"A while back I was walking down the passage and an acquaintance came up to me and asked, quite embarrassed, whether I was having an affair. I found it quite amusing as I have never even contemplated anything of the sort, but she said that I was looking so good that the talk was that an affair could be the only explanation. I took it as a compliment. But shortly after a good friend asked me the same question, and this time, having thought about it, I answered ‘yes’ with a big smile. Yes, I was having an affair – with myself!", says Rita.

"My affair began quite innocently in April 2006. I had just turned 56, was healthy (as far as I was aware), full of energy, and weighed 108kg. And I had started brooding about growing old. I was exercising a few times a week, but realised that the time had come to start thinking about how I wanted to grow old. My good health was not necessarily going to continue, given that I was seriously overweight. On that day in April I was sitting in my GP’s rooms for my annual check-up, and complained jokingly that I suppose that I should really lose some weight. He suggested that I try a low GI diet. I had to do some research, but I was well on my way to change my life! It took me about two years to lose 40kg. I had to change my lifestyle and I had to exercise!"

Rita van den Heever is currently the Senior Manager of the University of Johannesburg’s Arts Academy, and is so enjoying her new life, that she has decided to share her story along with her trainer, Leslie Longuiera of Ignition Health.

She will be hosting talks all over the country to inspire people to change their habits and adopt a healthy life style. The talks will be motivational and based on her personal experience.

"If I was an alcoholic, I could stop drinking. But being a food-aholic is far more difficult, because I can’t stop eating. Therefore, one needs other coping mechanisms. So far (two years on) I have maintained my weight. But I take nothing for granted and remain ever vigilant. All of this I will share with an audience. I want to help people to make a choice for life and vitality. I want to help them to start their own affairs!"