Antonia van Deventer

30 ciggies a day to GB Rowing Team...

During the summer of 2000, 5 foot 4 inches Antonia van Deventer’s weight had risen to 13st 4lbs and she was having difficulty getting into size 18 clothes. She was binge drinking, smoking 30 a day and her eating was out of control. Today she has quit smoking, lost 5 stone and is a member of the GB Rowing Team.

To make lifestyle changes, Antonia began by going swimming twice a week and built slowly from walking to running. Her approach was simple; eat less and exercise more. She joined Southampton University Boat Club and lost her first few pounds – and, in her words, “started to have a ball.“

By late 2002 she was only a few kilos over the lightweight category limit for the British Indoor Rowing Championships (61.5kg or 9st 10lbs) and this gave her an extra incentive. Antonia made weight for the race and her result was an encouraging tenth, but she wasn’t completely happy yet. She increased her water-based activity fitting around her teacher training and the school day. In August 2002 Antonia entered her first regatta and won. Her club, Rob Roy Boat Club, was very supportive and Antonia was selected for the GB Lightweight Team in May 2004.

Antonia says; "If I had one message for anyone who wants to make a change in his or her life, it would be this: Rome wasn’t built in a day. Every day you can do something to help you achieve your goals, and it will be the small steps that make the largest difference. Start slowly, and go for it!"