Rachel Skeen: Fulfilling a Lifetime

October 17 2011

Rachel, a Tongan mother of six, moved to New Zealand with her husband in 1973. After having children, she began to put on weight and peaked at 100kg. She says her family would tease her about her size, especially her big thighs and bottom. Rachel knew she had to lose weight and it was important to be around for her family.

Rachel has achieved both these goals and many people ask how she got down to the healthy 65kg she weighs today?

Well, she says she simply started walking about an hour a day and as she got fitter she started jogging. Rachel also changed her eating habits to healthy foods in small amounts.

“Try to eat lots of fruits & vegetables and fish, and only small amounts of lean meat” she says.  “Daily exercise goes hand in hand with healthy eating”.

This simple approach has meant that Rachel has maintained her healthy weight for many years.

Rachel’s healthy living changes prompted her to become involved with ‘Pass it On’. She started doing exercise sessions at her church and this led to an opportunity to do a certified course to teach aerobics. She was encouraged to teach in her community and Tuipulotu Vakalahi hired her to teach aerobic classes for Pacifika Health (now known as West Fono) in 2002.

In addition to being trim, fit and healthy, Rachel is also the proud grandmother of twenty grandchildren. She has not slowed down for a minute and continues to share her skills and knowledge with her community. She has recently completed the Pacific Heartbeat, Certificate in Pacific Nutrition and is also a Zumba instructor. Find out more about Rachels community Zumba Classes in West Auckland.

Read other stories in Issue 7 October 2011 of the Pacific Heart to Heart newsletter

Find out more about our Certificate in Nutrition Course