How LiveWell helped this North Van senior

How do we start again?   What makes us get up in the morning? How do we live life to the fullest?

Since the pandemic began, we have all faced difficult moments in our lives. But if COVID-19 is teaching us many lessons, it is that we are more resilient than we realized. And, sometimes we have to learn how to take care of ourselves again.

Aukea Walters discovered this even before the pandemic.

The 70-year-old North Vancouverite spent many years as the primary caregiver for her ailing husband, watching him decline in health, until he died in December 2019. This took a toll on her body, soul and spirit. “I had health issues of my own that I could not properly address,” says Walters. “It was a very dark time for me. After his death, I knew I had to concentrate on my own health – my first step was to join LIVE WELL. This opened up a whole new world for me, a world of possibilities and hope. Most importantly, it gave me a sense of community and made me feel alive again.”

LIVE WELL Exercise Clinic in North Vancouver is the ultra-private gym for people with health concerns – from obesity to diabetes to heart conditions, or those who need help regaining bone strength and balance, and for health prevention. The recommended amount of exercise for Canadians for physical and mental health is 150 minutes weekly and LIVE WELL encourages members to meet this guideline. Members work with trained exercise professionals one-on-one, having personal programs designed for their specific health concerns, and then can come together in a group setting to hit their goals!  Small group fitness sessions run daily, and once you join the LIVE WELL family, you look forward to not only the endorphins of exercise, but to the joy of community.

Substantial worldwide data has shown that community is essential to our physical and mental health – it provides us with a sense of belonging and togetherness. In the last year social isolation has taken its toll on us – with seniors impacted the most.

Walters felt this after she left LIVE WELL, even before the pandemic began. “I joined another gym, but it wasn’t the same. When COVID hit they closed for good, and that kept me home and away from exercise and from people. At the beginning of 2021, I overcame my fear of COVID and rejoined LIVE WELL and have never looked back. I am now taking an active part in my physical and mental well-being and doing it in a community of like-minded people. Our bodies can be agile and strong, when we are in a lively and encouraging environment”.

Canadians became more sedentary during this pandemic – in fact, one-third report having both gained weight, and were moving less than they did a year ago. Health complications surrounding a sedentary lifestyle include chronic illness such as Type 2 diabetes, depression, loss of mobility and joint pain. Mental health challenges are affecting more than half the population.

But the journey back to health is not hard – and it begins with one small step, and two important questions:

How can I LIVE WELL today? How can I LIVE WELL for all of my days?

Aukea Walters knows. “Joining LIVE WELL has given me the confidence that I have a hand in aging gracefully and healthfully in a holistic setting.” At 70, she plans to LIVE WELL for a long, long time.

If you are looking for the support of healthcare professionals and an inspiring community of members so that you can be more active and improve your overall health so you can live life to the fullest, then we invite you to BE OUR GUEST at livewellclinic.ca for a free session.

LIVE WELL Clinic North Vancouver is located in the Lynn Valley Shopping Centre: #39, 1199 Lynn Valley Road in North Vancouver, click here for directions!