My body has become obese in recent months and needs weight loss for good health. Joining a gym has improved, as 8 kilogrammes of weight have vanished since becoming a member. But there's a lot more going on here than just exercise. 

To begin with, I've changed my diet to eliminate as much sugar and salt as possible. However, the awareness of grains has been a positive development, as oats consumed for breakfast were a contributing factor in the issue.

When I realised this, I immediately switched to something better. My sister was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years ago, and to assist her with food consumption, two Magic Mix machines were bought, one of which was given to her. The other remained in my cupboard, unused, until grains were no longer allowed. I felt compelled to pull it out and put it to good use. This was on top of reading an article by a dietician who claims that breakfast is a waste of time and that skipping it would help to calm the stomach.

This piece of advice does not resonate with me. My body yells at me in the morning if it doesn't get any kind of food. The problem was solved after a trip to the store.

When it comes to smoothies as an alternative to oats, the most important ingredient is yoghurt. There was one with extra protein in the refrigerated portion. My solution now is to start with a couple of heaped tablespoons and add fruit and a stick of celery. Berries, bananas, passion fruit, apples, kiwi fruit, grapes, and pears are among the fruits available. They aren't all used in each smoothie; four or five are sufficient. To make it whiz faster, a little almond milk is added to the mix. The flavour is divine, and the energy boost it provides lasts until lunchtime, when I eat my main meal. Overall, the improvement in diet has been beneficial, as has the gym workout.

As a spiritual being connected to the Universal Spirit, I have such faith in God that when I hear a voice speak to me from inside, I act on it. The voice told me one day that I needed to enter a gym because I was out of shape. It is now being asked to assist me in losing more weight because fat in the organs is a precursor to cancer, which no one wants in their life. Because of the weight loss I've seen in the last eight months, I'm convinced that smoothies are low in calories and a healthier alternative to grains.