This time of year, I reflect on a female client who was troubled by chronic illness. At  forty four years old she had been out of work for some time because of chronic conditions relating to diabetic complications including coronary surgery, thyroid issues, fibromyalgia and generalized pain with anxieties. For her spouse,  also a client and employee in this program, it was frustrating because the situation had gotten to the point where she could barely leave the house ‘except for doctor visits.’

I honed in on a good opportunity to explore a new path to wellness in her life. She was often regretful of her past because she was missing so many of the ‘good parts’ from before the diabetes spiraled into this physically debilitating and mentally draining disease. Together, we simply began to look for opportunities, and set small, attainable goals to be well again and agreed to not harp on the past.

There were simple changes and little exercises that could
bring physical mobility back. Incremental, sustained practices that seemed so small that they were a little silly. Already working
with many doctors and therapists, she decided to create an Action Plan bringing all of the professionals into the loop about each other using a notebook. Many patients do not realize this, but your doctors may not know about the other doctors if YOU, as the MEDICAL consumer, do not COMMUNICATE with them effectively, and follow-up often. 

One of the activities my client missed so much was gardening, “The
time spent in the yard getting some sunshine and cutting flowers to regularly have around the house.” These everyday actions ‘hurt’ her beyond the desire to enjoy this wonderful hobby because she could not even walk off her porch, use tools for pruning or bend over for any amount of time.

The opportunity for action Her loving husband had a strong desire to see these negative changes reverse and would support her by purchasing some inexpensive clay pots, a bag of soil and seeds.  Please see this support for the sacrifice it was, they were spending so much money on doctors and medications that they thought they couldn’t spend anything extra out of their monthly budget towards much else; however, they felt they could manage this opportunity. Together, they set out to create a Flower Pot Garden on the porch. At the very least, she would spend some time each day outside tending to the seedlings with her husband’s help. Within a few weeks they would have fresh herbs for cooking and flowers for the table which was her Ultimate Goal from this plan.

Immediately her mood lightened because regular sunshine and a new found focus will do just that for mostly everyone. During the first two weeks she felt ‘a good change physically’ in her hands. Planting small pots of seeds allowed her hands to gain some small motor mobility so they felt stronger. Plus, spending time outside gave her the confidence to actually walk off the porch and stroll around the yard. Her pain level dropped, or maybe her focus shifted, either way, her progress was positive and palpable.

Fresh cut flowers around the house add color and lighten the mood!

Soon, there were fresh flowers in the house again, and their meals contained the vegetables and herbs grown right on the porch. The new way of gardening felt good and she continued to make more action plans for small changes that continued to make a daily difference.

Focusing on what you can do NOW, not what you should have done then, is the reality of coaching. Looking to the past to make adjustments will aid the changes to your new daily routine creating wellness in ways you may not have imagined.

Important Side Note: Bringing all the doctors into ‘the-know’ was accomplished. The couple’s communication to the doctors brought about discovery that some medicines were counteracting the others. The importance of becoming an active consumer of modern medicine is key learning for many people. This couple found that the monthly out-pour of money was unnecessary on all those prescriptions and were able to take a little financial breather too.

Over time, there were new plans and goals: the focus on cutting
all the animal fats from the diet began, and a progressive shift to weight loss happened within a few months. Eventually, she lowered her Total Cholesterol while shedding a few pounds while discovering that her children, who are really grown ups, would still come for Sunday dinners and didn’t mind meals that did not involve slabs of ribs and fried chicken. Simply said, her children were happy to see their mother feeling better which meant those meals were brighter family events.

It’s spring, plant some seeds, play in the dirt and grow your own garden. Take advantage of every opportunity to change the outcome for yourself working with a health coach can help you set small attainable goals that are life altering, after all, it’s your life each and every day, your reality. Remain inspired.

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