Moving to a better lifestyle

Paddy McGrath is one of a dozen men to benefit from a new programme organised by a Killeshandra doctor.

Promoting lifelong health in men was one of the key aims for Dr Joan Ahern in organising the Men On the Move programme. She pitched the idea of Paddy joining the six week course during St Brigid’s choir practice, where Paddy is one leaders. The suggestion was music to his ears. Along with others aged roughly between mid-40s to 70 Paddy the commenced in early November.

To encourage participants to stick with the programme they paid €50 up front, with the money going towards the Christmas lights and funding defibrillators. And with that €700 was raised for good causes quicker than you could say steamed broccoli.

“It focuses on health span as well as life span,” Dr Ahern told the Celt. “There’s no point in living long of you’re going to be living unhealthily.

“If people could change their diet and exercise we could cut the waiting lists by 60%. A lot of chronic diseases is due to the trash that people are eating and their unhealthy lifestyles,” she observed.

Paddy was relatively active going into the programme as he enjoys daily walks along Killeshandra’s scenic countryside and cycling to Killykeen. Where he benefits most is from Dr Ahern’s nutritional advice.

“Get a good high protein breakfast in first thing, and try to stop eating from six o’clock in the evening. And if you do want to nibble, have a few nuts, blueberries, or raspberries. Since I got that advice I have been buying them,” he says with a little bowl of mixed nuts on his kitchen table in front of us.

Paddy has cut back on carbs, and eats high fibre or sourdough bread.

“I’d be a great man for spreading butter on bread - what I’m using now is mashed avocado.”

Dr Ahern also explains that many issues around weight are inherited and not the fault of the individual.

“It’s genetic and biological. We’re still in the caveman mentality from when we were hunter-gatherers, the caveman was conditioned not to lose weight. If you lose weight, you gain twice as much. That’s why the dieting industry is making millions.

“The only way you can trick it is by changing your lifestyle. We’re being shamed because we’re fat. I’d rather see someone who is big and healthy than thin and unhealthy.”

While Paddy has watched his weight gradually decline, Dr Ahern assures that her programme is not about “weighing and shaming”.

Slight weight loss can have a massive benefit on a person’s health according to Dr Ahern.

“If you drop 5% of your body weight you’ll do your organs the world of good.”

Paddy’s family say they can see the difference in his waistline, but he says he can feel the difference.

“I feel an awful lot better. I had pains and aches, even bringing the dogs for a walk, and that seems to be going.”

Paddy enjoys going to the weekly Men on the Move meeting and hearing about healthy gut bacteria and the importance of socialising.

The father of three hopes he can sustain his progress, but he’s not concerned about Christmas temptations. He happily admits to being a divil for chocolates. “Sure who isn’t? You are entitled to a treat,” he says. “Christmas day will probably be a treat day for us all, but then we’ll go back to brass tacks after that.”

Last word goes to Dr Ahern and her simple nutritional advice: “If it doesn’t grow and doesn’t roam then don’t eat it. You don’t see chicken nuggets running around or fish fingers swimming in the sea. Eat the chicken and fish but don’t eat the processed stuff.”