A MIRACLE THING IN MY LIFE!

After having a quadruple bypass in 2009, Nick was endeavouring to change his lifestyle and ensure he never had serious heart problems again. He knew he had to increase his exercise in a safe and sensible way, adjust his food buying and eating habits, but needed help to find out how and be disciplined enough to do it - and stick to it. After hearing about the Green Prescription service at a local Heart Foundation cardiac seminar Nick took the initiative and asked his practice nurse Gail at Harley Street Medical to refer him to the local GRx team at Nelson Bays Primary Health.  He wanted to avoid taking more pills and have a more holistic approach to his health.

Nick met his patient support person Bee and together they came up with some ideas to help Nick set a pattern/routine to help him stay motivated to lose some weight, lower his cholesterol levels,  and get better at preparing healthy meals.  Nick had already learnt a lot from the hospital dietitians, but being accountable to somebody played an important part in Nick's plan to feel healthier and happier. The regular calls and meetings with Bee meant he stuck to his exercise plan, or got help making adjustments such as using a pedometer to record his walking, starting to eat breakfast and getting information about the local Heart Foundation Cardiac Club based at the Nelson CityFitness gym.
Nick had been walking on the flat and built up to tackling the Centre of NZ track however he wasn't getting the results he wanted and became a little despondent at his lack of progress. Talking things through with Bee helped him readjust his Step by Step Action Plan and Nick began to increase his weekly walks and added cycling which he enjoyed. He began to really read the labels on foods in the supermarket and noticed his healthy food was actually costing him less than previous choices he'd made. He noticed his taste buds were waking up - and his bedside reading now included the Healthy Food Guide!

Like a lot of people Nick had said "I‚ll never go into a gym, it's just not me!"  however after sitting in the car talking himself into entering, once he took that first step and met the great people at the Cardiac Club he realised the gym wasn't what he'd imagined.  He loved it! Nick discovered walking on the treadmill and began gradually increasing the amount of time, the speed and the intensity of his walking.  He was feeling focussed and more confident about keeping to a healthier lifestyle - his twice-weekly workouts were now a 'non-negotiable investment in my life'.

In his own words Nick got 'unbelievable support' from everybody involved in his journey to a healthy life. His mood is lifted, his confidence and social life have improved, his weight has come down, he has fewer takeaway meals and today Nick is a picture of vitality. His experiences with changing his lifestyle have been 'a miracle thing in my life'.
To anybody considering getting Green Prescription support to make some changes Nick says 'we all resist, but what have you got to lose?'  Just do it once and set something off - it could be fantastic'

Nick you are an inspiration!