Samu is dressed for success! She lost 25kg!
Having been overweight for most of her life, Samu didn’t believe that there was a way to change her figure, mindset or lifestyle. But, thanks to Weigh-Less, and her new-found passion for running, she has become a determined and successful woman, and most importantly, she has learnt how to live a healthy and balanced life - without the excess weight!
Lose to gain
I was overweight for most of my life. As a child I was always ‘bigger’ than the other kids around me. In fact, after reaching Goal Weight, I weighed more than I did in Grade six! I was never active, nor did I enjoy school sports, rather I enjoyed food and tried to do my best academically. I didn’t see my weight as a problem, but the fact that I was too embarrassed to try out for any sport because I knew I would never have been chosen, proves that I possibly always had an inferiority complex. I can still vividly remember how a classmate called me Sally Spectra, and a few other names that I have since forgotten. I realise now that it did affect me and that I was just very good at hiding my feelings.
As time went by, my weight began to affect my health and day-to-day living. I battled to complete normal everyday tasks. At the age of 28 I was hospitalised for high blood pressure, which was largely caused by my weight problem. I was worried about what was ahead of me. I knew I had to change my eating habits otherwise I would destroy my health.
The hurtful truth
My mom was always supportive and tried to give me advice regarding my weight. I remember her often referring to me as a ‘growing girl’ when describing my weight issue to other people; I think she was trying to comfort me and make me feel better about myself. But one day she said something to me that I will never forget! She said that if I didn’t do something about my weight (and get help), I would end up chronically ill.
My entire family is of generous proportions, and I’ve watched my sisters go on diets a couple of times. Knowing that I had to try and do something to change my life, I also tried all sorts of fad diets - diets that didn’t work! Sadly, I never managed to successfully lose weight. I know that it was because I simply didn’t try a healthy and balanced eating programme. When I did lose weight, I simply put the weight back on.
I realised that I was putting pressure on myself, my career and my social life, and I know that the reason that I was not demanding more from my life, was because I was overweight! A dear friend of mine, who I lived with at the time, encouraged me to get active and join a gym, and this marked the beginning of my journey to a slimmer, healthier me.
Learning to love
I finally plucked up the courage to join a gym, and I have never looked back. I was never discouraged by the personal trainers who would often send me to the back of their fitness class because I could not keep up with the ‘thin’ people. I was also not discouraged by a personal trainer who bluntly said to my face, “You will not lose weight,” nor was I concerned when even my friends made negative comments. Most people (friends especially) initially did not think I could lose the weight. However, their negative comments didn’t affect my determination to succeed.
The more I exercised, the more I loved it. It wasn’t long before I started seeing positive results. I learnt to love exercising, and in turn I began to see positive results. I had lost 25kg through exercise alone, an achievement I was most definitely proud of. I felt happier and was sure that I could achieve anything I put my mind to. I also began to believe that if I wasn’t drenched in sweat, then I hadn't exercised enough. This motto became my motivation for wanting to succeed, and I would push myself until I felt I had done enough!
I started demanding more from my life and started to be more career orientated. At the time, my employer was looking for someone to launch a business unit in the country, and this was my opportunity to shine! I volunteered to take charge of the project, and I was rewarded with great success. I started to take on jobs where I was required to present to clients. This was the first real chance where I could make connections with people, without my weight being a barrier.
Having discovered that I was worthy of success, and that I could achieve just about anything, I bravely entered my very first 10km road race. I felt a wave of accomplishment after finishing the race, and I was extremely proud of myself.
My best decision
Once I reached 97kg, my weight was fluctuating, and I knew that I still was not living a completely healthy lifestyle. I was under the impression that because I worked out, I could eat anything I pleased, and then just work it off at a later stage. I soon realised that this was not the case, and that I needed to change my eating habits too, and so I joined Weigh-Less. My sisters had been on Weigh-Less, and watching their discipline inspired me to do the same. They managed to lose some weight, but this was during their university days and pre-pregnancy. Unfortunately, they gained the weight after reverting to their old ways. I had watched them weigh their food portions and eat certain food groups. Knowing the process, and how it worked, I was mentally prepared, and I knew what was expected of me.
My first week at Weigh-Less was tough, I wasn’t allowed caffeine or alcohol (on the first Step) which terrified me. Upon meeting my Group Leader, I was in awe of her motivation and her ability to mentor her members in a positive way. I stuck to the plan, even though my best friend’s birthday party was that very same weekend. I managed to stay away from the dessert table, and I focused on interacting with other people so that I was distracted.
I lost 4.2kg in my first week, and this proved that all the sacrifices were definitely worth it! Four months later, I had lost 20kg and Weigh-Less became a way of life for me and I no longer saw it as an Eating Programme, but rather a way of life. Initially preparing all those meals and weighing all the food was more daunting than I had expected. I went from being unable to eat out and unable to socialise without worrying that I was having the wrong foods and quantities to knowing exactly what Food Choices to make and what drinks were healthier options. The “Take the week-end off Step” really helped me to conquer my fears and I was able to choose my treats without feeling as though I was cheating.
A learning curve
Weigh-Less has also removed the need for my workouts to be cheat-orientated, and instead, brought back the fun of it. I started training for strength and stamina, while fueling my body with the right amount of food.
It wasn’t always easy though and after that I sadly sustained a running injury and was put on steroids. My birthday soon approached, and then it was the festive season which presented all sorts of excuses to quit. So I stopped Weigh-Less. I was tempted by all the birthday chocolates given to me as well as the festive foods. By the time January came around, I had gained 10kg, and knew that I had to get back to my Formula and a healthy way of life.
Reaching a milestone
So I set out once again and aimed to reach my Goal Weight. I focused more on my Eating Plan and went back to weighing my food. The journey was not a quick one for me (it took from January to August the following year), but I managed to lose a total of 25kg on Weigh-Less. I am now 72kg and I have managed to maintain my weight. The most rewarding part of my journey was realising the importance of exercise. I am a much better athlete having shed the weight and have recently completed the City-to-City Ultra Marathon (50km) and had a delightful time at one of Joburg’s toughest 32km races, ‘The Tough One!’ Having achieved my Goal Weight, I now know that I can achieve anything I set my mind to!
The lessons I have learnt while on Weigh-Less will be with me for the rest of my life. I have learnt how to eat when dining out, as well as eating healthily at home.