Holistic Health: how to shape a healthy lifestyle

IT’S all about the ‘fit life’ for Keshia ‘Kesh’ Pather of Durban, who made the body transformation she had always dreamed of.

Known as Kesh Fit Life by her thousands of Instagram and online followers, she inspires others by sharing her fitness story. What’s more her advice is free via social media where she shares videos and eating plans based on the knowledge she has gained over the years while reaching her health goals. She also shares some of her personal life and her everlasting love for Oreos.

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Contrary to popular belief, Kesh does not spend all her time training. She actually has a career in retail but spends most of her afternoons training at gyms in La Lucia and uMhlanga, doing what she enjoys most – pumping iron!

Her journey dates back to 2015, where Kesh found herself unhappy with her body and low on self-esteem, so she decided to change that.

“I ate whatever I wanted, mainly junk and processed food which I knew was not good for me. I decided one day to make a change and joined the gym. Basically, I had no idea what I was doing. I under ate and over exercised which resulted in me losing 13kgs within five months,” said Kesh.

However, that wasn’t the only thing that she had lost. Her shape, muscle and form had also disappeared due to incorrect diet and excessive cardio, so Kesh found herself feeling the same way she did when she started this journey.

“I was still unhappy with my appearance. I didn’t look healthy. I decided to start again, but this time with more knowledge,” she added.

With all the online platforms at her disposal and guidance and tips from her gym mates, Kesh started to build muscle.

“Back then, there weren’t that many women in the heavy weights section at the gym, especially not Indian woman. I often watched the women who were lifting weights and thought, if they can do it, so can I; and I did.”

Fast-forward to 2021, with the correct nutrition and weight training, Kesh is finally in her happy place.

“It has taken tons of trial and error to get to where I am. There is no quick fix. No crash diet or crash exercise plan – it really is a journey and I’ve had to have the patience for it,” she said.

Kesh says she has tried every diet or eating plan out there and although she does not squash any of them, she personally does not approve cutting out food groups.

“The question you have to ask yourself is, how sustainable is it. For example, can you live the rest of your life without potatoes, bread or rice? If the answer is no, then the diet isn’t for you.”

“It all comes down to calories at the end of the day, but the type of food you feed your body is also very important.”

Once Kesh started to see results, she posted these on her Instagram account and started receiving direct messages from Instagram users asking for advice.

“My posts have always been very real. I gave the good with the bad and have shared everything that I have learnt.”

Kesh has also attributed reaching her health and fitness goals to her husband Allwyn Matthew, who she met at gym; and her family and friends.

“The most important thing is to surround yourself with like-minded people. In the beginning there were people I had to leave behind because they could not understand why I wanted to get fit and healthy all of a sudden.”

Connect with Kesh on social media for free videos, tips and recipes via Instagram: @kesh_fit_life and Facebook and Tiktok: @keshfitlife