...... in just 12 Weeks ......

The biggest ‘loser’ of Skin & Body Renewal’s national weight loss competition, Slender Challenge, has been announced. Martin Botha from Rustenberg shed an impressive 40 kilos in just 12 weeks.

The inaugural Slender Challenge which started in July, pitted 30 contestants against each other in three weight loss categories. A unique interactive media element was introduced that resulted in South Africans across the country responding to the contestants’ daily progress blogs and cheering them on from the sidelines.

39 year old Botha says he has been quite a big guy all his life. “I played prop for the schools rugby team from primary school, so you know this body has been overweight for some time. The only period I was really skinny was after my basic training in the Army. WOW, did I have a ‘bod’ then. Soon after that I slowly started packing on the weight again, building up to 148 kilos.”

He blames his weight gain on sitting in front of a computer all day for his work and over eating the wrong foods at the wrong times.

“When I was chosen as a finalist, I was so excited and determined to lose my excess weight. I was psyched up for chicken breasts and salad, but must admit I did have some cravings along the way.

My goal weight loss on my entry form was 40 kgs and I am so proud I achieved it.” Botha says he had tried other diet programs, but gained the weight back.

“This time I am determined to keep it off and maintain my new, slim, sexy, chiseled body with exercise and controlled portions.”

Skin & Body Renewal Founder and Cosmetic Doctor, Maureen Allem, says if the Slender Challenge regime is strictly adhered to, 400 grams of ‘abnormal’ fat can be lost each day equating to 12 kilos a month. In Martin’s case it was even more.”

The programme is designed to stimulate Leptin levels that target abnormal fat while leaving essential fats intact. Allem warns against drastic and uncontrolled fad dieting that can result in a sagging skin and wrinkles.