A qualified teacher, 28-year-old Jizelle Kotze can never seem to stop learning something new. While teaching students, she spent four years coaching while training online part-time. Now, as a qualified trainer and wellness coach in Richards Bay, Jizelle Kotze didn’t always have a healthy approach to food and body image.
How Jizelle Kotze Went From Starvation To Fuelling Healthily
Jizelle had a “eating nothing” mindset, meaning she viewed food as something to be restricted in order to reach her goals. She describes this version of herself as “a skinny, fragile girl”, driven by associating the fitness industry with “being ripped and muscular”. “However, I soon realised that this isn’t everyone’s goal or reality,” Jizelle reflects. While working with a nutrition coach, she learned to eat for fuel that works towards a goal. “The most significant lesson I learned is that everything takes time, and you should never stop learning,” she reflects.
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What Health Means To Jizelle Now
After moving from viewing fitness as a way to be as muscular as possible, Jizelle now recognises that “everyone is on their unique journey with their own goals and physiques”. For her, she wishes she could have started viewing fitness and health this way sooner. Now, she views them as “doing my best every day to move my body in any way,” adding that “for the past 12 years, I have had a non-negotiable rule: even if I don’t feel like following the programme, I will still do something – anything – as long as it lasts longer than 30 minutes.”
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How Jizelle Challenges Herself
With a background in competing in fitness competitions, Jizelle loves the idea of challenging both her cardio and strength skills. Naturally, she’s eyeballing the chance to compete in Hyrox. Another challenge? Heavy hip thrusts. “There’s something invigorating about loading that bar for hip thrusts exceeding a person’s weight that really gets me back in the right mood,” she says.
Off-The-Cuff with Jizelle Kotze
On so-called “cheat meals”
“I don’t label my meals; I eat whatever I feel like all the time. However, a flat white from Seattle paired with a chocolate croissant from the nearby Engen garage is a delightful little treat.”
The wellness myth you should stop believing is…
“Fasted cardio doesn’t lead to more fat loss compared to doing it after eating.”
The one piece of equipment she couldn’t live without…
“An adjustable weight dumbbell set is a must-have.”
READ MORE: This 7-Day Training Plan Is Perfect For Anyone Who Runs And Lifts Weights
Get To Know Jizelle
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