Eileen’s story: smashing her fitness goals and saving money on gym fees!

Sydney-based mother of two Eileen C has achieved a level of fitness during lockdown that is helping to keep her happy and healthy, despite not being able to get to the gym. “I’ve got no intention of ever going back to the gym,” Eileen declares.

Right now, 56-year-old Eileen is on her way to achieving her health and fitness goals thanks to online coaching from the Health Hub.

The Health Hub is a joint initiative between CommBank and CBHS. Workouts, cooking demonstrations, wellbeing presentations and associated activities such as meditation and mindfulness are programmed throughout the week. There are multiple sessions and an extensive library of recorded programs for anyone who can’t make the live sessions.

“I love being able to work out at home. It keeps me motivated, I can work at my own pace, and I’m being coached by qualified professionals. Why would I pay for an online fitness class when I can join any number of Health Hub sessions for free?”

Despite being a committed gym afficionado in the past, Eileen recently cancelled her membership. “I used to get up at 4.30am to get to the gym most weekdays. I’m a creature of habit. It would be gym, shower, breakfast, catch the bus to work and I’d be at my desk by 7.30.”

Supporting three busy general managers at CommBank requires a high degree of organisational juggling. “Working from home, I have more time and I’m more relaxed,” says Eileen. “I still get up early to go for a morning walk, and I seek out hills to get my heart rate up, then I head home to start work. Thanks to the Health Hub and a supportive boss, I can schedule my workouts during the day.”

Eileen’s daily workouts might be as simple as a ten-minute morning Tabata session, but she makes them a priority. “In the past, I might have arranged to meet another EA for a quick coffee. Now I catch up with Tyler, or one of the other coaches, for an online session.”

Eileen became aware of the Health Hub sessions after a consultation with CBHS Exercise Scientist and Wellness Consultant Tyler Schreurs for help with a sore back. “Tyler suggested I join his ‘Spring into Summer’ physical challenge, and I loved it.”

Eileen’s commitment helped her become one of the winners in the challenge!

“My mum had type 2 diabetes, and I don’t want to develop that. It’s up to me to keep myself healthy. If you don’t have health, you don’t have anything.

Over the years, Eileen has used her health insurance to help her stay healthy and well, despite having rheumatoid arthritis.

“Having health insurance makes all the difference. I remember CBHS arranged for an exercise physiologist to visit me at home when I was recuperating after an operation. And I love the fact that my Choice Network dentist doesn’t charge a cent for regular check-ups.”

It may sound like Eileen has breezed through the pandemic, but she’s faced a challenge that will sound familiar to many – she still hasn’t held her first grandchild.

Eileen’s 28-year-old daughter, Meaghan, was rushed into hospital a week before Sydney went into lockdown, and the trauma of her first grandson’s birth is still fresh in Eileen’s memory.

“Sebastian was born by emergency caesarian and it took 27 minutes for him to breath. He needed four shots of adrenalin to get his heart going.”

Baby Sebastian was taken to ICU at Royal North Shore and there was an anxious wait to see if he would make it. “The paediatrician wasn’t sure. We prayed a lot that night,” Eileen adds.

Thankfully Sebastian survived and the little one is now thriving and continues to amaze his doctors, but Eileen will have to wait until lockdown is over to give him the biggest cuddle.

See what’s on this month at the Health Hubs or book a one-on-one consultation.

All information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only. The information provided should not be relied upon as medical advice and does not supersede or replace a consultation with a suitably qualified healthcare professional.