Nobby Clark Says Stress And Diet Will Change After Heart Surgery
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark says he will be making some changes to his lifestyle after his heart bypass surgery. Related: Mayor Clark Returns Home Following Double Bypass Operation
Speaking to him on his second day recovering at home, he said stress and diet were the two major factors in his life needing some attention.
Not only had he taken on the new role of Mayor 14 months ago, he also held a very critical role leading up to that, as deputy Mayor helping out Sir Tim Shadbolt when his health deteriorated.
“You can’t underestimate the impact of stress on people’s health. Stress is a hard thing to define. Some people love stress, but there is a cost to that. Being Mayor you are constantly being pushed beyond reasonable boundaries.”
Admitting he found it hard to say no to people, “and I’m also not one to back down in a scrap,” he said the constant battling with people had started to take its toll.
He would now learn not to stress about things he couldn’t change, and not to have too high expectations about things.
“I knew what I was getting into. But this has been a bit of a wakeup call for me.”
Mayor Clark has always been great with his fitness and was already talking about getting out onto his mountain bike when he had recovered after a few months.
But he would start making some changes to his diet including eating more fruit and vegetables and cutting out the unhealthy food when he was constantly on the go.
“I don’t eat poorly but I don’t really eat that good either.”
He said the doctors told him his heart was okay but his arteries and veins were narrow and restricted.
“My experience in hospital was outstanding. They were a fantastic bunch of people and everyone in there is so focused on your recovery.”
Life won’t be quite the same for Mayor Clark in 2024 – a North Island holiday with partner Karen has now been cancelled later this month, and a trip to Bangkok in March was also now in question.
We’re not likely to see him in the council chambers for a few months as deputy Tom Campbell holds the fort, but Mayor Clark did say he might jump on a zoom call now and again if he was needed.
Because the show must go on.