HEALTH & FITNESS BLOG

Member’s Fitness Triumph After Breast Cancer

By: NM Huntley Fitness Staff

July 12, 2023, 10:00 am - Categories: Fitness, Health & Fitness

Member Loses 30 Pounds and is Stronger After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Prior to coming to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Health & Fitness Center, Susan was overweight, not fit, and was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. She knew she was losing her flexibility and strength as she was getting older. As part of her treatment journey, she knew she wanted to work with a personal trainer.

“I take advantage of the ability to utilize a trainer. I feel my workouts are focused on the exercises I need. I have been working with Scott for a couple of years and I knew that I needed to continue doing so as best as I could during my treatment journey. I felt that staying strong and fit was going to be an essential element of my overall treatment plan,” says Susan.

With Scott’s help, Susan was able to continue her training sessions and working out. They worked around what was happening in her cancer treatment which included 33 radiation treatments and 2 surgeries. Her doctors agreed that staying on course with her workouts helped her feel better throughout her yearlong treatment by keeping her body fit and relieving stress.

“I am in great shape, and I can do things at age 69 that I could not do when I started working out at age 64. I am down 30 pounds and for the most part the aches and pains associated with aging are gone. I have more energy and stamina and can do almost everything I want to do.  A friend I had not seen in a while noticed a change in my overall outlook, she mentioned there was something different about me; I had a more upbeat attitude and overall I looked healthy and fit.”

Susan is focused on eating healthier and she looks for opportunities throughout her day to be active. This has improved her overall health and her ability to do the things she wants to do.

“Since starting with Scott, I have been able to build strength and agility which has helped me to keep active, be fit, and lose the weight I needed to lose.  Also, with Scott’s help I was able to continue training through a yearlong cancer treatment with very little downtime. We were able to do this because Scott worked around what was happening in my cancer treatment and by doing so, the side effects of treatment were reduced, and I actually felt pretty good.”

When asked if she would recommend Northwestern Medicine Huntley Health & Fitness Center Susan says:

“I have recommended this center to others because I think what you offer and the benefits you provide can improve people’s quality of life and their health.”