muscular than I was before because more muscles are showing with deep cuts. I feel very healthy. My cardiovasc­ular system is very strong. I make sure I’m always on the safe side, especially after seeing the COVID-19 situation, where most of the cases and deaths are from people with comorbidit­ies (the presence of one or more additional medical conditions co-occurring or co-existing with a primary condition)), obesity, asthma. Those diseases can be elevated and cases can be cured through adopting a healthy lifestyle, get active and eat right.”

Tell us more about the kind of training and diet programme you were on in the past three months:

“I had to be in a deficit for three months. The first six weeks with moderate carbohydra­tes and last six with low carb. The meal plan was high in protein to minimise

AFTER: She weighs 60kg now after shedding off eight kilos and gained more ripped and defined muscles. (L) BEFORE: Mpumi Dlamini looked like this back in September, just three months ago.

muscle loss as I lost fat. The training volume remained the same but I increased intensity and gradually increased my cardio by 10 minutes per week. Last two weeks, I did full body sessions daily and up to one hour 30 minutes cardio.”

Can you say with your experience as a bodybuilde­r, it has gotten easier or harder for you with time?

“It doesn’t get any easier but experience does play a major role. Knowing what to expect and preparing myself mentally for the challenge that lies ahead, believe me it’s not easy and I often ask myself why I’m doing this.”

How has this lifestyle influenced your life and the people in it (achievemen­ts as a sports lady, personal impact on life)?

“My life has really changed. I learnt discipline and I also learnt that my life comes first before the next person. As my goals changed, so did my circle. I had to surround myself with like-minded people who understand what I’m going through. No parties, I barely eat out and I sleep early because I’m always tired, etc. A lot of sacrifices had to be made.”

What are your health and fitness goals given a specific time frame?

“I’m in a surplus twice a year and deficit twice a year. This may change as I will be competing in South Africa and Mozambique next year. But generally that’s how I do it. From January to March I’m in surplus and from April to June I’m in a deficit. I enjoy my body in July then back to surplus somewhere in that same month till end of September. Then its deficit again to look good in December.”

Any advice for ladies who want to add some muscles into their feminine figures?

“Come and train. Lift weights. See, our body goals are different. I choose to look like this; go extreme and challenge yourself to the limit. I could have stopped at any point and be less muscular. Ladies fear they will grow overnight and one morning they will wake up bulky as they call it. This is furthest from the truth.

It’s a process, which is often slow and pain-taking. The last thing females need to worry about is bulking or wake up looking like me. It has to be a conscious decision. So, my advice would be get a good trainer, stick to your plan even on the bad days and you will achieve the body of your dreams.”

ABOUT THE QUEEN’S BATON RELAY:

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of the Commonweal­th Games.

The games will be held in Birmingham next year from July 22 to August 8.

The baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonweal­th, currently Queen Elizabeth II.

The Relay started its journey on October 7 at Buckingham Palace. It is scheduled to visit all 72 Commonweal­th countries and territorie­s in a journey that will last for 294 days.

It is expected to be back in the United Kingdom, on July 4. The baton celebrates individual­ity and solidarity across the Commonweal­th.

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