The council–run scheme enabling GPs to recommend patients for diet and exercise programmes at local leisure centres has resulted in a bright new outlook on life for two patients. Jean Drapper-Jones, who has had Diabetes for many years, and Harry Amos, off work for several months with stress, have both been astonished at how their health has improved and how much better they feel after attending the thirteen-week programme.

Course co-ordinators took time to assess the individual needs of attendees, and designed a tailor-made fitness programme for each of them, including food and exercise diaries and a free pedometer so that participants could count the number of steps they took each day. The weekly meetings consisted of physical exercise and advice on health issues such as nutrition, stress, relaxation techniques and group work.

Jean said: ”Before the programme, I couldn’t walk for longer than a few minutes, my muscles and bones hurt, and I rarely bothered to go upstairs in my own house. I now regularly walk over 7,000 steps a day, my sugar levels have dropped and my blood pressure is down on average by 15 points. Most importantly, I have lost 11 pounds in weight, which I never thought I could achieve on my own”

Harry was at a very low point when he saw a poster for the Exercise Recommendation Programme in his doctor’s waiting room and asked if he could take part: “I didn’t want to leave the house, I couldn’t bring myself to speak to people and I couldn’t tie my own shoelaces as it made me dizzy. I hadn’t done any exercise for seven months, and I was having numerous dizzy spells and at least 2 migraines a week.”

Harry’s own physical and mental health was suffering – and so was his wife’s – so he knew he had to do something. On attending his first session, he was relieved to find that there were other people with similar problems:“It was like a sudden weight had been lifted from me!”

The programme helped Harry to change his lifestyle for the better:”I now walk on average 9,500 steps a day, I no longer get headaches or dizzy spells, my blood pressure has come down, I don’t have the aches and pains I used to have and I can now tie my own shoelaces without fear of passing out.

“The programme has changed my diet, the way I buy my food, my physical activity levels and body shape, my attitude to achieving goals and my outlook on life.”

Both Jean and Harry are full of praise for the course co-ordinators, who, they say, were friendly and very helpful without being patronising. Jean said: “I would definitely recommend the programme to anybody. If I can benefit then I am absolutely positive that anyone can. Just have a go – you never know, it may surprise you!”

The Exercise Recommendation Programme pilot scheme finished this week. As a result of the initial evaluation the programme will continue across the City from April. For more information, please contact Peter MacKenzie-Shaw on 01905 722317