Beauty is skin deep, but this doesn’t stop the Fashion and Beauty Industry from making millions. Modern Society is bombarded on Social Media with a certain perception of Beauty. If you happen to miss all that, you might notice the giant billboards on your way to work.
Most women struggle with the ever present issue of weight and the subsequent relationship with food. Three women share their journey, one a part time health and fitness blogger, the other two finalists in Women’s Health Magazine SA the Next Fitness Star Competition 2017. Real beauty is having good health, not necessary (only by) healthy living. Most important of all, it is essential to have a healthy self-image.
One of the Finalists is Maleburu Mali Ramara. Mali is a Sociologist, Personal Trainer and a Group Fitness, Aqua and Yoga Instructor. She has brain Lupus (in remission) and Alopecia. Her self-discovery ranged from self-hate to learning to love herself.
Childhood memories include Jane Fonda and countless hours of exercising. She used exercise to control “things outside of myself, that were beyond my control.” When Lupus attacked for the third time, she was down and out, ate everything that she could and shouldn’t. She gained 15kg and depression struck. Her first client calling was her lifeline. After giving countless reasons as to why she cannot exercise and eat healthy, she knew it was time to help herself before she could help others. A year later Lupus is in remission and no depression. Today she listens to her body and meditates.
Tracey-Lee Lusty, a full-time attorney, and part-time health and fitness blogger from Cape Town, also decided it was time to make a change and regain her health. Her journey began in August last year after reaching 115kgs, the heaviest she has ever been. She started an Instagram account to document her transformation journey and to remain accountable to herself. She quickly gained a following, thus the brand FITNESSGIRL was borne. She realized that people were desperate for a genuine account of a weight loss struggle. She uses her platform to inspire and empower others to make a positive change in their lives. Nine months later and she is almost 35kgs down – incredible. As she says, “I have been so blessed meeting amazing people along the way. It’s an honor to walk this journey and inspire women around the world to start their own journeys too.”
Biokineticist and Personal Trainer Jade Upton is also a Top 10 Finalist. At first she was uncertain of what to study, when her favourite subjects Biology, Chemistry and PE led the way. She studied Biokinetics at Eastern University in Philadelphia. Upon returning to South Africa, she completed her Honors Degree at the UKZN, Westville. She realized her passion for helping women with weight-loss and challenging them to become fitter, happier and healthier versions of themselves. Thus her company Unjaded Fitness was borne. It portrays her passion for helping women to love themselves through empowerment, upliftment, a change in mindset, self-belief and to combine this with exercising and healthy living.
From Cape Town, South Africa
The Beauty Challenge
by Bernadette Erasmus
Jade Upton Tracey-Lee Lusty Mali