showcase May 2016 54 www.womanthismonth.com Celeste White battled the bulge for most of her adult life, especially after the birth of her son. She tried every pill, gimmick and quick fix to lose weight, but as soon as she lost a few kilos, she would eventually pack on many more. Fearing she was on the fast track to obesity, Celeste joined a health conscious internet group called SleekGeek SA that endorses the motto ‘eat clean and train dirty’. One of the challenges SleekGeek posed its participants led Celeste to join Fitness First. “Most apartment gyms provide very limited equipment and no guidance. I needed a comprehensive gym that would push me to get fit,” she says. Fitness First provided her with everything from modern equipment to knowledgeable professionals and an exciting array of exercise classes. In February 2016, she weighed 82.4kg and her body-fat measurement was 34.2 per cent. Fitness First personal trainer Ahmed Mujtaba Mirza drew up a tailor-made diet plan and a personalised training programme for her. Celeste started training for two sessions a day. The morning session was a cardio workout; two rounds each of 20 minutes on the With sheer dedication and the right gym to guide her, Celeste White has emerged victorious in her quest for a healthy body. WTM narrates her successful weight loss story. FITNESS FIRST FROM FRUMPY TO FIT treadmill. “Initially, I managed only two-minute runs with a minute’s brisk walk between. This was followed by a 20-minute low-intensity cycling session. Now I can run for 20 minutes straight and cycle at a fast pace,” she says proudly. In the evening she and Ahmed did High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) combined with strength training. From becoming breathless with just short bursts of exercise, she has come a long way. Celeste believed she would never be able to do proper squats or lunges due to an old injury. But she soon realised the problem lay with her weight, more than anything else. With practice and consistency, she now does squats and lunges with ease. She also occasionally enjoys the group classes, especially T.U.F.F and Bodypump. Celeste’s diet plan changes according to the changes in her body. She recalls that her first 10-day programme was tough and made her nauseous. With every milestone achieved, Ahmed tweaks her diet, setting a new goal for her. She has been advised to take a protein shake to help repair muscles and increase her protein intake, as well as supplement with vitamin D and calcium to maintain optimal bone health. “The MyFitnessPal app helps me keep tabs on my calorie intake, and achieve my fitness goals,” she adds. She recommends MYZONE to track burnt calories, monitor heart rate and level of performance. “This wonder equipment is available only at Fitness First and is an amazing training companion,” she says. Celeste has learnt that there is no quick fix to being overweight. “It is a lifestyle adjustment, with a balance of food and exercise. As of April 2016, my weight has decreased to 75.6kg and my bodyfat percentage is 23.6 per cent. A big thank you to Fitness First and my personal trainer Ahmed for pushing me to be the best I can be,” she says. Call: 17 467-044.
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