THEY are the ‘Beautiful Sisters of the Manning’ and together they are smashing health goals.
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Over 20 Aboriginal women, aged between 19 and 67, have banded together to participate in The NSW Knockout Health Challenge.
For 10 weeks the women engage in a free program of exercise and healthy eating with the focus on preventing chronic health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
Team member Evelyn Aiken of Wingham was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes just before starting the challenge.
In seven weeks Evelyn lost seven kilos and 7cm from her waistline.
“I love it,” said Evelyn. “It’s a real community, we all motivate each other.”
Faced with the challenge of eating less sugar, Evelyn has been able to use the help of the program’s dietitian Kirsten Swan.
HNE Health Aboriginal Health Education Officer Michelle Wilkes co-ordinates the program and is one of the fitness instructors along with Meghan MacDonald.
“None of us could run before and we all can now,” said Michelle.
“You can see the difference physically and mentally. The changes in some of the girls body shapes is incredible.”
Michelle does boot camp like circuits with the women, but they have also experienced some different sports such as dragon boating, the adventure challenge Suck it Up Buttercup and a colour run. Soon they will participate in a boot camp at Wallabi Point.
The ‘Beautiful Sisters of the Manning’ team is competing against 32 other teams across the state and Taree is one of the only two female teams. The challenge is a partnership between NSW Health and the NRL.
As part of the challenge the women took part in a State of Origin themed cooking challenge at the program’s venue Taree PCYC. They had to put together a three-course meal which was affordable and healthy.
To start it was spinach and ricotta dip, the main Thai beef salad and dessert apple and blueberry crumble. Their meals ticked all of the boxes and the night was a great celebration for what the women have achieved so far.
The program has been running for five years and this is the first time that Taree has participated.
With only a few weeks to go the women would like to continue the challenge. A new round of women will be welcome to join at the screening and preparation day on June 23 at 5pm-6.30pm at Taree PCYC.
For more information Michelle Wilkes 6592 9315 or 0438 882 876.
