The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) launched a new weight rehabilitation program in Mudgee last year and has seen some great achievements.
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Lauren Love, Colleen Fitzpatrick and married couple Steve and Jane Jennings, had a combined weight loss of over 60kg.
In recognition of these achievements author and educator Catherine Saxelby, presented Lauren, Colleen, Steve and Jane at the Mudgee Field Days with a copy of her latest edition of the Complete Food and Nutrition Companion.
Popular Foodwatch website author Catherine said, “I love to help busy people eat well so they maintain a healthy weight while having heaps of energy and staying productive”.
WNSWLHD Senior Integrated Care dietitian Penny Small said, “most people know what to do when it comes to weight loss, but find it very hard to do it on their own”.
“It may sound like a big commitment but we find it takes this length of time to first make the changes, break old habits and bring in new lifestyle changes people can stick to in the long term,” Penny said.
“The research shows us this Lifestyle program works particularly well for participants aged 60 and older, lowering their chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 71 per cent.
“Colleen our ‘biggest loser’ has lost over 28kg since November last year. Through working two jobs she was already clocking up 10,000 steps per day. Now she also regularly goes to the gym and is eating and loving vegetables.”
After embracing a healthy diet and exercise Lauren lost over 10 kg and noticed how it’s improved her sleep, mood, confidence and stress management. She has set her sights on a new goal, running her first marathon later this year.
Steve and Jane Jennings joined the new lifestyle program last year and have lost over 15kg each. Steve has reduced his intake of medications and seen an improvement in his blood tests.
The program funded by the NSW Health Integrated Care program has enabled the WNSWLHD to employ exercise physiologist Liz Schembri.
“It’s been great to watch people go from doing no exercise and loathing it, to looking forward to exercise and experiencing just what a positive impact it can make on their lives,” Liz said.
The program is different to other healthy lifestyle programs as it involves people coming to Mudgee Community Health for exercise and lifestyle rehabilitation each week for over six months.
It is GP-lead and is suitable for all weight related chronic diseases.
The Mudgee program starts again in August, contact your GP if you are interested in starting this journey.
