Tired of feeling weak and all the namecalling, Soo Lee Theng and Bernice Lim decided to revamp their lives. Today, both are walking proof that weight loss can be fun and sustainable. As told to ESTELLE LOW.
Tired of feeling weak and all the namecalling, Soo Lee Theng and Bernice Lim decided to revamp their lives. Today, both are walking proof that weight loss can be fun and sustainable. As told to ESTELLE LOW.
LEE THENG’S CHALLENGE
Since young, I was a large kid who loved to eat and disliked exercising. In my teens, I weighed about 80kg. Being fat didn’t feel good. My inner thighs constantly rubbed against each other, causing chafing, and sweating a lot made me feel awkward and uncomfortable most times. Plus, I was frequently mocked by friends and strangers. Once, while I was cycling, a man shouted: “Get off your bike or you might knock someone down. You shouldn’t be cycling because you’re so fat!”
THE PLAN
● Despite being overweight, I was quite fit during my secondary school days, and was captain of the netball team. During a university term break, I started running 10km thrice a week to regain my fitness. Weight loss wasn’t a priority then. At first, it was difficult to keep up with the running regime. I experienced headaches after each run. However, I persisted and it got easier and easier.
Soon, people started noticing that I’d lost weight. Encouraged, I signed up for a marathon to push myself further. I didn’t complete all 42km as my ankles became swollen and painful midway. But I was glad I could actually run 21km! To help me lose weight, I reduced my carb intake from two bowls to half a bowl of rice and ate more vegetables and lean meat.
I cut out my favourite chocolates and soft drinks, so when I felt like snacking, I’d reach for yogurt and nuts. After two years, I was 15kg lighter. My knees and ankles started to hurt, so I stopped running, and attended a hot yoga class, which I ended up loving. After a year of hot yoga and watching my diet, I lost another 9kg.
LIFE NOW
● I’ve signed up for a gym membership offering unlimited hot yoga sessions, and I aim to do it at least thrice a week. I’ve never imagined looking this great! My next goal is to sculpt my abs and shoulders. Friends and colleagues are amazed by my physical transformation.
The biggest lesson from all this? Weight loss is all about determination and patience. Don’t expect instant results. I took three years to get to where I am now. And, if I can do it, so can anyone else!
LESSON LEARNT
Weight loss takes time “Be patient and love yourself.”
WEEKLY WORKOUT SCHEDULE Hot yoga thrice weekly.
BERNICE’S CHALLENGE
While in school, I played volleyball frequently and thought I could eat whatever I wanted. Every day, I would treat myself to fast as well as junk food such as potato chips and instant noodles. I even upsized meals, thinking it would give me more value for my money.
My weight increased significantly when I was 14, and people would call me names like “fat bunny”. At 18, I decided I’d had enough of being mocked and criticised. I wanted to show my relatives and peers that I could be slim, fit and strong.
THE PLAN
● I started lifting weights as I thought that if I gained muscle mass, I would be more respected by others. But that didn’t last long. My parents were concerned that I would bulk up, and persuaded me to stop going to the gym. To continue exercising, I turned to running twice daily. I also starved myself and avoided eating out.
I had frequent mood swings and was unhappy. Then my cousin introduced me to a personal trainer who’d recently had a baby and looked amazing. I was so inspired. Under her guidance, my workouts consisted of weight training, ab strengthening, and cardio. I also learnt how to engage the right muscles and adopt a good posture during training. She gave tips to improve my diet, too. For instance, I learnt to avoid adding processed meat and creambased sauces to salads as they are fatty and hardly nutritious.
Every day, I would have two hard-boiled eggs for breakfast and then brown rice with steamed or boiled chicken breast and asparagus for lunch. Dinner would be similar, but without the rice. If I had to snack, I would eat a handful of blueberries or an apple. With my regular workouts and revamped diet, I steadily lost a kilo every week.
LIFE NOW
● To stay motivated, I joined a physique competition earlier this year. Halfway through, I felt demoralised as the other participants were way thinner. I also started to binge-eat to “reward” myself for losing weight. Thankfully, my friends, family and personal trainer were supportive. They reminded me of how far I’d come, and that I would be wasting my efforts if I continued binge-eating.
To curb that, I tried to have regular meals, and drink more water to stave off hunger. I’m also glad to have been introduced to Rock The Naked Truth, a movement that celebrates body confidence through fitness. It connected me to people who shared my goal to be fit, positive and healthy. I’ve also stopped comparing myself to others since accepting that no one has a perfect body. To reach my ideal weight of 55kg, I modify my workout every fortnight and watch my diet closely.
LESSON LEARNT
You are your own goal “Praise yourself each time you make progress – no matter how small.”
WEEKLY WORKOUT SCHEDULE Weight training six times a week, plus stair-climbing, sprinting or long-distance running daily.
