EIB

Who is YourFitness-411? (A woman worth meeting!)

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I think it’s time you learn a little more about my personal journey so that you can understand how I got to where I am today.
Lisa's phone July 2014. Adult family night and beforeafter pics 184 

I was a very active high school athlete.  Back then, there were no ‘travel teams’ and coaches actually wanted you to participate in different sports to stay active (I still believe this is a good thing and am disappointed when children are told to focus on 1 sport at too young of an age).  Don’t get me wrong…I understand in today’s world the importance of honing in on a sport and becoming good at it in order to make HS teams.  I came from a small Ohio town where there were only about 10-15 girls trying out for the teams….so the chance of making it was fairly high.  
I played volleyball, basketball, and softball.  I was the starting setter for my Volleyball team (very successful team: State Champions 1992 and returned to state but lost 2004), starting varsity pitcher for the softball team all 4 years of HS, and a forward in basketball.  I am still very active in Volleyball and have been playing for almost 26 years!  I now play on co-ed indoor leagues even though it takes me longer to get off the floor after a dive.  😛
HS volleyballAfter high school, attended the University of Cincinnati and graduated as a Physical Therapist Assistant.  I worked in Cincinnati, Ohio with TriHealth Pavilion who treated some of the Cincinnati Reds players.
It was the best job ever!  (I was too young to realize that at the time).  

I continued to stay very active and enjoyed my workouts.  I’ve always had a ‘gymnast’ build and have learned to love it.  I had a very good core region and once again…. Didn’t appreciate it in my 20’s! 

At the age of 29, I became a Mom.  My baby boy surprised me and decided to enter the world at 32 weeks (2 months early) and he lived in the NICU for 5 weeks.  During those 5 weeks, I emotionally and physically went to hell.  I sat by his ‘glass box’ staring at him for 5 weeks, watching the monitors and praying I would get to plan many birthday parties for him. He gave us many scares during those 5 weeks and the following couple of years were rough with him being ill often.
nicu jake and me
I rarely went home unless it was to sleep during the time he was in the NICU. I partially dislocated my hip during those 5 weeks and was on crutches. I was having an awful time.  I drove past a Zestos ice cream shop going to and from the hospital and fell in love with their black raspberry smoothie.  That ended up being a big mistake.  I justified it because it seemed ‘healthier’ than other options at the time and I wasn’t eating normal food patterns.  I came home after being in the hospital all day and ate whatever I could…. I was a train wreck, but kept telling myself I was ‘fine’ and could handle it, when I should have leaned on others for support. 
Jacob came home from the hospital and within 1 week I was very ill with vertigo.  That is when I Iost the hearing in my left ear for reasons the doctors cannot explain.  I went through numerous tests to rule out brain tumors and such, and more doctor appointment trying to fix the problem.  Seven cortisone shots in my ear drum later and no significant changes. 
To this day, my hearing continues to decrease and I wear a hearing aid in my left ear. 

Over the next couple of years I tried to lose weight but never got back to my 125-130lbs. in which I loved my body.  I then suffered 2 miscarriages and the last one was diagnosed as a ‘partial molar pregnancy’ (http://www.webmd.com/baby/tc/molar-pregnancy-topic-overview) and I miscarried at 12 weeks.  Once again…. Emotional overload.  Losing a child is the most pain I can ever imagine.  What do we do in times of emotional stress?  We turn to food.  So, there I was…. With more pregnancy weight on top of the 8-10 lbs. I didn’t lose from the first pregnancy.  To top it off, my 2.5 year old son had a minor heart surgery to repair a structure.  AAhhh!!!  Six months after my second miscarriage, I was cleared to get pregnant again and so I did.  Lydia was born at 38 weeks and a healthy baby girl!! 
Pretty Lydia
A few months after her birth, my sister in law told me she was going to run a 5K.  I had thought about doing that also, but 3.1 miles seemed like a forever distance.  I’m competitive and decided I could run it too, so I trained for about 10 weeks and ran my first race.  I crossed the finish line at 34 minutes and my sister in law beat me…… did I mention she was pregnant?  Yep, a pregnant woman beat me!!!  That fueled my fire and here I am 6+ years later having ran 5 half marathons, 2 full marathons, and bunch of 5K & 10K races.  I also was on a team of 12 for a Ragnar race which ran from Miami, FL to Key West in February.  I LOVED it and am running an ULTRA Ragnar race (team of 6) this fall in Vegas.

Ragnar team at finish line
Let me backtrack….. After that first 5K I decided to get fit.  I was getting very short of breath with the running, so I went to the doctor.   I was diagnosed with Asthma and EIB (Exercise Induced Bronchospams).  I got treatment and my running became easier.

 newspaper article on me

I saw a ‘Slim in 6’ infomercial while unloading the dishwasher one day and I decided to call and order it.  I got bored with that after 4 weeks  and needed more.  My friend was a Team Beachbody coach and so I purchased P90X from her website.  A few weeks later, I bought Shakeology in an effort to speed up my results and for nutrition reasons.  I completed the program and my speed increased and I was down 12lbs.  After 2 months of debating & praying, I became a Team Beachbody coach in October 2010.  I purchased the Insanity program with my discount and completed it, which helped me to build a strong lower body base and drop another few pounds.  Not knowing what to do after that…. I repeated the Insanity program again. 

People took notice of my results and started purchasing the programs from me and that fueled my fire to be more than just a Team Beachbody coach but to actually train people.  I started my own little company called “YourFitness-411.” I wanted a company that would allow me to focus on providing others with fitness information (411) that could help them without feeling as though I was only interested in ‘selling’ them a product.  True coaching is so much more than helping them with the products!!  Accountability and support are key to success and I knew I needed to offer that. Even with all my current clients, I still pride myself on the fact that I offer personalized assistance for people who come to me wanting help. 
By the way…. I now own 15 of the Team Beachbody home programs!  #AddictedtoHomeExercise
cropped-logo411.jpg one star diamond lisa pic
With my therapy knowledge, I was doing well, but we all know that food is the #1 problem, so I decided to get a nutrition education too.  After MANY research papers and chapters studying, I passed my test and became an ISSA Specialist in Sports Nutrition in early 2013.  I have now mentored many challenge groups and personally assist many towards weight loss and muscle building.  I was also quoted in the “Max Sports &Fitness” – May 2014 issue regarding supplements for the athlete!  I’ve helped people lose hundreds of pounds over the past 4 years and am very proud of my growing team of Team Beachbody coaches and their success not only regarding their own body, but also creating income. 

Over these years, I have also written an essay on my life with EIB which I submitted to a competition and it made it to the top 10 in the country!!  I almost won a dinner with my favorite athlete, Apollo Ohno, but I fell short on votes.  Sigh….
I am proud to say that my work as a fitness coach has introduced me to people all over the world & I’ve built some amazing friendships.  I am the coach for Shinedown’s drummer, Barry Kerch, and got to meet him backstage at a concert and hug the entire band!  I still check in with him from time to time and am very proud of the band’s accomplishments.  They used the Insanity program and it literally saved the lead singer’s life. 
barry's tweetsbarry kerch and me~
I still have about 10 lbs. I want to lose and I will.  However, more importantly, I am a Mom who is leading by example for her kids.  My kiddos know what a protein/carb/fat is and they are learning when to eat what to help them feel better during the day.  I’m giving them information that they will use forever!!  And….memories!  They were able to watch me cross the line of my second marathon in Columbus, Ohio and I was overjoyed at seeing them post-race.  They spent 5 hours chasing me around that course and were amazing troopers! 

I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to affect lives in a positive manner and create opportunities for others.  Thank you for believing in me and trusting me with your success!!  Now…. Go make your own story!  I can’t wait to hear it!  (I only hope you’ll allow me to be a part of your journey!)  
love followers
Please feel free to contact me at Bashford.Lisa@yahoo.com if you would like to discuss your fitness options or would like the supportive community of me and my team.  
You can also find me on all social media outlets listed on my webiste:  YourFitness-411.com

Another journey coming to an end…..or is it just beginning?

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Another journey coming to an end…..or is it just beginning?  Time will tell, and I will know in less than 2 weeks.  But for now, this part of the journey is coming to an end, and I have high hopes that it will continue onto the big conclusion….fulfilling a dream.
In 2002, while watching the winter Olympics, a US Short Track Speed skater caught my attention.  Not only mine, but the rest of the world’s attention also.  His name was Apolo Anton Ohno.  He was young, classy, and even through controversy at the Olympics, maintained a professional demeanor.  Apolo brought short track speed skating to the forefront, making it a popular Olympic sport to watch.  My co-workers made fun of me for being so captivated by him…….but, have you seen those quads?  AMAZING.  🙂  He is now, the most decorated American Winter Olympic athlete of all time.
Over the years, I have maintained that he is my favorite athlete, and always said that I will meet him one day.  Little did I know that my chance may come by means of an essay that I would one day write.
January 2013, I was ill with strep throat and recorded a week’s worths of “The Doctor’s” episodes and finally got a chance to watch them a couple of weeks later.  On one episode, they stated that Apolo Ohno would be on the show that week speaking of his recent diagnosis.  I quickly fast forwarded to that episode (thankfully it was one of the 5 that was recorded) and intently watched/listened as Apolo spoke of his diagnosis with EIB (exercise induced bronchospasms).  As he spoke about the diagnosis, I thought, “Hmm….we have something in common!”  I understood everything he was describing, because I had it too.  Even though I was in decent shape, I still had significant shortness of breath with exercise, I wheezed, coughed, and had a hard time training for my first 5K a few years back.  At that time, I saw my family physician who gave me a rescue inhaler and told me to use it prior to exercise….and it worked!  I could run longer than a quarter-mile without gasping for air!

At the end of that episode, Apolo mentioned visiting a website and answering essay questions about your diagnosis with EIB and the winner was going to be flown to LA and have dinner with him.  It was about midnight when I finished that TV show and I went directly to the computer and began answering the 3 essays.
A couple of months went by and I had forgotten about the competition until when I got an email stating I was a finalist!!  I was one of the top 10 essays in the country!!!  After I confirmed that it wasn’t a spam email, I was ecstatic!!
As you know…I am also a fitness/weight loss coach and I’ve heard too many people say that they can’t exercise because they get ‘too out of breath and feel like they are going to die.’  Yep, I get that!!  But, it’s treatable!!  Either the muscles between your ribs do not have the endurance to cont. to assist with your increased breathing during exercise, or you possibly have EIB and a simple trip to the doctor is all it takes!!!  As an athlete/runner living with EIB, I feel that I can help to eliminate excuses from my clients/patients and better assist them on their journey to their fitness/weight loss goals.  And, now that Apolo has brought EIB to the forefront, spreading awareness of this diagnosis is that much easier.  Two of my favorite things have come together (Exercise & Apolo) and through them, I am able to better assist others.  AMAZING!
Now, it’s up to the public to help me become the FINAL WINNER!!  Over the past 3 weeks, I’ve been promoting my essay on all my social media outlets and encouraging friends and strangers to vote for me.  I feel as though winning this competition would give me an incredible platform to assist others and eliminate excuses.  Being able to help someone exercise and benefit from the mental and physical aspects of increased activity is a pure joy for me.  As a physical therapist assist. and a fitness coach, I’m overwhelmed by what even a little bit of exercise can do for individuals!  Exercise boosts mood, relieves stress, creates strength in our bodies, assists/decreases chance of injuries, allows us to accomplish goals we never thought possible, helps us to beat the trend of obesity and teaches our children that taking care of our bodies can be fun and is worthwhile.  Not to mention how amazing a good quad muscle looks.  🙂
To read more about my journey with EIB and the obstacles that I was able to overcome, please go to www.EIBallstars.com and find the essay titled “Lisa: Fitness-Focused Mom.”  That’s me!!  While you are there, vote for me….a couple thousand times. ( I’m kidding….maybe)   Voting is unlimited and only takes a few seconds.  The voting ends May 10th.  The past couple weeks have been fun promoting myself, EIB, and the excitement of possibly meeting Apolo just as I said I always would.  If you would have told me in 2002 that I would be diagnosed with EIB and that would lead me to meeting Apolo Ohno, I would have denied it.  But, today….I feel truly blessed.  This is not an awful diagnosis….it’s a treatable one.  EIB is common and an estimated 30 million people in the United States have it. EIB is especially common in people who have asthma (I was diagnosed as an asthmatic in my adult years) and 80-90% of patients with asthma also have EIB.  But, you do NOT have to be an asthmatic to have EIB.

The public voting is coming to an end, and right now…..this journey for me may also be coming to an end.  I hope not, but I will find out soon.  I hope the end of this ‘promotional’ journey only leads to the bigger dream – helping others as a winner through EIBallstars and meeting the most decorated American Winter Olympic athlete of all time. I’d love to shake his hand and in an unforeseen way, help complete strangers accomplish dream goals through a proper diagnosis.
My business is called, YourFitness-411, and I hope to be able to follow-up this blog with another one soon entitled, “Journey Complete!”   Until then, vote often, breath well, exercise, and live life as Apolo says, “Zero Regrets.”

me without braces EIB pic

EIB awareness: Zero Regrets & No Excuses.

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It was the second day of January 2013 and I was laying on the couch, very ill w/ strep throat, watching “The Doctors” on TV.  Not really the start to 2013 that I was hoping for!  The show said, “Each day this week we will give you a tip on how to keep that New Year’s Resolution.”  I decided to DVR all the shows that week because I like to pass on tips to my clients and I like to learn all I can on how to help people stay motivated towards goals.

A couple of weeks later, in the LATE evening (when it’s finally peaceful in the house, kids sleeping, and all I can hear is my dog breathing as he sleeps beside me), I started watching the first show.  At the end, they announce that Apolo Ohno would be on the show Friday to reveal his diagnosis.  *GASP*  I am a HUGE Apolo fan and have been since he hit the scene for his first Olympics in 2002.  I respect everything he stands for:  he partakes in an exciting /drama filled sport & gives 100%, does NOT back down to competition, is the most decorated winter Olympian, is the face of speed skating, is a published author, promotes healthy eating & exercise, his father raised him & Apolo’s story is a good one of triumph over what could have been a kid turned ‘bad.’  Oh….and have you seen those quads and teeth?  *Dreamy*

Ok…. back to my blog…sorry, I got sidetracked.  🙂  I quickly skipped to Friday’s show where Apolo revealed he has a diagnosis of EIB.

What is EIB?    EIB is a temporary narrowing of the airways during or after exercise that can make it difficult to breathe. It can be triggered by breathing in air that is cooler and drier than the air in your lungs. EIB can affect people who have a range of fitness levels, from casual participants to elite athletes.

Symptoms of EIB may include:

•Shortness of breath

•Chest tightness

•Trouble getting a deep breath

•Wheezing or noisy breathing

•Coughing

•Decreased exercise endurance

While the symptoms are similar, EIB is different from asthma. EIB symptoms are set off only by exercise or aerobic activity like jogging or playing sports.

EIB is common—in fact, an estimated 30 million people in the United States have it. EIB is especially common in people who have asthma—80-90% of patients with asthma also have EIB—but you don’t have to have asthma to have EIB.

I thought….. I HAVE EIB!!  At the end of the segment, they announced a competition involving dinner with Apolo as the prize. So, right then, I went to my computer and completed the 3 essay questions at about 1am.  I submitted the essays and have now made it through hundreds of entries to the top 10 in the country!!!

As a fitness coach, I hear this all the time – “I get too short of breath when I exercise, so I don’t do it.”  AAAAhhhhh!!!  That’s an EXCUSE, because #1…you can train your body to breath easier with better strength and endurance and #2 …. you may have EIB and a simple rescue inhaler would help!

My son and I are of the 80-90% of people who are asthmatic and have EIB.   However, this does NOT give us an excuse not to exercise!  He is soon to be 9yrs. old and very active with Baseball, Soccer, Dodgeball, and now has started running 5K’s this spring with me.  I am very active with Running (completed first marathon in 2011, Volleyball, and working out in general).  I want to promote that EIB is no reason to be lazy!!!!  As someone who coaches individuals towards weight loss and better health, I would LOVE to be a spokesperson for EIB awareness!

Because I have been chosen as a finalist, I really want a platform to stand on in regards to teaching others about EIB.  Please help me become the WINNER of the competition and be that spokesperson.  As the winner, I also get flown to LA and have dinner with Apolo Ohno.  The prize is over $10,000!!!  Yes, here comes the plug >>>Please go to this site and vote for me …..Lisa: the ‘Fitness Focused Mom’ and help me win!!  http://www.eiballstars.com/finalist-bio.aspx?id=58

EIB allstars cover page for facebook

 

I also hope that this blog spreads like wildfire.  EIB is an important and easily treatable diagnosis.  If you feel you have EIB, I strongly urge you to see your doctor and get properly diagnosed.

Voting is UNLIMITED until May 10.  So, vote as many times as you can!  Thank you!!  

www.YourFitness-411.com
www.facebook.com/YourFitnessInfo

Exercise isn’t an option, it’s a Lifestyle. Don’t allow anything to stop you.

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I have been an athlete my entire life. About four years ago, this 30-something mother of two signed up to run my first 5K. During training, I was very discouraged when I started having trouble breathing after running just a quarter mile. I felt out of shape, even though I knew I wasn’t. I was frustrated and discouraged. I brought up my struggles with breathing while exercising during my next doctor’s visit. I was diagnosed with EIB and given a rescue inhaler to use prior to exercise.  After starting treatment, I was thrilled that I could run without gasping for air and feeling as though I couldn’t get a deep breath into my lungs.  My training took off and I completed my first 5K, which led me to complete many more and to grow competitive as a runner. I decided to attempt my first half marathon in September of 2010.  The training was going well until a month before the race, when I came down with a head cold and experienced an asthma attack. I was put on steroids and some other medications and told I needed to see an asthma and allergy doctor right away.  This asthma attack forced me to take three weeks off of training, but I still completed my first half marathon!  It may have been slow, but it was steady, and my rescue inhaler was attached to my hip. My allergy and asthma doctor works with me to keep me active and doesn’t let EIB stop me from exercising. Exercising isn’t an option for me, it’s a lifestyle.

My most prized goal that EIB didn’t stop me from accomplishing? That’s easy…..my first marathon!  I ran a full marathon in Columbus, OH, on October 16, 2011 as a birthday gift to myself! I carried my inhaler with me and crossed the finish line with tears and a smile!  I am proud to say that I am a part of the small group of people who have finished a marathon and I feel like a good role model for my kids. Although that marathon was the most difficult journey of my life in regards to the wear and tear on my body, training time and mental toughness, it also taught my children that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I know the symptoms of EIB can be exacerbated through many triggers, and for me, a head cold is one of them. Leading up to the marathon, I caught another cold. I took very good care of my body that week, which included lots of fluids, breathing treatments and rest. I also spent a lot of quiet time envisioning the race and my plan of attack.  With one of my running partners at my side, we crossed the finish line.  My running and fitness journey has continued to progress in many ways.  I even started my own online business a couple years ago as a way to teach others about their bodies & educate them on safe & effective weight loss strategies along with proper exercise techniques.

My marathon finish

(Us crossing the finish line.  I am on the left)

Lisa’s message about taking control:

Why are you going to allow a treatable diagnosis to stop you from living a full life or accomplishing personal goals and dreams?  Why allow symptoms to control how you live your life?  As a physical therapist assistant & fitness coach, I understand the importance of exercise. I encourage people to go to the doctor, get the tests, and work with their doctor to manage their EIB.  Decide. Commit. Succeed.