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Members' Stories
  

Kylie Matulis

Marilyn Weatherley

“I would like to thank the staff at Green Apple Wellness Centre for their ongoing support and encouragement since my doctor referred me to the Exercise Physiologists to help with my ongoing knee problem and difficulty in losing weight. I have since joined the gym and the Exercise Physiologists have worked out an exercise program for me.

My doctor also referred me to the Type 2 Diabetes course which I have recently completed and enjoyed immensely. Combined with the exercise program, the Diabetes course has been an invaluable source of information regarding diet, exercise and lifestyle modification. Thank you especially to Felicity, who not only conducts a very informative and enjoyable Diabetes course but has helped me get back on track again after a recent pleurisy attack.

The exercise program and Diabetes course have made a great difference in my life – carrying less weight and exercising has meant my knee and back have been strengthened and I am doing more than I have in a very long time. I am a passionate quilter and have been able to enjoy my craft a lot more since my fitness level has improved. It has also done wonders for my self confidence.

All in all I am feeling much better in myself and my doctor is more than happy with my results. Thanks again to the friendly staff at Green Apple.”

Sharon Ramah

It was suggested to me by my orthopedic specialist to try the 5 following ideas to help me with my health issues:

1. back support (Bassett) for my car

2. Back brace for use at work (still to get)

3. Sorbothane inner soles for work shoes (due to a lot of walking in the job on hard floors)

4. Anti-inflammatories when needed

5. Pilates

It was the last that led me to the Green Apple Wellness Centre. I didn’t know what to expect, but after my interview and armed with a lot of information I found I was looking forward to starting my program.

I am really impressed with it, my exercise physiologist Felicity, and all the other staff for their knowledge, experience, skill and dedication. This has made it a lot easier for me to be fully committed to my program. I look at the itinerary each week to work out my personal itinerary of 3 Forever Active sessions, 1 night of stretches and meditation/relaxation an Friday night. I was concerned that when I retired, I wouldn’t be capable of doing much but I feel now that I am definitely on the right track to changing that. Due largely in part to Green Apple.
  

Delmay Whittington

As a member of the Green Apple gym with Type 2 Diabetes I thought I would do the HEAL course to see if it would help with trying to lose weight and change my lifestyle. I found this very educational.

Courtney ran the course and I found it good as we discussed many aspects of a healthy lifestyle and exercise and the amount to eat and analysis the food that we were eating. It was hard work to self analyze but with Courtney’s guidance this is the only way to see what you are eating. We also checked the amount of calories we burnt while doing our exercise programme to see what impact this had on what we were eating.

I now check what I am eating before I eat instead of just eating without thinking. This course helped me immensely. I am glad I did it. It just might help you on your journey too!

Bernice King

Libby suggested I write to you to relate what has happened since I started at Green Apple.  One of my roles here at Suncorp is, I manage meeting rooms.  The company had MBF come in and do health tests on its people.  I decided to run in and have mine done too, not even thinking of how my results would turn out.  The really good news is – they said I showed the fitness of someone 21 years younger than I am.  All the other tests were excellent and I was so happy that I had paid the price and joined the Gym.  I really just wanted to say thank you all for your time and effort in helping me reach my goals.

The other thing she said you may want to hear is one of the ways I motivate myself to come sometimes when my feelings are telling me to stay at home!  I ask myself, (I have these conversations with myself!) :-

• “Bernice are you able to dress in your Gym gear?” –“ Yes I can!”
• “Bernice are you able to drive to Gym?” – “Yes I can do that!”
• “Bernice are you able to get out of the car?” – “Yes I can do that!”  (While I am asking these questions I don’t even think about the hour I will be at Gym)
• “Are you able to walk into the Gym?” –“Yes I can!”

And once I have walked in the door then you are all there and so are the other people and I no longer have any problems at going through the motions of doing my exercises. I hope this makes sense. What I am trying to say is I just take the next step, and I can easily take the next step.

Viv Burgess

In Approximately April 2008, it was suggested by Helen Brummell of G.P. Partners, that I would possibly benefit from taking part in a program/programs at Green Apple. I did agree to take up her suggestion and have been attending basically 3/4/5 times a week since.

Whilst I had a small “gym” at home, I couldn’t get sufficiently enthused to use it, meanwhile, I was becoming less fit due to my underlying health problems and the
side-effects of the medications I required. Other members at Green Apple confirmed that they had similar problems.

My main medical problems are: cardiomyopathy, asthma, mild emphysema and bronchiectasis. They are all under control, but I am very prone to chest (lower respiratory tract) infections and part of the treatment for such involves fairly large doses of cortico-steroids. One of the side-effects of this is muscle wastage and a tendency towards osteoporosis.

Prior to joining Green Apple, I had been walking very regularly, which kept my heart problem reasonably well under control, and maintained lower body strength, but the upper body was becoming a bit of a worry and I did have a lot of trouble clearing mucous from my lungs whenever I developed an infection.

At Easter 2009, I developed a particularly nasty chest infection, which cleared up with the usual doses of cortico steroids and antibiotics, but the interesting thing was that I had no trouble clearing the mucous naturally and did not have to go through the previously usual visits to a physiotherapist for percussion massage.

I also had a follow-up bone density scan in September 2008, and this revealed that my bone density had improved by about 5% over the previous 2 years and was then back to normal.

In August 2010, a chest X-ray revealed a spot on a lung and further tests and scans       revealed that this was, in fact, Lung Cancer. Because it was found early, the only treatment necessary was a wedge resection of the area using keyhole surgery. Whilst the surgeon suggested I may be in hospital for 4/5 or even 6 days, I was released after 3 and although it had been suggested a physiotherapist would be seeing me 3/4 times a day during my stay, I was only visited once on the morning after surgery. It was interesting that everyone (the physio, surgeon and nurses) kept telling me “you can’t do that” after I had successfully done something they suggested. On enquiry, they admitted it was because I had kept reasonably fit by going to the gym (Green Apple) 4/5 times a week.

My Thoracic Physician, Cardiologist and G.P. all insist that I should continue attending the Green Apple Wellness Centre

From my experience, I consider it should be mandatory for everyone over a certain age and particularly those with chronic health problems, to attend somewhere like Green Apple as it is fairly obvious there is a definite health benefit in regular programmed exercise.
  

Gary Hatcher

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, degenerate, neurological disease.  At present, there is no cure for it. There! I’ve got all the bad news over in two sentences!  Now for the good stuff! While it is progressive, it has a very slow progression.  I was first diagnosed in December, 2002, and the neurologist told me then that I had probably had the disease for five or six years. This means that I have had P.D. for over fifteen years, yet I feel stronger, fitter and more agile than I did when I was first diagnosed.  How come?

P.D. affects the brain in a number of ways and not all people share the same symptoms.  A wooden face, tremors, stiffening of the joints, slowness of movement and speech difficulties are just some of the ways the disease makes itself known.

Fortunately, most of these symptoms can be controlled to some degree and the degenerative nature of the disease can be slowed down. For instance –
Surgery – Deep Brain Stimulation where probes are fitted into the brain and fed tiny electrical impulses from stimulators implanted in the chest. Sounds nasty, but doesn’t hurt a bit and is quite effective in dealing with tremors.

Medication – Several medications are very effective in doing the same by providing dopamine to the brain. Unfortunately, because of the progressive nature of the disease these doses have to be adjusted upwards from time to time.

Exercise – Any form of physical or mental exercise is good as it assists in helping the brain form new connections. The exercise physiologists at the Green Apple are able to assess where a new client is at and then formulate an exercise program tailored to suit the client’s needs.

One interesting and challenging piece of equipment at the Green Apple is the Skywall.  Perhaps part of the mystique of the wall lies in the sign which says one must be licensed to use it. Sounds a bit James Bondish, doesn’t it? I was hooked.  I just had to have a go!  Felicity was the only one brave or “blonde” enough to believe that a sixty something year old guy with P.D. should be able to climb the wall.  The most difficult part turned out to be working out which switch was which. With me hauling myself ever upwards and Felicity pushing from below, I made it to the top and proudly rode it back to ground level.

The climbing wall certainly gives the whole body a work out and is well worth a try, but remember – just like James Bond – you must be licensed.

Interests – It is very important that you do not vegetate after receiving a diagnosis of P.D. I consider myself lucky to have had a large range of interests, most of which I have been able to maintain in one form or another. For example, before P.D., I played the guitar well enough to sing along with. I still play the guitar, but rather badly. Ruth and I were both members of a canoe club and I could beat her easily.  Now she has to stop and wait for me.

My passion, other than my wife, has always been fishing. I still enjoy being out in my tinnie and occasionally catch a fish worth bragging about. The point that I am trying to make here is that being told that you have P.D. is not like receiving a death sentence, but more of a reminder that life is precious and you had better get on with living yours while you still can.
  

Sally Haynes

In June last year I decided that it was time to get fit and lose some weight. Needing motivation, I decided to join a gym. I had been a member of a few gyms in Melbourne, and my experience with these gyms had not given me a very positive view. However, I was assured by my friends that the Green Apple was a “different” gym and it was well worth a try.
So it was with some trepidation that I ventured into the Green Apple. My friends were correct – it was a “different” gym, and what a difference! It is extremely difficult to get across the culture of any place however I will try.

Firstly and foremost the staff are friendly, non-judgmental, encouraging, helpful and visible. Secondly you are always greeted by name on arrival and departure, instantly making you feel welcome and a part of the gym.

The equipment is up to date and easy to use, however if you are not sure of what you are doing, there is always someone who will help.

The classes are small, which means the instructor is able to keep an eye on you and has knowledge of the participant’s fitness levels.

The members are relaxed, friendly and non-competitive. Everyone knows they are there to get fit, however the word comfortable comes in mind and I am sure that is because of the outdoor atmosphere giving a feeling of freshness and openness. There is no loud music, or banks of televisions either, allowing members to chat to one another.
Whilst all the above is extremely important, there is something more, and that is the culture which has obviously been built up over the years and which is intangible and hard to explain. The best way I can explain it is to say that it feels like my gym, I don’t just go there, I feel like I belong.

I am now much fitter, stronger and more flexible than I was a year ago, not only have I lost weight, but my body is looking much more toned, and my arms actually have definition! Sleeveless dresses are now in my wardrobe.

I am so glad that I took my friends advice – it has been well worth it.

Try it – you will not be disappointed.
  

Mary Snell

It is fourteen years this March since I first walked into the Green Apple Gym as it was then known. I had no idea what a gym was about but as Victoria showed me around and then sat and talked with me asking what my goals were I immediately felt at home.

My goals at that stage were related to my chest. I had been critically injured in a motor car accident some years before leaving me with amongst other things, fractured ribs and damaged lungs later resulting in Bronchiectasis.  A program was drawn up and I set about attending on a regular basis. A few months later I was due to have a repeat Bone Density test and found to my delight that it had improved since the previous test, an added bonus attending a gym.

I wish I could say I have attended every week but things like sickness, a holiday and the death of my husband saw me missing from my program but I always went back.

In 2008 when I was 78 years old I suffered a minor stroke. The doctor who admitted me to hospital remarked he had never heard of a person of 78 going to a gym. On my discharge that same doctor commented that if I had not been going to a gym I would not have made such a good recover.

The last few years I seem to take one step forward and two steps back but Victoria is always there giving support. At the end of 2011, I suddenly became allergic to ants following a bite and severe anaphylaxis reaction and a  trip to the Emergency Department, very scary!!  Three weeks after that and again on the 2nd January this year further bites but now carry an Epi pen which I give myself but still have to go to an ED and still quite scary.

In February last year I had two Melanomas removed then in June was diagnosed with Lupus, all these setbacks have meant time away from Green Apple but again, I go back.

Over the years I have seen how Victoria has extended the area, added new equipment, a pool and introduced many new programs and the staff to supervise them.  It is now a well recognised Wellness Centre. To me, Green Apple is like an extended family, a cheerful welcome from staff who are always willing to listen to you, and my goals are still important when setting a new program.

During my working life as a Registered Nurse, I learnt that the efficiency and atmosphere of an area depended on the person in charge and this is proved at Green Apple. Victoria’s work ethics, her vision and ability to carry out her ambitions and employ suitable staff is the reason for the centre’s success.

A person who must not be forgotten is Brian, Victoria’s husband. Equipment is OK as long as it is maintained in working order and this is just one of Brian’s many jobs. He is always there beside Victoria supporting her, he is one of the team.

I had forgotten one last thing. I’ve had muscular problems, ( thought to be due to Lupus). My GP was sure it was muscular but to be on the safe side X-rayed my hip. I couldn’t believe the result, at 82 (nearly 83) it reported “slight degenerative changes”. Thank you again Green Apple.

Catherine McKenzie

My overall fitness level has certainly increased since starting here seven years ago and I know I always feel better after a session at the gym.

I do personal training once a week with Steve, and the encouragement and motivation that he gives me is fantastic. I know I would not work as hard by myself. He has helped me achieve a fitter me and I have lost weight.

It doesn’t matter what age you are, the Green Apple is for you. You always receive a welcoming smile when you come in. I enjoy going to the gym and the other members are very supportive. All the staff are always helpful and friendly too.