As Geoff approached his 70s, he noticed something that many people quietly experience, some even earlier than he did. The weight that once was easy to shift, was not shifting as easy as it used to.
For most of his life, Geoff hadn’t struggled significantly with his weight. If he overindulged at a social event or family function, he could rely on the following few days to reset the balance.
But over the past five years, things had changed.
The kilos started to creep up steadily, and this time, they weren’t coming back off.
“I’d tried various things,” Geoff reflected. “But it just kept going up.”
Rather than accepting it, Geoff decided to try something different. After he had come across the Life! program online, he completed the health check, checked his score and expressed his interest in the program.
A program that met him where he was at
Now retired and living in rural Victoria, Geoff knew travelling for regular sessions would have been difficult. The program’s online delivery via Teams made participation possible.
For Geoff, the convenience wasn’t just helpful, it was essential.
The online sessions also offered something he hadn’t expected. Connection. Sharing the experience with other participants helped him realise he wasn’t alone.
During discussions, people would share their experiences and swap ideas. That sense of shared experience made a difference.
It wasn’t just about weight loss; it was about understanding that many others were facing the same challenges.
Small changes, meaningful results
Through the program, Geoff focused on practical, achievable goals which is a strategy that he continues today.
One of his most effective habits? Walking 8,000 to 10,000 steps each day.
Geoff has also made simple, sustainable food swaps:
- Swapping bread at lunch for tuna and salad
- Reducing portion sizes at dinner
- Choosing one sausage instead of two
- Halving his potato serving
- Reaching for a carrot instead of biscuits in the late afternoon
These are not dramatic overhauls, they’re small adjustments. And over time, they’re working. He’s recently lost a kilo in a month, progress he’s proud of.
Importantly, Geoff hasn’t adopted an ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset. He hasn’t eliminated anything entirely, just moderated it. As he puts it, life still needs enjoyment. The difference now is awareness and balance.
The power of tracking and accountability
One of the habits that keeps Geoff on track is record keeping. Using his Fitbit, he logs his weight, steps, sleep and heart rate.
“That kind of thing helps to keep me on track because I know what’s going on and I can see whether there’s progress. I can compare to a month ago or three months ago or even a year ago.”
Goal setting, a key focus of the Life! program, continues to shape his approach. His current goal? No chocolate until he reaches his next kilogram milestone.
Redefining activity in later life
At nearly 71, Geoff is realistic about the changes that come with age.
After decades of surfing, a pass-time that kept him both fit and happy, he’s had to take a step back from.
“It’s just too intense at my stage of life. I surfed for many years, but in the last year or two, I’ve just found it too difficult.”
But instead of giving up all together, he’s just adjusted the activity.
Geoff has joined his local sailing club, enjoys spending time on his boat, and takes part in stand-up paddleboarding. He’s also embraced something he thought he had left in his youth, learning the piano again.
Each day includes piano practice for both the enjoyment and the mental stimulation.
For Geoff, health has many sides. It’s not just diet or exercise. It’s movement, mindset, and connection.
A mindset for longevity
Geoff is candid about his motivation: he wants to live a long, active life.
“If you don’t use it, you lose it,” he says.
The Life! program reminded me that health isn’t a one-off effort, it’s a combination of physical activity, nutrition, goal setting and mental outlook. It’s about staying agile, both physically and mentally, and building the stamina to handle life’s challenges.
And perhaps most importantly, Geoff understands that no one else can do the work for you.
“No one’s actually going to do it for you. You’ve got to do it yourself.”
A long game, played well
Geoff’s journey isn’t about dramatic transformations. It’s about a steady pace. Walking most days, moderating portions, tracking progress and enjoying Life!
Approaching his 71st birthday, Geoff isn’t chasing perfection. He’s building sustainability.
And in doing so, he’s proving that meaningful change is possible at any stage of life. One goal, one step, and one choice at a time.
About the Life! program
The Life! program is a free lifestyle modification program that covers topics such as nutrition, physical activity, general wellbeing, stress management and sleep hygiene. Run by expert health professionals, it is delivered as a group course or telephone health coaching service. The program helps eligible Victorians to make small changes to their lifestyle so that they can achieve their health goals and reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Since 2007, Life! has helped more than 75,000 Victorians live a healthier life.
Life! is funded by the Victorian Government and managed by Diabetes Victoria.
Check your eligibility for the Life! program by taking a quick online test here.
