Allan Youldon
Allan Youldon lived a sedentary lifestyle in the beautiful area of Te Anau. His health issues of Cardiomyopathy and Asthma meant that he had to avoid anything strenuous or stressful. Now close to 70 his general fitness deteriorated and he didn’t have enough energy to even make his nose run!
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Allan had heard about the Green Prescription programme through a guest speaker at his Probus club and during a visit to his GP, a Green Prescription was suggested. Allan accepted the offer as he felt that it was time to give this a go, as his health continued to steadily worsened. Allan wasn’t sure what anyone could offer him in such a ‘remote’ area, but felt nothing ventured nothing gained and he wanted to start doing something. Ann from Sport Southland (who incidentally was the guest speaker) became Allan’s ‘Patient Support Person’ and through support, encouragement and advice found suitable exercises and helped Allan achieve his objectives. Allan stated that he found the ‘phone calls to be very supportive encouraging and helpful’. With Green Prescription – I have now found the habit of exercise to be well formed. I feel I have cheated myself when I miss out a day of exercise and I believe that the improvement in my general health has slowed down my aging.
I now have weather alternatives – fine days I walk and inclement days I do my home-based stretching and arm exercises and use an exercycle, suggested by Ann. A brilliant option and something I never regret purchasing.
The physiological benefits seem to out weigh the physical – but I feel better about myself, my hip joints don’t hurt as much when I walk and I enjoy my activity. I have made some small changes to my eating habits – increasing the water and fruit consumption. I now have my wife walking with me and using our exercycle. We are both benefiting from the whole programme.
Allan states – Just do what you can no matter how little you start with. You can step it up if when you are able. I feel so much better by doing what I can and even though I will never run another marathon – that’s okay. My health hasn’t deteriorated since starting the Green Prescription and after all – that was my prime objective.
“Start slow, but give it a go”
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