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Will Smith’s dad-bod reveal is inspiring other celeb dads to get into shape. The American actor recently caused a social-media stir when he posted a picture admitting he was in the worst shape of his life and called on other dads to join him on his mission to lose weight – and on the southern tip of Africa, Tumisho Masha heeded his call.
The former Top Billing presenter says Will’s candid snap has inspired him to join a 12-week weight-loss programme.
“Since I turned 40, I’ve been trying really hard to get back into the shape I was in when I was in my 30s,” says the former Isidingo and The Wild star.
Now 45, Tumisho says he has invested a lot in his wellness and has quit drinking and smoking but he’s had little success in kicking the extra kilos. “When I quit alcohol, I thought the weight would just magically fall off and it didn't.”
Now, Will’s post has inspired him to take a different approach on his weight-loss journey. “I want to make the necessary changes from a point of ‘I love who I am, I just want to change myself for the better’ as opposed to ‘I hate myself and I wish I didn’t look like this’. This is something I’ve been guilty of, and I find it to be very counterproductive,” he says.
The first step is to eat healthier. The actor admits he was an emotional eater – whenever he felt down, he’d find comfort in food. As a big meat lover, his diet consisted largely of steak, boerewors and beef and he’d snack on biltong in between. He also developed a sweet tooth and loved to indulge in chocolates and cake.
But now he’s kicking all his bad habits and plans to shed 20kg through a nutritional weight-loss programme.
Tumisho is also using non-surgical liposuction to help him beat the bulge. Non-surgical liposuction is a procedure that aims to reduce fat through non-invasive methods such as freezing or melting to destroy fat cells.
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“I’m doing it now, at the beginning of my journey, and I’ll be doing it after I have lost 20kg to eliminate the last bit of fat so I can look my best.”
The actor, who recently wed Chantal Wagner after four years of dating, says his wife and daughter, Zinathi, (5) are his biggest supporters. Thirty-seven-year-old Chantal, he says, has organised personal trainers, cooks healthier meals “and keeps me accountable when I want to fall off the rails”.
The newlyweds have also started working out together. “We’re taking long walks and she doesn't have to do it because she’s in great shape, but she does it for me. She’s very supportive, she’ll always try and push me,” he says.
Tumisho will be posting is progress on social media over the next 12 weeks.
