‘Move Me’ counts down

‘Move Me’ counts down

The Move Me year is coming to an end, with less than 6 weeks until 11 July, when the programme began last year. Lifestyle Champions Tere Torea, Gary McPhee and Nicky Poona are all using the Green Prescription process to support them through the final weeks. "At the end of the day, I know it's up to me, but every bit of encouragement helps," laughs Public Health manager Nicky Poona. "The Move Me programme has been good for both me and my two sons, though it's hard to stay on track at times. I know what I need to do, though, and have learned a lot during the year about how to look after myself better. The Green Prescription has just added in a way of monitoring what I'm doing, which is encouragement in itself.”

“Paul Bates, the Green Prescription coordinator has phoned several times, and given me lots of good advice,” says Nicky. “He sent me a pack with a log book to record the activity I do over the next four weeks. Paul offers different levels of activity and helps you identify which level you are on to start with. The programme steps you up to the next level over the weeks. A lot of what he said reinforced what I know, but what I really liked was that he didn’t assume I knew it all because I work in health. He took me through what I knew and then offered more, starting right back at the basics.

I’ve started on my log, and it’s really good to look back on your progress. Most of my exercise is through walking – I find a lunchtime walk works best at this time of year. It clears my head and you get some good fresh air. I’ve had a setback because I’ve been sick for a week, but I’m back on track now. "

Gary has also struggled to stay on track at times, having had a rollercoaster of a year dealing with health and family issues. "Learning to keep up the exercise has been my big thing," he says. "Even when the going is tough, if I keep up the exercise, I feel much better - and so does my dog. I've learned a lot about food choices both at work and at home. I've had a lot of support from the people around me - my supermarket minders still watch what I put in my basket."

Tere has found staying on track a little easier, and has been strongly motivated to reach and surpass his original lifestyle goal of being able to swim 6 lengths of the pool. "Lots of people are watching me, and the encouragement has been great," he says. "I want to pass on what I've learned and achieved - some of the bigger men around me are encouraged by what I'm doing, and I'd like to build on that. I found I was ahead of the game a little with the Green Prescription process, but it's good encouragement to look around at what exercise opportunities there are around that are free. Exercising with others can be much easier than trying to do it on your own," he says.

There are opportunities in each Wairarapa town to join in with others who are also seeking to stay healthy through regular exercise - see the tables below, supplied by Sport Wairarapa in conjunction with the PHO, Whaiora Whanui and the Green Prescription group. Then Push the 'Play' button - on yourself, not the DVD!

Ends.

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