Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie is on a serious mission to lose weight!
Last Wednesday, he started what he calls the “Wednesday Weight” challenge where he called on all South Africans to join him on his weight-loss journey and to weigh themselves every Wednesday.
Today he took to X to share a video of how much weight he has dropped since his last weigh-in.
“I lost 1,6kgs in the last 7 days. I have lost 9kgs since I started this weight loss journey. I am feeling much better and healthier. Pls join the “Wednesday Weight” challenge, start by walking and eating right,” he captioned the video.
In the video you see McKenzie stepping onto a scale and showing that he now weighs 136.3kg.
He confessed that on Tuesday he wanted to eat cake but then he remembered that it was Wednesday the following day.
He continues to encourage South Africans to all go and buy a scale so that they can weigh themselves as well because “the scale doesn’t lie”.
The minister advises people to do any form of exercise, whether it’s running or walking but also to watch what they eat.
“Don’t forget to eat well,” he said. “Keep your lips together. Don’t eat the things that people offer you.”
In his previous video, he shared that he was 146kg when he became minister.
Professor Tim Noakes responded to McKenzie’s post and was curious about what he was eating to drop the weight and indirectly offered tips on what kind of food to eat.
“Dear Minister @GaytonMcK, Very glad you've added the "eating right" addendum. Exactly what are you eating if I might ask? A 1.6kg weight loss per week is exactly what we see in overweight persons adopting the sugar-free, processed food-free, low-carbohydrate, high-fat, nutrient-dense, fully-satiating, hunger-busting diet. Wishing you continued success going forward,” he tweeted.
The minister is correct in saying that exercise and eating right is the best way to lose weight.
While walking or running are good for losing weight, there are so many other benefits to doing a bit of exercise every day.
Here’s a list of benefits of moderate daily exercise other than burning calories:
- It strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
- It increases energy levels and boosts endurance and stamina.
- Builds and maintains muscle mass and bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
- Regular physical activity can improve sleep patterns.
- It can alleviate chronic pain conditions like arthritis.
- Acts as a natural mood booster, reducing stress and anxiety.
IOL Lifestyle