KNYSNA NEWS - Deciding to follow a "carnivore" diet in pursuit of a six-pack, to get fitter by taking part in parkruns, to study further, and to further develop a faith-strengthened mindset through helpfulness - some Knysna residents are determined to stick to their New Year's resolutions, a snap survey in Knysna's Main Road found.
"Ten days in and I'm there," Hansie Nel, a sales executive at a motor dealership, said on Friday 10 January of his keeping to his resolution to change his body shape, and improve his fitness level.
'Cut out all sugar'
"I'm following a carnivore diet until my birthday on 25 January. I've cut out all sugar.
"I haven't had any starch so far. I'm trying to turn my wine-barrel (stomach) into a six-pack, and I'm improving my eating habits.
"And then I'm living a more active lifestyle by getting to the beach and going for walks, instead of sitting at home and watching TV."
Dr Richard Martin
Dr Richard Martin, the new director of integrated settlements at Knysna municipality, is also honouring his personal commitment to become a healthier person, by taking up running and watching what he eats.
Run date at 08:00
"I'm determined to go on parkruns - I'll be there (for the start of the Knysna parkrun in George Rex Drive) at 08:00 tomorrow (Saturday 11 January)," he said.
"I need to lose a little weight and get fitter. I need to look at my eating habits - there's always the danger of eating out, because it's more convenient, and I definitely plan to put a stop to that."
Martin, who took up his post on 2 December, said he had also decided to "immerse myself back into the South African culture after being away for 20 years, in Saudi Arabia, London and Australia".
He had spent most of that time in London, the UK, where he had managed construction projects.
Pheliswa Matutu
'Finish my B.Ed'
Pheliswa Matutu, who runs S'neNjongo Daycare in Concordia, said "I plan to finish my B.Ed degree - due to Covid I stopped studying but now I want to continue".
This ran in parallel with her other resolution, "to improve the preschool, to give every child the chance to make a success of their lives".
"This will make me feel good - knowing we as a society will be in good hands in the future," she said.
Colleen America
Colleen America, a salesperson at an internet cafe and stationery supplier, is carrying out her resolution to do more for others.
'Help where I can'
"This morning I had a customer, and she was in tears, and I tried to motivate her - I told her you can't do anything without prayer. I'm a follower of the Lord," she said.
"I've decided to give out to the community, to help where I can, and live in a positive way.
"There are so many people facing difficult obstacles. I can try to make things better for them by smiling at them, by trying to interact with them.
"I've decided to work on myself, to become a better person. I've kept my resolution so far, and I will continue to do so."
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