Joà’s inspiring 52kg weight loss and new independence

Exercise helps Joà maintain independence and strength

In 2020, Joà signed up for a Home Care Package (now a Support at Home package). Her Case Manager at the time, Krista, asked her about her diet and exercise. Joà’s response was ‘not interested!’ Joà had worked hard all her life on farms and in kitchens, but she had never exercised and didn’t think she needed to.

Eventually, Joà’s weight had spiralled so much she had almost become housebound. She couldn’t get up or down stairs, and Joà realised that she had to do something if she wanted to live longer. So began a life-changing health and wellbeing journey that helped Joà lose 52 kilograms.

The turning point – meeting Exercise Physiologist Brendon

“Krista said we have someone who can come to your home and help you with some light exercises," Joà said. "That’s when Brendon turned up.”

“I was sceptical with a capital’ S.’ My attitude was very negative,” Joà said.

Brendan’s expertise in exercise physiology combined with an understanding nature and sense of humour slowly won Joà over.

“I realised he was the real deal,” Joà said. “He started slowly, and as we got to know each other, Brendon would push me a bit harder if he knew I was capable.”

“He was encouraging and patient, and week by week I got stronger, and I started to enjoy the idea of him turning up.” Initially, Joà found the exercise very painful.

There was a lot she couldn’t do, but Brendan got to know her capabilities and limitations and came up with a routine tailored to Joà.

Brendon introduced her to boxing for her cardio health and strength.

“I thought to myself, ‘this is changing my life’," Joà said.

“One day I said to a friend of mine, ‘Who would have thought that exercise would help you lose weight?’”

Transforming nutrition and breaking old habits

Nutrition was also part of the program. Joà threw out all the things she shouldn’t be eating and changed her shopping habits. As a sweet tooth, the sugar withdrawals were hard.

“I come from a family of addictive personalities where both my brothers were also overweight. I used to eat anything and everything, even when I knew I shouldn’t. I had to work through that. It was about giving myself a chance to live longer,” Joà said.

Thanks to her hard work and continued dedication, 70-year-old Joà now has a significantly improved heart rate; she doesn’t get short of breath, and her oxygen levels are consistently good. Her arms are strong from boxing, and she can maintain her pace for 15 minutes without a break. When Joà started the program, her blood pressure was high, and now it sits consistently at 130/80.

She laughs, “Now Brendon sometimes gets puffed when he boxes with me! He is such a lovely young man. He is a total professional and has made so many great suggestions to help me on my health journey. The only complaint I have about him is that he has too many terrible Dad jokes,” Joà laughs.

“Once the joking is over, Brendon the exercise physiologist is here to do his job. I respect that. He’s very knowledgeable.”

A survivor’s motivation

At the back of Joà’s mind is another motivating voice that keeps her going on her weight-loss journey and reminds her that it’s not her time yet. In 2022 Joà narrowly survived the Lismore floods.

“I was stuck inside my house, treading water. It was up to my neck,” Joà said. “Someone came past in a boat and broke through the window to get me out.

“At the time, I was so overweight they couldn’t get me into the boat, so they tied a rope under my arms and dragged me to where someone else was able to help. With great difficulty, ten people got me into a plastic sandpit and then to a dinghy to take me as close to St Vincent’s hospital as possible. The kindness of complete strangers blew me away,” Joà said.

“I have been so lucky,” Joà said. “That inspires me to get fit and healthy and live longer.”

“I am a survivor. I don’t give up.”

“I want to keep going and waking up the next day to see what’s ahead of me. I hope to stick around to enjoy my family and my gorgeous little Tibetan Spaniel, Billy.”

Joà has two children, Michael and Stacey, and three beautiful granddaughters whom she describes as “the light of her life.”