Editorial: Get up and go to save your life

When you're feeling blah, there's no denying a dose of fresh air and exercise can do the trick.

Today we report that "green prescriptions" are on the rise in Rotorua.

More than 2000 have been issued by health professionals in Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty in less than a year and as a result more people are being more physically active and feeling better.

The scheme encourages GPs to target medical conditions associated with inactivity, and has now been used by more than 80 per cent of family doctors.

Drug-free solutions have always got to be the best option.

About 15 years ago I got the shock of my life when I went to the doctor. I had hip, back and knee issues and was constantly getting sick. Turns out I also had dangerously high blood pressure.

A scary doctor (who was filling in for my normally lovely doctor) leaned over her desk and told me I could die of a stroke or a heart attack the next day if I didn't do something about my health.

I cried. I wasn't even 20 but over-eating, smoking like a train and not exercising was already taking its toll. While it took a few more years to quit smoking, I took her advice and enrolled in Weight Watchers and bought some sneakers.

After losing about 35kg (helped by quitting my horrendous Coca Cola addiction) and getting the running bug, I couldn't have been more grateful.

Green prescriptions weren't around then, as they were officially established in 1998, but I was effectively given one and it changed my life.

While I'm far from a slim fitness freak, there's no denying whenever I'm feeling gross, the best medicine is always to get motivated.