Ashley lost 117 pounds

Update 2018: Shout out to Ashley. She’s lost 135 pounds!

I want to give a Huge S/O to @blackwomenlosingweight for featuring my latest update on their blog Again!, #ANOTHERONE … supporting me and sharing my weightloss journey from the very beginning. You All Don’t know what that means to me, i definitely appreciate the recognition but even more so, having a team and all of their followers holding me accountable and cheeeing me through it. Anybody who’s been through it or going through it Knows that weight loss is Not Easy and keeping it off can be just as challenging, but you all are helping peoples dreams come true by providing motivation, tips, Love, & real life stories of people, who look like Us, live like Us, DOING IT, reassuring us that if our sisters did it, we can certainly do it too. ❤THANK YOU❤ To check out my documented weight loss journey, from my very first feature back in Nov. 2016 to my current status now, Extreme Weight Loss to Maintenance Mode, click the link in my bio⬆ #TBT#weightlosstransformation #weighttraining#blackwomen#LosingWeight#Support#WeightLossJourney#eatingclean #Diet#Exercise#inspo#motivation#gymflow#BodyGoals#fitspo#Health#Beauty#Fitness#SlimmingWorld#SeeCeeShrink

A post shared by Ashley Cee (@seeceeshrink) on Jan 11, 2018 at 5:43pm PST

Update June 2107: “You all did a beautiful article on me and featured me on your IG page back in November when I’d lost 117 lbs. I’m back with an update. I am now down 135 pounds total. These before and afters are very personal to me. Recently posted them on Instagram in honor of my 2 year weight loss anniversary.” – @seeceeshrink

“First of all let me say I cannot believe that I am ballsy enough to be posting these Before pics. Yes, I took them with the intention to succeed, and a dream to share them with the world one day beside an awesome Beyonce-esque after photo, and darnit I aint quite Beyonce YET, but, I am immensely proud of my progress! So, In Honor of My 2 Year Weight Loss Anniversary🍾,…. in honor of the day I decided this weight had to go and that I was willing to do all the right things to be rid of it, No Shortcuts, No Magic Tricks, Just Hardwork, Self Education, Determination & Persistence… i am Doing it! 135 POUNDS LOST, with no intention to EVER be found again. & even more valuable than All that I Lost, are the #Gains! Health – 1st & foremost, Confidence, Self Love, Mental Clarity, Stamina, Elevated Faith & Awareness, Respect for Myself & from others, and the opportunity to be an Inspiration to countless others who I hope come across this post and decide that they can do it too. This journey really showed me what I am made of, I dropped my laundry list of excuses, I learned that i believe in myself and I am more than capable of doing ANYTHING that I desire to do…”

Transformation of the Day: Ashley lost 117 pounds. After the loss of her father and grandfather to obesity related illnesses, this young lady decided that is was time to embrace healthy eating habits and consistent exercise. Check out how she did her research and took action to change her life.

What was your motivation? What kept you doing during those times that you may have wanted to give up?
I was motivated by several factors. My journey to a comfortable, healthy weight was long overdue. I was unhappy with my weight. A lack of physical fitness was getting in the way of normal, everyday activities, such as bending over to tie my shoes or climbing a flight of stairs without being completely out of breath.

One of my most significant motivations though, was the loss of my father and grandfather, both due to obesity related illnesses. Diabetes and high blood pressure lead to kidney and congestive heart failure for both of them. They died within 3 years of each other, and I watched their health crumble right in front of my eyes. It was a painful wakeup call for me to get my own health in check by doing my very best to prevent these hereditary illnesses from being a part of my future. I knew it all started with a better diet and consistent exercise.

I never wanted to give up during this journey. When I got discouraged, I just thought about all times that I begged both of my fathers to eat better. Watching them go off to dialysis and seeing them come back drained and miserable, made me think about how I lost all of that weight 1 pound at a time. I couldn’t dream of having to go back and lose it all again. I refuse to go through all of that again.

I also think about how my family needs me and how I want to LIVE my life as long as I can. Now, I think of how beautiful I feel, how far I have to go and how far I’ve come. I know that I can not stop now.

How did you change your eating habits?
I read a book called “The Perfect 10 Diet” by Dr. Michael Aziz. This book taught me how to balance my hormones by controlling what I put into my body and what to steer clear from. My diet most closely resembles Paleo, but I do include some good carbs, here and there (earlier in the day). I avoid processed, packaged foods for the most part. However, when buying packaged foods, I thoroughly read the labels and make educated, well thought out decisions. I avoid anything containing High Fructose Corn Syrup like the PLAGUE and only buy things with WHOLE ingredients. No enriched, bleached this or that. No juices made from any “concentrate” and nothing with ingredients I can’t pronounce. I rarely choose anything with more than 10 ingredients, period. I like to keep the sodium in my foods/snacks/toppings under 5% and sugar at less than 8 grams (preferably 0-2 grams per serving). I also always stick to the serving size noted on the packaging.

What did your workout routines look like?
As far as exercise, I’ve completed 5 consecutive rounds of Shaun T’s “T25” home workout DVD Collection (10 wk, 5 days a week). I do aerobics and Zumba classes (1 hr each), twice a week. I also switch my routine up with Pole and Belly Dance classes, Hiking up L.A’s Culver City Stairs and Trail, working out in Runyon Canyon, or running along the beach. I aim for at least 10,000 steps a day, tracking it with the Pacer app. I also do light weight lifting to tighten up as I lose pounds. I enjoy using 30 day exercise challenges to help get my calisthenics in, choosing a different body part to focus on every month.

Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was approximately 311 pounds. My current weight is 194 pounds. My target weight is 155 pounds, but my ultimate goal is HEALTHY. Height: 5’4″

How long did your transformation take?
I had several failed attempts in the years leading up to this huge success. However, I have been consistent on this new Life Resolution since June 2015.

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey?
No, I was offered surgery and informed by my doctor that I was a “great” candidate for it. However, I opted not to go that route, although I do respect that option for those considering it. I do encourage your readers to try to lose weight naturally first if they are physically able. I have witnessed my loved ones encounter some complications in relation to their weight loss surgeries and really wish they would have tried a less invasive method first. I urge all considering this to be aptly educated about all of your options and your procedure of choice. Ask God for his guidance on your ultimate decision.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Believe in Yourself! Educate yourself. Read up on it, google it and search on Pinterest and YouTube. Get your mind ready for this big change. Get excited about it! This is one thing in life that only You can do for You!

Start now! Tomorrow is not promised. Start small if you must, but just start! Drop soda and drink more water. Go through your kitchen and throw out all of the junk and fast food! Eat more fresh food. Commit to just walking at least 30 minutes a day. Find some fun healthy recipes and cook at home more. Meal prep to avoid last minute, unhealthy, “convenient” food decisions. Remember what looks cheap and tasty now, will leave your pockets dry when those medical bills start rolling in from years of those $1 chicken sandwiches and “value meals”.

Drink green tea. Google the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Use social media to publicly commit to your journey, if you feel comfortable. Enlist some of your close family and friends to help hold you accountable and to provide support during your journey. Love yourself every step of the process. If you “fall off”, dont quit! Just because you ate one bad meal today, don’t think it’s okay to continue those bad habits for the rest of the week. Acknowledge your mistakes and hop back on the horse IMMEDIATELY. Don’t wait for next week, next month or even tomorrow, but Right Now! Last but not least, take good, clear progress pics. They will motivate you and make you proud. Sometimes those photos can even make you laugh or cry for the misguided person you once were and serve as a reminder to never go back! Good Luck Ladies! Peace & Blessings.

Instagram: @seeceeshrink

CHRISTMAS 2014 vs. 2017 I am So Proud of My Growth & Evolution over the past few years, Physically, Spiritually, Mentally. Although I had been pretty tough on myself since i have not lost any “additional” weight this year, 2017, i’ve come to appreciate the fact that I haven’t gaineddd any weight back either💁. I’ve kept 125+ lbs off for over 15 months now, i’ve lost an inch or two here & there, made gains where i wanted to🍑😉, and have just overall become more fit and aware of what does and does not work for my body.  I may not have reached the goals that I had planned for my weight loss journey this year, but I made all kinds of gains in areas I didn’t even know needed attention. I ain’t goin back, and i will never give up. We have to stop equating our Success to the number on the scale and the rate at which it moves, and Just Be! Just Live! Just Love yourself enough to take The BEST Care of Your Body – Your Temple, that you possibly can, CONSISTENTLY. Take inventory of all of your accomplishments BIG & small, and just Work everyday to be BETTER than you were YesterDay and YesterYear and everything else will fall in place, literally as soon you take the pressure off of it All. It’s Complicated but its SO Simple. I Promise, Preaching to You & Me. LOVE CEE❤ 

A post shared by Ashley Cee (@seeceeshrink) on Dec 28, 2017 at 10:09pm PST