From birth to adulthood some of us have carried excess weight, while some gained it during this pandemic. Either way we all have a little baggage to get rid of and students of The Leadership 2020: I Was Was Born Speak on Radio, Radio Training Program have made it their personal- and we do mean PERSONAL- mission to get fit, shed the fat and jump start their journey to health. Led by fitness trainer Emmanuel Nkuna, who also forms part of the Homegrown Team, the Homegrown Fit contestants – Mandisi Mabaso and Keanu Buys – are being pushed to their limits as they embark on a journey of health and wellness. 

Having been on the journey for almost a month now; Keanu who is on a mission to get lean and  build muscle says it has been both emotionally and mentally challenging, “The mood swings have been tough, depression is on a high, but the energy to get up and go for the goal I want gives me life, this is why I joined the #HOMEGROWNFit challenge”.  Keanu, like most, feels that his health is at stake and besides aiming for a great physique- he joined the challenge because he is uncomfortable with his body.

Joining Keanu is Mandisi Mabaso, having been diagnosed with high blood pressure and on treatment, Mandisi felt it was time to make the  change. But sticking to the eating plan, she says,  has proven to be a little hard, “It’s been very difficult for me as a Zulu girl who loves her samp, flour and more especially Ujeqe but atleast I get to eat meat, eggs and avocados which are my faviourite”

Fitness trainer Emmanuel Nkuna has put the contestants on a Ketogenic Eating Plan; this is a very low carb, high fat diet that involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. Nutrition being number one, Emmanuel chose this particular eating plan because it involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. When this happens, your body becomes incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy. It also turns fat into ketones in the liver, which can supply energy for the brain. It can cause significant reductions in blood sugar and insulin levels. This, along with the increased ketones, has some other added health benefits- to find out more tune in to The Homegrown Channel on Youtube.

#HomegrownFit is a platform aimed at motivating and inspirng the youth to get up and get active. It is here to prove that with our without a gym membership, workout equipment and an extensive budget to fund your meals, you can still be healthy. All you need is the discipline to commit and a supportive team rooting for you, just like the one we have here at the Homegrown Farm.

It is tough, it is challenging and it pushes you to insanity but it’s worth it as Keanu says, “I don’t regret it but I am happy that I am being pushed to achieve my weight loss goal with a group of colleagues that are in full support and participation of the journey. My energy is better than before, I have changed my eating habits, I feel lighter, detoxed and man oh man the skin is reacting- blemishes are going away, the oiliness is less.”

Health is Life! That means not only do you get to live better and longer, you have to make the lifestyle change, it’s a marathon not a sprint. In Mandisi’s words “research, learn and unlearn, take it in slow motion’’.  Let’s get moving! Let’s get fit with #HomegrownFit! Tune in to our channel Homegrown Farm on YouTube- Mondays 9am CAT, follow @mmandisi_ mabaso and @keanu_buys on instagram to be a part of their journey and join the #HGFit Movement.