Ashley lost 58 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Ashley lost 58 pounds. She wanted to improve her overall health, get rid of knee and back pain, and get her self-confidence back. Working with a nutritionist and personal trainer gave her the knowledge and support she needed. Making healthier choices and trusting the process was key.

Age: 29
Height: 5’7
Starting weight: 267.8lbs
Current weight: 209.2lbs
Total weight loss: 58.6lbs
Starting Dress Size: 18
Current Dress Size: 12
Representing: Illinois

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even during the tough times?
My motivation to lose weight was to improve my overall health. I began having constant back and knee pain. I went for a routine check-up and my doctor associated the pain with my weight. She stated that if I lost weight, my pain/soreness would begin to go away. When I heard her advice, I realized that I had to start making changes. Not just because my doctor said so, but because I was too young to be immobile.

Body pain, my clothes not fitting as they should, negative comments from others, and a decline in my self-confidence all aided in my motivation to begin losing weight. As I saw an increase in my clothing size, I felt a decrease in my self-esteem. I reached a 3X in clothing and an all-time low in how I viewed myself. There were times when I would look in the mirror, and not recognize myself due to the weight gain. This devastated me. Instead of feeling sorry for myself (like I usually would), I decided to re-frame my thoughts and change my lifestyle.

My upcoming 30th birthday also inspired me. I made a vow to myself not to bring any baggage from my 20s into my 30s, and this included the weight!

How did you change your eating habits?
I initially changed my eating habits by working with NutritionistGuru from Fitness on Fire. She provided a list of foods that were most beneficial to my lifestyle change. With the tools she gave me, I learned how to use portion control, substitute foods for more healthier options, and how to co-exist with all the fatty foods I used to eat. I stopped drinking pop and sugary juices and began drinking more water. I stopped eating sugary junk foods (which were my weakness) and started eating more fruits.

Selecting healthier choices in a world full of non-healthy options was definitely hard for me at the beginning. Making sure that I meal prepped and asked others around me to hold me accountable were the main things that kept me on the right path.

What did your workouts consist of?
My workouts consisted of doing resistance training for 75-90 minutes, 5 to 6 times a week. I used the workout routine given to me by my online trainer, King of the Fire from the Fitness on Fire Online Training Program.

How long did your transformation take?
I began my transformation in April 2018. From then until now, I’ve lost 58lbs. I started seeing weight loss in July, which was 3 months into the program. It was around that time when my clothes began fitting looser.

I’ve never been in a workout program like Fitness on Fire before. It is the first workout program I’ve ever participated in. Prior to this program, I would try changing my eating habits and working out on my own but would always fail or lack consistency. Looking back, the reasons for my failed weight loss attempts was due to the lack of accountability and support. This program provides both. Holding yourself accountable and relying on someone for support was definitely needed on my journey.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
The only thing that is getting in the way of your weight loss is you! Find the courage to love yourself enough to want to change… Change for the betterment of you, your health, and your life. Do not begin this journey wanting to change for others or an image. Trust the process and keep pushing.

Instagram: @realashleyo