08/29/2024
We aren't meant to do it all alone. There are billions of people on the planet; each with a different specialty, each with a varying perspective, and certain people are available to help us manage what 'we need' to live a better, higher quality, life for ourselves and those around us.The resources are there to use - how lucky are we to have access?!
Healing through ailments, illnesses, disease, and limitations is incredibly hard but it can be made easier with the right team, the right tools, directed effort, intentional spending, consistency, and continual sprinkles of hope.
(IMO) Key roles and suggested connections for a Healthy 'We'llness Lifestyle:
👩🏼⚕️GP (General Practitioner)
- your good ol' Doctor for, at a minimum, annual check-ups. It is scary to KNOW - but not as scary as not knowing until it's too late. Knowledge isn't worth anything until it's applied. A GP can also help with regular monitoring, referrals to other medical teams, and maintenance of current conditions.
👩🏼⚕️ Physiotherapist / Chiropractor/ Massage Therapist
- Did you know you don't need a referral from a Doctor to see a physio, chiro, or massage therapist. They can help with so many conditions from aches and pains to structural limitations. Even your average Sports or Fitness wear and tear (or overuse injury). Heat / Cold Therapy is fantastic. Even if you don't necessarily NEED one right now, it's good to have a place or practitioner you like in your address book.
✳️ Physiotherapy - good for healing tissues through Kinetic (movement); beneficial exercises, treatments, and focus.
✳️ Chiropractor - crackity crack. An adjustment practice to help everything sit where it needs to... we're all a little crooked. Haha. Based on personal preference, this can be a beneficial treatment.
✳️ Massage Therapy - best thing I did was start going semi-regulary. It feels so good when she stops! 😅 Honestly though, my muscles relax, circulation increases, and it's also a good way to show my body I care.
🌿 Naturopath
- Hot topic: this is obviously based on what you believe but a naturopath can create prescriptions and send you for additional lab tests. Though, some services are covered through benefits, it may be a little more out of pocket. They are a good way to handle conditions naturally - find out the why and learn prevention rather than prescription treatment. I see them as a PLUS along the health journey; find out hormone deficiencies, food allergies, stress responses, etc. Oh the learning!
🥬 Dietician/ Nutritionist/ Nutrition Specialist
- Oooo wee the food we eat these days are packed with chemicals, additives, and allergens that can whrek havoc on our natural bodies. Here's a good breakdown of help (before a breakdown of mind & body 🫤 heh).
✳️ Dieticians are super educated and have to be registered. They can help with specific dietary needs and complicated conditions.
✳️ Nutritionist is also a governed term in Alberta. Still highly educated and specialized. They are good for optimizing nutrition for sleep function, weight-loss, performance, etc.
✳️ Nutrition Specialist or 🙋🏼♀️ Qualified Fit Pro can help with knowledge, healthier habits, ingredient monitoring, nutrition suggestions, basic food plans,etc. Still a very good 'tool' to have in your tool belt.
🧘🏼♀️ Therapist or Support Group
- Yup I suggest everyone have someone to talk to... whether large or small (😅 not the person, the treatment), all of us have had trauma. And I know that even more now, after COVID. It is important to work through and learn ourselves on a healthy, yet continual, basis. You'd be surprised at what emotional ailments we carry within our bodies. Tightness from stress or anger, joint pain from grief & loss, and heart conditions from pain or trauma. Everything is connected. There are so many different forms of therapy and support (groups, programs, 12 step recovery), it's sorta like an 'a la cart' menu from a mental-health restaurant... find what you like and order it regularly to stay in tip-top shape. Changing what's going on in our mind and getting that energy moving through movement, creativity, speech, etc can make a great difference in Daily Life, as well as, relationships. We are not our thoughts, we are the actions our thoughts create... make them beneficial for you and those around.
💪🏼 Fitness Class, Trainer, or Routine
- Move the body. Doesn't have to be much, just consistent. Many of us are sitting far too much; the sedentary lifestyle of Netflix, games, and chill. Our bodies are made for movement. Our muscles are supported by challenging them in safe ways on a daily basis. The circulation of our body and necessary systems rely on activity to perform optimally.
✳️ A trainer can help with a focused program and motivation to stick with it.
✳️ A class can surround you with a group of people all working together to achieve a similar goal. It helps with motivation and community. These can be small groups, large gatherings, varying types, different lengths. Once again, try different things out and stick to what you like.
✳️ Routine is the most important. Consistency is key - it's important to find what motivates and keeps you focused on the WANT to stay healthy and active. It feels so good to feel good.
As a Personal Trainer, Functional Fit Small Group Instructor, Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Women Specialized Trainer, Meditation Instructor, Outdoor Field Leader, and overall wellness/ health advocate. I've transformed my life from a 350lb, always in pain, depressed, addicted, sedentary lifestyle disliker to a health conscious, fitness oriented, pain-free, wellness focused, quality lifestyle enjoyer. It has taken years and I'm still reinforcing the healthy habits I want. I've learned an invaluable nugget of wisdom:
Progress, not perfection.
It is my mission to help as many people find a Healthy, 'We'llness, Fitness (Preventative & Maintenance) Lifestyle as possible. This involves working with the suggested team above and guiding you through suggestions as you continue along your journey as well.
It is never too late to get on the Health journey... some mountains are higher and harder to climb depending on circumstances... but my goodness it is possible to find a quality of life WORTH living.
Anyway, this isn't an extensive list or even a 'must'. These are just my suggestions that I felt I wanted to share.
You CAN make the changes you need to make.
💜 1% everyday makes a world of difference.
It DOES get better with consistency and focus.
💜 Showing up for yourself (and others) becomes easier the more you do it.
Everybody's journey is different.
💜 You CAN start now.
Thanks for reading, :) if you got here.
Make it a good day, friends. ~ Kelsey
