How My health for life is changing the lives of Queenslanders
Nothing is more rewarding than having a positive impact on somebody’s quality of life. That’s exactly what the My health for life program is doing for Queenslanders.
My health for life is a free program that helps participants make healthier choices and create healthier habits that they can live with.
For Jason, a logistics worker, it was the ‘wakeup call’ he needed to course correct his health. At 52 years old, Jason’s cholesterol was in an unhealthy range and his blood pressure was high.
“I was massively overweight, so I got a bit of a shock to be honest,” he said. “My mum has had a couple of strokes and dad had high cholesterol and a couple of heart attacks. He told me I was heading down the same path.”
How did My health for life help Jason?
On his GP’s advice, Jason took the My health for life online health check and signed up to the free health coaching, a series of 6 sessions over 18 weeks.
He was assigned a personal telephone health coach, Kate, and over the course of the coaching series, the pair talked through Jason’s eating habits and how gradual changes could make a big difference.
Jason now takes a healthy lunch to work instead of buying food from the takeaway shops close to his work and started eating breakfast – a meal he used to skip.
“In summer, I could drink up to 8 cans of high sugar soft drink a day,” he said. “But if I have a soft drink now, I choose one without sugar.”
He’s started walking every day and working out at the gym with his son. He’s trimmed down, noticed an improvement in his sleep, and generally feels better and more motivated.
“My cholesterol went down to 5 in just 3 months, and my blood pressure is better,” he said.
Jason’s focus is now on keeping his health on track to look after his elderly parents.
Helping Queenslanders achieve their goals
For Debbie, a 64-year-old grandmother of 16, the goal was to get back to riding.
Crippling arthritis in her knees had prevented Debbie from being able to help her husband on the Eton farm stay property where they live, as well as be active with her grandkids.
While she awaited a date for knee surgery, Debbie was approached by My health for life, to help get her health on track. She was assigned a personal telephone health coach, Danni, and over the course of the coaching series the pair talked about Debbie’s eating habits and exercise.
“Danni was lovely to talk to and she was really encouraging,” she said. “She gave me the support I needed to lose weight and get more active.”
Debbie started by making small, simple changes to her daily routine, like walking in short, faster bursts of 10 minutes (rather than just counting her steps across the day) and cutting down on sweets.
She’s already lost 10kg and continues to work toward her goal weight of 80kg. In the process, she’s noticed a big difference in her knees and general health.
“I’ve noticed I have more energy. I feel a lot happier and it’s great to be getting in and doing more to help my husband on the farm,” she said.
Debbie can’t wait to get back on the horse and credits My health for life for helping her get there.
My health for life is a free program that’s all about making healthier choices that you can live with. To see if free health coaching is right for you, start the online Health Check.
