When a combination of poor eating habits and work stress meant Ndabezinhle Ntuli’s clothes didn’t fit right, his suits felt tighter, and his energy levels dipped, he turned to the NPL Body Rev Challenge for a lifestyle transformation that sticks.

“My inability to keep my eating in check caught up with me. I felt uncomfortable in my body, and I didn’t feel like myself anymore. As someone who trains regularly, it was frustrating not to look or feel the part.”

Ndabe was unhappy and disappointed that he had let himself go, which affected his confidence.

“I knew I was capable of more and needed to make a real change. Seeing old photos of myself and not recognising who I had become was the real wake-up call for me, especially as I want to be a healthy, active father to my son – someone he can be proud of.”

He also wanted to prove to himself that he could push through and finish strong, no matter how far gone he felt.

That’s when Ndabe told himself that “enough is enough” and committed to changing…properly this time. “I also didn’t want to enter my forties with an ageing body.”

Personal stats

  • Age: 39
  • Lives: Durban
  • Career: Human Resources
  • IG: @jiggamanig
  • Twitter: @Jigga_Ntuli
  • Facebook: Ndabezinhle ‘Jiggaman’ Ntuli

Challenge accepted

While he looked for a challenge, entries for the next round of the NPL Body Rev Challenge opened, which caught his interest.

“I needed extra accountability and structure, which meant the timing was perfect. I was already making changes after the festive season, and the challenge gave me the push to take it seriously and finish what I started.”

Ndabe jumped on the bandwagon and informed everyone close to him about the new challenge he’d started.

“I told them that I was gonna lose weight over the coming months, so they shouldn’t be startled.” While most of the people he told ignored him, Ndabe wasn’t deterred.

Prepped and ready

 Ndabe downloaded the NPL meal plan that aligned with his goals, started meal prepping, and tracking his food using the MyFitnessPal app.

“I cleaned up and simplified my diet and stuck to it. I also created a daily calorie deficit by calculating my resting and active metabolic rates.”

His daily diet mainly consisted of:

  • Protein: Hake, chicken, lean beef, eggs
  • Carbs: Jasmine rice, oats, sweet potatoes
  • Fats: Avocado, coconut oil
  • Veggies: Spinach, broccoli, mixed greens

Double days

Ndabe launched himself into his training with double days, starting off with fasted cardio in the morning and weights in the evening after work.

“I made sure I was consistent, even on the days I didn’t feel like it. From there, things slowly started changing,” recalls Ndabe.

He followed a bodybuilding split, training 5–6 days a week with weights, and cardio 2-3 days a week. His weekly training split included:

  • Monday: Active recovery or slow, steady cardio
  • Tuesday: Quads and abs
  • Wednesday: Shoulders and abs
  • Thursday: Arms
  • Friday: Glutes and hamstrings
  • Saturday: Back and calves
  • Sunday: Chest and triceps

Supplement support

In addition to becoming more disciplined with his eating and training, Ndabe added NPL supplements to the mix to amplify his results.

His daily supplement plan included:

Overcoming challenges

Keeping a close eye on the scale was both a blessing and a curse for Ndabe, as it was frustrating when he didn’t see progress.

“There were plateaus where it felt like nothing was happening, but I had to trust the process and keep showing up.”

However, it also highlighted stumbling blocks in his approach that he could address as he went. “At first, I was underestimating how much I was eating. Little snacks here and there added up.”

A lack of sufficient sleep to support his recovery demands, finding time to study, and a fall while out on a run one morning were also challenges he needed to overcome on his path to success.

Strength in numbers

However, he had a lot of help along the way, which kept him going. “My family, especially my son, Lwandle, were my support base. He’d constantly ask me if we were going to the gym, which kept me on my toes. My colleagues would also hold me accountable to sticking to my diet throughout the journey.”

Ndabe also found support for his morning cardio sessions from a social running club based in Kloof (Run2Inspire, part of Excel AC).

“Mak at Dis-Chem Musgrave gave me invaluable advice on how to get the best from the NPL supplements I was taking,” recalls Ndabe.

“He also told me to track everything, because what gets measured gets managed. That stuck with me, and it worked. It was the best piece of advice anyone gave me during my transformation.”

A winning combination

Armed with the NPL Body Rev Challenge blueprint, which gave Ndabe a clear goal with a timeline, along with the resources, transformation tracker, and access to top-tier supplements, he locked in the changes.

He ultimately won the title of best male transformation in the NPL Body Rev Challenge 8.0.

Beyond the prizes and accolades, Ndabe says the experience has changed his life in many ways, not just from a physical perspective.

“I feel like myself again. I’m more focused, energetic, and confident in how I carry myself. It’s changed how I approach everything, from training to how I handle stress at work and in life. I’m more intentional in everything I do, including my studies.

The next phase

Since completing the challenge, Ndabe has slowly started increasing his calories to add lean muscle while staying relatively lean.

“I’m still tracking and training hard, just with a bit more fuel in the tank. I’m also increasing my weight training focus.”

Describing himself as a “meso-endo” (mesomorph and endomorph) body type, Ndabe says he would like to build more muscle and stay lean all year round.

“I also want to help others who are just starting their journey. I want to share my experience with others to help them realise that discipline beats motivation. You don’t need to feel like doing it; you just need to do it. That mindset changed everything for me.”

Ndabe’s advice is to start where you are and don’t wait for the perfect time. “Take small steps, be honest with yourself, and stay consistent. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. And ignore the naysayers and focus on your daily, weekly and monthly goals!”

Quick-fire questions

  • Favourite healthy dish: Grilled hake and greens
  • Favourite workout: Cardio
  • Must-use supplements: NPL Creatine Monohydrate
  • Top diet tip: Track everything that goes into your mouth!