It's been just over a week since 28-year old
Sharon Haarhoff strutted away with R250 000 when she weighed in as the first ever
South African winner of
The Biggest Loser. Yesterday I caught with up with her for us to find out what life's like now that she's thinner, richer and moving onto new things:
Tashi: Many congrats on your win skinnymalinks!
Sharon: Thank you so much - I still can't believe people are saying things like that about me - skinny, slim - I'm like "WOW!"
Tashi: It was very inspiring seeing you bravely fight such a fierce fight - you really
kicked butt.
Sharon: Shew - I have to admit - it was a great experience but shew, it was hard work. Especially with the people I was up against.
Tashi: Are you the same weight as you were last week - at the finale?
Sharon: No - but I'm very close. I've probably put on about two kilos, adjusting and having a bit of a break - but I'm back into the routine again and it should come off quickly, I'm sure of it.
Tashi: This part of things, now that's over, I imagine it's going to be a whole new challenge for you?
Sharon: Yes, you know having a goal and working towards it in a time frame - the focus is there and it was easier from that point of view.
Now that it's over and I can relax a bit I am finding it more difficult - but not impossible because I enjoy most of what I do. Every now and then I feel lazy and want to say, "Urgh, I'm skipping the exercise," - but I can't do that.
Tashi: One of the things that freaked me out in the finale was the hours and hours of exercise you, Asanda and John did when you got back home. I just don't see that it's maintainable.
Sharon: No it's not - with the timeframe of the show you have to lose as much weight as possible before the 14 April and the prize up for grabs and so on, you put in that time and effort. For the average person everyday, it's not manageable.
I would never be able to manage four or five hours a day exercise now - it's ridiculous. It was done for a goal and now it's maintaining so I'm maintaining with an hours exercise every day.
Tashi: That sounds more realistic.
Sharon: Absolutely - I want my life back *laughs*. I want my social life back - I've got such a new lease on life and I want to enjoy it and five hours a day of exercise is definitely not factoring in.
I'm currently working out on site after work - we have a biokinetic centre at work so I go for an hour a day after work and focus on cardio and weights because now I'm focused on toning my muscle as opposed to losing weight.
Tashi: What's this I saw on the front page of The Argus that you're going for plastic surgery?
Sharon: Oh my word, sorry I have to set the record straight. One of the questions I got out of the many questions I've been asked was: "Would you consider plastic surgery?" and my answer was: "I would absolutely consider it considering how much hard work I've put into getting the body I want. I'm not saying I'm going tomorrow to have it done but it's something I would consider looking into it, maybe/maybe not - but I'm not against the idea."
Tashi: So you're not actually all packed and ready to go?
Sharon: No - I haven't even seen a plastic surgeon - I wouldn't know which one to go to. It's not something I've focused my energy on - I'd love to have it done but it's not my be-all and end-all at this stage. If I do choose to go I'd like to have the excess skin removed on my belly, and with regards a boob lift - it would just be a lift - nothing else.
Tashi: So we shouldn't expect you to look like Pam Anderson the next time we see you?
Sharon: No, no definitely not - anything I'd have done would be to reverse the damage.
Tashi: How much of the cash have you spent already?
Sharon: I haven't spent a cent. *Laughs* You know it's not everyday someone gets a chunk of money like that so I really want to be wise with it. The first thing I want to do is pay off accounts - get myself debt free, especially the way they interest rate's going - pay off my car, that sort of thing.
I'm quite fortunate because my debts aren't too expensive so it's not going to take up all the money and then the balance - at this stage I'm looking into investing it.
Tashi: How crazy has the response been to you in real life?
Sharon: It's been unreal - I'll have complete strangers making comments about me on blogs and complete strangers phoning me out of the blue - who knows where they got my number.
99.9% of the time the response has been incredibly positive. Hearing people say: "You're an inspiration, we look up to you," I'm like "Wow - all I did was lose some weight." but it's been wonderful.
Tashi: Has it been difficult having the whole of South Africa obssessed about your weight?
Sharon: Yes! *laughs* Yes and no - you know, the fact that I lost the weight really overtakes any kind of negativity out of the experience. I got what I wanted out of it - I lost the weight - and of course the prize was a great bonus.
There has been some negative feedback - obviously it's not all going to be wonderful - and I really had to not take it personally - even though it was. Things like: "What's the big deal? She's not a beauty queen. Who cares?" - that type of thing. I had to think: "For the one person who says something mean, there are 10 000 others that are saying something wonderful." I can't get upset about it, everyone has their opinion, I just had to shrug it off.
Tashi: Whoever said: "Who cares?" - they obviously watched so they probably do care. *laughs* Your family and friends - did you talk to them about things in between filming the show and it being on?
Sharon: For the most part I wanted them to be surprised and I wasn't sure how much they were going to go see. My family and friends knew I was in the final three because they had the party for me and all that but I said to them: "I don't want to ruin it for you - I want you to be as surprised as I am."
Tashi: What impact has it had on your relationships? I'm convinced I spotted someone in a shot when you got home who I thought looked super-envious.
Sharon: *laughs* Anyone who means anything to me, my friends and family, if any have been envious I haven't picked up on it. They've all been so wonderfully supportive - I'd get these SMS's during the show: "I can't believe you did that!" or "Haha - can't believe you said that." - if there is someone who's jealous it's hasn't come through to me.
Tashi: What was it like watching the show?
Sharon: It was so much fun - I'm really sad it's over. My Monday nights won't be the same - I'd sit on the couch with my family and put the pillow over my head and say: "Okay - tell me when I can watch!"
Seeing things on TV after you've been there with the camera in your face - it's quite something.
Tashi: Besides the dieting and exercise - what was the biggest challenge?
Sharon: A combination of really missing your friends and family, not being able to just pick up the phone and moan about this one did something to you or you're tired and you need some support and comfort.
Also, playing the psychological game - people saying things about you and plotting against you, trying to keep yourself in the game - that was really difficult.
Tashi: Yes and you added oil to someone's food to increase their calorie intake didn't you?
Sharon: Yes! It didn't really help did it? We ended up going to elimination so karma really came and bit us in the end. After that we decided it was childish and stupid and said: "No more sabotage, let's do this properly."
Tashi: Besides winning - what was you all-time favourite moment?
Sharon: Seeing my mom and winning the challenge at the Royal Hotel - I really, really needed to see her. Shew, I'll never forget that, the way I felt looking at her, just something familiar from home.
Tashi: In all the interviews you've done - what have you been asked the most?
Sharon: How do you feel now compared to how you felt then? What are you going to do with the money? Are you going to struggle to maintain the weight loss?
Tashi: What's your vision for yourself in a years time?
Sharon: You know what - I think my whole focus has been on getting through this time that I haven't looked ahead. The whole experience has opened my eyes to television and I'm not saying in front of the cameras - although it would be great - but I'd certainly like to do something in production.
Tashi: Are you watching the
new season of the show?
Sharon: Oh yes - I was a Biggest Loser addict before the show even came to South Africa. I think it's so inspirational - just because I've lost this weight doesn't mean it's plain sailing for me now and I'll get my inspiration wherever I can.
Ends