To save his life, Etienne du Bruyn, shed the equivalent weight of one of our staff members. He’s now in better shape than his ever been. Here’s how he did it…
Location: Krugersdorp
Height: 1.8m
Weight before: 165kg
Weight after: 98kg
Time to goal: 17 months
Related: Waking Up With Diabetes Changed This Man’s Life
THE GAIN
In matric I weighed well over 100kg and the weight kept piling on. Chest pains and headaches forced me to a doctor’s visit in 2012 that revealed near-fatal high blood pressure. My heart was taking too much strain carrying my weight and I was also a 20-a-day smoker. I was put on heart tablets – which I was told I would take for the rest of my life. My heart was a ticking time-bomb.
The Change
I knew I had to get my life back. But first I had to figure out what I should and shouldn’t be eating. Fast food, bad carbs and sugar had to go. Once my eating was on track, I had to quit smoking. It took lots of determination, mental fitness and sober thinking to kick the habit, but I stuck to my decision.
Related: This Man’s Transformation Story Proves Weight Loss Is All About Discipline
The Strategy
The first 32kg took a lot of discipline at home. I stuck to my eating plan and daily walks. Losing weight became harder and I still had a long way to go to reach my 50kg fat loss goal. I joined Sportcon in January 2013 and started with a metabolic resistance programme that consists of strength and conditioning, balance, mobility and bodyweight training, four to five days a week.
The Reward
I’m proud of myself. I’m off my heart tablets, my blood pressure is normal and so am I. The best reward is my overall health and the chance to help other people reach their weight loss goals. A bonus for me is more confidence with the ladies and the respect I’ve earned from friends and family who stuck with me.
Related: How This Man Lost 42kgs In Just Seven Months
The Result
I’ve lost 67kg and went from 4XL and 3XL pants to size 36. I still have a long journey ahead to reach my next goal of building the body I want, but I’m joining the Sportcon staff and I hope to inspire a lot more people with my transformation to take on a healthier lifestyle.
