Waistwise clients bear the weight of 16 stone Health Promotion Adviser Nick Hodgson - whose weight is equivalent to the group's total weight loss in just 12 weeks!
The scheme helped the participants to shift the excess pounds through a combination of education on healthy eating and low impact exercise in the gym. For more information have a look at a video explaining whaty Waistwise is by clicking here.
DRONFIELD diabetes patient Mick Smith is enjoying a healthier, more active lifestyle after he was referred to North East Derbyshire’s Health Referral Scheme for residents whose health would benefit from increased exercise.
To read Mick's story, click here
A WOMAN who dropped four dress sizes is thanking a local walking group funded by NHS Derbyshire County for putting her on the right track towards a fitter, healthier lifestyle.
To read more about Joyce's journey, click here
Army veteran John Johnson (pictured in the black top) could barely walk ten paces two years ago... but now the spring’s back in his step and he leads popular Walking for Health groups in Clay Cross and Wingerworth.
Ankle problems meant John (63) was struggling to keep fit and healthy, and when doctors diagnosed John with angina, he knew something had to change.
Read John's story by clicking here.
Eileen is retired lady who is on health referral and attends Health Referral at Alfreton Leisure Centre.
Eileen was referred to the gym for back problems and was heading towards high blood pressure and had a sedentary lifestyle. She had always ‘exercised her mind’ and kept mentally active but she said she never thought about it being equally important to exercise her body until now! The only activity she did was walking donkeys on a voluntary basis. Helen contacted Eileen as she had stopped attending and she met with Helen to work out a way forward.
In the past Eileen had lots of responsibility with her family and home. Helen began to work with her and encouraged her to attend. They met on a weekly basis and Helen helped her work on a personal health plan with goals around healthy eating. Eileen was surprised there was someone there to help her get through the programme, as she has always had to do things on her own! Eileen commented that Helen pointed out things to her that she would not have noticed and by doing this it had given her confidence and a new direction in life. She commented that she and others on health referral can’t believe the Health Trainer Service is FREE!
Eileen can’t swim but because of her new found confidence she was able to do aqua jog with Helen buddying her to first session. Eileen says she previously would not have had the courage and now she loves aqua jog. She is now going to be taking up 12 free swimming lessons at the centre, unaccompanied and she wants to learn to swim in her back.
Eileen states her lung capacity has improved and she now has more energy. As she is coming to the end of her programme she is now looking at starting swimming, continuing with the gym and is looking into attending ‘Healthy Heart’ class. Eileen says “Helen’s support has been amazing and she helped me come back to the gym and move forward. I now have more confidence and even volunteered to appear in the leaflet. I also want older people to be aware that the Health Trainer Service and Health Referral Programme are appropriate for them and that age is no barrier to access."
Helen is continuing to support her to make changes in her healthy eating regime to help her achieve her goal to lose weight and continue to improve her health and wellbeing. Eileen has been so inspired by the project that she is now looking to become a ‘Health Champion’ on the Health Trainer project and to support others on Health Referral.
