Joost and Amor's quest begins
2007-06-15 09:44
Johannesburg - Former Springbok rugby player Joost van der Westhuizen and his wife, the singer Amor Vittone are the latest celebrities to commit to a new internet health challenge.
The popular couple will be trying to cultivate a healthier lifestyle with the help of dieticians, chefs and fitness instructors.
Each week, they will blog their progress in the Forever Young health challenge on the Health24 web page (www.health24.com).
Joost and Amor have joined an array of stars who'll be trying to whip their lifestyle into shape in the programme, such as former beauty queen Wilma van der Bijl, international supermodel Tanya Fourie, designer Gert van de Merwe and modelling-sisters Kelly and Kerry McGregor.
The couple took the first step on Thursday towards revolutionising their lifestyle to fit in with their celebrity status, when they had blood drawn at their house in Fourways, Johannesburg.
Fitness fanatic
The ex-Bok says he's a fitness fanatic who visits the gym every day.
"My goal is to achieve a lower body-fat percentage."
When he played for the Boks, Joost's body-fat was 8.5%, compared with 6% at present.
Amor, who was a bit spooked by the hypodermic needle, said her goal was to visit the gym.
"And (building) energy to keep up with my husband!"
The singer with the slim figure said she was looking forward particularly to the cookery lessons. "I'd love to learn to cook healthy dishes."
'Regenerating water'
She's looking forward to being spoilt by the facials and visits to the spa that are part of the programme.
Joost says the family already has a healthy lifestyle, but they're shifting up a gear.
As part of the lifestyle about-turn, the participants will drink "regenerating water" from the Cedarberg that apparently gives one eternal youth.
The lifestyle ambassadors, as the participants are dubbed, will drink daily draughts of the mineral water, which is said to slow down ageing.
Vicky Lucas, the regional manager of the mineral water, says it slows down the division of DNA cells and repairs damaged cells.
Blood is drawn from the participants beforehand and sent to Sweden for (DNA) analysis.
After the programme the testing is to be repeated to show scientifically that this approach to eternal youth really works.