Pat Tautu sits by the pool as Brandon takes his blood pressure and glucose levels. Meeting at the Lido in Palmerston North, Pat and Brandon have been working together for a few months, taking small steps, but making huge progress in improving Pat's health.
Pat knew he needed some help, but wasn't sure where to start. The Palmerston North father of four was connected with the Physical Activity Education Service at THINK Hauora and began working with Brandon, a clinical exercise physiologist.
THINK Hauora is the primary health organisation for the MidCentral rohe. We ensure everyone has access to primary care services through a network of general practices and health and wellbeing services like the programme Pat's involved with.
"Brandon weighed me, took my blood pressure, sugar levels, all those things I didn't have a clue about," Pat says. After talking, they decided on a programme based in the pool to help Pat increase his physical activity levels and improve his overall health.
"I just want to be healthy. I want to make changes, I don't want to lose weight one month and then put double back on. That's not working for me, that's not in my life plan."