CELEBRATING ATHLETIC MOTHERS

MBABANE – In celebration of Mother’s Day, today we are honouring these family anchors who have dedicated themselves to living a healthy lifestyle through fitness and exercise.

Mother’s Day is a celebration honouring the mother of a family as well as motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in the society. This special day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of May. While families are busy making plans to pamper these national pillars and family strongholds tomorrow, the transformation corner could not miss out.

achievements

Today we take a look at the physical and fitness changes and achievements that some of the women in the fitness world have attained in their various sporting codes. Some of them have lost weight and built stronger muscles through exercise and following a strict and active healthy lifestyle. 

(Zama Potgieter)

What does being a mother mean to you?
“As mothers, we are the glue that binds our families. We are role models to our children and influence their upbringing and future. As a fitness coach, I want my children to grow up understanding the importance of fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. As hard as it may be, I try not to give in to their demands of junk food and I do not force this lifestyle on them but try to show them the fun and benefits of living healthy”.
What are your plans for Mother’s Day?
“I do not know what my family has planned for me this time but every year it’s something special. My husband is a master chef and I anticipate a scrumptious buffet. We like to create memories at home as a family”.
What is your training routine?
“I do intense weight training six times a week and have cut down on cardio exercises. I eat six balanced and proportionate meals a day and I have dropped two dress sizes compared to last year. My muscles are much bigger too”.

(Khetsiwe Mtsetfwa)

What does being a mother mean to you?
“Being a mother is a journey that needs one to be strong physically, mentally and spiritually. The love of a mother is incomparable. I lead a fit lifestyle and my children and husband appreciate my dedication and I encourage them to stay active as well”.
What are your plans for Mother’s day?
“It’s a special day. I will be resting and I hope to be pampered with breakfast in bed from my daughters”.
What is your training routine?
On Saturdays, I do 60km road training and 10km from Monday to Friday before getting ready for work. I have gone from size 34 to 32 in one year. I have lost 4kg of body weight, having dropped from 69kg to 65kg. My training has helped me conquer my first Two Oceans Marathon, and am so proud to have completed 56km in 6:45 hours and got a gold medal. It was good preparation for the upcoming Comrades Marathon.”

(Thandiwe Fakudze)

What does being a mother mean to you?
“Being a mother means holding my family together, taking care of my husband, children and grandchildren. To do all this, one needs a healthy body, energy and an active mind.
What are your plans for Mother’s Day?
“Personally, I have no plans but I know how much my family values me for my significance at home. Every year we celebrate this day and I hope that my husband will take me out on a special dinner after church. I am truly thankful to God for blessing me with a loving family”.
What is your training routine?
“Every morning, I go for a 6km mountain jog from Ezulwini-Ebuka to Mdzimba Mountain with my training partners who are also in my age group. I am 63 and my training has improved my physical and health wellbeing. At some point, my doctor told me that I have arthritis, a bone disease, but my continuous training has made me stronger and more active. When I started training in 2013, I was 110kg. Around this time last year, I was 80kg and now I have dropped to 73kg. It is such an achievement for me”.

(Happiness Mthethwa)

What does being a mother mean to you?
“I am a unique mother who encourages and empowers my family with healthy lifestyle precautions. I am a positive role model, like my son would always say, and I continuously improve my healthy lifestyle. We exercise and cook together as well”.
What are your plans for Mother’s Day?
“Tomorrow, I will go for a 5km run early in the morning and then cook a special healthy meal for my family”.
What is your training routine?
“On a weekly basis, I do 10km road training three times, cycle once and pump weights twice. Every session takes at least two hours. Normally, I ride 30km on Sundays with my family and in support of my son, who is a cyclist. Last Mother’s Day, I weighed 73kg and I am currently at 69kg. Eating clean is my habit. Last month, I went for the Two Oceans race in South Africa. Next on my list is Comrades Marathon”.

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