By Cameron Tait
When it came to his health, dark clouds were hovering over Graeme Ball and the outlook wasn’t bright.
The 59-year-old qualified weather forecaster, who works for the Bureau of Meteorology’s marine observing program, was told by his doctor that he was overweight and needed to change.
The Werribee resident signed up to the Western Bulldogs Sons of the West men’s health program and, after losing 18 kilograms, the outlook for Ball is now bright.
“My doctor had been telling me to lose weight and my wife said I needed to be more active,” he said.
“I learnt that too much girth around the waist had a big impact on my health, (but) the key was hearing about the health benefits of physical activity.
“I started walking seriously in September last year and since then I’ve averaged about 14 kilometres a day and dropped 18 kilograms. I’ve walked 3.5 million steps – that’s greater than the distance from here to Uluru.”
Mr Ball believes making walking part of his daily routine has been key to his success.
“When I catch the train into work, I now get off at North Melbourne and head to the Docklands on foot. I go for a walk at lunchtime and, at the end of the day, walk to Flinders Street to catch the train to Werribee and walk home from there,” he said.
“I did suffer from migraines but now I only get them occasionally and I’ve halved the medication I was taking for them. I now feel better, my waist measurement is pretty good and my blood pressure is under control.”
At the Sons of the West expo in Werribee on March 15, another 128 men signed up take part in this year’s free 15-week program, which will be run locally by Wyndham council and Healthy Together Wyndham, and will include regular fitness and information sessions.
The council’s portfolio holder for community well-being, Cr Bob Fairclough, said the program encourages men to make small changes to improve their health.
“We’re building on the success of the 2014 program by offering an extra Tuesday night exercise class, as well as the information sessions on Wednesday nights.”
“This year, there will be a session with a dietician, a cooking class, a parenting session, and information on quitting smoking, keeping your heart healthy, working out your finances and mental health and well-being,” he said.
“Getting all that expert advice for free is an amazing opportunity and one Wyndham men should take advantage of. ”
For more information or to sign up to the program, phone the council’s Healthy Communities on 9742 0777 or e-mail healthycommunities@wyndham.vic.gov.au
