A GRIFFITH weight-loss champ is encouraging residents to utilise a free state service aimed reducing Australia's obesity and overweight epidemic.
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With rates of obesity continuing to rise in Australia and access to services limited in the region, NSW Health has reminded residents to access the Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service.
After losing a quarter of his body weight in 2013, with Griffith’s Biggest Winner, Steve 'Bundy' McLean has encouraged others to access the service and get the help they need to shed the extra kilos.
"Take advantage of the free service and do something for yourself to improve your life,” Bundy said.
"Accessing a service that gives you the necessary information could be what’s needed to give you the ability to make healthy lifestyle choices and changes.”
Bundy, who weighed in at 120 kilograms at his heaviest and had a number of health issues, said accessing the right information and being armed with the right knowledge is essential in losing weight.
“My cholesterol was through the roof, my blood sugar was up, I was on pre-diabetic medication, my health was suffering, I couldn't walk half a kilometre so it was extremely important to lose weight,” he said.
“Portion size is a huge element of losing weight, I was fortunate with the Biggest Winner program to learn about meal planning and food preparation, which is important in controlling food intake.”
After losing the weight Bundy has a new new lease on life, at the age of 49 he went on to complete his black belt in Kyokushin Karate and win a number of state, regional and nation titles.
“Losing weight is all about quality of life, if you want to live a long happy life, you cant do it with being overweight, you can't live on medication with medical problems,” he said.
“There are services available that can make a difference to lifestyle choices and knowing what changes are required to get yourself back on track.”
The service provides information and individual coaching to help people make positive and healthy lifestyle changes and shed unwanted extra kilos.
Since launching in 2009, the service has helped more than 40,000 people make healthier lifestyle changes and lose between 2.5 and 10 per cent of their weight.
More than 63 per cent of Australian adults are overweight or obese.
