Changing lives: The obesity clinic looking after our community

With the support of the Nepean Blue Mountains Family Metabolic Health Service based at the Charles Perkins Centre's Nepean Hub, Michael’s overall health and wellbeing has improved, and he is able to fit more into his day as well as support his family members and community.

After almost two years on the waiting list, Michael has embraced fully the opportunity to work with dietitians, clinical psychologists and physiotherapists. He tells us his story of the Nepean Blue Mountains Family Metabolic Health Service in his own words.

Talk about your background: where you were born, grew up, currently live, education, work (as much or as little as you feel comfortable with)

I was born in Kogarah in November 1965, so a big birthday coming up this year. I grew up there as the eldest of three. School wasn’t bad but I left after Year 10 and then did a TAFE course in civil engineering for six months – it was like four years in one! But I didn’t finish. Worked a bit here and there: in a video store, helping Dad out, that sort of thing. But most of my life I’ve been a carer. I looked after my grandfather, then my mum when she got sick, and my sister who had cerebral palsy. Then later I was caring for my brother after his heart attacks. We sold the family home when I was 23 and moved to the Western suburbs home and now live out near Penrith.

Can you speak to your weight during childhood?

I’ve been big since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. It didn’t really bother me. At school, yeah, you’d cop it a bit, fat jokes, ginger jokes, but I didn’t give a flying hoot. It was just what kids did back then. You took it on the chin. At home, it was more like I was the ‘food hoover’. Nothing nasty, just comments like, you gonna finish that, and I’d polish off the leftovers. I didn’t think much about my weight, it was just how things were.

What are all life experiences that impacted your weight during adolescence?

I never noticed my weight putting a restriction on things. Mum was overweight and Dad had a bit of a belly, but it was never something we talked about. The only advice Mum ever gave me was to lose the weight while younger as it’d be harder in my 50s. I thought ‘what do you know, Mum?’ Turns out, she knew.

What are all life experiences that impacted your weight during adulthood to where you are now?

Being a carer took a lot out of me. When Mum died in 2008, I kind of gave up a bit. Before that, I’d been walking 30 minutes a day, had switched from Coke to diet cordial, was dropping belt notches and I felt good. But after she passed, I just went, stuff it. Over the years I got heavier, slower. Couldn’t walk far. Everything hurt. Then my brother who’s 11 years younger than I am had a heart attack in 2022. Then another one later that year. That was a real wake-up. We both gave up takeaway after that. That’s when I thought, right time to tackle it and got a referral to the Service.

Before coming to the FMHS, what were the barriers that made it difficult for you to lose weight and improve your health?

Honestly? I just couldn’t be bothered. You think, I’ll do it next week, next year, and it never happens. My sister tried to get me walking when I was caring for her, but my knees hurt. I'd say, that’s enough, I’m done. I just thought it was too late, too hard.

Are there any other experiences or memories you haven’t mentioned that impacted your weight?

There’s the soft drink thing. I was drinking two and a half to three litres of Coke a day – easily. Grew up in the 70s when fizzy drinks were like a treat. It got in your brain. But that stuff’s poison. Last bottle I had was Christmas Day 2023. Haven’t touched it since – just diet cordial now and Pepsi Max as if I want a soft drink then Pepsi Max was the only one to have as it apparently has no calories or sugar. And food? If there were leftovers, I’d finish them. Still struggle with that ‘can’t waste it’ mentality. It’s been with me since I was a kid.

How did you feel when you first attended the FMHS?

I felt really lucky as I’d waited nearly two years to get in but once I got there, I was like, this is gold. If I was in America, this would cost 30 grand. Here I’m getting it for free. I told them, ‘I might be quiet in class, but I’m listening and I’ll use what you’re giving me.’ And I have. I got the referral from my GP around the end of 2021 before my brother had his first heart attack. I started the program just before his second heart attack at end of 2023. We’d decided no more takeaways after his second!

How has the experience been at NBMFMHS and has there been a big impact on your life

The first eight-week course, that was the clincher. The dietitian and psychologist were brilliant. It wasn’t about shaming you but giving you tools to work with. And I listened. I soaked it all up. Even stuff other people in the group said – like the woman doing push-ups at the kitchen bench. That stuck with me. This program has saved my life.

I’ve lost over 53 kilos. I’m down from 9XL to 6XL clothes. I can walk around Woolies and Bunnings again. I don’t need a seatbelt extender anymore. I can shower standing up. Look after my own hygiene properly. It’s the little things that change your life. Sure, some days I feel flat but I then I look back at where I was a year ago and look at what I can do now. That’s the win.

Has your connection to the Service been consistent or have you had breaks?

I’ve had no big breaks, but it slows down between appointments. At first it was more regular but now it’s every few months. I do wish I could see the psychologist more. It’d be good to just check in. Even every six months would help.

A Day in the Life of … a visit to the Service

I usually get there an hour early. I wear the same outfit every time: thongs, shorts, t-shirt, just like day one. I take off my thongs and walk the hallway barefoot to get my steps in. People stop me and ask me if I’m doing the walking test! I see the physio, sometimes the dietitian, and I’ll have an appointment with the endocrinologist soon. It’s like a reset each time, a real motivator. They keep me on track. They let me steer the ship but they’re always there if I drift. I feel like my life has changed.