Blog: https://takegoodcareofyou.home.blog
My name is Amy Lutzel and I have a Bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Indiana where I took a number of health-related and physical education courses. I am currently working on my master’s degree through the University of Missouri’s School of Education and Counseling Psychology Student Learning and Wellbeing program. I am also a Certified Health and Wellness Coach and certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a personal trainer. I am Reiki Level II certified, certified in Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid, and I’m a certified QPR Suicide prevention training instructor. Vincent’s No One Dies Alone program my dog and I are a therapy dog and Animal-Assisted Crisis Response Team. I have been active in exercise and sports most of my life, however, I was incapacitated for nearly ten years due to three spinal fusion surgeries. (I had two knee surgeries prior to this.) I went to chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, an acupuncturist, several orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and neurologists for treatments and second and third opinions, and I had to see pain management doctors to receive several nerve blocks and cortisone injections and be put on several pain medications. This caused me to gain a lot of weight and may have contributed to an illness which put me in the hospital five years ago. I was on the verge of having to go on disability because I was so bad off physically. I also developed high blood pressure during all of this and had to be put on medication for that, too. In 2008, I developed an illness called gastroparesis which led me all the way to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for some tests. Not to mention that one of the medications I was taking for this illness caused severe depression and anxiety. While I am doing better now, I have come to realize that stress does a lot of horrible things to the human body. This is yet another reason why exercise does the body good! Taking care of my health through clean eating, exercise, and reducing stress is what helped me get back to an active lifestyle and lose most the weight I had put on. My new lifestyle also helped me come off of all my medications including anti-inflammatories, pain medications, and blood pressure meds. After going through all of these health problems, I decided I wanted to work in the health and fitness industry so that I could help people like myself. I started out working as a personal trainer at the Welborn Foundation Wellness & Fitness Center at Ivy Tech Community College, the YMCA, and in retirement homes assisting others in helping reach their fitness goals and overcome obstacles like I did. I also exercised with clients in their own homes and taught group exercise classes. I left my part-time positions to work full-time as a Health Advocate at St. Mary’s Medical Center where I gained a lot of knowledge and experience in this field. After two and a half years there, I am now the Wellness Director at Ivy Tech Community College where I continue to teach and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle. I also enjoy speaking to different groups about how living a healthy lifestyle has helped me. I am eager to share my story in hopes that it will inspire and give hope to others. I am feeling better than I have in a very long time and I owe most of this to my exercise regime. I have come a really long way and hope to continue down the road to a healthy lifestyle. I have competed in several sprint and Olympic triathlons. I also completed my first full marathon (26.2 miles) to raise money for Susan G. I never thought it was possible to accomplish something like this with all my prior health problems. (Watch my YouTube video of my whole marathon experience - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3-TD8xi4f4). Now, I know ANYTHING is possible. My goals and dreams in life are to complete my Master’s degree and write a self-help book. I hope you will "like" my Facebook group "Take Good Care of YOU!" and invite all your friends! The purpose of this group is to provide convenient and helpful information and tips on wellness and fitness. This group is also meant to be positive and uplifting. If you would like your life to be this way, then please join and invite all your friends. Update: In the Spring of 2023, I was diagnosed with dermatomyositis which is a rare auto-immune disorder that causes rashes and attacks the muscles. I have developed severe muscle atrophy, pain, and weakness. I am still exercising, eating healthy, and managing stress now more than ever. There is no known cause for this condition but it is treated with medication and a healthy lifestyle. I am taking it one day at a time and continue to help others learn how to live a healthy lifestyle.
~Amy Lutzel
PLEASE NOTE: THE MATERIAL AND LINKS PROVIDED ON THIS GROUP PAGE ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR ADVICE OR RECOMMENDATIONS BY YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR, PHYSICAL THERAPIST, OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING A NEW EXERCISE OR DIET PROGRAM, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE NEW TO FITNESS OR HAVE ANY HEALTH-RELATED PROBLEMS.
