LIVE WELL CARES ABOUT YOU PERSONALLY

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR GAINS MORE THAN STRENGTH AFTER TREATMENT

When she started at LIVE WELL, New Westminster member Linda believed she would go in for a few sessions, learn techniques, get a program and then take the tips she received back to her condo gym to do our own. She didn’t think she would be at LIVE WELL after six months! She had no idea she would find so much support, friendship and encouragement. “It is like having a personal trainer, and I always look forward to going and feel better at the end of every session,” says Linda

EXERCISE HAS STRENGTHENED MY BODY

The 72-year old retired schoolteacher had embraced Aquafit but felt she needed more strength training: her balance was off, and she had tripped and fallen a few times. “I knew I ought to do something about it, but I knew absolutely nothing about lifting weights, or general fitness training. I read about LIVE WELL on Facebook and thought I would give it a go. And, since I joined the exercises have helped strengthen my body. I appreciate the one-to-one assistance - they are, without exception, caring, friendly and so helpful.”

In December 2021, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. LIVE WELL immediately put her membership on hold so she could go through the endless rounds of mammograms, biopsies, MRIs,and ultrasounds, Linda felt the full love and support of LIVE WELL throughout. “My trainer Darren kept in touch with me, and did the most thorough assessment before I restarted my sessions. He told me the clinic can work without whatever my oncologist suggested”

NOT AN AVERAGE GYM

“I really feel as though my trainer cares, and not just about me but about all the members. LIVE Well is like having a personal trainer and a cheerleader in your corner,” says Linda, who says she was surprised that her cancer diagnosis didn’t affect her as much as she thought it would. “The wait for surgery was hard, but I went to LIVE WELL right up until the day before my surgery, and recovered quickly.”

In fact, in a 2020 study of 1340 patients enrolled in the Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle and Cancer Prognosis study from the National Cancer Institute found that breast cancer patients who met the minimum guidelines for physical activity both before diagnosis and after treatment appear to have statistically significant reduced rates of recurrence and mortality.

Linda was amazed and how quickly her strength came back after she returned to LIVE WELL after her breast cancer surgery. “The radiation was time-consuming and tiring, and I was so happy to get back to my exercise routine. I had lost some muscle tone and was definitely weaker, but it only took a few weeks until I was up to where I had been on the elliptical. Working with the trainers, I am slowly building up again. The staff at LIVE WELL are, without exception, caring, friendly and so helpful.” .

EXERCISE HELPS ME PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.

She also attributes the sessions to helping her cope with anxiety, which she has suffered from “all of my life.” I find exercise helps me physically, mentally and emotionally,” says Linda, who also says she looks forward to seeing her new friends at LIVE WELL New Westminster. “I also realized I don’t have the discipline to do it on my own!”