If only he could sit by me now….. when my heart is in pain

You never truly appreciate something until it’s gone.

  • The BEST running partner.
  • Amazing secret keeper
  • Handsome & strong
  • Protector of his family
  • Gentle Comforter
  • Best Friend

A running partner that follows your lead, doesn’t interfere with your thoughts/music, and is a silent protector against anyone that could be harmful is my dream partner.  Reuben was that running partner.
He’s sleek, handsome, and muscular.  Very well toned and athletic.  Not many people would mess with me while he’s by my side.
He protected my children with fierceness.  From the minute he laid eyes on them as new born babes…he knew that he was to protect those children.  He had his eyes on anyone that held them, and often sat right next to those folks.  Reuben went everywhere the kids went, and they grew accustomed to his presence being with them at all times.  They knew he was their protector.  He was the same with me and I was comforted knowing he would die before he allowed someone to hurt us.
In times of sadness, Reuben sat quietly near.  Often times leaning into me, encouraging me to lean on him for his gentle support.  He knew when our hearts needed love, when our spirits were broken, and when we just needed a soul close to us.  He was the ears that would listen to all my pain and he never judged.  He continued to love me regardless of the mistakes I made and he never told another soul my thoughts/emotions or how I do the ‘happy dance’ when the kids got on the bus.  It was our secret.  I trusted him completely.
He was my best friend.  He was my 11.5 year old Weimeraner (dog), Reuben.

I had to say ‘good-bye’ to my best friend this weekend.  I knew he was in pain & I saw the deterioration taking place in his brain.  I tried everything within our means to heal him and take his discomfort away.  He was a very confused old dog… with significant back pain and could not lay down and often was found gazing into space.  When muscle relaxers, pain meds, and steroids weren’t helping him in the least, and he looked at me with very sad eyes and ears tucked tightly to his head….. I knew it was time to release him from his pain.  I always thought it was cruel to euthanize a pet.  I never fully understood and I felt it was selfish.  Now, I see that it would have been selfish to continue making him live with incredible back pain and brain confusion.  His heart was strong….but his brain and back were failing him.  I held my best friend’s face in my hands and kissed him as he drifted off to sleep.  His body was finally calm, pain removed, and yet I was in immense pain. It was as if his back pain moved right inside my heart.
It’s been 3 days now and I cont. to miss him dearly.  I feel like a child as much as I’ve cried over my dog, and I wish the tears would cease.  I had gotten into a pattern of feeding him each day, letting him out the back door, giving him ice cubes when I got my water, spending quiet evenings after everyone else went to sleep watching our favorite TV shows, and checking on him before I went to bed after I checked on the kids.  All that is gone.  Just gone.  No more loud nails on the tile, no more slurping of water from the utility room, and no more loud sighs while he laid in the chair.  It’s too quiet.  It’s a constant reminder of my ole’ friend.
His paw prints are still in the snow at the back door.  I look at them often during the day….. and I know that once they are gone, I will have nothing left but memories.  Memories are good…. and they are many.  He lived an amazing life with us and we spoiled him rotten.  He was one of the few Weimeraners that was very well trained & calm.  I was very proud of him.

I never realized I would miss his constant noises until now….. when they are gone.  I never realized an adult could miss her 4-legged companion as much as I do.  I loved my dog, but not sure I TRULY appreciated even his annoying habits until now…. when he’s gone.  I’d love for him to nudge my hand (often times, he’d nudge my chest too….he was a ‘male’ after all) in an effort to make me pet his head just one more time.  But then again, would that ‘one more time’ be enough?  No.
Isn’t it amazing how animals can teach us so many lessons?  Isn’t is amazing how the human and animal world can unite and form such strong bonds??
If only he could sit by me now….. when my heart is in pain…..and provide me with that quiet strength that he possessed. It brings me comfort to believe he’s playing with my children in heaven.  He’s their dog now……and one day we will all be reunited.

Lydia's phone 1-26-14 022

Late night workout done. ROLL TIDE.

It has been a LONG day with the kids on Winter Break. Today was full of errands with the kids on very snowy roads and a trip to the theater to watch the movie ‘FROZEN.’  I highly recommend this movie! 
(It’s more about sibling love vs. prince/princess romance.  Make sure to chat about that aspect with your kiddos post movie! Good lesson!) 

Tonight was dinner and baths before getting them to sleep so I could watch someof the Oklahoma/Alabama game.  I had yet
to do a workout, so decided to use part of the third quarter for a 30 minute workout.  I drank my beverage to get the body ready and opened up my BRAND SPANKING NEW workout program that arrived today. 

—-> P90X3  <—-

It’s NOT necessary to do P90X & P90X2 prior to doing P90X3.  Which is good…. Because even though I
completed P90X, I didn’t make it through P90X2. Honestly, I didn’t like it. Enough said. 

Yep, it’s 11:30pm and I just completed the first workout called ‘Core Synergetics’ and I have a nice little muscle quiver happening in my arms/legs.  Know what I love MOST about the P90X workout programs?  The fact that the exercises use MANY muscle groups at ONE TIME to get the most out of limited time (vs. the machines at the gym that typically work one major muscle group at a time). 

  More bang for your buck. 

Example:  standing on one leg (balance) while doing hammer curls with 10lbs. dumbbells. 
Another Example:  planks which progress to a side plank and oblique crunch. 
**BOOM**

Overall body exercise, baby.  Another thing I like about these workouts is that you go at YOUR pace and there’s plenty of
time between exercises to write your stats & get new weights/water.  It’s NOT like the Insanity program where it’s
fast, fast, fast…… go, go, go.  P90X3 is more about the quality of exercise and….. we all know the slower you do a
weighted exercise, the more the muscle burns. 

If you are one of the people who don’t like to listen to Tony talk or tell jokes, then simply mute it after you learn the moves.  Yes, I was a bit clumsy since this was my first time doing the workout.  But, if it were easy, I’d be disappointed in the program because it wasn’t challenging me.  Challenge = body changing.

Contact me if you are using P90X3 to change your body too!  I’d love to swap notes and push one another!!  I will need to deviate from
the program somewhat since I am continuing to increase my running mileage in prep for the Florida Ragnar Race next month, but I’m hoping to stay as close to the schedule as I can. 

Hey…. And check that out —- the football game is in the 4thquarter.  Sweet Nectar!! I like shorty
workouts that still create muscle burn!  I didn’t miss much of the game and still can watch the end.  ROLL TIDE! 

www.YourFitness-411.com

I teach my folks ——> ‘small changes = big results.’

As this year winds to a close….. please re-evaluate your health & body image.  If you are not pleased with either, then it’s time to put the excuses away and start to focus.

I would STRONGLY suggest joining me or someone you trust (& knows their information) for accountability & support.  Don’t ask the random guy in the gym!  I am always accepting new folks onto my coaching team and will personally help you learn the products, figure out what works best for you, and help you to make some extra cash if you wish.  Please join me!! Stay on as long as you want/need……but let’s work together to make 2014 your BEST year yet!

Too many people believe that in order to get healthy they need to clean out all cupboards, eat food that tastes like cardboard, be miserable, and do cardio for an hour a day.  I’m here to tell you …… that’s WRONG & you are setting yourself up for more disappointment.  I teach my folks ——>  ‘small changes = big results.’ 

I’ve been helping others through a legitimate company (Team Beachbody) for 3 years, and it motivated me to study sports nutrition so that I had a background in nutrition to further help others.  I’ve also recently become a distributor for Advocare because I believe in their supplements & nutritional teachings.  I believe a person needs to understand their body & why it’s behaving certain ways….. otherwise you will never know which avenues to take that lead you to overall better health.

Weight loss without the journey will teach you nothing and you WILL return to that ‘old self’ again.  You must LEARN a few tips, tricks, and knowledge to figure out what the key is for YOUR body and then unlock it!  I’m ready to be your assistant…… but are you ready to try?  Are you tired of being disappointed when looking at yourself naked in the mirror….or do you avoid mirrors in general?  That’s no way to live.

Let’s start 2014 off well… mind, body, and spirit.

Contact me so we can get started!!  Bashford.Lisa@yahoo.com

Healthy Weight Loss Strategy

eat clean, train dirty

Dieting.  Such a happy word!!  Cross that out….. Ugh….. doesn’t that word put a bad taste in your mouth right away??  Are you thinking ‘broccoli & fish’ for every meal?  I hate that word with a passion.
However, it’s the best word to describe changing your eating habits and it gets a bad rep thanks to fad diets.

Dieting to lose weight evokes a strong counteraction by the body to conserve energy.  When you start a diet, one of the means to weight loss involves eating fewer calories.  This acts as an alarm & signals the body t prepare for a future starvation state, something your body is extremely efficient at protecting against.  You will read some articles that contradict this thought process….. but I firmly believe it.

To counter the decrease in calorie intake & keep you alive, the body conserves energy by slowing down the resting metabolic rate or number in which your body burns calories throughout the day.  A slower metabolic rate results in fewer calories burned than normal, which conserved energy but also may allow more fat to be stored.  A drop in metabolic rate is one of the toughest obstacles for dieters to overcome.  Check out what happens… this may have happened to you:

  • > Start a diet & eat fewer calories.
    > Lose a little weight… or maybe a lot pending your starting size.
    > The body starts to signal starvation & the metabolic rate slows and fewer calories are burned.
    > Energy is conserved and you don’t have the energy to power through a workout, maybe get tired more quickly, grumpy, and the body starts conserving fat.
    >  You gain some weight back.  OR….. eat normal for a couple of days and the # on the scale jumps up.

What does the body start to use for energy when starved?  PROTEIN.  What’s protein?  MUSCLE.  What burns more calories at rest in the body?  MUSCLE.  Do you want the body to burn muscle?  NOOOOOOO!!!!! Here are some tips to fight against a slower metabolic rate and preserve muscle.  Many ‘body builders’ have an uncanny way of building muscle & losing fat.  Through my Sports Nutrition course, I’ve learned that Body Builders have some of the BEST diets and discipline over other athletes/people.  Yes… they workout hard & hit the weights hard with little cardio…. more than likely they are doing explosive cardio vs. long sustained sweat sessions.
But…their ‘diets’ are spot on in regards to carbs/proteins/healthy fats.  Maybe we should make an effort to mimic more of their food plans than sprinkling magic dust on our food for weight loss.
Here’s some strategies they use that are very effective.

  • Eat more protein.  Add a lean protein-source to each meal/snack.  Think: non-animal protein.  (beans, nuts, vegetarian burger, cottage cheese, cheese, milk, Greek yogurt, protein bars, protein shakes).
  • Drink a protein shake in the afternoon between lunch and dinner…. which is usually the second longest fast of the day after sleeping.  (Shakeology is NOT marketed as a ‘protein shake’ but with 16+ grams of protein, pre/pro-biotics, digestive enzymes, and superfoods….. it makes a great snack and gives you energy to power through the afternoon.)
  • Add resistive/strength training to your workout!!!!  Not sure how to do this or want a program to do at home?  Contact me at: Bashford.Lisa@yahoo.com

Don’t forget……. Muscles is a GREAT weapon in the fight to lose weight.  Don’t skimp on that part of your workout and don’t be a ‘cardio queen’ everyday!!  No sense in being hungry and running on a treadmill for an hour to lose weight when you don’t have to!  And… it doesn’t work anyways!!
Not wanting to leave the house on cold mornings & go to the gym?  Get an amazing workout at home…. I do every day!  Check out your options at www.beachbodycoach.com/LisaBashford

Lisa S. Bashford
Certified Specialist in Sports Nutrition
Owner of YourFitness-411.com

Yes… your story is important. Are you adding more chapters?

WOW.  That’s all I can say through some very leaky eyes this afternoon.

My “Naughty Folks Eat Clean” Holiday accountability group started this week. 

We are on Day 2 and people are breaking out of their comfort zone & posting their heartfelt ‘journey/story.’   I NEVER get tired of reading how people gained the weight and how they are ready to take control of their body & fight for a better lifestyle.  It chokes me up every time.  It takes a real ‘vulnerability’ to confess that you didn’t take care of yourself, or that you were raised with parents who didn’t know how to teach you about food or help you to stay active.
My mission through my company is to not only help people lose weight through a personal support system so they feel safe & trust me…….. but also to educate folks so they can pass that information (411) onto others.  People helping People. 
As I told the group…. your story inspires others even when you don’t think it possibly could.  You NEVER know when that person who is ready to quit or having a REALLY low self esteem day may come across your story & they relate to you, making the sun shine in their world again.  Knowing there are others like yourself is key to success.  No one wants to feel alone…. and no one thrives when alone.  We all need the support of someone…  just a kind smile, an ear to listen, or someone to give you a high five when you conquered even the smallest of goals.  It’s ok if those things happen through cyber communities…… sometimes, it’s better. 
If you have a story to share…… share it with me.   
Your stories help me to relate to people in your situation and ultimately help me to coach others more effectively.  YourFitness-411 is about YOUR FITNESS and providing you with the 411 (Information) to achieve your goals and be a happier/healthier YOU. 
Bring happy tears to my eyes…. because when you share your story, you are embracing the past, letting it go, learning from it, and ready to move forward…….. to make a new story.  That’s beautiful to me. EYES WIDE OPEN…. & keep moving forward.  Keep adding more chapters to your story (journey)  = I know you want that ‘happy ending.’
Please say ‘HELLO’ to me on my facebook fan page!! 

I’d LOVE to know you are reading my blogs and taking a little somethin’ away from them.  I don’t like talking to myself!  🙂

“Small changes = big results”  – Allow me to help you…. lose weight, achieve a fitness goal, get stronger, or simply maintain your current body. 

Things you learn during Training for a Marathon. Top 10 List +1

Apparently, I’m not good at writing on a regular basis.  I should have learned this when I tried to keep a diary as a teenager and a journal as an adult.  Writing consistently is not an easy task!

My big ideas of blogging regularly about my #marathonTraining2013 wasn’t very consistent.  In my head during my long runs, I’ve blogged weekly.  I had plenty of time to think about the blog and plan it out while running.  It was a nice distraction during some runs. Maybe that’s why I didn’t get around to actually writing…. because I had already done it in my head!!

Well… tonight I sit in a hotel room, eating some delish chocolates, drinking water, watching football, and feeling my eyelids get heavy.  Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!  It’s marathon time!!!!
Because I’m getting sleepy and I want to take advantage of this feeling before I get nervous and wake back up again, I’m going to jot down a few things that I’ve learned during the past 5 months of training.
1.  To the people who turn on your water sprinklers in the morning and they sprinkle water out onto the sidewalk…….. THANK YOU!  It’s a fun way to cool off while running and I love it.
2.  Hard acorns work as nice release techniques to the bottom of your feet when you step on them just right while running.
3.  You know your rapping loudly inappropriate lyrics when the lady across the street stands up to stare at you.
4.  Sometimes, you just need to lay in someone’s front yard and cry during a 14 mile run.  It’s ok – don’t call the EMS.  I’m just having a moment.
5.  Some of the best prayers happens when it’s just you and the path/road.  AMEN.
6.  When a friend passes away at the hands of someone else, and you are ready to burst into tears while running…… a nice little fawn crossing 20 feet in front of you makes it all better.  ❤
7.  Swallowing bugs is just giving you more protein, right?
8.  You learn where to put LOTS of Vaseline to keep the skin from chaffing or blistering….. esp. in embarrassing areas!
9.  Having a school bus of teenagers drive past hollering at you makes your form get drastically better.
10.  People making right hand turns need to PAY ATTENTION TO PEDESTRIANS!!!!!
11.  I know that my left foot needs to hit the ground 80 times = .10 of a mile.  (Which means 800 = one mile)

After tomorrow, I hope to have a list of things that you see/experience during a MARATHON!!!  🙂

My eyes are closing…… praying for swift legs, strong mind, and efficient lungs.
Running for those hurt in the Boston Marathon, for my kids, for my personal goals and to inspire others.
Sweet Dreams!!  zzzzz…………

Knowing When To Eat What

429435_10150789179055802_133136530801_11566951_336153811_n
Before you eat, ask yourself “What am I going to do for the next 3 hours?” 
That will help you decide which foods are best for your body in the immediate future.
Foods effect our bodies differently, so listen to your body, learn its cues, and follow its lead!If you are going to workout…… you will want to choose some healthy carbs. (Not candy, chips, high fat foods, or foods with white flour/sugar).  Honestly, grains work awesome.  Before I run more than 5 miles….I ALWAYS have 2 pieces of whole grain toast with PB and honey…. sometimes sliced bananas on top. It provides sustained energy for a long run.  It provides my liver with glycogen so that my body uses that for energy instead of protein.  YOU DO NOT want your body using protein for energy…..this means that it’s using muscle.  YOU WORK HARD FOR THAT MUSCLE.
For hard, long workouts….. you want your body to use CARBS/GLYCOGEN.  (I could talk about this forever and if you are interested, let me know and I will go …on).

If you are going to sit at your desk….. carbs (think pasta, breads, crackers) will make you fatigued.  Don’t fall into this trap!  You will want more protein, dairy, fruit to help keep you awake and alert.  Don’t ramp up your blood sugar with candy and soda, crackers or fruit juices!  You will pay for it later with a big ol’ sleepy crash! (And, protein should be a part of every meal/snack).

If you are going to sleep – think protein, easily digested healthy carbs, warm calming drinks……… junk/sugar won’t let the body rest because it will pump up your blood sugar.  Skip the ice cream and sugary cereal.

Post workout – you want protein & carbs.  A nice little mix of protein to rebuild the muscle and heal it, while carbs replenish what your liver used for energy.  If you are working out hard and feeling sluggish, have a headache, or nauseous all day……chances are it’s because you aren’t eating enough or the right foods to restore your system.  Possibly dehydrated too!

Remember:  You aren’t eating enough to keep you full ALL DAY.  You are only eating enough to fill your belly for the next 2-4 hours until the next meal/snack.  (Another reason why a healthy meal replacement like Shakeology is worthy!  It’s super healthy, fights cravings, aids in digestion/regulation, and keeps the body full for 2-4 hours.  Shameless plug, I know.)

Pack healthy snacks in the car, your purse, and at work so that if you start to get hungry, you have good options.  Hunger is often disguised as thirst; so try drinking water when you feel as though you are ‘hungry.’  You may simply be dehydrated!Follow me on Facebook so that you see a little of me each day! >>  www.Facebook.com/YourFitnessInfo 

Have questions about Shakeology?  I’ve been using it for 3 years!  Ask away….. Bashford.Lisa@yahoo.com

My first H.E.A.P. 8 (Healthy Eating Accountability Program 8 day Challenge) is coming to an end and it’s been a success!!  I look forward to mentoring another one!  Be the first to know by finding me on social media.  Limited Availability so that I can offer personal assistance. 

It’s fun to be a lady!

It's fun to be a lady!

It’s a ‘no ponytail, no gym clothes, no sports bra, no gym shoes’ kinda night for this fitness coach!!

I enjoyed being able to get all dressed up (sparkly heels too) and have a glorious ‘adult only’ meal!

Lemon Basil Martini? – Yes Please!
Oysters on the half shell appetizer – Yes Please!!

My personal journey towards a fit lifestyle. **BELIEVE**

Lisa mug shot

As a child… I was always active and had a ‘gymnast’ build.  I was an athlete….. Who am I kidding…? I am still an athlete!

I participated in sports year round….and tended to lean towards team sports.  I was the starting volleyball setter and softball pitcher in high school.  I have won many awards and set records, yet I was NEVER the smallest on the team.  I was a muscular 125 as a senior….and I loved it.  That body was rockin!

Then, I left the safe zone of high school and went to college. I had 2 colleges ask me to try out for their volleyball team, but they didn’t have the degree I wanted.  So, I studied physical therapy assisting at the University of Cincinnati.  After the first college quarter, I pulled my act together and was a good student.  I graduated with a 4.0 GPA.  However, that first year of college was not pretty.  I am from a small country town in Ohio.  I graduated with 49 people and I knew most of their parents.  People knew my name (from a large family & sports) and I was very comfortable, but really wanted to leave that little town.  College was my opportunity, and I didn’t waste any time throwing myself into big city life.  My new found independence also included making my own meals…. or, ordering them.  Pizza and Chinese carry out were popular among dorm life (I think we kept “Red Pepper” Chinese restaurant in business)!  I never drank in high school, but I quickly learned that I loved the taste of “Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill” – cheap alcohol.  I didn’t gain the freshman 15 because I cont. to stay active with exercise and playing Volleyball on intramural teams.  However, my body did change in college.  My breasts decided to start growing & my metabolism slowed and I went up a size.

Post college, I joined a gym and got fit again.  I wanted my therapy patients to respect me and believe in me, and I felt like if I was young & overweight, then they would wonder why I didn’t exercise like I was asking them to do.  I remember doing a kickboxing workout and seeing my abs. I was about 22 years old.  I LOVE defined abs!!

Then, I met a boy, moved to Fort Wayne, got married, and my life changed yet again.  I was making meals for 2 of us on a budget while working long hours as a therapist (12 hour days).  We ate out often.  The bartender at Applebee’s knew our drink order when we walked into the door!  Because of my age, my metabolism was still clicking away (mid-late 20’s) and I was still working out at the gym, although I always felt a little lost…. as in ‘Well, what do I do next?  I did the treadmill and elliptical… guess I should lift some weights….. But I don’t want people to think I’m an idiot because I’m doing it wrong.” (Sound familiar??)

At 29 years old, I was blessed with a baby.  My son was a preemie, born at 32 weeks.  I spent my days sitting beside his tiny glass incubator, watching the machines that monitored his body temp, heart rate, breathing….. And prayed they kept moving.  It was rough… I won’t lie.  My body went through some horrible stress problems…..it was ugly.  I wasn’t eating well at all and would make myself feel better by getting a black raspberry smoothie from Zesto’s on the way home from the hospital…. at least 4-5x/week.  I thought…. “I need the calories and its milk/berries, so I’m doing something good.”    (OMG!)

Over the next 3 years, I suffered 2 miscarriages and had gained 15lbs.  I belonged to a local gym, however my son always cried and my name was announced on the loud speaker to please come get him within 15 minutes of getting on cardio equipmemt. I soon quit the gym.  I pushed the stroller 2 miles almost daily and did some home workouts, and did exercises with my patients to lose some of the baby weight.   Almost 3 years later, I got pregnant for a fourth time.  Once again, symptoms of miscarriage & high risk pregnancy wreaked havoc on me.  My highest weight was about 175lbs when pregnant.  My daughter was born at 38 weeks and very healthy!!  That’s it… we were blessed with two and I was content.  Now that I had my family and was done having babies….it was time to get that rockin’ body back!!  I started running because my SIL wanted to run a 5K.  It was a perfect time for me to run with her & I didn’t want her to beat me.  She still beat me… and she was in her first trimester of pregnancy at that time!!  AAh… embarrassing!  That led to me wanting to become a stronger runner.  I realized that ‘speed’ wasn’t my thing…however,  ‘endurance’ was, so I focused on that and am now a marathon runner.  I will be running another marathon next month!

Running alone will not cause much weight loss.  I needed something to help me with my diet as a full time Mom and part time therapist.  I needed a structured exercise/strengthening program too & didn’t want to join the gym.  My friend was a Team Beachbody coach, and so I tried the ‘Slim in 6’ program, and got bored.  I wanted more, but didn’t want to pay full price, so I became a Team Beachbody coach!  Helloooo discount!!!  I then completed the P90X program, which led me to the Insanity program.  During this time, I did a timed mile run each week and my speed was increasing…. Without actually running!
I began drinking Shakeology and lost 10 pounds with P90X, but more importantly, gained back my muscle!!  Insanity helped me to lose another 5lbs. and I felt great.  More energy, better patience with the kids because my frustrations were being put to use during a workout, mentally I felt better, and I wanted to shout it from the rooftops!!  I decided at that time to ‘pay it forward’ and share my journey with others.  People believed in me; realizing I was a typical Mom & if I could do it, others could too.  So, I went big and started my own company that I use as an umbrella for all the other fitness/nutrition work I do…it’s called “YourFitness-411.”  Have you heard of it?  (coy smile)  I have about 40 coaches on my team at this time and we are always looking to grow.  These people have some AMAZING s journeys that will inspire even the couch potatoes who get tired walking to the mailbox!  I’m excited about the diversity of people on my team & how truly inspiring/caring they are for others.  It makes my heart smile to think about them and see what a difference they are making in people’s lives, but more importantly… in their OWN life.

I decided that if I wanted people to trust me and choose ME over all the other Team Beachbody coaches, I needed to have a great team & I needed to be a successful leader.  I already had the therapist degree under my belt which was marketable, but I needed more and becoming a personal trainer didn’t interest me too much.  Therefore, a friend whom I met through Team Beachbody and I took online courses together through the ISSA to become specialists in sports nutrition.  Writing those papers and doing that research ate up a lot of my time & created sleep loss/frustrations!  Thank goodness running helps my brain/emotions in tact!  During all this, I completed my first marathon….and quickly added that to my resume.  Who wouldn’t want a coach who has her own company, nutrition certification, therapist degree to assist with injuries and muscle building/body knowledge, has experience in weight loss, has people with AMAZING personal journeys on her coaching staff/team, and is completing marathons?  #LeadByExample

I still have 10-15 pounds I want to lose!!  I’m still on my journey!!  And I’m ok with that. I’m built like a rock….I do not feel as though I look like other women who are my weight and I’m proud of what my body can accomplish.  Did I mention I ran 20 miles recently and my only pain is a little ITBand tendonitis and mild quad muscle soreness??
I’m not going to allow that weight goal to stop me from accomplishing other fitness goals or helping others.  I know that once this marathon is over (all this running does NOT create much weight loss, don’t let anyone fool you) that I will lose the weight because I will be doing much more strength training.
Now, you know my journey.  You know more about me as a person, and not just a cyber-fitness coach.

Did you also know that my favorite word in the dictionary is ‘BELIEVE?’  It represents many things for me and makes me smile when I read it.  I believe in each person on my coaching team and my clients.  I believe there is a greatness inside each one of us.  Thank you for believing in me!  I believe in you too!  Question is:  Do you BELIEVE in yourself?

For more information on my company, how to join my team, & where to follow me on social media – Click **HERE** YourFitness-411