Around the Regions

Northern

Success Story in St. Anthony

On April 9, 1999, Mary E. Tucker of St. Anthony took a step in her life that she will never regret. She started attending the Healthy Lifestyle Clinic at the Public Health office in St. Anthony. In retrospect, Mary states "it was a step that I should have taken ten years earlier".

Mary joined the Healthy Lifestyle Clinic as she was not comfortable with her weight of two hundred pounds and didn't feel good about herself... "a five mile hike would not even have been considered". One year later, Mary is seventy-six pounds lighter and "feeling healthier and more alive". She now looks forward to long hikes...last summer she walked eleven kilometers without tiring, "feeling as fresh at the end as I did at the start"!

Mary acknowledges that weight loss and weight control are not easy ... "it takes a lot of effort to succeed!" Mary admits she was a "slave to french fries and sweet desserts". She still enjoys these foods, but in moderation. Mary keeps a record of her eating activity with the help of Canada's Food Guide, along with keeping track of her hiking activity. Mary also heels the only thing needed, along with "determination and decision to start this adventure in food freedom... is a group of others who are involved in the same activity as yourself. These are people who you can share your goals and your achievements with - even your little problems."

Of course, Mary realizes that this process is ongoing and she will have to follow the plan faithfully for the rest of her life... "but it does get easier". "Add to that, the great feeling of self-worth and the admiring eyes of a very supportive husband and friends", she feels that the price she pays by her dedication to the plan is a very small one!

Mary says she is "fortunate to have possessed a healthy heart, even when I mistreated it with so much unnecessary weight. My heart is much happier now. It has to work far less and thus will remain healthy for a much longer period of time."

To offer others support in their decision to lead a healthier lifestyle, on June 8th, 1999, Mary and Eva Blevins started a Healthy Lifestyle Support Group, which has grown from three to more than fifty members.

The group meets each week in the recreation room of the Charles Curtis Memorial Hospital. Mary states "they are more than pleased with the growth of the group, which gives much pleasure and pride in belonging to it".

Mary extends a thank-you to the wonderful nurses on staff at the Public Health Department, her good friend Eva Blevins and all those who have joined their support group. In Mary's own words, "these people are jewels and the support I receive from them is worth more to me than anything that can ever be gained by mere money".

A big thank-you is also extended to Mr. John Budgell, administrator of the Grenfell Regional Health Services for the use of space for the group meetings.

Congratulations on your achievement Mary and thank-you for sharing your experience!

Workplace activity... Strait of Belle Isle

Staff at the Straight of Belle Isle Health Centre have initiated a Heart Health workplace activity. Using stationary bikes brought in by three staff members, all staff are encouraged to ride at least 5 minutes each working day for a small fee of 25 cents per ride. Along with this activity being a great way to promote active living, the funds raised will be used to purchase a gas barbecue for the Centre.