Success Stories: Inspiring Journeys from H4U Participants

Curious about the impact of the Healthy 4 U telephone coaching program? Hear directly from participants who have embarked on this transformative journey towards better health. Their stories speak volumes about the positive changes experienced through the program:

Angela

53 years old - H4U program participant

Angela attended the Specialist Clinics at Bendigo Health following a prolonged period of worsening knee pain, and decreased activity. Her surgeon recommended taking a conservative approach to the knee, with a focus on exercise to build the knee muscles. Angela was given a leaflet for the H4u service and decided to make the call to change her lifestyle and get fitter. 

Before starting the program, Angela was reluctant to do much physical activity, spending the majority of time in front of the TV rather than being active. Angela was concerned that doing activity would make her knee arthritis worse- so having the surgeon recommend exercise was beneficial to decrease this anxiety. 

Throughout the H4U program Angela talked about the obstacles that generally stopped her from sticking to her exercise plan, and together worked out ways to manage these obstacles.

Angela enjoyed the regular contacts from the H4U provider, finding the non-judgmental approach suited her approach to activity change. Angela also enjoyed the continued calls, as being accountable to someone encouraged her to focus on her goals. 

Angela had a couple of 1:1 sessions with an Exercise Physiologist to start her exercise journey, and then transitioned into a strength training group in the community that she plans to attend for the ongoing future.

“I have done far more activity that I have been able to previously. I find by exercising I actually have less aches and pains, and I have more energy. And a coffee at the end of exercise always helps"

Peter

49 years old - H4U program participant

When Peter* attended the Specialist Clinics he did not think his hospital appointment would see him dramatically change his physical activity levels. Peter spotted a poster for the Healthy 4U telephone coaching program and it made him think of his own fitness levels. Taking the poster into the consultation, he used the poster to discuss his desire to be more physically active levels with his surgeon who agreed that this might be a good option for him.

Peter enrolled into the Healthy 4U program, which for him really needed to focus on his motivation to be active. Peter has a physical job – the thought of exercising after a day’s work a lot for him to consider. Yet at the same time, he knew he needed to make some changes. Peter worked through strategies to consider what his true physical activity outcome goals were, and to work towards these.

Peter felt that because he didn’t exercise he often felt stiff and sometimes a bit low in energy. Following a day at work he spent the majority of the day on the couch watching television. Peter set about making some small adjustments to integrate physical activity into his life, to reconsider the value he placed on being active over being sedentary.

Over the 3-month period Peter was enrolled in the Healthy 4U program his weekly leisure-time physical activity more than doubled, and at his last measure he was undertaking enough physical activity to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. 

These participant stories represent just a glimpse of the positive experiences within the H4U community. Ready to start your own success story? Join us on this journey towards improved health and well-being. Sign up today for a healthier, happier tomorrow with Healthy 4 U!