The Your Level Fitness Podcast 023: Chat with Ashley
Where’s the best place for listeners to connect with you?: Instagram and if people rather do Facebook I do have a Facebook page Journey 2 Wonder Woman.
What’s one habit you do almost daily?: Drink a gallon of water!
What’s one of your normal routines?: Working out whether it be at the gym or outside weather permitting.
How long did it take for the above routine to stick? : It took me about a month to stick with my workout routine. If I end up switching shifts at my job, it usually takes me about a month to get adjusted to my new schedule and fitting in my workouts.
Describe your weight loss journey.: I’ve struggled with my weight most of my life. In elementary through high school, basketball kept me active. However, in college, my eating started getting out of control, and the weight started packing on. Fast forward to in my late 20s to present, I continued to lose then gain, I’ve tried every possible fad diet possible. In 2013, I felt like I was finally getting in control, being part of Weight Watchers and working out. I was at my then heaviest of 322lbs and had lost 45lbs. Then, in August 2013, I met the man who would become my husband and tried to maintain a long distance relationship while working full time and figuring out my life. In a year’s time i ended up gaining 100lbs, tipping the scales dangerously close to 400lbs. I was wearing a size 28, standing up for too long would cause me back pain, and I became a recluse because I was ashamed. Between 2014-2018 I would yo-yo losing and gaining the same 40-50lbs. Some major events in between those times: January 2015 I started my career as a 911 Dispatcher March 2016 I had surgery on my left ankle to repair my tarsal coalition which consisted of fusing my joint and bone and adding a screw through the heel. August 2016 I got married.
So why did I keep losing and gaining? Well, for one, I am a closet binge eater and eat my feelings! Stress, sadness, happiness, celebration, or just because I deserved that bag of twizzlers! My mentality was not ready for me to be healthy. I would talk myself out of workouts, if I binged I would tell myself to start over tomorrow which would turn to next week then turn to next month. The vicious cycle would continue until I couldn’t take it. October 2018 is when everything changed. I joined WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers) and really started to focus on my nutrition. In this journey, the working out part never was a struggle. I love my gym time. It was what I was putting into my body. In April 2019 I joined Erica Fit Love’s Fit Love Squad, and combined with my WW, my life has changed. The Squad created a community of people who share the common goal of getting healthier, and focusing on more than a healthy mindset. Since October 2018, I am down 86lbs, dropped 4 sizes, and many inches were lost.
What’s a skill you developed as a result of working through your weight loss journey?: I honestly have no idea. I guess I’ve developed the confidence to be open, honest, raw with sharing my journey on Instagram. Prior, when I was struggling, I would not share and usually not seeing a post from me meant I was in a downward spiral.
What has that skill led to outside of weight loss?: Having the confidence and desire to try new things such as complete a 5k each month for a year or participating in Storm the Stadium. Just being open to trying new thing in general.
What have you learned about yourself over the last year or so?: I’ve learned to truly love and appreciate myself & give myself grace when I struggle. I no longer see myself in a negative light like I used to, even if I’m having a bad day, week, or month. Progress, not perfection!
What advice would you give to someone working through their weight loss journey?:Work on your mental health! That is so important to have a strong, positive mindset because if your mind is not in it and ready, you will have a difficult time. There is no shame in seeking help! Also, the scale doesn’t measure your success, so please don’t rely on it! Take photos, measure yourself, journal how your clothes fit, journal the progress you make with your workouts.
What resources would you recommend listeners check out?: Podcasts: Pound This, American Glutton, Gary Cantrell Podcast, Your Level Fitness (duh!)
IG accounts: Erica Fit Love, YouCanPoundThis, Planet Fitness
What are you working on now?: I’m trying to hit my first 100lbs milestone! That’s pretty much it for now. It’s difficult to make any fitness plans with a pandemic.
Is there anywhere else you’d like to point listeners to? Please provide link if possible:Come check me out at dispatcher_dobby where I share my journey with a side of humor and Hanson :)
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