Disciplined Mthokozisi magnetises to his Weigh-Less track and loses 40.8kg
After years of poor eating habits and little to no physical activity, Mthokozisi “Mthoko” Ndumo saw his once slim belly broaden over his hips. He started gaining weight faster than a fight would break out over a “bad” refereeing call in a football game, and he had about as much control over it as the officials would over the ruckus as well. One thing was certain, Mthoko was becoming larger, and he needed salvation from the ceiling-high readings of his blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Enter Weigh-Less, the super-sub who helped turn Mthoko’s lowly health around and helped him win the trophy of his life.
Facts and Figures
Height: 1.74m
Weight then: 124.6kg
Goal Weight: 83.8kg
Weight lost: 40.8kg
Time Taken: 7 months
I would always look forward to spoiling myself once in a while, and that kept me going on my journey to Goal Weight. I am human being after all
Getting caught offside
My weight problems crept up on me when I started university. While at school I was busy with sport and always active during the holidays, university took a lot out of me, and I would prefer to spend any free time I had relaxing. I would generally stay home all day during vacation, maybe do a bit of cleaning, and then eat and sleep. After university and when I started working, I realised that I could buy any food I had the slightest inkling of craving for. I took advantage of this more than I should have, and I would regularly find myself in a heap, in front of the television, snacking away on chips and Coke while waiting for supper time. My breakfast wasn’t ideal either and would usually consist of whatever leftovers I could scrape together, or a quick takeout on the way to work. My food options broadened when I got married and had two kids of my own, but there was much more to the meals my wife lovingly prepared for me. They were still laden with extra kilojoules, and they were too good not to completely devour.
My fiery overweight problems were further fanned when I became a manager of my own football club. Although all the men in my team were fit and burned countless kilojoules performing the exercises I would direct, the biggest exertion I would make was to blow the whistle every now and then. Despite this, I would still join in on the after-practice junk food raid. The entire team and I would visit a popular takeout joint and devour the most disgustingly unhealthy meals our hands could carry. As this was at least a weekly affair, you can only imagine what effect it eventually had on my already “larger than life” waistline. I couldn’t buy the clothes I wanted, I would drip with sweat at every step (and almost drown in it at night), I couldn’t play with my kids, and I had regular, embarrassing and ill-timed releases of gas. Boy was this excessive weight living up to its heavy consequences!
Halftime
Many of my friends and family members, including my wife, raised concerns regarding my weight, but because I never thought I would be able to lose it, I became defensive and would shut them out. I also had sky-high readings for my blood pressure and cholesterol levels whenever I went for a check-up at the doctor, which was another worry for my family. The biggest problem I had with my overweight disposition was the fat lingering around my belly, which placed me at an increased risk for diabetes and other dreadful diseases of lifestyle. It was uncomfortable and further from being sexy than a hippo with a speedo on. Although not a priority for me at the time, my wife eventually went on a mission to research a way in which her and I could lose weight. She desired to lose weight and so naturally, I was to be roped in.
Her research turned up various weight loss pills and injections, and many fad diets which she would immediately disregard as being unsustainable. She knew herself and I well enough to know that we had to follow a naturally healthy, sustainable and delicious Eating Plan. This is when her friend recommended Weigh-Less. Before we officially joined Weigh-Less I had been jogging in anticipation for the impending diet I was about to be placed on. However, because I did not change my eating habits and continued to eat whatever I wanted, the only thing I got out of my runs was pain. We eventually got around to meeting our prospective Group Leader - she was incredibly warm and welcoming, and quickly managed to convince my wife, and therefore by extension me, to sign up then and there. A decision, that to this day, I am most grateful to my wife for.
Giving fat a red card
My wife and I both lost weight in the first week. It felt wonderfully motivating to see the numbers diminish on the scale, even if it was such a small amount in the beginning. My wife had taken it upon herself to become the architect of our Menu Plans (not that I had any objections), and she made marvellously tasting dishes according to our respective Formulas. At first, I thought that they were meals for ants because they were much smaller than the portions that I was used to engorging on. I struggled a bit in getting used to the smaller portions, but my Group Leader guaranteed that they were the right size for me and so I trusted her. I eventually became accustomed to eating a lot less, and this actually decreased the frequency of my gassy episodes. That was probably my sunniest result in the first few weeks, as well as the feeling that my belly fat was slowly melting away.
After losing 5kg and while shopping one day, I vividly remember picking up a 5kg packet of sugar and gawking in the realisation of how much weight I had lost. This further added to the motivation I received from my wife, family and friends, and although I couldn’t weigh-in at Group as often as I would like to (because of work) I knew that my Group Leader was also in the stands cheering me on. I continued to jog and eventually began to get more than sore out of it. I started increasing my distance and running faster as the weight continued to shake off of me. The greatest motivator of all is seeing the weight drop and the numbers on the scale fall and feeling healthier and healthier every week. Although my mother wanted me to stop losing so much weight (I guess she thought my chubby cheeks were cute), my friends and colleagues were complimenting me to Cairo and back. This felt good, and little did I know, it was still going to get better.
The injury time winner
I reached my Goal Weight of 85kg. Being at a healthy weight and improving my lifestyle has afforded me many privileges that I never thought possible. I am running approximately 10km, three or four times a week, and I feel fitter than a bird that is training for its migration. The sweat has also stayed at bay, and no longer drips off of me when I walk or attempt to drown me when I sleep (which is quite nice). There is an abundance of clothing options when I go shopping and I am no longer limited to extra-extra-large shirts anymore. My two daughters have also enjoyed the benefits of having a healthier dad as I can now play with them for hours on end, without it ending up with someone in tears (me).
I am most of all grateful for the healthy lifestyle I lead and the example that I set for the people closest to me. My wife, friends and family (even my mother) are all extremely proud of me and happy to see the vast improvements in my confidence and appearance. My wife has also lost 10kg on Weigh-Less and our antics have inspired others to pursue their own dreams of being slimmer, healthier version of themselves. I am also proud to announce that all that helium around my belly has also been let out, and therefore I am no longer so aloof…
…but seriously, Weigh-Less has not only given me a new lease on life, a healthier lifestyle, and a new, improved figure, but it has also taught me valuable lessons in commitment and discipline. It was through discipline that I was able to say “no” to overindulging in food that I knew would be detrimental to my waistline. I would always look forward to spoiling myself once in a while, and that kept me going on my journey to Goal Weight. I am human being after all, but I never let the spoiling spoil my weight loss efforts. My advice to anyone who is considering joining Weigh-Less is to just do it. Sign-up with your partner and support each other through what will turn out to be a life changing journey. It starts with a decision, continues with a determined mind-set, and ends up as a lifestyle. Thank you for giving me my life back Weigh-Less.