A recent retirement and separation had Lake Tyers resident Phil Ripper wanting to make some positive changes.
The Life! program has helped Phil become more active and eat healthier foods with support from dietitians and exercise physiologists.
He says one of the biggest changes has been knowing what to look for on food labels, to help make better choices.
“I’m on a different path to where I was,” he said.
“I’ve separated from my wife, so I’m doing my own shopping and cooking my own meals.
“The things that have helped me is education about things I thought I knew, motivation to change my habits to live a more healthy lifestyle- to eat better and be more active.”
Life! is a free healthy lifestyle program designed to support you in making positive, lasting changes.
The program is facilitated by Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) and held in Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale.
Dietitian Beth Tuke delivers the program and said it can help you gradually make small changes to your daily habits to achieve long-term goals.
“Life! is an exciting free program that is both accessible and tailored to suit your needs,” she said.
“Improving your health will also help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.”
Life! runs seven sessions delivered over a 12-month period with regular check-ins over the phone on online throughout the year.
It’s funded by the Victorian Government and managed by Diabetes Victoria.
The first step is to see if you are eligible. Visit the Life! website to fill in a questionnaire about your lifestyle to check. Or you can call Beth at GLCH on 5155 8370.
Phil says it’s a great opportunity for people wanting support to make lifestyle changes.
“We don’t know how long we’ve got on this planet, and I think the Life! program is better than the alternative program,” he says.
“It’s about enjoying a better quality of life.”
“It’s very non judgemental. If people are in fear of being judged – it’s not like that. It’s great being in a group because you’re learning from each other.”