focus_contributor.
I AM FAR MORE POSITIVE WHILE I DO MY WORKOUTS. MY HUSBAND ALSO JOINED THE GYM AND WE GO TOGETHER MOST OF THE TIME.
FITNESS
UPDATE with LEE KENNEDY
F R O M C O F F S C O A S T H E A LT H C L U B
This Month’s Inspirational Fitness Story comes to us courtesy of Kathy Coombs who is 70 years old and has led an active working life before a major health issue changed her life. She is a retired teacher with a husband, 2 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandies. She loves golf and, with her husband, joined the gym to improve the quality of their later years.
B
efore joining Coffs Coast Health Club, what was your exercise background? I have been an active person all my life, swimming, hockey, tennis, walking, riding bikes, skiing and so on. When I retired I felt I needed some structure to keep fit, so joined the Moonee gym and went to the over 50’s classes. I really enjoyed them What prompted you to change your lifestyle? In April last year I went to the doctor because I was feeling ill. Within 5 days I was in RPA in Sydney for a major operation to remove part of my pancreas, liver, stomach, gall bladder and intestines due to pancreatic cancer. When I returned home I had 6 months of heavy dose chemotherapy. During that time I lost a lot of weight and condition. I had to do something. I was told that exercise is a big help to assist recovery and the fight against cancer. I did 8 sessions at the gym during treatment, designed for this situation, and this set me back on track. Has that lifestyle change had a positive effect on you and your family? I am far more positive while I do my 72 COFFS COAST
focus
workouts. My husband also joined the gym and we go together most of the time. We look out for each other but the staff are very proactive with their interest in our progress. We also walk 5-6km for fitness and I play golf and am involved in a music group and a book club. It is important to have the full quota of interests for good health. What type of exercise do you enjoy doing? Before I had my reset button pushed I enjoyed the weight classes, balance and flexibility groups and circuits. I am aiming to get back to those but in the meantime I have a routine that has been designed for me by the club staff which is good. I am getting my “bum” back as my husband says. Do you find the support from the staff helps you achieve your goals? They have been very understanding of my situation and have made adjustments to my routine accordingly. They are also very nice. What goals have you set yourself in the future? To stay alive and cancer free as long as possible with a good quality of life which is all based around a fit mind, body and spirit.
Do you feel as though you have come a long way with your fitness? Absolutely! From someone who could hardly get out of bed or move on a bed to walking 6 km and doing an hour’s workout at the gym 3 times a week and playing 18 holes of golf. I feel I have come a long way in 10 months. How has your exercise changed since joining Coffs Coast Health Club? My routine is specifically designed for me and my situation and can be altered as I get better. It also sustains my level of fitness. Encouragement is a large part of that and the friendly environment is all part of their service. What is the most useful advice you could share? Get in and do it. It is so good for you. You may not feel like it but you will feel 100% better for it even if it is only a small session at first. The stats say exercise has the highest impact towards a positive outcome from cancer and cancer treatment and prevention. That is good enough for me. Not only that, in the stressful world that we live in, it is an economical treatment for the gloomies, weight gain and stress. Do it!
