The Pikia whanau are competing in a 12-week Biggest Loser Challenge where weigh ins occur each week and $5 fines are handed out for weight gain.
The possibility of living with diabetes triggered a young father’s desire to become healthy and fit.
Romano Danford, 27, says it didn’t come as a surprise to be told he was on the verge of diabetes.
“But actually hearing Dee (Curwood, NKMP) tell me face-to-face triggered something within me to try and become as healthy as I can, to be there for my family.”
So Romano entered his whanau’s Biggest Loser Challenge and has since lost a massive 22kg, with the aim of losing even more.
The youth support worker says (while he certainly hasn’t traded in pies) he has switched all liquids for water and has been exercising and walking. He has cut down his portion sizes and doesn’t eat after 7pm.
“A lot of the stuff I do is CrossFit style training thanks to some of the brothers from work who have helped me out with a plan which helps me get the heart pumping and fatigue going. No pain, no gain.”
Becoming healthy and active has helped Romano gain his relationship back with God, which he believes has helped with his health and wellbeing.
He also doesn’t get tired as often as he used to, is able to jog, and has noticed he’s able to complete basic tasks easier.
“I used to get puffed doing the shopping or just giving the kids a bath with all the bending.”
Romano is looking forward to playing rugby with his whanau.
“It’s been eight years since I’ve played or even been active, so it will be a test but you never know how things will go until you try, so I’ll give it a crack.”
Romano’s tip: Eat lots of tuna! It’s quick, easy, inexpensive and healthy, with a variety of flavours to choose from.
* Nga Kete’s Mauri Ora Nurse Dee Curwood stops in to perform health checks on each family member (in Invercargill). Dee measures and monitors the gains being made in their fitness plans. Some of the family have also signed up to the Southern Stop Smoking Service.
The possibility of living with diabetes triggered a young father’s desire to become healthy and fit.
Romano Danford, 27, says it didn’t come as a surprise to be told he was on the verge of diabetes.
“But actually hearing Dee (Curwood, NKMP) tell me face-to-face triggered something within me to try and become as healthy as I can, to be there for my family.”
So Romano entered his whanau’s Biggest Loser Challenge and has since lost a massive 22kg, with the aim of losing even more.
The youth support worker says (while he certainly hasn’t traded in pies) he has switched all liquids for water and has been exercising and walking. He has cut down his portion sizes and doesn’t eat after 7pm.
“A lot of the stuff I do is CrossFit style training thanks to some of the brothers from work who have helped me out with a plan which helps me get the heart pumping and fatigue going. No pain, no gain.”
Becoming healthy and active has helped Romano gain his relationship back with God, which he believes has helped with his health and wellbeing.
He also doesn’t get tired as often as he used to, is able to jog, and has noticed he’s able to complete basic tasks easier.
“I used to get puffed doing the shopping or just giving the kids a bath with all the bending.”
Romano is looking forward to playing rugby with his whanau.
“It’s been eight years since I’ve played or even been active, so it will be a test but you never know how things will go until you try, so I’ll give it a crack.”
Romano’s tip: Eat lots of tuna! It’s quick, easy, inexpensive and healthy, with a variety of flavours to choose from.
* Nga Kete’s Mauri Ora Nurse Dee Curwood stops in to perform health checks on each family member (in Invercargill). Dee measures and monitors the gains being made in their fitness plans. Some of the family have also signed up to the Southern Stop Smoking Service.
