Making use of DUT health facilities to tackle her weight issues is Zamajobe Sithole, a third-year Chiropractic student and RadioDut personality who dropped a massive 20kg in about 6 months starting from May this year (2014).

Her passion for life and medicine both played a crucial role in her road to weight loss. She recently chatted with Talent Buthelezi from the University’s Communications Department about her grueling but rewarding journey to weight loss, fitness and health.

With her previous weight of 120kg threatening her health, Sithole – at the beginning of this year (2014) – made a conscious decision to embark on a lifestyle change which involved healthy eating and exercise. This was done with the assistance of a specialist doctor as well as the University’s Student Gym on the Steve Biko Campus.

“As a young woman, I have always had insecurities with my body and I’ve tried numerous ways to lose weight but I would always find myself back at square one where I was unable to sustain a healthy diet and exercise routine. I was careless about what I ate. Fast foods were a daily thing for me and I overlooked the implications of unhealthy eating and the associated medical disadvantages as I was more susceptible to hypertension and cholesterol. I was also insulin resistant. It was not simple at first but I grew into my new healthy routine. In return, it taught me to love my body as well as being cautious about what I consume.”

Speaking about her eating plan, Sithole, who now weighs 99kg, said she is not on anything specific, but eats small portions with an increased water intake to hydrate her body and flush toxics out of her body. For breakfast, she has cereal, three hours later snacks on an apple or pear, for lunch enjoys a chicken fillet with a green salad and for supper has grilled steak.

She stressed the importance of snacking in between meals as it improves one’s metabolic rate.

The RadioDut deejay spends approximately one-and-a-half to two hours at the University’s Student Gym per day.

The DUT Student Gym is open to registered students of the University and is set at the reasonable price of R250 per semester or R400 annually. The gym welcomes every student who is keen on losing weight and keeping fit.

When asked what advice she would give individuals keen to lose weight Sithole said, “It is imperative to shift one’s mindset and tell yourself that you are able to achieve your weight loss goal despite the odds. Everything that is to be accomplished in life begins in the mind.”

She added that failure is never an option for her and she aims to lose more kilograms in the coming year.

-Talent Buthelezi.

Pictured: The 20kg lighter RadioDut personality and third-year Chiropractic student Zamajobe Sithole.