Kicking bad habits united effort
High cholesterol sufferer launches Team Sweat to help others
Diagnosed with high cholesterol in 2014, Bubele Vulani knew he had to make a lifestyle change.
Vulani said he changed his diet and began exercising and eventually formed the Team Sweat group which trains at the Krantz braai area (Ntakazilali ) on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
“I realised that my future did not look good at the age of 29. I loved entertainment and I used to drink a lot, but because I wanted to change I started a body camp gym three years ago in the township. Due to a lack of support it did not succeed.”
Considering other means, Vulani said in September last year they had found a spot to train at Stenden South Africa.
Due to increased interest they decided to exercise at Ntakazilali so that people could see them and join in. Anyone is welcome.
Vulani said he took his doctor’s instructions seriously and began to work on himself, including changing his previous life. As well as his weekend workout sessions from 7am to 8am, he shares his eating plan from the dietician with participants and further uses the research he has done.
“For now we only host these body camps on weekends because I am based in Port Elizabeth.
“We do a functional workout whereby I set up stations where we use equipment like aerobic steps, but due to Covid-19 we stopped using some of the equipment which we share as we do not want to spread the virus. We also do cardio, which is weight free,” he said.
“We stand about a metre apart from each other. We do not share anything, you just stand on your station and exercise there.”
Revealing how and what he advised them to eat, he said: “In most cases I listen to what they have in their cupboards. I tell them to change this and that without making them buy something else. “For example, I substitute white rice with brown. I also give them a list of the things I eat and my eating plan from the dietician. I make a plan that suits their pockets.”
“Looking at these diseases caused by bad nutrition, or being less active, we are trying to impact other’s people lives.”
There is no joining fee for Team Sweat but members contribute R20 per session that pays towards his petrol costs, as he is based in PE.
Vulani said he was not making money out of it, and that amount also covered unemployed people who might not be able to pay.