Green Prescription Success Story - Allan
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After the operation and having to deal with some major personal issues over the last five years, he begun to give up on life. He found comfort in food and began binge eating. The comfort however was short-lived and he became depressed and his eating patterns became worse.
"I gave up, I was not hurting anyone else, just hurting myself," Allan said.
As Allan's health continued to deteriorate he visited his GP who stressed he needed to make drastic changes to his lifestyle to improve his overall health. He was issued a Green Prescription (GRx).
He was contacted by Green Prescription Support Person, Donna Congalton. Donna recommended that Allan attend the GRx Health Lifestyle Programme. This 10 week course provides face to face contact with participants once a week. The course provides education, motivation and community physical activity options, whilst providing the participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to achieve long-term changes.
Although somewhat anxious at the first session he found the Programme fun and entertaining.
"I was a bit nervous about the people and talking out loud but I decided to give it a go, plus I wanted to make the most of this opportunity I had been given".
As Allan attended the course on a weekly basis, his confidence continued to grow.
"I was recently invited to my sister's party. In the past I would not have considered attending but by 10pm I decided what the heck, just do it, who cares what other people think anyway. Before attending the GRx Healthy Lifestyle Programme I would not have considered ever walking into a group situation," says Allan.
The programme made Allan realise that he is not alone and others are in similar situations and also trying to make positive changes to their lifestyles.
"I got motivation from others who were succeeding in the group. I realised that they are in similar situations to me and if they can do it so can I," he laughs.
Allan admits he still struggles with walking into a group environment. He has overcome this barrier by arriving early at gatherings so he is the first one there. "That way I am already in the room as others arrive and it's not so daunting for me," he says.
He has made some fantastic changes since first being issued his Green Prescription (GRx) including positive steps to improving his mental health. Allan's blood pressure is now at a normal level, he is eating regular meals and has emptied his cupboards and fridge of junk food so as not to be tempted back into ‘binge' eating, and, he has stopped drinking coffee (up to 12 cups a day) so is now sleeping better.
"When I went to the takeaway shop they thought I had left town because they had not seen me for such a long time - I use to go two or three times a week, now its just the occasional treat," says Allan.
Allan is exercising regularly and enjoys walking and exercising to a ‘Sit and Be Fit' DVD. He is now able to mow his lawns and makes an effort to move more during the day instead of sitting on the couch.
Allan says before taking part in the Green Prescription programme he was not doing any physical activity. He said he was just getting up in the morning, staring at the wall for best part of 14 hours a day and at one stage had not left the house for three weeks! "Now I am never home," he says.
"I go to the park and walk regularly from one side to the other. I have a sit down and a rest, then I walk back. I have made small changes like parking my car further away from places I am visiting to get in a few extra steps. Even walking from my driveway to the gate every now and then helps," says Allan.
"I have always suffered from sore feet and knees but am hoping that as I continue with my lifestyle changes my body will adjust and improve" he said. "Having lost 12 kilograms in weight has already helped as well as improving my breathing."
Attending the GRx Healthy Lifestyle Programme, Allan says made him feel ‘wanted' and that he did matter. He now has a better understanding of setting realistic goals and enjoyed the regular contact from the staff and participants. It provided him with a social outing, he learnt new skills such as reading food labels and what to consider when making food choices. He now knows that physical activity needn't be difficult and hard. Knowing the right activity and the fact that you can break it up into small portions is the perfect balance for Allan.
"When I came to the first Healthy Lifestyle session I couldn't see my feet... but I can now," he laughs.
Allan has continued with support from Donna and they are now pursuing physical opportunities Allan can link into to compliment his walking.
