…I know this is the third week in a row I’m writing in English, but, as you all know, we are right in the middle of our New Year Challenge, and the momentum is building. Experience has taught me that our English readers have a way of ignoring the Blog when the heading is in Afrikaans…
I believe it’s important to do everything I can, from my side, to keep our participants informed, engaged, and motivated, and I’m convinced the weekly Blog helps a little. Fuelling everyone with fresh, honest, and relevant information is just as part of my job description as stepping on stage…
Today’s Blog reminds me a little of that famous Afrikaans reality tv-show of the eighties, “Dis my geheim”. Do you remember it? The presenter was Cobus Robinson, and the show involved a panel guessing the secret identity of a person…
Over the past few years, and especially recently, people have randomly asked me: “Mirna, how do you do what you do? What is your secret?” And then I find them looking at me curiously, almost leaning in, expecting something like a magic formula, a superfood, or some hidden elixir that keeps me lean, energized, and fit…
I’m not one of those people who tend to share all kinds of theories on how to live longer and be healthier…Like the Sardinians, who say it’s all about drinking red wine. Or the Okinawans, who believe in eating until you’re only 80 percent full. Or the 100-year-old man who recently claimed that his secret is eating bacon and drinking a shot of whiskey every day.
My secret is no secret at all – it’s Grace. Yes, God’s Blessing has carried me through 30 incredible years of teaching aerobics…Through every beat, every class, every challenge, and every setback. It’s Grace that has kept my body moving, my spirit strong, and my heart full. And for that, I am endlessly grateful. It’s Grace that lifts me when I stumble, and it’s Grace that reminds me to keep showing up, even when it’s hard. It’s Grace to grow, to learn, to forgive myself, and to embrace this journey I’m so passionate about. One step, one breath, one workout at a time. This is what keeps me moving, keeps me strong, and keeps me inspired.
Boring answer? Maybe, but it’s true. I’m unfortunately no super being with superpowers, or super secrets. But, and this, is an enormous BUT…I DO have a few things I firmly believe in. You could call them “my non-negotiables,” “my essentials,” “my go-to tools,” or “my trusted staples.”
I firmly believe in my seven Moringa tablets every morning, and a teaspoon of creatine in water, by midday. These two might seem to you like an odd pair, but together they offer a powerhouse of benefits for body and mind! Moringa, often called the “miracle tree”, is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that boosts energy, and promote overall wellness.
Creatine is a well-researched supplement that enhances muscle strength, improves endurance, and even supports brain function! It fuels performance and strength, believe you me! I swear by it! Members may also have seen me pop a red capsule from a small blue bottle 30-minutes before class – that is my fire starter. It’s called “Burn 60” from GNC, and although the label reads “fat burner”, it’s a real energy booster! Then, of course, there’s my regular visits to Kai for a Thai massage, which I believe, help me to stay flexible and revitalized!
Why haven’t I written about all of this before? Because what works for me, might not work for you. It’s a simple as that! I know a few people who follow a specialized diet very strictly, and I admire their dedication. They follow their chosen way of eating with the precision of a scientist. They’ll tell you how their diet has changed their life, improved their energy, and cured every ailment, from fatigue to foggy thinking.
I don’t follow the keto, paleo, or blood-type diets, nor do I practice veganism or intermittent fasting. Eswee and Nicole firmly believe in the all-meat carnivore lifestyle, and it works for them, wonderfully! I have seen a few people follow the 28-day diet with amazing weight-loss results, and others have simply cut out sugar, but the best success stories have always come from those who dedicate themselves to the VNM-diet – Vreet. Net. Minder.
I believe in the calorie in, calorie out diet. Eat more than you burn, and you gain weight. Burn more than you eat, and you lose. You may not believe me, but I DO believe in eating. Enough! Think I’m just all talk? Ask my family…I’m not good with hunger. Feed me now or forever hold your peace…
Elizabeth Wurtzel, the famous American journalist was spot on when she wrote in her book, “The secret of life”: “The starving self symbolizes a diminishing person, and really, we ought to strive to be more, to have more strength and muscle and inner resolve – which is what we get from working out or playing a sport, and what we lose when we live in hunger.”
I believe in knowing your body’s internal calorie calculator, and I believe in the importance of fuelling yourself, without guilt or obsession. I believe in balance – life is a mix of Whey protein AND birthday cake, high-intensity workouts AND Netflix marathons, early mornings AND late-night laughs with friends or family.
And mostly, I believe in consistency. Have you ever thought about this thing I so often mention in my Blogs, about having presented 29 Fitness Challenges in our studio…? It means that me, myself and I, have been part of all these 29 Challenges. I don’t even think Jacqueline and Michelle are aware of the fact that I hold myself accountable for personal INBody assessments too, and, although I never award myself with the recognition I give every other Elite Athlete, I strive to maintain a personal body fat of under 20 percent too! Always. Because leading by example means walking the talk.
Moving your body, to me, is non-negotiable. But it’s most important to find something that you love! Life’s too short to suffer through workouts that make you miserable. I believe in living in a way that makes you happy and healthy without making you feel deprived. And above all, I believe that fitness is a long game. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and patience is key.
And lastly, I believe in the same motto as the Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho: “The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times, and get up eight…”
The secret IS out – there isn’t one. There’s no shortcut, or magic pill, or quick fix. There’s just life – messy, unpredictable, and beautiful. And in the end the trick isn’t in finding a secret, it’s in enjoying the ride.
Yours in fitness
Mirna
082 779 0507
PS: If you’re a Challenge member, please send me the quote above by Paulo Coelho today before 20.00