Workout Video from Last Night-Ashley Matias kicking butt in the gym! - Special Thanks to Rob G. and Duilio

Another Great Workout Tonight

Tonight's workout was great I learned a few new execrsises and spent time with my buddy Rob G. I am maintaining the focus on dropping the last few pounds by the end of 2011. I want to reach the overall loss of  76 pounds... I know I will make it there but just like the last 46 pounds I know it won't be easy. Having the support of family, friends and my trainer helps me out tremendously. My main focus is to be healthy, get toned and just to be happy! So many times I have neglected myself in the past and look where that took me, I weighed in at 211 pounds and I am only 4'11. I know I want to help everyone but all the while  I was losing myself. I feel like a part of me has returned and having the drive and determination that I do I know I will make it. Even if I don't drop all 76 pounds this year I know eventually I will make it there. I also know I need to continuously work on the negative self talk and own the curves and other unique features that  I might have. It is what makes me- ME! I have posted a little inspiration at the end of my posting tonight- hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for reading!

07/21/2011- Me and My trainer Duilio after my workout tonight!

"So long as there is a breath in me, that long will I persist. If I persist long enough, I will win."

Day in the life at Whole Foods....

So I was excited and nervous to try this green smoothie today- it had spinach, kale, apple juice, banana and lemon juice and it was pretty darn good. It will be something  I will try again for sure....

On my way to the check out line  I was surprised to see Steve O from the Movie/Show Jackass standing right in front of me! My co worker Sophia asked him if he would mind taking a photo with me and he said  " No problem" he was really nice and very down to earth.




Thanks Steve O



Negative Thoughts....Still a consistant battle

Well for my female readers, if you are like me than I am sure when you look in the mirror you can start picking on the things you don't like about yourself. We can truely be are worst critics and even though we try so hard to not be its always coming back. I found myself this evening after stepping off the scale in complete tears, lately the scale has been a yo yo effect and i'm not sure if its water weight, muscle gain or fat gain and it can get somewhat frustrating. Sometimes I feel I am working so hard and I am not seeing anything changing but then I start to remember that I am doing something just by going to the gym and working so hard. I have my inner fat girl that wants to come out and start degrading what the scales says or wanting to eat bad foods like Mcdonalds or Potato Chips just because it may make me feel better at the time. But knowing what I know now I know that this isn't true and I will just end up feeling guilty for eating those foods. My question is how can we females channel these negative thoughts about ourselves??

We need to start accepting that we are beautiful both inside and outside. We all have some unique qualities about ourselves and why not own them?? I have a few friends who think they are not hot simply because they may have some extra weight....LADIES - Remember this YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Being overweight or even too skinny doesn't make you ugly. It is the type of person you are inside and out that will make you beautiful. Also its important to have people that you can confide in to help you thru these moments of insecurity because who knows someday they may need you to be there for them.

Thanks for reading!
Ashley M.

A huge Thank you to James Garrison from Extreme Makeover- Weight Loss Edition

I was surprised to see that James Garrison from Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition reached out to me by Facebook. This man is a true inspiration he lost 313 pounds in 12 months, he is a supporter of Ashley's Weight Loss Journey and has given me his words of wisdom and encouragement to keep me moving forward. So a huge Thank you to James!!

Ashley M.

GYMTIME = FUN TIME

Last night was not only a great workout but it was so much fun! Rob and I worked out with our trainer Duilio with Custom Built Personal Training/Youfit Health Clubs- he has us doing a mixture of things. The workouts were both intense but very fun and Rob kept me entertained by all his jokes. I have to say I am truely blessed to have these people in my life helping me and motivating me to drop my last pounds.


Rob G., Me and Duilio



Duilio does a great job of adjusting my workouts to be challenging AND fun!  If you are interested in contacting him about hiring him as YOUR trainer, you can email him at  duilio_aicardi@hotmail.com.





I was able to try something new last night and was was using the bands and running while pulling weight, for the weight I incorporated both Rob G. and Duilio they took turns. Rob was impressed on how I really was able to pull him along the gym. Not an easy task but what can I say I am a workout Ninja now.... (joke)



Duilio and ME



Yes I was able to pull these two along the gym!-BEAST MODE!

Another Workout Video with my boy Rob G. and Me in the Background!

Ashley Marie Matias putting in work at the gym!

Last night's workout video- with my buddy Rob G. and Our Trainer Duilio

3 Day Detox - Fruit and Veggies and Lots of Water

3 day Detox

 ·  Drink at least 2 liters of water a day – purified, distilled, filtered or bottled. You can also drink dandelion coffee or herb teas.

·  Have ½ liter of fruit or vegetable juice – either carrot and apple juice (you can buy these two separately and combine with one-third water) with grated ginger, or fresh watermelon juice – a day. The flesh of the watermelon is high in beta-carotene and vitamin C. The seeds are high in vitamin E, as well as the antioxidant minerals zinc and selenium. You can make a great antioxidant cocktail by blending fresh fruit and seeds in a blender into a greast-tasting drink.

·  Eat in abundance: Fruit – the most beneficial fruits with the highest deter potential include fresh apricots, all berries, cantaloupe melons, citrus fruits, kiwis, papayas, peaches, mangoes, melons, red grapes. Vegetables – especially good are artichokes, peppers, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, red cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, kale, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato, tomatoes, watercress and bean sprouts.

·  Eat in moderation: Nuts and seeds – a handful a day of raw, unsalted nuts and seeds should be included. Choose from almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and flax seeds (linseeds).

·  Avoid: All wheat products, all meat and dairy produce (including eggs), salt and any food containing it, hydrogenated (trans) fats, artificial sweeteners, food additives and preservatives, fried foods, spices, dried fruit. Limits potatoes to one portion every other day and bananas to one every other day.

·  Don’t be surprised if you feel worse for a couple of day before you start to feel better. This is especially likely if you are eliminating foods to which you are dependant.

Some of my biggest inspirations and cheerleaders!

Well I know some of you know about my friend Rob G.- He is on a quest to lose 300 pounds by December 2011. We have begun working out together and we are able to push each other when we think we have had enough each of us push more and more. He is a huge inspiration to not only me but pretty much everyone he comes in contact with. He also has a blog, I welcome you to follow his journey as well.- Rob G. - Thank you so much for all you do and always remember you can accomplish anything if you never give up!!!!! I am so PROUD of YOU!

 http://robgweightloss.com/

I would also like to Thank my old trainer and good friend Jonathan Kalle for always pushing and believing in my when I sometimes can't believe in myself. Jon I am so blessed to have you in my life as a friend, trainer and a huge supporter. I  am happy to know that you have offered your time to come join me for my 5k in October and look forward to seeing your smiling face helping me push along through it!

Jon and I - October 2010



Rob G. , Jon and Me- June 2011













Also A big Thank You also goes out to my Newest Trainer Duilio with Custom Built Personal Training/Youfit Pompano Beach. You push us til we can't go any more and are truly there to help us reach our goals. Rob &  I look forward to seeing the scales and overall transformation that we know you will provide to us. If anyone is interested in working with Duilio please contact Rob or Myself and we will be glad to push along your information to him.

Duilio- Personal Trainer


Thank you for all your support!

Another Workout Video with myself and Rob G. - With our trainer Duilio

Me and My Buddy Rob G.- Who is on a mission to losing 300 pounds himself and me losing a total of 76 pounds- Here is a workout video of us!

Re-Motivated....

Hello Family, Friends and Followers:

Tonight I started watching this show called Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition, I watched this woman Stacey's journey her starting weight was 456 pounds. It just goes to show you that no matter what you weigh its never too late to start living a healther lifestyle. This show has me re-motivated in concurring my weight loss goals. In two months will mark my one year mark for embarking on this journey. Its been one hell of a ride and I am still on this weight loss train- still have roughly another thirty pounds to lose I am trying to stay focused and not fall off. I have found myself slipping with my nutrition slightly but I have been able to get back on if  I feel  I am about to go backward rather than forward. Some of the things that make me want to resort to those unhealthy foods are mainly stress or emotional eating. I know now that this will constantly be a struggle for me and something I must really watch throughout my daily life. I continue to pray for strength and look unto friends and family to be my cheerleaders and you all have been so wonderful in helping me to keep pushing thru. My husband and I plan to hopefully start a family at the start of the new year in January 2012. I am hoping to be at my goal weight of  135 by then and I'm taking great strides to make it there. Recently, I signed up for a 5k walk to help get the word out on Domestic Violence. I am raising $200 for Women in Distress of Broward County- they help out victims of domestic violence within the South Florida area. I will enclose my fundraising website if anyone is interested in making a contribution. I wanted to do this walk last year but I didn't believe in my self to actually finish this 5k, this year is quite different for me having lost 46 pounds and continuing to lose and work on my goals i felt it was time to do something like this. I believe in this organziation and i know first hand just how much they help out in our community.
http://safewalk2011.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=468684&supid=331228073

Thank you again for all of your continued support and kind words of wisdom and encouragement!!
Ashley M.

Trying to hold it all together...

Hello Friends!

Well, this week hasn't been the greatest start but I am trying to make today a better day. I had to revamp some of my nutrition this week to revert back to what i learned. I started incorporating bread into my diet again and it has pretty much exploded in my face. I started feeling more bloaty and saw the scale start to arise. So I am back on the gluten free bandwagon this week, someone once told me if we fall down its up to us to pick ourselves back up off the ground and move forward. I just keep reminding myself that this is a life long journey not a temporary one I know I will struggle at times and also presevere as well. Since i started losing weight back in September a lot has changed for me, not only with my weight loss but within my life. I am learning that we all have a purpose in this world and I think i'm starting to see what mine might be. In April, I lost my best friend Enrique Curiel Jr. to obesisty, he had an enlarged heart he was 30 years old. I am making great strides to really drop the last 30 pounds in honor of him. (R.I.P. Chubbs, we love and miss you) As last Sunday approached that being three months of him passing it made me quite upset knowing that this could have possibly been prevented, by just simply getting a physical. I just wish at times we could have a do over just one time and if we could i'd bring him back just so we can see his smiling face, his laughter and let him know just how much everyone loves him.

With that said, I want all of my friends, family and supporters to know that its important to take care of yourself. Eat right, Workout- even if its a walk in the park or a walk down your street, and also make sure you tell the people that mean the most how much you care about them. We just never know when it might be our time to go.

Thanks for reading!
Ashley M.

R.I.P. CHUBBS (ENRIQUE CURIEL JR.)

July 2010 to July 2011

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while....

Hello my fellow blog readers! I am so sorry I haven't blogged in a few weeks things have been a little nutty lately, lots of changes. I am no longer with Principal Nutrition but I am thankful for all their help that they provided me over the last several months.  I have signed up for personal training again and with the help of Jonathan & Dulio my trainers I hope to drop my last 30 pounds by December 31st. I am not training alone I have two wonderful people who are also trying to lose weight and reach their own personal goals. These two people help push and motivate me as we all do for each other. I want to thank Rob G. & Jaime for all they do for me, for the concerns and support they provide for me in the last three weeks have been so wonderful. I am glad I have people like them in my life and they mean so much to me. In the past three weeks I have been having some medical issues and things have been very hectic but I promise to keep blogging and I want to thank everyone for their kind words of support and you all help me push through some of the rough patches.
Much appreciation!!
Ashley M.

September 2010 to July 1,2011