A year and a half ago, a woman called on behalf of her husband for an intake appointment. His name is Bruce. He had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and was suffering. As described by the Mayo Clinic, MS is a disease that causes breakdown of the protective covering of nerves. It can cause numbness, weakness, trouble walking, vision changes, and other symptoms.
Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage of the nerve fibers. It’s an autoimmune disease that is generally managed through a variety of drugs, and is considered to be a “forever” disease. However, that’s not necessarily the case!
Bruce and his wife came to see me. Our intake session ran a little longer than usual as they wanted to make sure that they had a good understanding of what they could do in order to improve Bruce’s quality of life. I formulated a program for him to get started. There was going to be very healthy eating (very plant predominant) and he was willing to start a walking program – something he would have to slowly build up over time.
I insisted he find more time for sleep and I also suggested some books to read. I never heard back from them and had no idea how they were faring.
Three weeks ago, his wife called me again to make a follow-up appointment. I wasn’t really sure what to expect and made sure to go over his file thoroughly prior to the meeting. It turns out that he and his wife came to show me the latest MRI. A smile broke out on my face when they told me there was no progression of the disease whatsoever in the brain and an actual reduction in lesions on the spinal cord. It turns out Bruce has been following the program exactly as prescribed.
He read the books I had recommended and started walking on a daily basis. I also had him supplement Vitamin D. He has been very careful about getting enough sleep as well. They came to say thank you. Things aren’t perfect and we discussed a few more changes to make, but his life has greatly improved. He is now practically symptom-free.
What if Bruce had not enacted the proper lifestyle changes to battle his disease?
hat if he had relied only on medication? The medications today are far more effective than in the past and definitely slow the progress of the disease, but they are still limited in effectiveness. As the disease progresses, the patient sees deterioration which can take different forms.
First off, life expectancy is reduced by an average of 7 to 10 years compared to the general population. MS itself is rarely fatal, but complications from immobility, such as chronic infections and breathing difficulties, are the main causes of increased mortality. It is not unusual for someone with MS to have brain fog and fatigue. Unfortunately, in the later stages of disease, people can lose their independence. It is also not unusual to need walking aids or a wheelchair. Tremors and muscle weakness are also common.
But Bruce and his wife have said no to that kind of life. He feels very good now and will continue to feel that way as long as he sticks to his diet and exercise. He is fighting back.
As good as he feels, I also have to tell you that seeing him doing so well give me a wonderful feeling, a special feeling. I’ve had it before. I get it when I help someone get off blood pressure medication, diabetes drugs, or see someone’s cholesterol go into free fall.
In the case of all of these, the risk of cardiovascular disease has been significantly reduced. I’ve gotten that feeling when I helped reverse cirrhosis of the liver, fatty liver disease, Crohn’s disease, the female endocrine disorder PCOS, fibromyalgia and even infertility in my clients. Now I can add MS to the list.
THERE WAS a song, originally recorded in 1968 but rerecorded many times, called “Hooked on a Feeling.” I’m pretty hooked on the feeling that I get when I see great success from a client who can overcome a big health issue. We all get paid for what we do for a living, but how wonderful it is to do something that brings rewards greater than money.
My reading and research has found that there are a lot of Bruces in the world. They harness the power of lifestyle medicine and empower themselves to success. They turn their lives around and they can absolutely thrive! But when you see something with your own eyes, it brings a great sense of satisfaction. You also feel happiness for the person being helped, like Bruce.
Bruce’s greatest motivation is how good he feels. My motivation is also how good he feels – and how good I feel because of it. So take your health into your own hands and feel good. Help someone else and feel good. When you get hooked on a good feeling you “add hours to your days, days to your years and years to your lives.”
The writer is a wellness coach and personal trainer with more than 25 years of professional experience. He is a member of the International Council of the True Health Initiative, the board of Kosher Plant Based, and director of The Wellness Clinic. alan@alanfitness.com