The Wellness Center's Blog

The “Why” Behind MyFitRx® with Wellness Navigator, Brenda Ardelean

By: Chelsea Wellness Center Staff

August 28, 2023, 10:00 am - Categories: Fitness Tips, Medical Integration

Q: Can you explain your understanding of the MyFitRx® Program and Objectives?

Brenda: The MyFitRx® program is an 8-week program that the Chelsea Wellness Center offers. It is designed to help people with ailments or chronic issues achieve their fitness goals. There are many “paths” that you can take, including weight loss, a cardiac program, an orthopedic program, diabetes, and many more, but the most common pathways are orthopedic and weight management programs.

I utilize the MyFitRx® program to help my participants to be happier with their lives and their bodies. For some, this means dealing with chronic pain, and for others, it means increasing their functionality so they can do all the things they want to do. It starts with an honest conversation with the patient about THEIR needs, and I work with them to find concrete goals that we can achieve in the 8 weeks that we have together.

Q: What experience do you have in the field of medical integration in fitness programs? Can you describe any specific projects or initiatives that help you with MyFitRx®?

Brenda: Like all our fitness specialists, we were required to complete an internship as a part of our degree. My internship was at a gym that had a program similar to MyFitRx®. It was a medically focused program outside of the normal membership that placed emphasis on the transition period from Physical Therapy to unrestricted workout regimens.  This is where I found that I loved doing this type of work and I had a passion for helping people live more comfortably. Being able to see the change in their demeanor as we work to improve whatever ailments might be bothering them is what motivates me to keep doing what I do. I have continued my education utilizing online coursework and with in-person training that teaches the best techniques and practices. I apply these practices to my work with the MyFitRx®  participants to help them reach their goals.

Q: How do you approach assessing the medical needs and capabilities of individuals participating in the program?

Brenda: All participants are required to have a referral from a medical provider to join the program.  The provider identifies the pathway and provides any recommendations or restrictions they have for their patient.  During the one-on-one Fitness Assessment, we review your health history and complete a few basic tests to determine your current level of fitness.  We also discuss your goals and interests.  We talk about how you are feeling and what you would like to accomplish by joining the program.  This helps me develop an individualized program to best meet your needs and reach your goals.

Q: How do you evaluate the progress and outcomes of the programs that you build and the MyFitRx® program as a whole? How do you ensure that the participants of the program receive proper guidance and support in understanding and following their individualized fitness programs?

Brenda: During scheduled exercise times, we meet and re-establish where we are at and where we are going. This will include the quantitative data, i.e., repetitions, weight, sets and other workout metrics, but also how you are feeling about the workouts. Are they easy, or hard? Do you feel like we are on track to achieve our goals in the time that we have together? I adjust the workouts accordingly to ensure we are progressing every week.

Q: What strategies do you employ to motivate and engage participants, particularly those who may have medical conditions or limitations?

Brenda: I have learned to take a mixed approach to motivating people. We want to be mindful of the big picture and work towards our larger goals, but with many people with chronic pain or injuries, it is vital to point out and acknowledge small wins wherever we can take them. Living with pain is hard, and getting rid of that pain is even harder, so any improvements we can make to their living conditions and how comfortable and able they are wins that deserve to be recognized. We also like to point out the scale of what they are doing at the end of the 8 weeks we have together. If we have accomplished so much in 8 weeks, imagine the possibilities if you stick to your program and continue to get stronger!

Q: What types of support systems are in place to make sure you are getting the support you need to best help your program participants?

Brenda: I have a plethora of wonderful people who help me do the best job I can. Many of my clients and members know Kari Goorhouse, the Fitness Manager at our center. Kari has over 15 years of experience in this field, and she is an excellent resource when I have questions. Another great resource has been Kaitlyn at Power Wellness. She was in a similar role as I am now and has provided me with a lot of guidance and support. These two people have amazing resources that have made it much easier for me to be able to help my clients to the best of my ability, so they can hopefully live more comfortably after their time with us in the MyFitRx® program.

Thank you Brenda for your insight on the MyFitRx® program. For more information, about MyFitRx® please visit the Member Service Desk or call 734-214-0220 today.