About Me

Hi everyone welcome to my blog,img_2541-e1501924948700.jpg

So writing about yourself is not that easy 🙂 but I will try my best to give you a short background on who I am and what my blog is all about and why I’m so happy to have you here!

So more about me:

I’m Claudine Pretorius, a mother of two beautiful girls aged 4 and 10. I’m a mother, wife, and married to my best friend André whom I love unconditionally.

I studied BA in Graphic Design & Multimedia and did my Diploma in Photography. After years in the Corporate World as a Senior Designer and then working at a Creative Design Agency I eventually decided it was time to make a career change. I started off as a Brand & Marketing Manager for a Group consisting of two Hotels and a Game Lodge to where I’m now; the General Manager of a Four Star Hotel, still managing the branding and marketing side of the Group as well.

We moved to Japan, Tokyo in 2022 and I’m now homeschooling my eldest while still working remotely.

Enough of the formal side, now I’m going to share a part of ME…I’m passionate about Health & Fitness and therefore my blog “Lifestyle Challenges”…

It all started with a 12 Week Body Makeover Challenge that I did, which not only transformed how I looked on the outside but also on the inside. This created the “fire” in my heart to reach out and help others on their journey of life to overcome the challenges that they might face. If I can inspire one person to take up the challenge to become the best version of themselves, physically and emotionally then my goal has been met.

I’m a proud USN Ultimate Sports Nutrition Ambassador and Lifestyle Athlete.

I’m currently studying to become an Accredited Life Coach and I’m busy with my Personal Training Diploma, thanks to Trifocus Fitness Academy I’m now also an Ambassador who represents the best Fitness Academy that is nationally and internationally accredited.

You will notice throughout my blog that I’m PASSIONATE about health, wellness, fitness, nutrition, design, and photography only to mention a few.

So I’m just an ordinary mom, wife, and full-time career woman who can relate to living a life that demands so much of your time that you can easily become distracted from what matters most – YOU. I’m here to share, motivate and inspire you on your journey ahead.

If you would like to connect please sign up for my blog or send me an email by clicking here –> lifestylechallenges

Claudine
xxx

  1. Sharon Hazelton | September 15, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Hi Claudine. I myself started the body for life challenge a little while ago as i needed a lifestyle change. Well more of a lifestyle detox. I admire you completely and understand that the word challenge is truely the correct word to use. To be able to change a lifestyle and keep it going is not easy but with everything in life comes a true challenge. Good luck for the rest of challenge. May you achieve everything that you wish. I will definately be following you from now on as some days I honestly feel like i cant do it any more, but as said in the words of Roger Staubach “It comes down to perseverance and resiliency”. All the best, Sharon

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    • lifestylechallenges | September 16, 2011 at 2:23 pm

      Hi Sharon, well done on starting the challenge I believe this is one of the best things we can do for ourselves, by living a healthier lifestyle. Thank you so much for the message and together we can all motivate each other on those “down” days. We will look back at the end and realize that all the hard work and perseverance was so worth it!

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  2. Riette | September 26, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    Hi Claudine! Baie geluk met jou vordering! Jy lyk regtig goed! Wil by jou weet? Is jy op die training program wat op die website is? of is jy op USN se training program?
    Groete
    Riette

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    • lifestylechallenges | September 26, 2011 at 7:14 pm

      Hi Riette, vreeslik dankie vir die boodskap. Ek het aanvanklik begin met die USN program soos wat hul verskaf maar het oorgegaan na ‘n 12 week program van Jamie Eason. Jy sal sien ek post elke dag wat ek die dag gedoen het. Dit is werklik ‘n fantastiese program veral vir vroue wat nog nie weight training gedoen het nie. Die oefeninge progress soos wat jy aangaan en eerste keer wat ek werklik confident is met dit wat ek doen. Doen jy die Challenge?

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  3. Riette | September 27, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    Hi Claudine! Dankie vir jou boodskap! Ek het met die challenge begin, gebruik ook die supplements wat ek love! Al ding net met die training program, ek is nie eintlik gewoont aan weight training nie, al weet ek dit is baie goed vir jou een gee jou lean muscle, ek is bietjie onkundig as dit by weigths kom, en as ek dan in die gym moet rond loop en soek watter aparaat ek moet doen en wattergewigte moet ek gebruik, dan los ek dit want ek is bang ek lyk soos ‘n hoender met ‘n afkop in die gym 😉 en dan gaan ek maar weer oor na cardio wat ek goed ken.

    Maar ek wil graag weigth training doen want ek weet dit gee jou sexy spiere wat ek graag wil he!!! Ek was 3 maande op n gewone gesond eet dieet, en cardio oefeninge, en het 18kg in 3 maande verloor! Ek is nou tans 75kg, en nou wil ek graag my spiere mooi ferm en sexy kry!!! Maar ek weet nie hoe nie????

    Wat stel jy voor? Ek wil nie bou nie, ek wil net graag my spiere ferm maak en tussen tyd nogsteeds gewig ook verloor. Ek wil graag in die 60 weeg met ‘n goeie vet persentasie ( waar mens jou six pack kan sien 🙂 )
    wat is hierdie Jamie Eason prograg? Se dit presies vir jou wat jy moet oefen op watter dag ens?
    En beskryf dit ook die oefeninge?

    Ek love spinning, en die spinning gogga het my nou weer gebyt! Kan ek oefeninge soos spinning saam met die program dan ook doen?

    Baie dankie vir jou hulp en terugvoer. As jy my wil mail, kan jy my mail na riettemarais@hotmail.com
    as dit dalk makliker gaan wees! Baie dankie vir jou hulp!!! Waardeer dit regtig baie en lekker om met iemand te praat wat dieselle taal as ek praat as dit by oefen kom! 🙂

    Lekker daggie!!!

    Riette
    🙂

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  4. lifestylechallenges | September 28, 2011 at 9:03 am

    Hi Riette, well done met jou fantastiese resultate sover. Ek het vir jou ‘n email gestuur :-). Lekker dag vir jou

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  5. lifehealthbeauty | November 13, 2011 at 2:48 am

    Claudine, I remember I saw your blog around the time you hit week 6 and forgot to subscribe. I just re-found it and you look amazing! Way to go! Your blog is awesome with all this great information and inspiration. Thank you :]

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  6. Karina Berner (@karinaberner) | November 3, 2014 at 12:11 am

    Hi Claudine! Wow – what an inspirational blog you have! I am super motivated to shed some kilos and get my fitness back on track (after a few years of horrible neglect), but now I’m a bit confused about which way to go. Should I just stick to the USN 12-week eating- and training plan? Or should I go with the Livefit training and eating plan (still using some USN supplements)? Basically – which, in your opinion, is the simplest (not necessarily easiest!) and most effective over 12 weeks? Thanks so much for being a HUGE inspiration! 🙂

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    • lifestylechallenges | January 14, 2015 at 9:57 am

      Hi Karina thank you for you message and sorry for the late reply. I will recommend following the USN 12 Week Body Makeover Eating plan and recommended supplements combined with the LiveFit Trainer (You can download this from my site). This is what I did and the results was amazing in both my transformations (pre&post pregnancy).

      The USN Diet is amazing to use as a foundation towards your new lifestyle. Use it as a guide or decide to commit for 12 Weeks and follow the plan to the T. Good luck & welcome back to being fit and healthy 😉

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