Hazel’s GP called to ask whether a lifestyle programme we were delivering was still open to patients with long-term conditions. Sadly for us the funding had been withdrawn and an innovative life changing initiative of which we are very proud was over.

However, I was sure there must be something we could do, so I decided at least to meet Hazel! What struck me was how easy it would have been for her to ‘slip through the net’. Her health issues needed to be addressed. Her health would have, in all likelihood, deteriorated quickly, and maybe needlessly, without intervention.

So, after an initial coaching session, we decided to take Hazel on. In that session we established clarity around Hazel’s goals and whether she was up to the challenge. We also identified some of the barriers she undoubtedly faced and considered whether we were actually the people to help her. We also thought about what would be needed for Hazel to succeed. Here’s some background about Hazel.

Medical background: Weight 145 kilos or almost 23 stones Osteoarthritis in her hands, shoulders, knees, hips and feet Asthmatic Suffering from depression.

Emotional Health: No meaning to her life. Hazel thought she would never walk again. She accepted that she her health would get progressively worse and she had lost the will to think life could be any different.

Her lifestyle: Hazel was housebound. She was unable to dress without assistance, relying on her family to help. She was rapidly losing her independence. She stayed in bed for most of the day unless going to the bathroom.

Her goal is to be mobile enough to swim because Hazel LOVED swimming. She also wanted to lose 4 stone in weight by April 2011.

At CK Academy we have been working with Hazel on a dedicated healthy eating programme, based on basal metabolic rate and energy expenditure. Hazel has one-to-one weekly Exercise Referral Specialist Training Sessions, regular coaching sessions and telephone support

So where is Hazel today, 8 weeks into working with us….

Medical changes: Weight loss – 1 stone Osteoarthritis – reduction of pain particularly in hips, shoulders, neck and knees Asthma – breathing improved Depression – Hazel scored ‘severe depression’ – now she has minimal depression (accepted medical score) 70% improvement in posture.

Emotional changes: Maybe it is best summed up by Hazel herself, ‘I am so proud of myself, I feel on top of the world!’ Lifestyle changes: Here’s what Hazel is achieving:

Activity levels: swimming from 12mins with rest to a staggering 40mins without rest 3 times per week (unsupervised). Hazel takes responsibility for contacting the local leisure centre to book the hoist required to assist her into the pool.

Exercise sessions have progressed from performing purely chair-based to weight bearing activities with real improvements in posture. This is a remarkable change and it underpins her ability to become much more mobile.

Hazel’s routine has changed from being in bed for around 90% of her day to now being out of bed for the majority of the day AND undertaking normal household and functional activities.

The Future

Hazel is not unique, but I believe is fairly typical of so many people who are desperate to improve their lives. They understand that change starts from within, BUT need support and educating on:

• HOW this change might look
• which steps to take
• who to call when the going gets tough.

People also need reminding why the effort is worthwhile

Hazel’s family tried, as we so often do, to help Hazel BUT moving her bed downstairs, taking over the simple chores that we take for granted we will complete and starting to think about Hazel and her condition as one and the same, they did not support Hazel in the best ways.

For the most part, making change to one’s lifestyle isn’t rocket science, rather it’s a combination of:

• understanding the role of safe effective exercise
• understanding how feeling empowered can change things
• adopting simple but healthy eating habits

and

• linking all of these things together to make a real and lasting impact.

I believe that understanding that the person IS NOT the condition is a good place to begin.

As with so many things it’s often the first step that’s the hardest. It’s about not always accepting that the future is already mapped out and making a decision to look forward not back!

Now we need your help!

Hazel is such a great inspiration to us we’d like to demonstrate what can be achieved by some passionate lifestyle professionals, a determined feisty lady and some great new friends across the world!

Everyday we are privileged to meet some determined clients such as Hazel and we know the difference a little support and motivation can make, so lets inject some good news into our world and give Hazel the much needed boost she deserves.

We invite you to follow her progress on our weekly blog starting Friday 5th November when we accompany her to see her GP, (should prove interesting…) there is more than one way to treat many of today’s lifestyle related health conditions…many of these not found on a GP's prescription pad!

As for me, well Hazel has reminded me why we do what we do, our experience has long been: human beings on the whole are pretty amazing and with a little time and attention are capable of phenomenal results.