By Sbongile Sokela
In commemoration of World Obesity Day, 04 March, 50-year-old Ntombi Mongwe, an Assistant Director in the Supply Chain unit at Ekurhuleni District Health Services, shares her inspiring weight loss journey.
The fear of developing additional chronic conditions, along with the difficulty of performing daily tasks like tying her shoes, motivated her to embark on a transformative weight-loss journey in December 2022. Her goal was to adopt a healthier lifestyle and shed excess weight.
At the beginning of her journey, Mongwe weighed 127 kg and had been battling hypertension for a decade. Despite being on medication, her blood pressure remained uncontrolled due to her weight.
“I was constantly fatigued, and I feared developing diabetes,” she recalled.
Determined to take control of her health, Mongwe made significant lifestyle changes. She eliminated sugar and starch from her diet and adopted intermittent fasting, often eating just one meal a day or skipping breakfast and only having lunch and dinner.
Her journey was not without challenges. “There were times when I felt like giving up. The cravings, especially for sugar, were tough to manage. But I disciplined myself to eat clean,” she shared.
To maintain balance, she allowed herself one cheat meal per week, in moderation.
One month into her fitness journey, Mongwe had lost 3 kg. By the third month, she had shed 12 kg. However, her transformation was not without setbacks. She faced a three-month period where the scale didn’t budge.
Despite this, she remained determined and persevered through every challenge. After 12 months of unwavering dedication, Mongwe lost 49 kg, dropping from 127 kg to 78 kg.
According to the Body Mass Index (BMI) chart, her goal weight is 75 kg, meaning she is just 3 kg away from transitioning into maintenance mode. Her clothing size has dropped from 44 to 36, and she now aims for a size 34.
Sharing her tips for successful weight loss and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Judean Shikwambana, Assistant Director of Dietetics in the Ekurhuleni Health District, emphasized: “The journey to weight loss requires commitment. Stick to three small meals and healthy snacks, practice portion control, and commit to a regular physical activity routine.”
Mongwe’s journey serves as a powerful testament to the value of persistence, discipline, and self-belief. Through sheer determination, she has transformed her life, proving that with the right mindset and dedication, anything is possible.
