Breast Implant Illness: Q & A With SJ McShane

We all have that one friend.  The one who shares a similar outlook.  Who lives a similar lifestyle. Who has similar goals.  And whom you've never met!  That's right.  Sara-Jane and I have been "social media friends" for quite some time now.  She's been a source of inspiration and advice for nearly two years.  So when she recently shared a very personal story, I felt compelled to interview her and help her educate others, providing women with the knowledge and resources they need to make educated decisions.

Name:  Sara-Jane McShane 
Website: www.sara-jane.com
Hometown: Sarasota, FL
Career: Licensed Massage Therapist, Fitness Writer, Personal Trainer

"Breast Implant Illness is a sickness that affects hundreds of thousands of women's lives.  It's placed in the autoimmune category, as implanting can trigger a vast variety of autoimmune symptoms/diseases in women.  The foreign object in the body can aggravate the immune, but more importantly, there are 40 plus chemicals in the implants that have been known to seep out or "gel bleed" into the system causing very serious side effects.  We are told the implants are "safe" but, time has proved that to be false.

Multiple women who explant due to illness are shown their implants post surgery, and many of them contain mold.  100 percent of women will develop a "capsule" around their impact.  This is the body's way of fighting the foreign object.  The capsule is made of body tissue and when tested, has been shown to host harmful chemicals and silicone, even with saline implants as they have a silicone shell.

Dr. Barnett of Sarasota, FL states 'two out of three women who come to me ill gain their health back post-explant.' Thankfully, I am one of them."

Megan: What is your favorite way to stay active:
SJ: I absolutely love the outdoors, especially the mountains. I could hike all day! I also love to take my workouts to the trail for a trail run, and to an outdoor track for sprints.

Megan:  How's life? What are your hobbies and what are you most passionate about?
SJ:  Life is great right now! I'm very passionate about helping others, I hope to do that for the rest of my life in any way I can.  My hobbies are fitness, outdoor activities, nature, animals, cooking, writing and refurbishing old furniture.  And if eating is a hobby, I should mention that!

Megan:  What is your typical day like?
SJ: I have a full time job at a spa, I write for fitness magazines and do some personal training and nutrition coaching.  My schedule is different every day which I like.  A few days a week I food prep, and my workout times and days change as my schedule changes.

Megan: Was it always that way?
SJ: No, not at all.  IN fact 11 years ago before I lost almost 30 pounds, I never prepped food, ate clean or trained!  I had completely different jobs and desires. Life is so much better now a days, and I couldn't imagine it any other way.

Megan:  What is the biggest obstacle you have overcome in your life?
SJ:  The biggest obstacle I've overcome in my life is encountering BII, Breast Implant Illness.  It's a topic that had not been discussed in the past, but is now starting to surface rapidly.  Hundreds of thousands of women have suffered and are currently suffering from autoimmune illnesses due to implants.  Be it the foreign object disrupting the body's immune response, or the 40 plus toxic chemicals that make up the implant (silicone and saline), women are connecting the dots.  This autoimmune disease can take your life away and is extremely debilitating.  You can lack all energy and develop all sorts of horrible side effects such as abnormal heart beats, body rashes, dizziness, anxiety, insomnia, weakness, muscle twitches and much more.

Megan:  What was life like leading up to that occurrence?
SJ:  My life before I was sick was great.  My energy was over the top! Sometimes I would workout for hours outside just because I had the energy and loved the feeling.  I could balance lots of tasks at once.  I was extremely motivated, writing for a handful of fitness magazines, working and still wanting to do more.

Megan:  A lot of people reference a turning point when they knew they needed to make a change.  Did you have one? How would you describe it?
SJ:  My moment of rescue was when I found my support group for Breast Implant Illness.  From that moment forward I knew what I had to do.  I explanted (implant removal) and almost immediately, my body began to feel "normal" again.  I'm not sure there are any words to fully describe that feeling.  To have been sick for so long and to feel like myself again is completely priceless.

Megan: Is there a particular person or resource that you looked to for inspiration and help?
SJ:  My inspiration and help came from God.  I asked him to show me what was making me so sick, to show me what was taking my life away.  Eventually, I found a support group called "Breast Implant Illness by Nicole."  Each and every girl in that group had the same symptoms as me, and post implant removal gained their health back.  They have been an amazing support through all of this.

Megan:  What are your current goals?
SJ:  My most important goal right now is to get my strength back.  Before I got sick, I was able to "lat  pull" 100 pounds--just under my body weight.  I ran my first half marathon, I completed a sprint triathlon and my "farmers carry" for strong man training was 105 pounds in each hand.  Feeling strong is indescribable and I can't wait to be there again.

Megan:  What advice do you have for others who are going through a similar situation or difficulty?
SJ:  The  best advice I can give to other women suffering from BII is to keep a great support system around you that understands exactly what they are going through.  Just like any other illness, having others around you that have walked down the road is very important.  Right now there are lots of BII support groups for anyone suffering, which is great!

Megan:  What, if anything, would you do differently?
SJ:  A few months ago I would have said "I would have never opted to have implants!"  But, now, I wouldn't change a thing.  As I said before, I love helping people.  Without this experience I wouldn't be able to help other women from making the same mistake.  I wouldn't be able to lead sick moment o the proper information.  Since coming out with my story, "The Ugly Side of Breast Implants," I have hundred of women contact myself and our support group, many of them sick or has implants removed due to illness.

Megan: Looking back, how has this experience strengthened you?
SJ:  Fiercely!  To know what it's like to be weak makes me so much stronger today. I understand people's pain differently. I can sympathize with them better and to me that's a form of strength we all need.  I know all of the bad is being used for the good.

Looking for additional information or resources?  Visit Healing Breast Implant Illness or click here to join the Facebook support group.  You can also read Sara-Jane's cover story from Natural Muscle & Fitness magazine by clicking here.

Non-Scale Victories

Non-scale victories are the best! Too often, we get caught up in the numbers.  One day you are down a pound, the next you are up a half pound.  So you avoid weighing yourself for a few days only to find out that once you do, your weight is down 2 pounds.  What gives? Why does it matter?  While the scale may fluctuate as much as the Chicago weather, the emphasis should be on improving your health versus losing weight (more specifically losing fat). 

Progress Photos & Strength Gains
It had been a while since I posted any progress photos.  To be honest, I had not taken any either.  After competing in an NPC Bikini Competition last year, I decided to spend time focusing on developing myself as a personal trainer and fitness instructor.  Along with this, my priorities include educating others and being a resource to those who are looking to lose fat, gain strength, improve their health, or touch their toes without feeling their hamstrings (or anxiety levels) tighten.  This morning I decided to take some photos, never anticipating an entire blog would result.  I also did not anticipate seeing a visible change in these photos, as my body weight is relatively the same.  I realized my strength had improved (one of many reasons to track your sets, reps and weights).  Around the time of the previous photo, in September 2014, I completed 7 reps with 30lbs of resistance in the first set using the assisted pull-up machine.  Today, March 9th of 2015, I completed 10 reps using 20lbs of assistance.

Non-Scale Victories
The following list provides opportunities for you to discover your own progress using methods other than the scale.

-Track your workouts.  One of the reasons it's so important to track your workouts is so you can improve your strength.  Consider working to increase the number of reps you complete, increase the weight you lift...or both!  It is also important to incorporate variety into our routine to the body does not plateau by adapting to a specific training method.  I refer to myself as the "Bodybuilding Yogi," which may sound like an oxymoron to some.  But it keeps me flexible, keeps me strong, and keeps me engaged.  Some days I do an extended number of reps using body weight, other days I leg press so hard the plate feels like a concrete wall!  I have also discovered the XBAR, a great tool that incorporates variety through the use of resistance bands (save 10% with code MeganLinge at checkout on xbar.com).  It does not matter how you track your workouts.  Use a notebook, use an app on your phone, grab a napkin and pen from the juice bar!  Refer to the notes from your previous sessions and plan for progress.

-Measurements.  Typically, I take measurements every 4-6 weeks.  It is preferable to have someone else take the measurements.  Keep in mind that you will have more accurate results when re-measurements are done by the same person.  The following is an example of what I use with clients.

1. Chest (directly under armpits, underneath arms)
2. Waist (most narrow)
3. Navel (belly button)
4. Hips (widest)
5. Thighs (center of each)
6. Calves (widest of each)
7. Biceps (center of each)

-Clothes.  How are you clothes fitting, are they looser?  Your body weight may stay the same but as you train, your composition will change and circumference measurements will do down, resulting in looser fitting clothes.

-Photos.  No, you do not have to wear a bikini or put on your underwear for these.  You can, but if you choose not to, wear something that is fitted.  The more you reveal, the more progress you will be able to observe.  Keep the pictures to yourself or share them for increased accountability.  I recommend taking the photos at the same time of day, with natural lighting.  Wear the same outfit each time and take a front, profile and backside photo.

-Better health. Keep in mind that as you continue working out, you are likely to experience an improved mood, better sleep, an increase in energy and improved heart health.  Ironically, just this morning, one of my clients commented that she spent the weekend cleaning her kitchen and was amazing that she was not sore afterward.  She is over the age of 60, retired and trains with me twice a week for 30 minutes.  It was extremely rewarding to see how excited she was with this realization.  No scale necessary.  

"Megan, what are YOU doing?"

While I am usually hesitant to share my specific workout plan, diet, habits, bed time (it's been as embarrassingly early" as 8pm)...it's because what works for me may not work for you.  If you love to run you probably would not adapt to my program very well because there is little to no running!  Doing what you enjoy is a vital component to a successful program.  If you have three kids under the age of 5 and need to be at work by 9am, it is less likely (though still possible) you will be able to spend an hour at the gym from 7-8am.  The key is creating a routine that is attainable to sustainable. Your program should progress as you do.  If you have questions or are interested in a program based on your goals and current fitness level, visit the Fuel Your Fitness page for information about online services. 

Remember

-This is YOUR journey and the first step is identifying a realistic goal, then creating an action plan based on your current fitness level and resources.

-If you choose to weigh yourself, I recommend doing it once or twice a week.  Stay consistent with the day and time so you can compare "apples to apples." For example, weigh yourself every Wednesday morning at 7am after you have gone to the bathroom and before you have gotten dressed. Remember that your weight fluctuates on a daily basis.  It will vary based on hormone levels, hydration levels, the amount of sleep you've had, what you recently ate, etc.

-A friend recently gave advice regarding traffic to my blog.  "Don't check numbers from day to day, you'll drive yourself crazy."  It is more important to track the changes over time.  The same holds true for the scale.  Stay sane and steer your energy in a more fulfilling and rewarding direction.

What kind of non-scale victories have you had?  Share yours and use @inspirelingefitness.  I would love to know what has worked for you and see the progress you have made!

One Year Later and Six Weeks Out

A lot has changed this past year. The following entry has been inspired by my own progress and is meant to provide encouragement and resources to help you reach your own goals. What has worked for me may be different than what works for you. My goal was to compete in a bikini competition (and now I'm six weeks out from my second!). While you may not now, or ever, plan to compete, consider this information as "food for thought" and make it your own! Your recipe for success is a combination of consistency, commitment, and hard work along with varying amounts of cardio, strength training, rest, and fuel--based on your goals and your current fitness level. At the very least, I hope my story provokes thought and that those thoughts fire up action!

In April of 2013, I weighed approximately 170 lbs and was at 20.3% body fat, according to skinfold measurements. Currently, I weigh 159 and, when measured in February, my percent body fat was 12.8%.  I am 6 feet tall. Oh, and in 1998 I weighed 210 lbs. But that's another entry. ;) There is a 3-4% margin of error using skinfold measurements but, over time, these numbers can help you stay accountable and will provide substantial evidence of progress. If this is something you would like to have done, I would contact a local university as they sometimes need test subjects for various classes in the kinesiology department. Muscle is more dense than fat.  It does not weigh more!! A pound is a pound.  A pound of muscle takes up less space than a pound of fat. Therefore, it is possible that your waistline is getting smaller while the numbers on the scale don't budge. Rather than get discouraged, avoid relying on the scale and be sure to record circumference measurements as well. 

Up until April of 2013, my workouts consisted primarily of cardio and a lot of body weight exercises. I was doing plyometrics and HIIT, burning calories, but not building much strength. But trust me, I thought I was in good shape! It's important to note that back in February 2012, I had surgery for a herniated disc and ever since was "afraid" to begin strength training again. When a local gym reached out to me (Hard Pressed/Chicago, IL), I put my fears to the side and committed to meeting with them twice a week, for 30 minutes. While I didn't trust myself to lift weights, worried I would reinjure myself, I figured someone else would be able to coach me through it.

Thirty minutes doesn't sound like much, but it was 30 minutes of non-stop, butt-kicking, muscle-building, weight training. I specifically remember days my legs felt like they were up pushing against a concrete wall, rather than the leg press machine. It was that difficult. More than once, words I otherwise NEVER say were muttered under my breath. It more than "sucked." And I loved it. I had worked out for years, and included strength training fairly consistently, but never to this extent. According to Mayo Clinic strength training also helps you:

• Develop strong bones. By stressing your bones, strength training increases bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
• Control your weight. As you gain muscle, your body begins to burn calories more efficiently. The more toned your muscles, the easier it is to control your weight.
• Boost your stamina. As you get stronger, you won't fatigue as easily. Building muscle also contributes to better balance, which can help you maintain independence as you age.
• Manage chronic conditions.Strength training can reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic conditions, including back pain, arthritis, obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
• Sharpen your focus. Some research suggests that regular strength training helps improve attention for older adults.

In November of 2013, I competed in my first bikini competition. I was thrilled to have accomplished something that I had wanted to do ever since I first got my hands on Oxygen Magazine and "graduated" from Women's Workout World to the Rec Center at Illinois State University. Trust me, this was "years" ago. ;) While I was in a class of about 20 competitors and did not place, the accomplishment itself was enough of a reward.

After the show, I continued working out at Hard Pressed until January 2014. At that time, I made the decision to train on my own--realizing that if I made so much progress with just two sessions of 30 minutes per week, how much could I achieve by lifting more often? While there's no doubt that a strength coach can and WILL push you beyond your limits, my time at Hard Pressed has inspired me to "reach" for that level of difficulty. A strength coach also ensures proper form, continual progress and is beneficial for countless reasons. I am beyond grateful for all of the strength coaches at Hard Pressed. They brought me through a major fitness plateau and provided the accountability I needed at the time. Currently, I spend about 40 minutes per lifting session, and aim for 4-5 days/week. Usually I emphasize upper body day (back and chest), leg day, and glutes day (yes, mine NEED a day of their own--spend more time on what needs the most improvement). Throughout the week I incorporate arms, shoulders and abs.  There are times I close my eyes during the last couple of reps because if someone is looking at my face, I don't wanna know!  My weekly cardio usually consists of teaching a spin class, two 30 minute sessions on the StepMill, and typically one or two HIIT/plyometric workouts. I also walk about 1.5 miles round trip to the train Monday through Friday. Walk more, take the stairs, move your body! It adds up. Remember, these are ingredients for my own recipe of progress and may or may not be what works for you. Use this information as a guideline, not a rule. I have posted various workout videos on my blog if you are new to fitness or wanting to add variety. Please contact me if you would like a customized program based on your goals and current fitness level. I am an AFAA Certified Personal Trainer and Intructor. I do not currently provide nutritional programs but could put you in touch with someone who does.

As an athlete, I am a firm believer that supplements will help improve the efficiency and intensity of your program. Throughout my transformation, I have supplemented with Cellucor whey and Cellucor BCAAs. Following my show in November, I began using Cellucor's best selling fat burners: Super HD and CLK. HD's fatty acid synthase inhibitors (camellia sinensis extract, tuber fleeceflower extract and Chinese mistletoe extract) can help the body to reduce fat storage. They are also responsible for appetite control...HD contains caffeine to reduce fatigue and help mobilize fat usage when taken 30 minutes or so before a workout. Rhodiola is another key ingredient (I used to take it alone before I knew about HD!). It improves mental energy, focus, etc. AND helps the body utilize fat (which pretty much everything in the product does! haha) It comes as a pill too, but I prefer the powder so I up my water intake...and it's a great replacement for coffee in the A.M. CLK is a non-stimulant weight loss aid that features clinical doses of four of the most highly regarded, highly publicized ingredients on the market today; CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid), Raspberry Ketones, 7-Keto and Carnitine. I also take fish oils and a multivitamin. I continue taking these products daily. They are not magic pills; they are meant to compliment a fitness program and healthy diet.

Stay tuned for my post-competition, bikini-prep entry. It will provide a more in depth look at my training, nutrition and more (including a circuit workout you can do at home!). Questions, comments, feedback? Let me know.