RUN IT OFF CLUB: Tshidi Laka

A diet and exercise overhaul helped Tshidi Laka lose weight – and inspire others.


Lisa Nevitt |

A diet and exercise overhaul helped Tshidi Laka lose weight – and inspire others. – By Lisa Nevitt

RIOC

Age: 37
Home Town: Pretoria
Height: 1.6m
Occupation: Domestic worker
Time Required: 11 months
Then: 128kg
Now: 88kg

THE WAKE-UP

At 128kg, I didn’t like the way I looked. Out of sheer desperation, I started running around my local soccer field alone. Six weeks later, I’d lost seven kilograms, but I still felt like something was missing.

At the time I was working as a helper for a gynaecologist, and she asked me what I wanted for my birthday. When I told her I wanted a set of bathroom scales, to help me lose weight, she recommended I book an appointment with a dietician; which I’d never considered, because I’d always thought dieticians, and the ‘health food’ I imagined they’d recommend, were something I couldn’t afford.

THE SHAKE-UP

My boss kindly organised a free consultation with a dietician, who was a friend of hers. The dietician helped me to transform my eating habits, by becoming mindful of what I was eating and when I was eating it. My new diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, fibre and three litres of water a day. I always ask myself, Why am I eating this? Is it because my body actually needs it, or is it because I’m bored, or simply because it’s there?

Each day, after work, I run for 30 to 40 minutes. I refer to this time as my ‘appointment with my body’.

THE REWARD

My first race was in March this year, and so far I’ve achieved six 10-kilometre-race medals. Words can’t describe how wonderful I feel right now: I can definitely say I’m motivated to reach my goal weight of 70kg, and I can walk distances with ease that I couldn’t before. My story has inspired all those who know how much I weighed before I started my journey – so much so that they have joked I should quit my job in favour of motivating others to lose weight!

Inspired to start running and losing weight? Start here.

Have you run off significant weight and changed your life? Email your story to lisa.nevitt@media24.com.

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