In celebration of dancing for the past 18 months, I am launching my first book ‘SwitchBitch: My Journey of Transformation from Sour to Sweet!’ next Sunday 25 March at Cape Town’s best loved dance party at La Parada Constantia Nek, with music created by DJ René and his team. 

Coupled with falling in love with my life, which led to a weight loss of 45 kg over a period of one year, and first steps of a spiritual transformation, my physical transformation included figure-shaping, by dancing at La Parada Constantia Nek every Sunday evening for three to four hours. I now also dance in Camps Bay on my way home on Sunday nights, as well as at La Parada Bree Street on Friday evenings. The seven or more hours of dancing per week have become my best gym in Cape Town, as well as making me feel energized and exhilarated, especially at La Parada Constantia Nek, which has become the top meeting place of music and dance lovers in Cape Town. 

DJ Rene already had a loyal following before starting to play at Constantia Nek on Sunday evenings from October 2016, known for his pop playlist as well as drum and percussion support to the music played. Initially he played until 20h00, but this has now been extended to 22h00. The DJ receives encores for more music, he is loved so. 

My ‘SwitchBitch’ Book is a documentation of how I lost the weight without having planned to or having set a goal, the catalyst for this weight loss being Graham Goble, with whom I fell in love, before I ended the relationship after 18 months. It was on the dance floor at La Parada that I was regularly told by fellow dancing girls that they would love to be like me when they grow up, their average age being mid-twenties. It has rubbed off on me, in that I now feel 18 years old! The weight loss and figure change had a ripple effect, in that I could wear dresses again for the first time in almost 30 years, and I like wearing them short and figure-hugging. My blood sugar level has returned to a normal level, having been diagnosed with Diabetes type 2 many years ago when I was severely overweight. My shoe size has reduced by one to two sizes, depending on the style of the shoe. The physical transformation has extended to include a breast lift, Botox, being able to wear a bikini, and dental implants. 

SwitchBitch also contains a Memoir, an autobiographical summary of my life, from my birth in Germany and moving to Cape Town at the age of three months. Last, but not least, it contains my best and worst eating experiences at restaurants in Cape Town, the Winelands, London, New York, Paris, at JAN in Nice, and at other World’s 50 Best and Michelin Star restaurants, in 2016 and 2017. 

Today in two months exactly I take my first steps on the spiritual journey of walking the ancient pilgrim route Camino from France into Spain, over the Pyrenees, a 22 day journey on foot, to the end destination of Santiago de Compostela. I will then travel to Apricale in Italy (where I wrote Book 1) again, where I will write SwitchBitch Book 2, about walking the Camino.

Please join me in celebrating the launch of ‘SwitchBitch: My journey of transformation from Sour to Sweet!’ at La Parada Constantia Nek on Sunday 25 March, at 17h00, and experience the fun and joy of dancing, eating, and having a drink or two there. Half the proceeds of my book sales go to StreetSmart, a restaurant-funded charity supporting the upliftment of Street children. SwitchBitch can be ordered from me directly, and is for sale on Amazon, for those unable to attend the book launch. 

Please RSVP to chrisvonulmenstein@gmail.com for catering purposes. 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein