Fresh Air 2011
Fit for Life
Contestants in "The Biggest Loser" have their sights set on the big bucks to be awarded at the season finale. So each week the popular TV program reveals the dramatic struggles and accomplishments that go with changing lifestyles and dropping hundreds of pounds.
Far away from those cameras, a handful of people gather weekly for a different program. Called Fit for Life, this activity enables residents of the Respiratory Care Center at Rockcastle Regional to compete with each other as they lose weight and build muscle through exercise and proper dietary choices. But the Fit for Life participants have set their sights on a much greater prize - going home.
The10-week program teaches residents that they have more control over their rehab progress than they realize. If they eat healthy food and get as much exercise as possible, they'll be better able to participate in therapy. Therapy will give them more strength and may help them qualify for the weaning program. Being weaned off the ventilator is everyone's hope, but being stronger will improve their quality of life even if they must remain on a vent.
"Many people do not realize that our residents have complete choice over what they eat," said Nick Bastin, PTA, Rehabilitation Service manager. "Like many of us, it's easy for them to choose comfort foods that are high in fat and calories. We are providing them with information so they can make good choices."
Brian Knoops, 33, was born in Chicago and has lived all over the country. He said Fit for Life has taught him a lot about food.
"I was surprised to learn that even diet food can have as many calories as non-diet food and that you have to pay attention to labels on the food you're eating," said Brian. "It's hard to get motivated, but this makes it more fun to lose weight and learn more about eating right."
Connie Miller, a former member of the military, praised the program and those who lead it.
"We couldn't have a better team. They will work with you any way they can," said Connie. "Dieticians come in along with the therapists. They will answer any questions we have. We all need to be healthy, and I want to be healthy so I can go home. Before this, I didn't eat, I gobbled my food down. We have the choice to have the food we want. It's up to us what we eat."
Occupational Therapy's weekly cooking groups have been updated with this in mind.
"As a group we have updated our cookbook, paying more attention to sodium, fat and calorie content. We've removed sweets and added Weight Watcher recipes," said Occupational Therapy's Tiffany McKibben, OTA. "With a list of 300-calorie or less recipes included as options, residents are picking the lighter fare."
And a hospital vending machine now includes healthier choices, such as fiber bars and lower-calorie snacks.
The group provides residents with opportunities for additional exercise and social interaction. Additionally, each resident is given the option of having a personal mentor they can talk with to help keep them on track and motivated.
Several participants started shedding weight after just a few weeks of the program. The optional weigh-ins have sparked some residents' competitive juices.
Bonnie Hamilton, for one, can't get enough of the sessions.
"It's a pretty good program," she said. "It's very encouraging. I just wish it would move faster. I'd like to stay longer each day so I can go home."
With motivation like that, Bonnie and other participants are well on their way to becoming Fit for Life.
Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center Copyright © 2009
145 Newcomb Avenue - Mt. Vernon, Kentucky 40456 Ph: (606) 256-2195 E: info@rhrcc.org
Rockcastle Medical Arts Ph: (606) 256-4148
