About Regan
Regan Mizuno is a mechanical engineer and AFAA Certified Fitness Trainer (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America). She serves on the board of the Lupus Foundation of Northern California and is a healthy lupus patient living well. She makes her home in the Bay Area, California, and teaches her classes there.
Regan enjoys advocating for lupus awareness. She lobbies for research funding and medical student lupus educational programs on Capitol Hill. She works with the Lupus Research Institute and Canadian and other U.S. national organizations. Regan is a speaker for lupus events and symposiums and formed a music advocacy site: www.beatlupus.com.
Regan's story began when she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus causing WHO Class IV diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis. She was technically put into remission soon after starting her treatment. The treatment consisted of a two-and-a-half year regimen of cyclophosphamide, also referred to as cytoxan, a breast cancer chemotherapy used to reduce the overactive nature of her immune system. However, she continued to struggle with clinical symptoms. Her joint pain at times precluded her from walking even short distances and she had no stamina. Her fatigue level was such that holding conversations became difficult, and she struggled with weight, in part due to prednisone usage, and also due to inactivity. After having to purchase a cane just to climb the stairs, Regan decided she had to make a change.
She began following a diet that changed her life. The diet's purpose was to aid in the reduction of inflammation. Regan started this program and the most shocking thing she could have ever imagined occurred: her joint pain greatly went down, and her energy level went up.
The science behind the diet relates to the reduction of inflammation in the body's systems and tissues. As such, it is common-sensical to eat foods that are low in the glycemic index, and, many organizations, including the Arthritis Society, recommend that we try to eat foods that will not exacerbate the inflammation already present in our bodies.
Regan's nutritional guide shows how one can follow a low-glycemic index diet.
It is really very simple to follow. As Regan continues to use this diet, she feels wonderful every day.
The diet reduced those up-and-down energy dips during the day.
She therefore was able to endure regular exercise, including core work and walking (very slowly, to start with) on the treadmill. Soon she wanted to try lifting weights to increase her muscle strength and stamina, and created Regan MOVES, the program that allows her to safely lift weights and perform aerobic exercise. Her unique aerobic exercises, including specialized "modified jacks", (where the feet don't actually leave the ground), get her heart rate up into fat-burning mode. The result is a trim body, a fun 1000-calorie workout, and the ability to do toe-pushups, chin-ups, and participate in the Olympic ice sport of curling.
Her exercise program does not include any activities that pose risk or impact to the knees. The beauty of the program is that it has allowed her to take part in everyday activities, including jogging out on her own, whenever she likes.
Regan enjoys singing the Canadian and American National Anthems, including for the San Francisco Giants. She has performed at the Governor's Mansion of Colorado, the NHL, and various golf and country clubs.
