High Achiever: Improved health and well being through a positive healthy outcome

“For the last 21 years, I have been so focused on my family that I forgot about myself and mid-way through last year, I decided that it was time for me to start thinking about myself and prioritizing my health and wellbeing,” says Mel Willis.

“I began my journey to a better lifestyle with a self-referral to the Green Prescription (GRx) programme. After successfully completing the GRx programme, I was then presented my new challenge the Whānau Tri Training Programme and Whānau Tri Event.

“The training programme was great and it was similar to the GRx programme so I felt more accountable to commit to attend every week.

“At the beginning, I was overweight and had high blood pressure and was classified as a pre-diabetic. But after attending 19 out of the possible 20 ses- sions that were offered in Whānau Tri Training Programme and completing the Whānau Tri event I had significantly improved my health. “My blood pressure was back to a normal range, I lost 9 kgs (98kgs - 89 kgs) and improved my HBA1C so I was no longer classified as a pre-diabetic.

“I believe my improved health was a direct result of me being involved in the programme. Achieving what I have in terms of positive health outcomes has given me the motivation to continue my healthy active lifestyle.

“If I could talk to week one version of myself, I would tell her to keep at it! Changes won’t come immediately but they will come with time and persistence.

“Don’t look at success from weekly results. Just keep focused on the end goal and keep on the training path and do the best you can,” says Mel.