MEET OUR RESIDENT WEIGHT LOSS AND HEALTH ADVISOR

ROPAFADZO'S JOURNEY TO ACHIEVING THE PERFECT BOD!

BY ROPAFADZO A. BANHWA-PHYSIOTHERAPIST

My name is Ropafadzo A. Banhwa aged 24 years and currently weighing 87kg.  My journey started in August 2013 when my weight had peaked up to 130kgs or more.  I was having issues with people telling me to reduce my weight.  My answer was always “I am big boned”, “its genetics”, “all my family members are big”.  It just dawned to me one day when everything changed and I realized that there is more to life than food.  Well, I have always been big, but I think what worsened it was the fact that I was a stress eater and am still am.  The difference is that now I stress eat on healthy food.

Well it’s easy to lose weight.  All you need is determination.  I started at 130 kgs and all I could do was healthy eating, reduced starch portions, increased vegetable content and water intake.  In 2 weeks I had dropped to around 120kgs.  I started exercising continuing with a non-starch diet.  By December 2013, I had dropped to 97kgs.  I then started to exercise more but obviously in life you do get ups and downs. My weight plateaued at some point and started dropping again.  Now I am 87kgs.

Basically eat all vegetables, fruits, lean meat, white meat and plenty of water.  A point to note when you are on a weight loss journey, is to know your blood group.  I got to know mine and realized some food stuffs are not healthy for me.  I burn at least 1 500 calories a day and consume an average of 2 000 calories.  I love running and I can go for 25 km non-stop.  My goal is to be 70 – 75kgs by February next year and all I nee rd is determination.  I have lost from 50 years of age to 24 years of age or less!!  All you need to do is GO!! Don’t wait for TOMORROW because if you wait for tomorrow, tomorrow will never come.

 

Ropa now graces our facebook magazine page, giving expert advice on health and weight loss.

  in her own words......

" I am an Active and dynamic 24 aged young lady. Decisive and haste. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention especially when it comes to weight loss. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people's problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional, Stubborn and Hasty at times. Definitely have a Good memory. I really enjoy Moving, motivating oneself and others. I Love to travel and explore."

any questions to zimmums@mail.com 

MUMPRENEUR SPECIAL

extract from The Zim mums Magazine edition 10- CHRISTMAS 2014

Zim mums caught up with Astrid Burnett the managing Director of Sistazinc Ltd, supplier of designer children’s wear who also provide a personal shopping service. Located at Shop 8 Strathaven Shopping Centre in Avondale west Harare.
SistazInc.… tell us about the name and the meaning behind it
*The name Sistaz Inc. denotes (sisters as it is usually women that buy children’s clothing. Inc. is short for Incorporated Kidz.

Why children’s wear specifically and where did you get the inspiration from?
*The world changes when you become an aunt. You become legally insane! Of all the job titles I’ve held in my life including senior internal Auditor, “mom in the uk” as my sister’s kids call me is by far the most important and fun title I’ve ever had. I have always been involved in the fashion industry from an early age. I took an image consulting course at the London school of Fashion but decided to concentrate on kids wear as I just love dressing up the little one especially in their early years before they start exercising their own minds.

How do you keep afloat in the current economic situation?
*It has been very challenging to keep my business afloat especially considering that I run the business remotely from the UK. I have never believed in price wars in any business, instead I concentrate on the quality of my stock and every time I have staff meetings I make sure I train my staff on new business development techniques and keep a close eye on costs but also making sure that I don’t over-sacrifice.

You have been involved with Zim mums directly at a time of need for one of us; you chose to be charitable when others had only words for the young mum. Tell us what giving means to you?
*The bible teaches us that ‘THERE IS MORE HAPPINESS IN GIVING THAN IN RECEIVING” James 2;15-16 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and on elf you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled.” And yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Tell us 3 things that no one knows about you?(Astrid)
 I go out of my way to eat junk food but can’t put on weight to save my life.
 I hate flying though I travel a lot
 I won the Miss Kitwe (Zambia) beauty contest 1992

Any words of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs?
*keep away from people who try and belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that but the really great make you feel like you can be great