I would like to give you a little bit of background about myself, my medical history and my journey since arriving in Cape Town four and a half years ago. This will help you to understand the extent of my transformation - not only on a physical level, but also on a mental and spiritual level.

I was diagnosed with major depression at age 16 and I started taking chronic medication for this condition. Between the ages of 17 and 27 I was hospitalized numerous times for this and often spent up to 6 weeks at a time in psychiatric units of specialized hospitals to have Electro Convulsive Treatment (ECT) and other related therapy.

In 2003 I was also diagnosed with possible Systemic Lupus Erythmatosys, which is a rare auto-immune disease that required use of chronic medication, including oral chemotherapy. I developed Pre Stage 1 Cervical cancer and was hospitalized on average once every 9 weeks to receive treatment. The gynecologist, who treated me, was considering doing a hysterectomy at a young age of 27.

This is when I decided to make a Lifestyle Change. I started exercising and adopted a healthier eating plan.  With the help of a Personal Trainer, I entered the “Dischem / EAS Body for Life Competition in 2004 with a dual goal in mind – ending in the Top 3 Finalists for my age group and improving my overall health.

When I started I weighed 68 kg and had a body fat percentage of 27%. I had 3 months in which to achieve my inner and outer transformation. At the end of the 3 months I had lost 16 kg’s and my body fat was down to 10%.

BEFORE PICTURES: MARCH 2009

I achieved both my goals as well. Not only did I end up as a finalist in my age group for the 2004 Dischem / EAS Body for Life Competition, I won my Age Group ‘s competition and was chosen out of 12 finalists as the overall competition winner. Dischem and EAS sponsored a week in Mauritius for me and a partner as well as supplements and a gym membership for a year.

The reward for me was much bigger than winning the competition! The Rheumatologist was so pleased with the results of the Systemic Lupus Erythmatosys blood tests 6 months later that she took me off the Chronic Medication. I was off all the anti depressants and sleeping medication and my gynecologist was satisfied that the Pre Stage 1 Cancer had not returned in more than 6 months.

In 2006 I moved to Cape Town to join the Liberty Life Marketing Division as a Broker Consultant.
 The move away from my support structure of family and friends and my familiar environment was traumatic for me and I started having problems with depression again. I lacked motivation and did not keep up my healthy lifestyle and training. I gained 25kg’s in 3 years , developed an eating disorder and before I knew it I was back on a lot of medication including antidepressants, tranquillizers, mood stabilizers and sleeping tablets.

I was hospitalized in twice after my arrival in Cape Town and had to receive Electro Convulsive Treatment in 2008 for severe depression and attempted suicide.

I was booked off work for long periods of time which resulted in my company, at the time, considering declaring me temporarily disabled. I nearly lost my job.

My Regional Manager was kind enough to give me one last chance to prove myself at work. I decided to turn to a proven remedy to pick myself up out of the depression – I needed to change my lifestyle back to a healthy one to become physically and mentally strong. I needed to lose all the extra weight I gained, learn proper eating habits again and get rid of all the medication that I was taking.

I joined the gym and went to see a nutritionist. I started training with a Personal Trainer in March 2009

My goal was to get rid of the depression, get back into shape in order to fulfill a lifelong dream – to compete in the biggest Fitness Pageant in the Southern Hemisphere – Mr and Miss Fitness SA.

My nutritionist is Bernadette Beyer (ex Gladiator Diamond )Bernadette is a very well known and well respected figure in the Fitness Industry with 15 + year experience, as a competitor, as well as a mentor for athletes entering into the sport.  She is also the organizer of the Mr. and Ms Fitness SA Pageant

My Personal Trainer is Warren Ahrens, two times Mr. Physique South Africa. He is one of the best qualified Personal Trainers in Cape Town, working closely with and having trained under Shameen Adams, with a wealth of knowledge and experience since he is a competitive athlete himself and has assisted many athletes who wanted to compete in Body Building Contests.

When I started my transformation with Warren and Bernadette, I weighed 80 kg’s and my body fat was 37%. I was extremely unfit and unhealthy with a very low self esteem. 

The most important part of my transformation took place, when I found the Lord Jesus and dedicated my life to Him. I did not know it at the time, but my true transformation and healing had just begun!

In December 2009, 9 months after I started my journey, my body fat had already dropped by 17% and I had lost 15 kg’s. My psychiatrist was so pleased with my progress that she reduced my medication to 1 anti depressant, and 1 sleeping tablet only. I also stopped smoking after 10 years.

I was on track towards reaching my goal and making my dream come true by competing in the Mr. and Miss Fitness SA Pageant in September 2010.

AFTER PICTURES: SEPTEMBER 2010

Unfortunately, 2010 brought along some of challenges of its own that made it difficult for me to realize my dream.

I became the unfortunate victim of a very traumatic event that impacted on my life and health. I was raped on 8 January 2010. I was on antiretroviral drugs for 8 weeks, which made me very ill. I am grateful that the HIV test results were negative and remain negative.

I went for several counseling sessions with a psychologist to work through the initial trauma, and I still receive counseling when it is necessary.

I consulted with my psychiatrist shortly after the incident and she was very concerned about the impact that this trauma may have on my long standing history of depression.

However, I decided that this traumatic event would not lead me back down the road of depression and anxiety. I needed to remain focused on the positive things in my personal life, at work and on the progress I had made in the last 2 years.

I decided to keep working towards realizing my lifelong dream, to compete in the largest Fitness Pageant the Southern Hemisphere, Mr. and Ms. Fitness SA.

Only with the Grace and Mercy of My Heavenly Father I was able to see my journey through and I reached my goal in August 2010.

My last assessment with Bernadette left me feeling proud. I weighed 56 kg’s and my body fat was down to 10%. I lost a total of 24 kg’s and 27% body fat.

On 27 August 2010 I stepped on stage for the first time at WBBF/WFF Western Province Championships and placed 3rd in the Model Fitness Round (Miss Bikini).

I did not place in the Top 10 at Ms Fitness SA, but my lifelong dream had come true, I was competing on stage at the biggest fitness pageant in the Southern Hemisphere and already a winner in terms of my personal goals and dreams. My inner and outer transformation had been completed.

I am physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually a healthy, balanced person with a new found passion for life! The highlight for me came when I was awarded the title of Ms Bikini 30+ at WPF Western Province Championships on Sunday 26 September 2010.

I hope my story will inspire people to change their lifestyles to experience the benefits of leading a healthy and active life!

Yours in fitness!

Phil  4:13 "I Can do anything through Christ who strengthens mE."

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