By Robert Schwander, Owner, Fitness Counseling, Inc.
This month’s article is a follow-up article on a wonderful client whom I have had the privilege to assist on her fitness journey since 2003. Trudy Faries was born in Peoria, Illinois, and grew up in East Peoria. Trudy went to East Peoria High School; thereafter, she went to Western Illinois University and graduated with a degree in French and a minor in English. Upon graduating, Trudy obtained employment with the state of Illinois Department of Public Aid and stayed in that position until she took a position with the state in the Department of Child Support Enforcement. Trudy retired early from her state employment position. Upon retirement, Trudy decided to help a friend of hers with her friend’s business. During that time, her friend decided to surprise Trudy by bringing her to Fitness Counseling Inc. She was dressed in work clothes, and Trudy did not want to be here. Trudy seemed a little bit reluctant during her first gym visit; however, during the consultation, Trudy became more relaxed once I explained the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and a properly prepared fitness regimen. During our consultation, Trudy explained to me that she had previously experienced muscle fatigue in her legs to the extent that she had to sit down while she was in line waiting to check out her groceries. Trudy did not have any identifying medical ailments that could have been a contributing factor. Trudy had a clean bill of health. However, I needed to convince Trudy to try my lifestyle personal training program. Trudy agreed to give the program a try. Surprisingly, within the first few months, she did very well and exceeded expectations. I have had many training experiences with many different people, women and men; however, I have never experienced someone develop such a zest to better themselves through exercise. Within the many years of personal training, Trudy excelled in every area of the fitness regimen that I devised for her. In fact, whenever I develop new advanced exercises for Trudy, she would always exhibit excitement, a smile, and could not wait to give them a try. During my training experience with Trudy, she never missed a single personal training session except for when she was on vacation.
Through the years, Trudy gained significant knowledge in the fitness realm, including becoming certified as a fitness trainer. She guided and helped a couple of clients along the way; however, she really desired self-physical development, so most of her attention remained on personal development. From 2012 to 2021, Trudy continued her dedication to her fitness needs. During 2021, she decided she would like to do personal training once again for more advanced exercises and a more advanced selective exercise approach for maximum fitness. Together, Trudy and I developed the perfect fitness system that would fit her needs and her desires. Along the way, once again, she excelled and exceeded all expectations; however, Trudy and her granddaughter were riding scooters down a steep driveway when the unthinkable happened. The crack in the driveway may have been the culprit, but she is unsure. She didn’t even remember falling off the scooter; however, she realized right away that something was extremely wrong with her shoulder. Upon examination by Trudy’s medical doctor, she was prescribed physical therapy for a period of time; during that time, there were no significant improvements. Once physical therapy concluded, we developed an exercise regimen that worked around the limited mobility and strength of her shoulder. We continued to strengthen the surrounding areas of the shoulder all along, knowing that she had a scheduled shoulder replacement months away. During our strengthening period together, Trudy redeveloped a lot of her strength in her shoulder during her pre-surgery fitness regimen; however, her mobility due to the damage was extremely limited. Trudy and I trained together until three days before the surgery.
The surgery went well, and like any other medical procedure, there is a scheduled recovery time and rehab time. Within weeks of her medical procedure, Trudy was given the okay from her doctor to perform lower-body exercise movements. Trudy continued to do lower-body movements along with her shoulder physical therapy until she was released. Recovery for shoulder replacement is slow and long. Trudy and I decided that before she would re-engage with personal training, she would perform some basic upper-body movements to re-strengthen and re-stabilize the shoulder. We decided on a specific date as long as the rehabilitation process went smoothly. Upon examination and to Trudy’s desire, we are engaging in personal training two times per week. I can say I am happy with her progress, although it is slow and steady, and every new exercise has to be monitored closely. Trudy’s wonderful attitude and her drive to persevere have once again helped her overcome adversity. Trudy’s driving force and sheer determination are always followed by her positive attitude and her wonderful smile. Trudy said that she will always find a way to make exercise an important part of her life. Trudy’s keep going and no quit attitude is a wonderful lesson for those around and me, included.
Robert J. Schwander is the owner and a certified personal trainer at Fitness Counseling, Inc. located at 1020 W. Detweiller Dr., Peoria. Call 309-692-6533 for more information. Visit Fitness Counseling, Inc. on Facebook, and please click “like.”
