to set up. Nevertheless, he knew he enjoyed these pursuits and remained determined
not to abandon physical activities such as running and later swimming, usually at a
Frame, Focus, Find
local YMCA.
Observations of a Life Coach
At 65 years of age, Ron received a diagnosis of prostate cancer. His primary care
physician failed to notice any early signs of the disease, and when he finally received
By Mary Riley
a diagnosis, a radical prostatectomy became necessary. For some, this health scare 10
years ago might have caused them to ignore previous exercise routines and begin to
focus on coping with and worrying about possible negative outcomes resulting from
cancer. During 30 radiation treatments that followed his surgery, Ron imagined a
Health and Fitness:
healthy future that included regaining a fitness schedule—even if it had to change in
intensity.
Keys to a Whole Life
Today, his visioning during the earlier health scare has become a reality. Ron
exercises as much as he did prior to the acute disease diagnosis. He swims three
In working with clients, many life coaches use something called the “Whole
times a week at the local Y. The joy experienced after exercise, becoming part of a
Life Model.” The model includes seven components of one’s life represented by a
network of friends who work-out, and regained good health at 76 years of age, all
circular pattern of smaller circles
contribute to a positive present that affects
radiating around and connected to
all seven components of the whole life
the individual, another small circle
model.
in the center of the constellation.
The components stand for the fol-
Career – As a now retired person, Ron’s
lowing parts of a person’s life:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday schedule
• Career
of swimming helps provide a structure
• Finances
many miss when they leave the workforce.
• Fun and creativity
• Personal development
Finances – With an often difficult health
• Physical environment
insurance environment, many retirees be-
• Relationships
come forced to spend important financial
• Well-being
resources on supplemental health care.
Prevention programs, such as a fitness
Where do health and fitness
regimen, can make it possible for older
fit? Some might include this term
citizens to continue to enjoy life in spite of
among “personal development.”
fixed incomes constraints.
Others might see health and fitness
as an essential part of the “well-be-
Fun and creativity – During the past 20
ing” category. As I see it, the best
years, Ron has belonged to two different
answer relates to all seven catego-
YMCAs because of work and family relo-
ries as they remain interconnected
cations. In each community, he has found
and support each other.
a group of friends he looks forward to seeing. Although with each change it took
As mentioned in my previous two columns, goal setting begins with thinking.
time to become part of a new group, Ron had the patience to know new relationships
Most of us mention, at one time or another, a desire to accomplish various fitness
would ensue. He also knows he has the unlimited capability to visualize positive out-
goals. Stated motivations often involve wanting to lose weight, changing lifestyle
comes. Therefore, his attitude makes him an attractive addition to new social groups
as a result of a health scare, or perhaps a desire to keep up with friends or partners
whose members have fitness goals in common.
whose social life includes a sport such as golf or tennis. As
adults, we set forth on a fitness plan from a particular point
Personal development – Although a quiet man, Ron exudes
in time. The spectrum ranges from those who have never
a significant amount of personal energy. His physical exer-
engaged in strenuous physical activity to those who became
cise routines have enhanced and provided more energy for
active when young and keep fitness a priority throughout
his other interests. His hobbies have included woodworking,
their lives.
visual arts and now jewelry making. All engage his mind and
Stating the desire to engage in fitness activities and tak-
help him move forward.
ing part in such activities does not—on the surface—appear
difficult. The difficulty presents itself often in the mainte-
Physical environment – In Ron’s case, he has chosen a work-
nance of such activity, once the first blush fades. And to
out environment, the YMCA, to help him establish a routine
make matters worse, those early days of acting on the fitness
and keep focus. Others may choose to incorporate exercise
goal often bring about the most physical discomfort and
routines into their home environment or in natural surround-
the fewest mental and physical rewards. Hence, those New
ings. Physical environment often serves as an anchor to help
Year’s resolutions disappear.
inspire and aid in establishing new routines.
Commonly expressed reasons parents cite for getting
their children involved in physical activity have to do with
Relationships – In the same way we have the power to direct
psycho-social development i.e., the ability to get along with
new ways of thinking, we also have the ability to expand
others, experience early success, and have some fun with
relationships with our pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. If one’s
other children. What happens to such goals as we age? Do we
routine currently includes big breakfasts at a local diner with
lose the desire for having fun with others? Do we see games as appearing childish?
fellow retirees, such practices instead can take place with new friends, incorporate
Did we have unhappy experiences as youngsters with sports and subsequently avoid
exercise into the social experience, and perhaps even reduce the size of the breakfast.
athletic endeavors?
As I’ve mentioned previously, recent neuroscience discoveries give everyone
Well-being – Defined differently for everyone, the very personal whole life category
additional chances to invent new pathways in their brains. New channels allow old,
of well-being serves to balance and inform the other areas. Well-being has fluidity
undesirable habits to become dormant. Consequently, each of us has the capability to
and becomes redefined at different stages of life. Universally, health and fitness form
set new paths that include a fitness regimen, regardless of one’s previous and quite
a key component of what it means to experience a sense of well-being. If it does not
possibly unsuccessful experiences with such plans.
exist for you now, with some serious thought, goal setting and small action steps,
Each of us must identify our own goal and customize it for ourselves. No one
you can attain it. We—and only we—have the capacity to make decisions to inte-
else’s plan will work although others’ approaches may serve to inspire. I provide
grate and balance the various parts of our lives to attain healthful outcomes, in other
such a story below.
words, a whole life.
My brother-in-law Ron liked sports as a child and grew up in an urban environ-
ment where spontaneous as well as organized basketball and football opportunities
Mary Riley is an NYU-certified Life Coach and owner of MsR Life Coaching. She
presented themselves. He went on to play football in high school. Throughout his
specializes in coaching non-profit professionals and facilitating groups around
life, Ron has tried to incorporate work-out plans into his job schedule. Because he
visioning and goal setting. A native of New York City, she has lived and worked in
worked as an RN and later as a counselor, Ron’s shifting work schedules, cross-
the Pacific Northwest, Connecticut and New Jersey before moving to Setauket last
country relocation and parenthood often presented challenges to any routines he tried
summer.

Northshoerian JuneJuly 2009.indd7 7 6/16/2009 1:13:18 PM
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