Nelile Interview

A lot of you liked what you saw when I wrote about the inspiration I got from our fashionista, Nelile. You all had so many questions on how she did it and what it was that she did.
So I contacted her and asked her a few questions that I hope will be of use to some of you :)

THE INTERVIEW

Q. At what point did you realise you were unhappy with your weight?
A. I've neva had a problem with my weight however i started being unhappy wen i saw my pictures especially the ones where im sitting id be so huge n my head wud luk so small lol.

Q. What made u decide to make the change?
A. I was at tertiary and u know for us that's where u get exposed to fashion and I was surrounded with slim friends and I had taste when it came to fashion but now the clothes I loved didnt fit, and my slim friends would buy them and you cannott argue with that it fits them. That's where I started telling myself I needed to lose weight very fast.

Q. What were the most important changes you made for you to reach your goal?
A. I joined the gym, they put me on a strict diet of which I only followed for a week lol.

Q. What was most challenging abt losing weight?
A. You have to be committed and very disciplined because if you're not, you fall easily into temptations. You spend time at work with people who are eating burgers,russian n chips and you're thinking 1 day of eating  junk wont hurt but it does it jeorpadises your whole plan. That was my challenge "1 day wont hurt"

Q. How long did it take you to start seeing a difference?
A. At the gym I was losing 1kg a day but once its the weekend something just happens because Monday at the gym I would have gained all the weight I had lost so the process was just too slow for me, so My previous boss reffered me to some diet pills in 15 days I lost 10kgs I was happy.

Q. How long did it take for u to reach your current weight?
A. The pills made me lose 10kg, and I gained the whole 10kg plus extra, I was so depressed I just had to try something else as long as its not gym and pills. I prayed to God telling him I wasn't happy with my weight and my prayers were answered. I parcitipated in a 40 day fasting and I lost 7kg Yay!!
Since then I got hold of a "Zumba" dvd wow it helps I dont only maintain but I keep losing weight every week and in total I lost 19kg its been 9 months if looking good I have not gained anything back not even an inch.

Q. How long have u maintained your weight loss and how do u do it?
A. I have not reached my goal yet, because I am still in the process of losing weight.

Q. How has ur life changed now that u have lost the weight?
A. My life has changed in a good way, I feel good, I'm more confident, I can play dress up at anytime and maybe on my wedding day my man will be able to pick me up hahahaha!

Q. Do u hav any advise for others who are trying to lose the weight?
A.  Advise is commit to your plans to God first, remember no prayer is too small. I have learned that you can lose weight but maintaining it is hard so a 20 minute exercize a day and eating right makes a great difference without diets and pills. I look good and I'm loving myself.
Ladies make sure if u start something finish it, dats da secret!

END OF INTERVIEW

As you can see from Nelile's interview she tried the fad diets and pills, but nothing beats good nutrition and exercise.
I personally believe that adding a few fad diets in the mix makes things fun as long as you understand that this is just for a little excitement and not necssarily your weapon to gaining a healthier body... but this is MY opinion based on MY life.

I also found that if I make non scale based goals, I stick to my plan longer... I am still working on the lifestyle change mentality lol. My goal right now is to fit into my size 42 (18) slim fit jeans, and that is all I want right now.

The Big Swing

Hehehe so one weekend I got the crazy idea to jump off a bridge, infact I paid someone to jump off a bridge.

A voice inside kept convincing me the ropes would not hold me, despite the expert telling me the ropes can hold 3 tons of weight... He even mentioned how he had strapped in men who weighed 150kg and I somehow convinced myself that they did not have a massive butt and hips lol.

Moello was brave enough to go first, she went over the guard rail and held on, the guy told her he would count down from 3 then she should jump... The count down started and she jumped with no hesitation.

 

<p>Lol this gave me hope that things would go as smoothly for me too. So I went over to the guy and started freaking out because I could see that the harnesa was just way too small (thia is when he mentioned the 150kg men) but we are shaped differently and I did not want the embarrassment of tryinf to fit into something that is clearly too small.

So I tried it on and sure enough the darn thing would not go up past the beginning of my thighs, and then he admits that "this is one of our smaller harnesses", so we had to pull up the one Moello had used. By this time my brave face was slowly fading and my knees were betraying me.

He finaly strapped me in, and as he tightened everything I got the sudden urge to visit the ladies room, I am now quite sure that this wasn't a good idea and I do not want to do it. He requests me to go over the guard rail and hold on, my brave face shines for 10 seconds  and I do it.

He gives me the count down from 3 tale and the voices in my head are telling me "woman you are crazy, this man is crazy.. you will jump off and hit your head on the bridge and DIE" so when he counts down to 1 and I continue to hold on to the bridge. He says jump and I shake my head by now my body is shaking and my heart beat is almost choking me.

I keep thinking, adventure is for skinny people girl whatchu doing to yourself, get off this bridge and go drink a shot of something hot (lol I had taken a shot of something hot before getting there hoping it would help). Oh my goodness by now my body is demanding that I go to the loo NOW now NOW. I tell the guy I have decided not to jump and ask him to help me get over to the safe side, he tells me he guarantees that nothing bad will happen and that I will not regret jumping but I will regret pulling out.

By now the bridge is full of spectators and convince myself that someone is taking a video with his phone and will post my embarrassment on youtube. So I ask him not to countdown, he tells me he will hold on to me so I can let go of the guard rail and hold on to my harness at the shoulders and when I'm ready he will let me go.

This sounded better to me so that's what I did, because my body was now sore from all these ropes pulling at me. Lol if you ever go and do this please jump off on your own because I said I was ready(I wasn't)  and he let go, I fell off the bridge and I was positive I would spit my heart out if it did not stop. My eyes were closed and I was not breathing because when I was in the air and not feeling the ropes lol I thot this is it goodbye world.

When i went down towards the water and the ropes caught me, I  let out my first breath but it came out as a screem...I got thrust up again and thought for sure iI would pee mid air and it would be one of the most embarrassing moments of my life... As i kept swinging and the swings got smaller I started enjoying myself and the screams were less shreaky and more "woohoowy".

I wrote about this experience here because my fear was so strong because of my weight, I had convinced myself that this is skinny people stuff... I got out of my comfort zone and had me a little fun. Lol I lost my shoes in that river and went back to the lodge barefoot, but its still one of the best moments for me :)

Adorable Apples

We all know that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, when I was younger I always wished I had a more 'normal' shape (I have a larger bottom and have always hated it until maybe a year ago or even less)... Growing up made me discover a majority of women are all insecure about something, be it big or small.

Today we shine our light on the adorable apple shapes out there.
So what is the description for an apple shape?

You are apple shaped when you are well-
proportioned but carry weight around the
tummy area and are therefore without a
defined waistline. Rectangles also have a
less defined waistline, but the apple body
type is curvier and rounder all over.

HOW TO FIND OUT ONCE AND FOR ALL IF YOUR ARE APPLE SHAPED
1. first, measure your waist  2.5 centimeters above  your navel
2. second, measure your hip around the widest part of your body. Then, divide your waist number by your hip number - if the result is greater than 0.8, you have an apple shaped body.

HEALTH ISSUES
We all know that having a lot of fat stored in your midsection is not good, because most of this visceral fat surrounds your internal organs: heart, liver, pancreas, kidneys and intestines generating a plethora of serious health risks.

STEPS ONE CAN TAKE TO MINIMISE THESE RISKS

1. Favour all complex carbohydrates (friendly
carbs): whole grains, dark breads, brown rice,
quinoa, oats, all legumes, vegetables (except
starchy ones, like potatoes, cooked carrots)
and fruits (except very sweet ones: bananas,
watermelon, grapes, pineapple)

2. Eat moderately quality proteins: lean beef,
lean skinless chicken & turkey, fish &
seafood, beans, lentils, low-fat yogurt &
cottage cheese, eggs

3. Eat moderately healthy fats: nuts, avocado,
flax seeds powder, dressings made with olive
oil or flaxseed oil & fat-free yogurt; cook
with healthy cooking oils.

4. Stay away from ALL refined carbs, including
white-flour products (e.g. white breads,
muffins, pastries, cakes, cookies, crackers,
etc.), ice cream, sweets, fruit juices, sweet
carbonated drinks - as all increase your
insulin resistance, which triggers the fat-
storage metabolism.

EXERCISE
Working out is an important part of having a healthier body, I would suggest doing what you love but please make sure you are not having a ten minute walk 3 times a day and calling that you workout for the day because as much as you are better than the person on the couch you sure aren't doing yourself any favors by being lazy either.

BEST WAY TO DRESS FOR YOUR SHAPE

• If you have a fuller chest area, and are comfortable showing it off, draw attention to it. This helps draw the attention off of your midsection and to other areas, however do avoid showing too much cleavage or risk looking less than flattering. Oh my goodness invest in a good bra that supports your bust.
• When choosing Coats and Jackets, go for belted ones as they give the illusion of a small waist and trim your tummy. You look best in single breasted structured jackets with v-shaped lapels that button below the bust line. Your jackets should be on the long side, never ending at waist level. Make ure they come down to your hips to create a long, lean  line right over your waist and tummy area. Oh and stay AWAY from shoulder pads and pleats because you guys are lucky enough to already have perfect shoulders.
• Wrap dresses are always a winner as they fit nicely over a fuller bust. A side tie on the dress will draw attention away from the stomach.
• Any large pattern will draw attention so try to avoid a large pattern on top, save these for the bottom. Darker solid coloured tops with small designs will make your top half look slimmer.
• Opt for A-line skirts beacause they flare out from the waist, they offer balance and proportion to your upper half.
• Your jeans should have a rise that is lower than your natural waist. DO NOT wear pants with pleated fronts, it only makes your middle look wider. Oh and yes most adorable apples have great legs, but ladies becareful with pants that are TOO tight because this can make your top seem extra large, but please do not hide in baggy trousers either. I support emphasizing your better attributes but remember the goal is keeping your overall look in balance. Oh and the golden rule if you want to give the illusion of a fuller booty, wear pants with back pockets.
• Lerato wrote an article about the stoffie (lol if you havent read it please do), body control underwear is your best friend, it will work wonders to define your middle area, pulling you in at the waist.
• As for accessories, drop earings will draw attention to your lovely jaw line and face, while chunky banglets accentuate your slim wrists.

The bottom line though is let go of the frustration with being a particular shape, embrace it and work with it not against it to get the best out of your body that you possibly can!

  

LAZINESS

I am embarrassed that the last time I wrote something was March 12 and even then I was sharing something I saw on facebook.

Lets get down to business, why have I been quiet? Well I have been kind of depressed lately about my weight gain and all my clothes not fitting. I thought to myself but, Ntsiki you preach that health and fitness is just as important for curvy girls as it is for slimmer ladies, how have you reached this point of having to wear leggings because there is no way I am buying size 46 jeans.

I decided to get up off that misery chair and do something about the weight gain if it bothered me to the point of not even being motivated to do my photography which is my first love. I even had an enjoyable photo shoot with one of our previous fashionistas Nelile (see pics below).. but I never even wrote about it.

 

 

Speaking of Nelile, she has managed to cut down on the bulge and says she couldnt be happier. She did it all through diet and exercise. She has also been an inspiration and has given me hope that I can lose the weight I gained (slowly but it can be done). These are the pics that were an inspiring surprise:

 

So my journey began on the 10th of April 2013 at 92kg, I unfortunately have not been taking photos of my progress but I will take some tomorrow morning. Today is day 16 and I have been doing ridiculous diets (thanks to desperation) and I do cardio 4 times a week and a lil bit of strength training once a week. Here is an example of what I have been up to the past 16 days (I know a lot of you reading will feel like judging and expalining how its not healthy, but url will be preaching to the choir) Right now all I want is for my clothes to fit again, which is slowly happening because I now fit into my size 44 jeans and have a little room for movement left.

 

I weighed myself last week Saturday and I weighed (that is 10 days after starting my diet) 87kg... My tummy is much much smaller and I have loads of energy. I do not know when I will weigh again because the scale and I are not the best of buddies but I will post as soon as I do.

 

Diet Basics

The first seven days are often recommended to be oatmeal only, however, following this plan, you’ll still make a significant calorie deficit, and will likely find it easier to stick to the diet if you can still have some ‘real’ food. Whole oats are the best choice on the diet. Instant oatmeal is fine in a pinch, but is processed and includes a variety of chemicals that you don’t find on the ingredient list in whole oats. The diet should last 30 days, so be sure to switch it up! Stave off boredom with different toppings, varied proteins, and eating the balanced meal at different times of day.

Two Oatmeal Meals Per Day

Twice a day, you’ll have oatmeal. Breakfast is the most appropriate, but you can decide, day to day if lunch or dinner will work better for you. You may find that you have more staying power if you make your lunch your balanced meal, but either meal is just fine. Choose one of these for each of the two meals, and it will taste new every time.

• Oatmeal with Berries: 1/2 cup of dry oatmeal will yield 1 serving. Put your oatmeal in a bowl and top with cinnamon. Add blueberries or sliced strawberries and enjoy!
• Oatmeal with Almonds: Top your 1/2 cup serving with a sprinkle of chopped almonds for a different texture and crunch. A few berries, sliced banana or a sprinkle of stevia (an herb-based sugar substitute that only has 5 calories!) will round out the flavor
• Peaches and Cream: Nectarines and peaches are at peak freshness at the end of spring, and are candy sweet. Chop one up and toss it in with your oatmeal, adding a splash of skim milk for creaminess.

Snacks

Cut up a bunch of different vegetables and leave them in the fridge. Try to have a rainbow of veggies for your snack, such as red and yellow bell pepper, carrots, celery, broccoli and cauliflower. This will please your eyes even before it pleases your stomach! Put a few of each on a plate, along with two tablespoons of light salad dressing, or, better yet, 3 tablespoons plain yogurt mixed with 1/4 tsp each of salt, dill, garlic powder and dry minced onion.
A piece of whole fruit can replace the veggies. Steer clear of the more sugar-laden fruits like melon and mango. A crunch apple or sweet orange is your best bet.

One Balanced Meal

Grill 4 oz of a lean protein choice, like chicken, fish, shrimp or tofu. For extra flavor, marinate it in a mixture of lemon juice and thinly sliced white onion. Fill half of your plate with a hearty green salad topped with tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper and a variety of greens. Serve with 1/2 cup of corn or peas, which can replace your usual starchy side dish.

I do admit to cheating especially on weekends and I did not follow the recommendations but I stuck to the basics of the diet. I will hopefully soon be sharing healthier ways to lose the weight, that I trust will be useful to anyone trying to shed kilos gained this winter because a salad on a cold day is tough to pull off... I am challenging myself to lose the weight I gained during the December holidays and continued to gain up until I decided to do something about it.