Some fun quotes...

One Year Later, Another Year to GO!

WOW- DAY 365!!!

I did it, I stuck through this journey!! I am patting myself on the back, but I know the buck doesn’t stop here.  I still have to continue my journey and fight this fat off of me, I have lost a total of 48 pounds with another 28 pounds to go to equal an overall weight loss of 76 pounds. I know I will have challenges and struggles to drop the rest of the weight but I just have to remain focused on what I want in this life. Before it was all about the need to be SKINNY, but nowadays it’s more about the need to be HEALTHY and Most Importantly HAPPY! One year ago I wasn’t mentally where I feel I am now; who would have thought that I would have lost 46 pounds in 12 months- NOT ME. I got so discouraged so many times because I felt I wasn’t seeing the results on the scale but what I didn’t realize is all the work I was putting in would pay off. It did pay off and I feel stronger, healthier and more determined to get to my ultimate goal. My husband has been a huge supporter in this journey- he has had to endure my moments of insecurities, injuries and most importantly my accomplishments. He tells me all the time that I should be so proud of myself for sticking with it and losing the weight.  He has also had to adapt to my nutritional changes and he has given up some stuff as well (red meat!). For this I am so grateful for him- Thanks Eddie I love you!!

Rob G. - What can I say?!? You are such an inspiration to all of us! I am so lucky to have you in my life to influence me to never give up on myself and to always see the big picture. You are simply an AWESOME Friend! I am happy to have someone like you on my side!

My nutritionist Christi /Principle Nutrition– THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! You have showed me so much in these last few months. I am truly grateful to have you and for all the help and guidance you have provided me!

My Trainers- You guys have had to deal with a lot when working out with me, but you have never let me give up and completely walk away. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

My other supporters, family, friends and followers: Your words of encouragement are truly what have kept me going these last 12 months. I am happy that I get to share this journey with you and that you get to see my transformation. I know that this blog has helped many of you to start your own weight loss goals and remember YOU can DO ANYTHING!!! Thank you so much!!!

For me overcoming certain battles in my life have not been easy but in the end the lessons learned have been simply beautiful. I will continue to fight this battle with food because it’s worth the fight and this end result will be simply BEAUTIFUL! Remember followers and friends- YOU ARE WORTH IT! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! Set small attainable goals that will lead you in the right direction!

Thanks for Following and Reading and Most importantly Supporting!!!
Ashley M.

Today marks DAY 363!!!!!

New Comparison Photo :) for Day 357

                          Remember ANYTHING is Possible!!! Live out your dreams, DAILY!!!!

Thanks for Following!
Ashley M.

Day # 355 ....

Hello Friends and Followers! Whew....I've made it to day 355, almost at that one year mark. I am absolutely shocked that I 've been so motivated to do this. Last week, was a rough week for me emotionally I experienced some unexpected events and occurances which lead me back to "bad eating" habits. I either was too upset to eat or I simply didn't acknowledge what I was doing. However, I have caught it before it spun out of control. I know we all have bad days, weeks and months but its about reverting back to what you learned and following through. Having PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) from being in an abusive relationship in my past I've learned that there will be moments of vunerability and feelings of unsureness. I have been able to deal with things over this last year much differently than in my past events. I've learned that people will always be people and you need to surround yourself with positive and upbeat individuals. I've cut out the dead weight that has been hindering my process through life and sad to say I've realized who hasn't been a friend and I've had to remove those people from life. Some say I'm being childish for simply removing them from my life but I say I am taking charge for the first time and it simply feels great. I feel no one should tolerate abuse in any sort. Abuse can come in many forms it doesn't always have to be from a significant other. I've learned that over time I've settled for abuse from many walks of life and I will tolerate it no more. Some people say "they don't like the person i've become" my response to that is well I am still ME....I'm just now a stronger person both mentally, physically and emotionally. Many times people feel threatend when you take stands against something or stand up for yourself. I am not here to threaten anyone I am simply here saying I WILL NOT TOLERATE ABUSE FROM ANYONE, because I LOVE MYSELF TOO MUCH! For my supporters, all I can say is that YOU ARE SIMPLY AMAZING PEOPLE , You have shown me what LIFE truely is and its so WORTH living to your fullest capability. I know I am not a size 2 or even a size 8 yet but one day soon I will make it there. For now I am a size 12 and I'm not going to settle or stop there,  I will keep progressing forward because life doesn't stop for anyone. Remember that you are worth it, your worth saving yourself from abuse and obesisty. Take a stand for something and always stick up for yourself.

Thanks for reading, following and sharing my journey!!!

Ashley M.

Day 348....Embracing Curves

Hello Friends and Followers:

Well I've made it to day 348! This is so exciting for me to say i've accomplished most of my weight loss goals in the last 348 days. This past weekend I did a photo shoot with my friend & photographer Stacey Morris, the photo shoot was mainly to focus on my weight loss and also about embracing the curves that I have. Stacey is a great photographer and really knows how to make you feel comfortable. Once I get the photos back I will be posting them on my blog for all of you to see.
I got to thinking about my childhood a bit and I remember just being carefree and dressing in whatever clothes I wanted to without fear of being judged on how this might make me look fat. Sometimes, I wish life had a rewind button to go back to those days of just not caring. To be so carefree and see the beauty within yourself would be just GREAT! I think sometimes as we grow, we learn all the negatives in this life and become so judgemental of our selves that it truely brings down our characters. We think that the way we look defines how we will be perceived. If I could silence the mental "fat girl" voice, I would in a heartbeat! Its like "SHUT UP VOICE" I know that with the determination I have inside that one day I will conquer this inner beast just like I am conquering the weight loss journey. I know that we all have critics and people who simply want you make you feel so bad about yourself but I will not allow this in my life anymore. I have learned to walk away from people who try to belittle my ambitions or try to break my character simply because they feel I should wear a size 2!

Children Fear No Judgement! Why do we?

Feeling Carefree... Are you?



I think curves are a beautiful thing and I think everyone should embrace their own individual curves! Its like OWN them, LOVE them and FLAUNT them! Since losing the weight I've realized I am not your typical model type with a very thin straight body, yet someone who has curves! I 'd rather have curves, be toned and healthy! So will you own your curves?

Thanks for Reading!
Ashley M.





Wow I've made it to Day 344....

Day 344: I can't believe I've made it this far without giving up, the drive for changing myself is so intense and it keeps growing as the time rolls on. I may not have lost 76 pounds in total but having lost almost 50 pounds in one year is a huge accomplishment for me. I have had injuries, tears, tons of sweat, frustration and successes. Everyone tells me I should be so proud of myself & not to be so hard on myself about losing the last few pounds I have to go. But I see it as I've come so far and why give up now, this has truely been a lifestyle change and I feel I've adjusted pretty well but I still have some work to do in order to perfect the things I've learned. My outlook within my self has changed but I still have those negative thoughts and my "fat girl" moments but my good days are out weighing the bad days! For that I am thankful for all those who have offered to help me along my journey. I've also learned to not listen to those people who think they can belittle my ambitions because I know I am much smarter, faster and more humble than they will ever dream to be. I let their words now roll off my back for the most part and try not to let them catch me off guard any longer. I am learning to channel my stress levels by using working out, yoga and meditation/prayer to assist me during my most stressful moments because life is simply too short. I'm learning to balance holding a full time career, attending a University full time and balancing my nutrition & workouts...somedays this isn't so simple and time management is very important. I've learned to let my inner BEAST come out and it helps me push through hard workouts and hard times. (Thank you Jon- For always encouraging that the BEAST always comes out!- BEAST MODE SON!!- You are the BEST!)

For those of you who feel you cannot do this or it's too hard, I used to feel the same way but just know when you are ready to make a change in your life it will be so worth it. Not just for being skinny but for overall health and wellness. Your mental health also changes and you start seeing your self changing and hearing all the positive things will make you feel happier. Just know when you are ready to have a good support system and know that I will support you heck, i'd probably tell you lets workout together! LOL.

Thanks again for reading and following my blog!
Ashley M.