Discovery benefits helped me drop 60kg!

“I had always been fairly healthy but then when I got divorced five years ago I hit an all-time low,” says Charles Zeelie (35). “Everything fell apart and I developed a very negative attitude; I always looked for the worst in people and organizations. This unhappiness led me to become very unhealthy. As a result of my poor lifestyle choices (I often ate take-aways especially pizza and did not exercise) I picked up a lot of weight. I was shocked when I eventually saw the scale showing 140kg. I knew I had to do something,” says Charles.

“My cousin encouraged me to enter the 94.7 Cycle Challenge with him. My aim was just to finish the race. It was tough, but I did it in 6hours 35minutes. After the race I felt really good -  that was the catalyst for turning my life around. Two months before the 94.7 I joined the weekly CRC church social touch rugby game as part of my preparation for the race. Special thanks to Keegan Fredericks, Blue Bulls super rugby player and Super Rugby trophy winner, who encouraged me to join the games. He and other church members were very supportive and made me feel part of the team.  In addition to becoming fit, I was amongst a crowd of Godly men that brought me even closer to our Saviour Jesus Christ.

“Discovery’s array of benefits and discounts made it that much easier to make these lifestyle changes. I started making healthier food choices on the Pick n Pay Healthy Food benefit, buying more fruit and veg and fewer refined carbs, and getting cash back. Cash backs and other discounts for active wear and pharmacy items also motivated me.

“Being able to run 5km was a big moment, I had not been able to do that before. I started spinning at Virgin Active. As the weight came off and I got fitter I started riding my bicycle on the road. I joined the Edenglen Cycling Club and entered cycle events. The support that I received from the members of Edenglen also made it easier for me. Some of my major achievements include completing two MTN Panorama Tours, the Tour of Good Hope, the 24 Hour solo mountain bike race. A very proud moment for me was when I came 17^th  in the General Classification at the 2016  175km Kremetart Stage Road Race. I have also attempted to ascend the same altitude as if conquering Everest on a bicycle.

“As I trained harder, ate better and began to lose weight it became very motivating to carry on. People were very supportive and my life changed and improved in every way. As I got more active, I also became more positive about myself, and everyone around me.

“Discovery encourages its members to be healthy and train regularly. I took up the challenge and went from 140kg to weighing less than 80kg. Without the free Virgin Active gym membership benefit I’m almost certain that I would not have taken that first step!” he says.

Charles is now a lean, super fit competitive road and mountain bike racer and aims to finish his next 94.7 Cycle Challenge in under 2hours 30minutes. He’ll then continue to complete a second loop of the race on the day to raise funds for SANparks Honorary Rangers. See the link provided for more information and to support this worthy cause https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/charless-947-cycle-challenge-for-sanpark

“I must also mention and thanks the company I work for, Abeco Tanks. Often I travel across South Africa and this allows me to explore and experience new roads to cycle or run on. The changes in scenery also help me to stay positive and excited. I can recall one of the amazing ride that I have had where I started my cycle at 4am and headed out to the Timbivati gate. With the bright bike lights I have on my handlebars, I saw a lot of eyes, mainly from game on the plains. And then about 100m in front of me a Leopard crossed the road. I slammed on the brakes, stopped where it crossed, and with the bright lights began to search for the Leopard, only to see him disappear quickly into the bush. ”
“A lot of people like to complain about the small things in life. I say rather take action – do something to get yourself and your family healthier and more active. There are people in this country who come from nothing and achieve incredible things, without a single word of complaint. Silence the critics by your positive actions and achievements.
“Thanks to Discovery for being part of my transformation process by encouraging me to be healthy. Discovery challenges its members to do more. The point of the Healthy Active Rewards benefit is to achieve and maintain a fairly high level of activity for maximum benefit; you’re not going to get that sitting on the couch or by being stagnant at a particular fitness level.. I will never go back to that lifestyle!”

I often read that the rewards program is not designed for fit or super fit people, which I do agree with. However, perhaps we would never have become fit or super fit if we were not challenged in one way or another? That’s why we are at the level, we see every challenge as a bump in the road that we will overcome.

Ends

Contact for photographs:
0723803385

cazeelie@gmail.com

charles@abecotanks.co.za