The truth of the matter

Most of us in the healthcare and recovery services understand and accept the value of exercise not just during the time of recovery but in generally developing and maintaining an above average healthy lifestyle.  In fact we endorse exercise as one of the critical foundational stones of continued recovery and over all healthy living both at home and the workplace!

The good news is we just need to look and the growth of the physical fitness industry with more and more people of all ages and walks of life taking part.  We witness everything from new gymnasiums to health clubs & personal trainers to yoga classes in the park.  Then imagine the growing use of in the home exercise equipment and add that to the number of larger companies who build special places on location just for their employees.  Good healthcare habits make better employees as well as happier, caring people!

Great, but comparatively how many of these folks come to us for healing compared to the “other half”?  Chances are when they do, accepting and using the value of exercise in recovery is much more automatic.  They definitely have a head start.

But what about the majority of us in treatment or recovery counselling?

There  are so many of the guys and gals we know who have a world of good intentions who on so many occasions thay can’t count, (even outside of New Years) make promises to include exercise in our living but for some reason just don’t get around to it, again… (Didn’t someone once say that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”?)

So let’s take a closer look

This video courtesy of Dr. Mike Evans
and Steve McMinn RKC

Now we get it, what's next?

Developing one good habit, one day at a time - They say it takes a minimum of 30 continuous days to form a habit, especially one that may not be so agreeable and may even interrupt our present mind set of how we live.  Fun stuff that suits our present and slightly evil nature takes no time at all.  Examples are such as ice cream, chocolate, sex and rock and roll.  But an exercise routine, well that may be another thing

How it works

Let’s assume for a minute that treatment centre program directors and counsellors, as well as the many private, independent counsellors accept the importance of including exercise in any recovery plan that they create for each client.  Then again, what do they know about fitness programming?  We’ll get to that.

The goal should now be how to start and establish in each client new secure habits of exercise at the right level for each client during the time you have their undivided attention.

First, you have a captive audience for at least 30 days (especially residential) and one who in most cases agrees with and accepts the need for including exercise in his or her recovery plan not just for today but for life.

You set the rules, build the independent recovery plan and have a great monitoring system!

Help is on the way!

Then again what do you know about fitness programming?  Keeping in mind the video you just watched, the Angels Director of Fitness, instructor Steve McMinn has established a very simple, short and fun light exercise program just for in the room, home, office or even on business trips or vacations.  An additional benefit is while in residence each client can include a couple of moves with the room mate.  (Building relationships and sharing which is what two to a room is all about.)

The first step – staff demonstration and follow up

With staff knowledge and enthusiasm, this exercise program is easy, adaptable, interesting and fun and takes just a few minutes each time and best of all it works.  It could be a compulsory component that is easily monitored at the daily group or private counselling sessions.  Private counsellors could do much the same and in some cases continue on when in alliance with a private centre and their graduates. It could be implemented once or twice a day, morning and evening for example depending on the need and each client.

Upon graduation or a term of private counselling it has now become a good habit which can be carried into each continuous living and wellness program.  Chances are many will now actually take fitness to the next level.  After all, it’s now a habit!

For more about this please contact Steve McMinn RKC, professional fitness and Self-defence instructor at (778) 898-4649 or Email: steve@stevemcminn.com

Training in counsellor skills at VCCT is unique compared to many other types of career skill training. It focuses on simultaneous development of you as a person, you as a professional, and your acquisition, at a high level, of the most transferable set of career skills - counselling skills - which will benefit you in all interpersonal settings. VCCT programs do this through indepth instruction while emphasizing skill practice and offering almost twice the hours in any similar courses offered in a university setting.

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