Wellness Institute member’s holistic approach brings results
When Chris Chubaty-Ring flew to Hawaii this past October, she ably hoisted her luggage into the overhead bins of the airplanes that carried her south. She also mowed her lawn all last summer and kayaked for the first time.
These are now ordinary tasks for Chris, 73, but two years ago she could not have completed any of them without
a struggle.
After her husband Chuck died in 2022, Chris found herself in a dark place. She had been his caregiver for more than five years, and they had been married for 50; then he was gone, and she was grieving with none of the caregiving tasks to keep her busy. She took comfort in food.
Then she remembered, “My husband always told me that you’ve got to get on with your life.” So about eight months after he passed, she got up one morning and started making better decisions about what she ate.
“You have to prioritize exercise for your well-being, and through it, you can make a significant change in your life.”
“I began to enjoy a more Mediterranean style of eating,” she said. She employed the 80/20 principle, where 80% of her diet was nutritious food. “I knew eating habits needed to be sustainable, and this method worked for me.”
Chris also has a heart condition and had been admitted to the hospital a few times with heart failure. In addition to making dietary changes, she knew that exercise – which had not been a central part of her life – was necessary to improve her health. She began taking chair yoga classes three times per week. Then she connected with personal trainer Lori Orchard of the Wellness Institute, who helped her to incorporate weights into her exercise regimen.
She says that Lori’s knowledge and guidance has been inspiring. “When I added weights into my daily activities, I wanted to be certain that I was doing the correct form, avoiding injury while building intensity and strength.” Lori made sure she was safe and that her weight routine would generate results.
She now works out with Lori at the Wellness Institute for two 30-minute sessions per week. She also does two full-body strength training sessions on her own every week.
“When I first began, I started with a basic sit-to-stand movement: sitting in a chair and standing up, going back to sitting, and then back up to standing. With my dedication and consistent workout with Lori in the weight room, I can now leg press 500 pounds, completing five to six reps. I’m stronger, leaner, and more physically fit. I’ve established some definition and muscle mass that I never had before.”
Chris has lost a total of 100 pounds and has dropped down seven clothing sizes. The transformation took her one year and has given her the confidence to try new activities.
She continues to be mindful of what she eats and participates in a mix of activities, including Pilates, yoga, weights, and 30-60 minutes of daily walking. She also started beginner swim lessons before going to Hawaii.
“I’m the adult with all the toddlers in the pool, but I don’t care,” she laughs.
For others wanting to start an exercise program, Chris recommends a holistic approach. “You have to prioritize exercise for your well-being, and through it you can make
a significant change in your life.”
