Hitting the road again

MH4L participant Arthur

When adventure calls, Arthur picks up, but ongoing knee issues meant that call had been going to voicemail.  

A lifelong trailblazer, and not afraid of a challenge, Arthur was enjoying a very active retirement. An avid touring couple, he and his wife have travelled the length and breadth of the country with their caravan. Now, touring the east coast, knee pain really started to slow things down. Arthur’s usual hikes were dwindling to just the bare minimum and the pain was really getting in the way of his day-to-day life.  

“I’ve always enjoyed being active, but my knees started making caravaning trips and long walks difficult,” Arthur shared. “I needed to get my health in better shape to prepare for surgery and get back to doing what I love.” 

Doctors confirmed that Arthur would need a double knee replacement and placed him on the waiting list for surgery. As someone who has navigated many other twists and turns in his path, Arthur began to explore what he could do to start helping himself.  

The doctor had suggested he switch from walking to cycling and by building up gradually, he now confidently covers 40+ KMs on a ride! Determined to regain his fitness and work towards a knee replacement, Arthur turned to My health for life for support.  

Arthur’s journey was guided by weekly health coaching calls with Elizabeth, a key component of the initiative. The calls became a source of encouragement and accountability for Arthur. 

“Elizabeth was fantastic to talk to. She always checked in on my progress and gave me practical tips to improve my diet and activity levels,” Arthur said. “It really kept me on track, knowing she’d be there to chat and support me.” 

Under Elizabeth’s guidance, Arthur made meaningful changes to his diet and lifestyle. Using the 5:2 method, he found this achievable and easy to plan around. He also focused on short, consistent walks to improve his mobility. 

“The coaching wasn’t about big, overwhelming changes,” Arthur explained. “It was all about small, manageable steps, and that made a big difference for me.” 

So far, Arthur has lost 12 kilograms and feels more energetic and positive about his health. While his knees still require attention, he is steadily working towards the strength and fitness needed for a successful knee replacement. 

“My goal is to make caravaning trips less of a struggle and enjoy my time on the bike again,” Arthur said. “The program has given me the tools and support to get there. You get out what you put in.” 

For Arthur, the best part of the journey has been rediscovering his confidence and joy in staying active. He encourages others to consider My health for life if they’re looking to make a change. “The support is incredible, and having someone like Elizabeth to guide you makes all the difference,” he said. 

If you’re ready to take the first step toward better health like Arthur, start with an online Health Check to see if health coaching is right for you. 

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