Joining Green Prescription a very positive step for Don

It was through his nurse at Kauri Healthcare, in Palmerston North that Donald Campbell first heard about the Green Prescription programme. “I had been originally referred to a different programme, but since I did not meet the criteria my nurse recommended that I start with the GRx programme”. It seems that the choice to move forward with the GRx programme has been a very positive step for Don.

“I knew that I needed to get more consistent with my exercise. I had heard about Sport Manawatu, but I was unaware of the GRx programme and the opportunities that this programme provided to the community.

“After attending my first class I was hooked! The instructors did not try to push above my ability, but encouraged me to try my best. I felt really good within myself after the first class that I did not hesitate to continue with the remainder of the course”.

Exercise was not something that Donald did not do much of prior to starting the GRx classes.

“I mowed my lawns every two weeks and came in and flopped on the couch. This was not doing my health any benefits as I am a type 2 Diabetic, and diagnosed with high blood pressure”.

But since attending the weekly classes Don has changed his approach to exercise. “I now try to go for a brisk walk every day. I enjoy walking around different areas and terrains which brings different challenges to each walk”.

“From my involvement on the GRx programme I have learnt that you have to push yourself to improve and so I am always trying to improve with each exercise. The instructors are there motivating everyone and I truly believe that the effort you put in to your exercise will result in the type of results that you achieve”.

“This programme has met my needs as it keeps on providing a challenge every week. My future plans/goals are to remain to challenge myself with my exercise. I would like to start jogging and then running so I can do some long distance running like completing a half or full marathon instead of five or ten km walks”.

“I would thoroughly recommend this programme to anyone who has not been active for a time either because of a medical reason or just a lack of motivation. Once you get motivated again you find a new lease on life!”