What put you on your path to transformation?
Early in 2010 I picked up the Jan/Feb issue of Fitness magazine and I was completely hooked on the toned cover girl, Monica Brandt. The first page featured a spread on the USN Body & Lifestyle Challenge and an article on Carien Theron, the 2009 challenge winner. I thought that the 12 week challenge was a great way to get my body back and take control of my deteriorating health. Coincidentally the magazine also featured an in-depth article on type 1 diabetes and weight train- ing, which felt like a revelation in my life that this was absolutely meant to be. I took a month to plan, research and prepare for the challenge instead of jumping in head first. I also visited several doctors who specialise in diabetes and weight training. My sugar levels were very low when I started so I decided to stop using insulin temporarily. To reduce the risk of my blood sugar levels dropping too low I had to test my levels several times daily to monitor the effects of the train- ing and supplements.
What type of training did you do?
There were no personal trainers where I lived while taking the challenge, so I emailed various fitness experts, like Innis Erasmus (previous USN Challenge winner) and Cindy Ellis (fitness model and Fitness mag photographer). They gave me tips on diet, exercise and nutrition and then I started out with the training programme from the USN website. The USN online sup- port team was also very helpful. I started with 40 min of cardio every day and weight training every second day. After four weeks I changed my routine to include cardio and weight training 5-6 days a week. I also did 100 reps of ab training everyday, six days a week. I also bought a set of weights, resistance straps and an exercise ball to ensure I trained while traveling. Now I still train 5-6 days a week, focusing on one muscle group every day, but train legs twice a week. I rest for 45 sec between sets and do four sets of each exercise, for 10-15 reps. After that I do 10 minutes of ab training, followed by stretching and core exercises. I then complete my workout with an interval spinning session.
Who helped you along the way?
My doctor, dietician and the specialists in fitness and diabetes I visited were very helpful and gave great advice. I also emailed insulin dependent fitness models in the UK and USA for tips and info. Cindy Ellis also provided great advice and became a mentor to me.
Early in 2010 I picked up the Jan/Feb issue of Fitness magazine and I was completely hooked on the toned cover girl, Monica Brandt. The first page featured a spread on the USN Body & Lifestyle Challenge and an article on Carien Theron, the 2009 challenge winner. I thought that the 12 week challenge was a great way to get my body back and take control of my deteriorating health. Coincidentally the magazine also featured an in-depth article on type 1 diabetes and weight train- ing, which felt like a revelation in my life that this was absolutely meant to be. I took a month to plan, research and prepare for the challenge instead of jumping in head first. I also visited several doctors who specialise in diabetes and weight training. My sugar levels were very low when I started so I decided to stop using insulin temporarily. To reduce the risk of my blood sugar levels dropping too low I had to test my levels several times daily to monitor the effects of the train- ing and supplements.
What type of training did you do?
There were no personal trainers where I lived while taking the challenge, so I emailed various fitness experts, like Innis Erasmus (previous USN Challenge winner) and Cindy Ellis (fitness model and Fitness mag photographer). They gave me tips on diet, exercise and nutrition and then I started out with the training programme from the USN website. The USN online sup- port team was also very helpful. I started with 40 min of cardio every day and weight training every second day. After four weeks I changed my routine to include cardio and weight training 5-6 days a week. I also did 100 reps of ab training everyday, six days a week. I also bought a set of weights, resistance straps and an exercise ball to ensure I trained while traveling. Now I still train 5-6 days a week, focusing on one muscle group every day, but train legs twice a week. I rest for 45 sec between sets and do four sets of each exercise, for 10-15 reps. After that I do 10 minutes of ab training, followed by stretching and core exercises. I then complete my workout with an interval spinning session.
Who helped you along the way?
My doctor, dietician and the specialists in fitness and diabetes I visited were very helpful and gave great advice. I also emailed insulin dependent fitness models in the UK and USA for tips and info. Cindy Ellis also provided great advice and became a mentor to me.
What did you learn from your transformation process? I am more positive, confident and ready to take on any challenge in my life as I really feel better about myself and about life in general. I have also learnt that we are so much stronger than we think and will move the earth to achieve something we set our minds to. I also realised the value of planning and empowering yourself through knowledge. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. When I saw photos of myself looking bloated I realised I had a weight problem. I was unable to fit into my ‘fat’ clothes, which had never happened before, despite my weight normally fluctuating by 7–8kg throughout the year. I found out that I was pre- diabetic as a result of my diet, which was high in refined carbs. It was a huge wake-up call for me as a number of my family members suffer from diabetes and I really didn’t want to end up with the condition.
How did you go about changing your lifestyle?
I started training in January, cut alcohol from my diet and slowly began to improve my eating habits. Realising how terrible I felt all the time was what propelled me into action. I also attended a few bodybuilding shows, which showed me that with hard work I could have the body I always wanted. Reading fitness mag was also a huge help in follow- ing a healthy lifestyle. My training consists of six sessions a week with as much cardio in between as I can manage. I continue to work on my love-hate relationship with food, and am making better choices when I cheat. I also control my portion sizes and s
tay away from saturated fats and refined carbs, and limit my sugar intake. I try not to beat myself up if I fail, I just do more cardio and ensure
the rest of my meals are healthy.
How is your training structured?
I started off slowly working with a personal trainer five days a week and a Ground Zero Fight Fit class once a week. I now train with heavy weights four days a week, doing 200 metre sprints between sets. I do Ground Zero Fit classes twice a week, which really helps with my overall fitness. I aim to do three 45 min sessions of cardio per week, depending on how much time I can spare.
Who helped you along the way?
My friends and family helped motivate me with their comments on how much better I looked. My boyfriend was also supportive and honest when I needed it. My trainer also doesn’t allow me to slack off in gym, he ensures that every session is challenging. Surrounding myself with a fitness lifestyle and supportive people made the difference.
What motivated you?
I would really like to compete next year. I know I still have a lot of work ahead of me but I am really passionate about achieving my fit- ness goals. I learnt that I am a lot more disciplined and focussed than I thought I was and that it doesn’t help to be too hard on yourself. Sometimes you need to look back on what you’ve achieved and congratulate your- self for coming this far.
What advice would you like to share with Fitness readers?
Get a personal trainer, even if it is only once or twice a week. They can really help you with goal setting and will get you over the plateaus. It’s a big motivator in getting me to the gym as I am paying for every session and I know my trainer has gotten up at the crack of dawn to be there for me. Give yourself time to achieve your goals. When I started training I wanted to look like Jamie Eason in five months, which I now know is unrealistic.
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