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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD

Nutrition, exercise classes help women find better health during recovery

Eat right and exercise. That’s sound advice for good health for everyone. For people recovering from alcohol or drug addiction, it’s critical. To help meet Lifeline’s vision to “help individuals become spiritually alive, mentally sound and physically well,” our women’s campus recently added two important classes in nutrition and fitness. “When you’re addicted, you skip meals,” said Melissa, who began treatment in January. Skipping meals deprives the body of valuable nutrients when they’re in the greatest demand to detoxify. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service provides a weekly class through its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Stephanie Caldwell is the instructor. As she covers topics ranging from food safety to meal planning and budgeting, Stephanie reminds the clients: “We learn one step at a time. This is not about a diet, but about making healthy choices for the recovering body.”

Her goal is not only to help clients while they are at the center, but also to teach them how to make better choices for themselves and their families when they go home. For example, they have learned about the ill effects of sugar and caffeine, which produce highs and lows. Jennifer, who also began treatment in January, said she now checks food labels. “Pop Tarts are not healthy at all,” she said, “and Nutri-Grain bars are worse. You might as well just eat straight sugar!” The women attend two or three fitness sessions weekly in the exercise room, sporting new

Faith Fit includes Bible study before exercise.

“You wouldn’t even recognize us from our pictures just a month ago. The color has come back in our skin and hair, and that’s important to our selfimage. When you look good, you feel good!”

MELISSA

2021 Client

Photo provided by VUE Magazine

Exercise and nutrition classes help Lifeline clients become physically well during their addiction treatment.

“FaithFit” clothing and shoes. Audrey, who also began treatment in January, said: “Everyone wants to feel good. We had been relying on drugs or alcohol for our endorphins. Now, we’re learning we can feel good when we eat better and exercise.” The exercise classes also relieve stress. In just a few weeks, the classmates feel the difference in themselves and see it in each other. “You wouldn’t even recognize us from our pictures just a month ago,” said Melissa. “The color has come back in our skin and hair, and that’s important to our self-image. When you look good, you feel good!”