WATCH: Michelle’s inspiring weight loss journey

CHANGING her lifestyle, which started to negatively impact various aspects of her life, was necessary for Clermont resident Michelle Langa who entered a lifestyle TV show and fitness competition, Squad Goals.

Langa weighed a total of 230kgs, the heaviest in the competition, and lost 40kgs, which was the most weight lost during the show.

She has lost another 4kgs since, and she is happily weighing at 184kgs.

Growing up, Langa said she was always the tallest in the class.

“I started to notice I was a big girl from Grade Six onwards. In high school, I was surrounded by good and protective friends. I didn’t let it bother me as much ’cause they protected and stood up for me, and we were the popular crowd in school. It hit when I was in varsity,” she said.

The 22-year-old said that was when she started getting bullied.

“I heard the whispers, and people would take pictures of me, and at that time, I could not shop at normal stores, so I would wear skirts and vests – clothes someone twice my age would wear. I have made peace that I will never be a size eight, but I never really saw how big I was, and how out of society and out of place I was, until the varsity world,” she said.

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“My mother, who has been my pillar and number-one supporter, saw that I had changed and that I was depressed and unhappy with myself. I was also in a very toxic space and circle that I could see was destroying me.

“She said to me, ‘We need to get you back to the Michelle I know.’”

Langa highlighted that she also used to get sharp pains in her chest.

“Even leaving the house was hard because by the time I got to the car, I was out of breath. I was drinking more than I was eating ’cause I was miserable.

“I stopped doing my own hair and nails, and I believed what the toxic people told me, and I got into that mindset that I’m fat, I’m obese and this is my purpose in life.”

Facing the obstacles

Before this journey, Langa said she recalls not being able to fit into her SUV car.

“I never thought there would be a time I couldn’t fit. I used to push my stomach under the wheel to drive, but there came a point when I couldn’t. My stomach was too big, and the seat was as far back as it could go. I am 1.89m tall, so that’s a lot of stomach space. I had to stop driving and ask my mom to take me places which affected my life ’cause no one wants their mom dropping them at social events.”

She revealed that she also remembered booking two seats to fit on a flight to Johannesburg.

“Even with those two seats, I couldn’t close the seat belt, and I felt everyone looking at me in that flight. I never took a flight again until I came back from the show with one ticket, one seat and a closed seat belt. I’ve never smiled so much on a plane,” she said.

She said her goal weight was to weigh 150kg by the end of July.

“My mom prepares all my meals and ensures I have two to three litres of water a day.”

If Langa cannot make gym, she walks or does some Zumba at home.

“My life has changed from the show a lot, ’cause people finally see me as a human being, especially those around me.

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“Their actions broke me, but I am glad that I have taken a bold step. I’ve learnt to raise my head again and smile. The amount of love I still receive from social media – I never expected it, and people share their stories of how not just my weight loss helped them, but also how I overcame losing all 12 members of my family, being used by boys and not being able to look myself in the mirror.”

Gaining back her life and confidence

“I fought for 13 weeks to build myself up, and I couldn’t let my weight, and everything that had been done to me, defeat me, and most importantly, I couldn’t give up my determination and let myself and my mom down,” she said.

She said her meals include water, chicken breast, green veg, a smoothie, chia-seed water, fruit and nuts, and dark chocolate when she is having sugar cravings.

“I eat popcorn when I get hunger cravings, and drink water with flavored drops to increase my water consumption and green tea or black coffee,” she said.

Langa advised people to tackle this journey when they are ready.

“Expect the good with the bad. You’ll have days you fall off, but don’t let a hiccup stop you, and remember, it is possible. And most importantly, don’t let anyone, who’s never even spent a day in your shoes, bring you down; don’t let what broke you break you again.

“Remember, you are your own biggest obstacle; your body and mindset can break you, but know that your only option is to fix yourself, get back up again and accept the lesson.

“Get knocked down 100 times; try again 101 times,” she said.

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