Lisa Diaz signed up for 5k training in early March right before the pandemic breakout. In just 8 weeks, Lisa reached her goal of running her first 5k since high school! Lisa, a 51-year young lady from Egg Harbor Township, NJ, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 21 year ago. In February 2019, Lisa experienced a flare up so bad she could barely walk at all. We are so proud of Lisa for not settling for a life full of pain. Lisa has been determined to focus on her eating and exercise of running and walking. Lisa completed her virtual 5k on May 9th, 2020. (Conquer Covid-19 Virtual 5k) Before her race, Coach Tadris caught up with Lisa for an interview for our podcast. 

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Coach: What is it that you do for a living?

Lisa: I work for the Federal Aviation Administration in Human Resources as an Administrative Officer.

Coach: How Long Have You Been Doing Your Profession?

Lisa: I have been a Federal Employee for 18 years but I have only been with the FAA since 2009. I began my career with the Bureau of Prisons and worked at the FCI in Fairton, NJ. 

Coach: What made you decide NOW is the time to make some health changes?

Lisa: When I was 30 years old I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Over the years this disease has flared and been in remission several times. The worst flare I have ever experienced began in February 2019. By the end of March I was in so much pain that the activities of daily living were next to impossible. I walked with a limp and very slowly and there were times when I could not lift my arms or use my hands because the pain was so bad. I missed a lot of work, got very depressed, and began stress-eating. I was on prednisone and tramadol on a daily basis just to manage the pain, it never went away. My doctor was working on getting me on a new medication but there were other health issues that complicated matters. I remember one night I was in so much pain in my knees and feet that I could not get to the bathroom and my 82-year-old father had to carry me on his back to and from the bathroom. I had gotten to a very dark place in my life and there were a few times that I thought I might take my own life, especially if living with that level and pain and disability was all I had to look forward to. With much prayer I was able to hold on and it was 8 months later when I was finally able to get on a new medication. This medication is an infusion that takes two visits to infuse, one six-hour visit, and one four hour visit. Thankfully the medicine started to fight the disease and the inflammation began to go down and by February 2020 I was in a better place physically and mentally. I had promised myself that if I was granted another chance to get healthy and strong I would not waste it. I had also found out that I was going to be a grandmother in June 2020 and I wanted to be around for my grandchild and be able to play and sit on the floor and be able to get back up off of the floor! I had gained a lot of weight and was determined to rewrite my story. 

Coach: Take us back to March 7th of this year, the start of your journey, how were you feeling? 

Lisa: I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I had just canceled my membership to Weight Watchers because in the year I had been on the program, I had gained 10 lbs. It was not a good fit for me and I was looking for something to help me get back to healthy. I knew that it had to be different and out of my comfort zone. 

Coach: What if anything did you learn during that kickoff meeting? 

Lisa: I did not know what to expect at the kick-off meeting. I had seen the Run To The Best You flyer at work on a bulletin board and decided to go check out the program. What I found was a coach that was passionate and sincere about helping people get healthy and by the end of the presentation I was sold. I had not run since high school and I knew it was going to be challenging but I felt that a good challenge was just what I needed.

Lisa’s First Mile Test 3/8/20 : (17:33)

Coach: What was the final push that motivated you to join our 5k program?

Lisa: The enthusiasm and motivation that the speakers had that day about the program and the coach. 

Coach: The world has changed so much since March 7th what changed for you with work, and how are you handling it all while taking on getting healthier? 

Lisa: I have been working from home since the quarantine began and I am very blessed to be able to continue to work and get a paycheck while so many others are not. That being said, being stuck in a small rancher with my family trying to concentrate on work has been challenging! I am committed to this process so I try to just stay focused on my goals when things get chaotic. 

Coach: What At The Moment Are Your Healthy Habits?

Lisa: I train with the team on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I try to walk or run on most days in between. I have also incorporated strength training at least 3x’s per week and daily mini-workouts with pushups, squats, and planks.

Coach: Do you practice Intermittent Fasting, if so what is your schedule of eating?

Lisa: I have been intermittent fasting consistently for about 3 weeks at a ratio of 16 hours fasting and 8 hours of eating.

Coach: Since joining the group, we got a chance to talk one on one at one of the training. You told me that you were starting to stress eat while working from home. You noticed that you were eating out of boredom. During that time, I was just rolling out the Next Level Coaching Plan. (If interested please fill out our Contact Us Form)

I let you know all about it, and you took me up on it. Please tell us why you felt like you were ready to step it up a notch?

Lisa: I loved what you taught me about intermittent fasting, but I felt I needed more structure or a food plan to follow during the eating hours. The opportunity to do both IF and the Keeping it Real program following Whole30 principles was just the “extra” something that I needed to get to my healthy goals. 

Coach: You are in the third week of the process, what do you enjoy most about it?

Lisa: I enjoy the way the program makes me feel physically, mentally, and spiritually. I have more energy, my mind is clearer, my moods are more steady and I am sleeping like a log. I no longer have to take allergy medicine anymore because I don’t have the inflammation going on in my sinuses that I had before the program. I also noticed that my training is getting better, I feel stronger and faster. 

Lisa’s 2nd Mile Test 3/31/20 (-1 min improvement 16:21)

Coach: You are stronger and faster, you are doing great. How do you feel now since adopting this healthier lifestyle? 

Lisa: I feel hopeful, like achieving my weight loss and health goals are really attainable! 

Coach: Wow, how much have you lost? 

Lisa: I chose to not weigh myself weekly and just wait until the end of the program. While I do not know how much weight I have lost, I was able to wear a pair of jeans that I had not worn in over a year because they would not button. Not only did I button them but they were comfortable and I could breathe and bend down without fear of popping a button! It was the greatest feeling ever and sealed the deal for me that the program is indeed working. 

Coach: That is so wonderful Lisa! Thank you for being on the show! Before we let you go........

WHAT can you say to our listeners who may be ready to start their journey tomorrow? 

Lisa:

I would say, why put off till tomorrow what you can do TODAY!

Start today, step out of your comfort zone, and put yourself and your health first. Join coach Tadris and make the commitment to get to a better you.

Don’t be afraid, he’s got your back! 

Lisa’s Virtual 5k on May 9th 2020

Lisa with her daughter Rachel.

Lisa took one more mile test on May 5th 2020 and completed that mile in 15:33. A whopping 2 minute improvement. Lisa is an incredible mother and soon to be grandmother! The best way to predict the future is to create it and you are creating a beautiful healthy life ahead. - Coach Tadris

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