Bonita
Cobb
Life
My
name is Bonita Cobb. I'm 57 years old. Twenty-two years ago,
I was diagnosed with arthritis. Since then, I've been fortunate
enough to have the care of some good doctors, including rheumatologists.
I've seen a number of physiotherapists off and on, been given
help from occupational therapists, and gone through the Self-Management
course offered by the Arthritis Society. I'm grateful for
the help I've received. The problem is that none of these
has dealt with either my aerobic fitness or my strength. They've
concentrated on bringing my
arthritis under control and improving my range of motion,
but haven't dealt with actual fitness. So, over the years,
I have become less and less fit, less confident in my physical
ability, less able to do the things I want.
As my strength and conditioning coach, Cris is showing me
how to change all of that. In roughly three months, I've gone
from 5 minutes on an exercise bicycle every other day to 45
minutes every day. And I've started some resistance training.
Cris's coaching has made an immense difference in my ability
to do those everyday things that others take for granted.
(For example, the other day, without thinking, I went up a
flight of stairs like a normal person, instead of like a two-year-old.
I haven't been able to do that for years.)
My
energy and stamina are way up, and my pain is way down. And
it's all been accomplished without the sore muscles and fatigue
that I've come to expect from exercise. The most surprising
thing about this whole experience is that Cris hasn't tried
to fit me into some pre-determined exercise mould. Instead
of using buzz-words and the latest trend in fitness, Cris
has used lactate testing and heart rate monitoring to test
my fitness levels and to determine when I'm ready for the
next step. He has also asked good questions and actually listened
to the answers -- the sign of a good teacher. This combination
of accurate scientific measurements, Cris's expertise, and
his ability to listen have been the keys to my success. So
I would say, without hesitation that Cris's coaching isn't
just for elite athletes. It's also for us little old ladies
with knotted up muscles, sore joints, and a long history of
not exercising.
Results/
Bonita Cobb
When
Bonita first started she could ride for 5 minutes at a heart
rate of 90 beats per minute with blood lactate at 1.6 mmol/l.
Now she can ride for 60 minutes at 120 beats per minute with
a lower lactate level and pedaling faster!
Bonita
made big initial gains in a relatively short time. We chose
the bike because it is non-impact and non-weight bearing allowing
her exercise with ease. There is no known cure for arthritis
yet, but carefully applied exercise can help regain a substantial
amount of mobility lost in those with arthritis. Bonita also
does strengthening and flexibility exercises and has improved
her nutrition.
After
one year of continuous exercise, Bonita has reduced body fat
and increased her strength significantly.
-Cris LaBossiere
©
2003-2004 Rhino Fitness
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