Times Of Swaziland: ‘NO MORE ‘FRIGHTENING’  BLOOD PRESSURE’

‘NO MORE ‘FRIGHTENING’  BLOOD PRESSURE’
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BY PHOLSILE HLOPHE on 30/03/2019 15:40:00


MBABANE – He was so overweight to a point where life became physically
challenging.
Weight loss comes with countless benefits. Losing weight increases ones mobility
but most importantly has major health benefits.
It has been scientifically proven that overweight people are more prone to
health risks such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and knee
problems, among others. Losing excess weight can also improve the quality of
sleep and breathing.
This week’s motivation is that of Musa Shongwe, a family man who at a certain
point weighed a massive 157kg but after warnings from his doctor about the
fatality of his weight, he took a stand to change.
scared
“My blood pressure scared nurses and my doctor told me point blank that if I
did not lose the extra weight, one day my heart would simply stop beating and I
would die. ‘He said my arteries were squeezed by the thick layer of fat and
were struggling to supply the heart with blood. I was emotionally crushed but I
knew that I had to do something,” he said.
He was determined to shed the extra weight and joined Zithande Athletics Club
where he received professional mentorship about the steps he could take to
improve his quality of life.
warmly
“I joined a local athletics club called Zithande, where I was warmly welcomed
by the fitness coach Nsizwa Thwala and his team. Jumping from doing almost
nothing to training for five to six times a week was hectic. I’m thankful for
the wonderful support I receive from all the club members who motivate me every
day to keep going,” said Mbuso. In a space of six months, his mid-section has
remarkably deflated and he has become more physically active.
privileged
In a jest, Shongwe, who is still in his transformation journey, said he was glad
that he could  finally bend over with ease to clip his tour nails, a privileged
which his gigantic weight had deprived him of for almost half of his adulthood.
“My weight has changed unquestionably and I can see and feel the difference. I
am avoiding scales and I can tell by my old clothes which fit perfectly now
without having to squeeze myself in,” he said.
Losing weight demands absolute dedication and self-discipline, both
nutritionally and physically.  Shongwe says he has adopted a healthy-eating
lifestyle as compared to his previous eating habits. However, he was honest
enough to state that he was still struggling with stubborn habits such as braai
meat and porridge, one of the major factors attributed to his weight gain in the
past.
He concluded that he was determined to lose more weight and his target was 75kg.