Naser

Get Healthy Graduate

Regular conversations with his Get Healthy coach were key to increasing Naser's motivation to make changes to his diet to improve his health.

At first Naser, from the northern Adelaide suburbs, wasn't convinced that talking with his Get Healthy coach would make any difference. But, after a few sessions, just knowing that a call would be coming soon was enough to keep him on track so he could report that he was still working towards his goal. “Getting regular feedback from my coach really encouraged me to stay motivated and made me feel responsible to finally make the changes I needed to". Now six months later, Naser is still eating a healthy diet and feeling great because of it.

Naser had been struggling with feeling generally unwell, slept poorly and was often too tired to go to work as a university researcher in Environmental Science. His GP diagnosed chronic fatigue, and also noticed that Naser's diet was almost completely lacking vegetables and fruit. The GP told Naser that as well as lacking sufficient vitamins in his diet, he didn't drink enough and this was contributing to his lack of energy. He advised that water present in food is helpful, but to keep well hydrated two-thirds of the required fluid should be achieved through drinks, in particular water. Naser picked up a Get Healthy brochure in the clinic and noticing it was a free service to support healthier lifestyles thought he would give a try.

Naser thought he knew enough about a healthy diet, but was keen to improve his health as he was seeking new work. He registered with Get Healthy and his coach helped him understand about serve sizes and the quantities of fruit and vegetable needed for an optimum diet as well as the importance of being well hydrated for improved concentration and energy. His primary goal was to meet the daily recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption, which for someone who didn't do much cooking was going to be easier said than done.

With regular contact with his coach Naser identified lots of opportunities to eat more fruit and vegetables. “I worked out that lots of vegetables can be eaten raw" so using them in healthy salads and snacks has made it easier.

Six months after completing the program Naser is still eating plenty of fruit and vegetables every day, drinking more water and feeling healthier and more energetic. The work days that require lots of walking, standing and interacting with colleagues and students can now be done easily and sometimes with a smile!

As well as his general improved health, his new diet has provided Naser with the added benefit of losing three to four kilos. Naser's colleagues and friends have noticed he looks healthier and slimmer and he has been happy to tell them that his secret to success is Get Healthy and recommends they try it too.