Running, aerobics – Nelly 30kg lighter
Mfrom 85kg.
Aerobics training and road running was the turning point for Nelly Simelane, who went through a body transformation to becoming fit and strong. Weighing over 100kg for a 30-year-old can be very frustrating especially for a lady who at that age should be enjoying her life and feeling beautiful like most women of the same age.
It was not only a blow on her self-confidence but it was unhealthy and threatened her life. A change of habits and lifestyle was Simelane’s turning point, which saw her lose a total of 30kg from 2019, where her weight had hit 115kg.
She shares her weight loss journey experiences and future goals below...
Nelly Simelane, 33 years old form Mahwalala in Mbabane.
Name and – She went over 115kg to age:
30 kg
Total weight lost: When did you start full time exercising and what was the motivation behind?
“I started doing aerobics training in 2020 after experiencing health problems because of my weight. I was about 115kg in 2019 when I last weighed in so, in 2020 I was a little above that. My legs could barely hold my weight so I had pain in my joints. I was not happy with my body size and I was too heavy. Sometimes
BEFORE: Nelly Simelane weighed 115kg and wore dress size 42 in 2019.
I struggled to breathe because of my weight then I decided to join the gym to lose the extra weight.”
What was your weight then compared to now?
“My heaviest weight was 115kg
AFTER: She is now down to 85kg after shedding 30kg through road training.
in 2019 and now I am down to 85kg. I went from a size 42 to 36.”
What makes road running and boot camps your favourite kind of training?
“I joined Zithande through their Facebook page that I liked
UNESWA Alumni posing for a group photo.
and followed. Coach Nsizwa Thwala’s posts and motivation was quite intriguing so I decided to start road training from January this year to date. I lost weight much quicker through running unlike when I did aerobics although the aerobics worked for me at first.”
What challenges do you normally face in your fitness lifestyle and how did you manage to overcome them and stay focussed?
“My first day at the gym was real agony. I thought I was going to die and my coach told me that it was only the beginning. I thought I wouldn’t return the next day but my end goal kept me going. When I started road training, I went from running two kilometres at first to completing 20 kilometres now. My major challenge at first was joint pain, which I relieved using joint spray and rubbing stuff.”
What is your training
“Due to work commitments, I train in the afternoon when I return from work, training five times a week. Sometimes I run down Malagwane Hill on my off days.”
What are your weight goals? routine? fitness and
“My target is to get down to Size 34, just around 75kg. I want to maintain a fit body, be healthy and sexy. I love this new body and that keeps me motivated. I will not stop exercising. It’s my lifestyle now.”
What sort of nutritional changes have you done?
“No more junk food but healthy eating habits. I eat small portions, lots of greens and fruits, stay hydrated with water and no acidic drinks; less sugar and fatty foods.”
What is your personal motivational slogan that keeps you going?
“Zithande. Ingawe (Love yourself. It’s all you.)” lentfo. about
What advice can you share with people dealing with weight issues?
“I would advise them to exercise. It’s not just about weight loss but staying healthy. Some people complement my hard work whenever they see me and I always encourage them to join ‘Operation Mkhaba Phuma Kimi’. Let us love ourselves.”