Stellar Fitness: Nicole Gauthier MS and Personal Training

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Nicole Gauthier Helps Client Fight MS with Fitness

Tennessean, The (Nashville, TN)

August 9, 1999

PHYSICAL REGIMEN HELPS WOMAN FIGHT DISEASE

Author: BONNIE BURCH

Section: WILLIAMSON
Page: 5W
Estimated printed pages: 4

Article Text:

PERSONAL TRAINER TAILORS PROGRAM TO HELP RESTORE LOSSES BROUGHT ON BY MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.

By BONNIE BURCH STAFF WRITER

BRENTWOOD

Carol Phillipy has struggled through the effects of multiple sclerosis since her 20s, but recently she began to realize that she would have to make some drastic changes in her life and fast.

For the 52-year-old Brentwood resident, a walk up the stairs felt like she was climbing Mt. Everest. And her left side was weak to the point she dragged her foot. But the scariest part was when she began to fall down.

Plus, she had gained weight, which made moving difficult even without the central nervous system disorder.

One day she made a trip into Bruegger's Bagel Bakery for a cappuccino, Phillipy emerged with a new plan.

"For a long time, I had that goal that I was going to get into shape. I knew I was not going to get better unless I did something about it. I had visions of being in a wh! eelchair," she said.

As she picked up the hot beverage, she noticed an advertisement for a personal trainer. That was more than a year ago.

Today, she categorizes her multiple sclerosis as "in remission."

"I feel like I'm 20 years younger. Not just physically but emotionally and mentally. People who have not seen me in a while just can not believe I'm the same person," she said.

With her doctor's approval, Phillipy became the first MS client for Stellar Fitness owner Nicole Gauthier. Most of her clients are business executives, stay-at-home moms or others just looking to shed extra pounds not someone with a serious health concern.

Gauthier educated herself on the condition until she felt comfortable enough to take on her new client who had different fitness goals than most who hire a personal trainer.

"She felt the worst on her left side so that's where we started," Gauthier said. "Basically, we did five steps of strength exercisesfor a ! long time. Adding the weight comes later. We just wanted to get the st rength, endurance and form into that side."

Her exercise routine concentrated on more exercises. The dreaded stairs were conquered after many days of leg lifts.

Independence is very important to Phillipy, who continues to work full-time as a personal financial analyst with Primerica Financial Services.

She wanted to keep up with her husband, 19-year-old son and three grown step children.

"Some people would question why I have a personal trainer. But I made it a priority. I could not afford to not do it," Phillipy said.

Safety was a big concern for Gauthier. More than a few newly exercised have hurt themselves doing too much, too soon and with the wrong form.

After a very hot and frustrating beginning, Phillipy installed a ceiling fan in the work-out room of her Indian Point home. MS patients will tend to have heightened sensitivity especially to heat.

But physical exercise is only half of the goal Phillipy set for herself. She began ! watching the foods she selected.

"I really was not in good shape. When I would go out shopping I would tire quickly. Plus, I felt like I had a sack of flour on each shoulder and a sack of sugar around my waist," she said.

Today she has dropped nearly 40 pounds going from a size 20 to size 10 or eight. She will know she has arrived at her goal when she can fit into the wedding dress she wore 10 years ago a very slim size eight. She is almost there.

"It took me a while. I didn't just drop the weight suddenly. That's the point. It's a whole change in your lifestyle instead of just real big changes. My main concern is to feel healthier ... and if I look better too, that's a nice part of it," she said.

Soon she was able to enjoy the life she remembered from her younger years.

"I can go up and down the steps now. I may not be the most graceful at it but at least I can do it," said Phillipy.

To make sure she continues to live the healthy lifest! yle, she keeps a journal of her exercise regimen, the foods she eats a nd the good things she does for her body during her day. Gauthier will check the journals to make sure she is getting enough healthy nutrients and proteins and that she does not over extend herself.

"Really, she is the one pushing me and not the other way around," said her personal trainer. "She is usually the one asking me if she could do just one more rep for her cardiovascular exercises."

Once you incorporate your health goals into your lifestyle, it is easy to keep the promises you make to yourself, said Phillipy. She sees many more years of mobility ahead.

"I'm encouraged because I see the benefits. I don't fall down anymore. And they say if you can continue with your fitness goals for six months you've got it made. So I know this is happening."

Stellar Fitness continues to accept new clients. For more information, call 661-4918.

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"RESTORATIVE REHAB' CAN HELP PATIENTS MAINTAINCONDITION

The Multiple Sclerosis National ! Society, Middle Tennessee Chapter, supports exercise and a healthy diet in maintaining the condition of MS patients.

Even though the disease is unpredictable and has no cure, many MS patients use rehabilitation as an approach to keep disabilities from becoming handicaps.

Restorative rehabilitation, involving strengthening and retraining muscles, restores lost functions and motivates patients to regaining abilities.

Physical fitness restores balance, lessens pain, re-energizes the patient, maintains mobility and offers some control of the disease.

Anyone with MS can benefit from a regular exercise routine. When serious disabilities exist, rehabilitation focuses on existing strengths.

However, MS patients using a physical program should follow some cautionary guidelines:

Always exercise in a cool environment. Overheating decreases efficiency of nerve conduction and may make MS symptoms worse.

Drink plenty of cool liquids before an! d during exercise. This also keeps the temperature down.

Include periods of rest. Fatigue may aggravate symptoms.

Avoid exercising to the point of pain.

Enjoy your program and continue it. This means selecting activities that suit your personality and life.

For more information, call the MS Society at 269-9055.

Graphic: PHOTO BY P. CASEY DALEY / STAFF

CAROL PHILLIPY DOES ABDOMINAL CRUNCHES AS SHE FIGHTS THE EFFECTS OFMULTIPLE SCLEROSIS WITH THE HELP OF PERSONAL TRAINER NICOLE GAUTHIER.