There was no big, dramatic event that was a catalyst to my lifestyle change. At the end of my junior year of college, in May 2005, I simply decided that I was tired of being fat and wearing plus-size clothes, so I returned to my hometown for the summer and got a gym membership. I started working out when time allowed, as I was balancing an internship and a part-time job. Most days that summer, I’d log 20 to 30 minutes on the elliptical machine, and it felt great. I don’t like the scale (I gauge my progress by how my clothes fit) but I did weigh myself after about a week of working out and the number was just over 300 pounds. I wore a size 24W. I am 5 feet, 8 inches tall.
Changing the way you’d lived for 20 years doesn’t happen overnight, though, and I continued to lose weight and learn about fitness and nutrition throughout my senior year of college. It was tough, given the fried foods, late-night pizza runs and delicious beer everywhere in a college town, but losing weight as a college student taught me the fine art of moderation.
My weight loss has taken longer than most because I have the strain of polycystic ovarian syndrome that causes insulin resistance. This was not diagnosed until September 2008, after hitting a six-month weight loss plateau. I take metformin, which is a generic version of glucophage, to correct this and have had no issues since.
In June 2009, I started running to switch up my fitness program. I never thought I’d be a runner, but in September 2009, I completed my first 5K race. I really enjoy running, and I’m excited for my future as a runner. (It still feels funny to call myself a runner!)
I love working out, but eating well does not come easily to me — I love meats, cheeses, breads and sauces! This, actually is how I ended up weighing 300 pounds — I love food and eat for taste. Losing weight and changing my lifestyle taught me a different way of loving food — I still love to eat, I just eat healthier foods now. There are lots of vegetables I actually like (I never, ever ate veggies before) and even more that I’m learning to like.
As for the pizza, cheeseburgers, french fries and mozzarella sticks that I loved so much? I still love them. I still eat them — but I recognize that they are a treat and not something I can eat every day.
I now weigh around 180 pounds, and the doctor who diagnosed me said that ideally, I should be in the 155 to 160 range. Even when it’s controlled, PCOS makes weight loss a little more difficult. To lose the last 20ish pounds, I’m focusing more on strength training and a low-carb, high protein diet.
My weight loss journey has shown me the power of positive thinking and taught me that above all else, health is priority No. 1. If you’re not healthy, you can’t experience life to the fullest — which is what I strive for everyday.
You can e-mail me at fashionablyfitashley@gmail.com
31 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 6, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Alvina
Hi,
I really like your blog and your weight loss is amazing. I also have PCOS and am trying to manage it. Do you find that the symptoms are easier to control since you lost the weight?
January 6, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Ashley
Hi, Alvina!
Losing weight definitely helps with PCOS. I did not have a regular menstrual cycle for four years, from age 17 to 21, and after six months of working out and losing weight (about 40 pounds), my cycle returned and was like clockwork until I hit a plateau two years later.
The metformin has helped with what was by far the worst symptom for me, the monstrous appetite, but that was caused by my insulin resistance (which is connected to the PCOS).
January 6, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Gelareh @ Orange Truffle
Congrats! What an amazing and inspiring story 🙂
January 7, 2010 at 10:03 am
Alexandri Flor
Very nice article, and I am glad to see that you have finally got control of your weight. It is a matter of choice and eating habbits.
Please don’t fall in the trap like many others who have lost a lot of weight and regained even more a couple months down the road. It is a lifestyle change and controlling what you eat will be a lifetime quest.
Alexandri
losscoach-alexandri.com/
January 7, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Nicole Miller
Hi Ashley, My daughter Katie Fit to Wed told me about your blog. Congratulations on your weight loss. Your story is very inspirational to me. I am on the road for a healthy 2010 and am trying to become a runner (well jogger).
February 26, 2010 at 9:33 am
Dori
You have such an inspiring story — and you look really great now. I am sure you will get to your ultimate goal.
February 26, 2010 at 10:40 pm
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March 21, 2010 at 2:23 pm
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Hey… I’m having a bit of problem with the with the layout of the page. For some reason the text block is getting mixed with the edge. I don’t know if it’s just me or have other people mentioned this? Just wanted to let you know in case you’ve beenupdating the si
March 27, 2010 at 11:50 am
Sabine Rivette
You pointed 100 % exact.I If i could add just couple words with reference to my expertise, i used to be 267 pounds and i managed to take eighty three pounds off, it wasn’t simple and it was anything but healthy , i used to be starving ,taking varied pills and always training-consequence was dehydrations,weaknes,depressions……you title it, health security,proper plan and realistic objective with a motivation to change way of life ought to always be a part of weight reduction, in any other case you would be fighting whole life with a identical problem -lose few pounds-get them again and again and again and again……
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March 31, 2010 at 3:05 pm
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April 4, 2010 at 12:34 pm
hundredtenpounds
You look absolutely amazing! Good for you!!!!!!! You did it the right way too. My weakness was always sweets. I try to limit my sugar now (and it’s a struggle some days). But losing over 100 pounds definitely changes the way you think about yourself and the food you eat. I started running about a year ago to train for the Hood to Coast 197 mile relay this summer. Now that I run, I really look at food as FUEL more than I ever did when I was losing weight.
April 20, 2010 at 9:58 am
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April 21, 2010 at 12:20 pm
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What an inspiring story! I am enjoying reading your blog
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April 26, 2010 at 11:36 am
MelissaNibbles
You are an inspriring woman. Thank you for sharing and for everything you do to help others.
Love those tights!!
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June 10, 2010 at 11:47 am
Kim @ Imperfectly Perfect
Great job!! You look wonderful! Thank you for sharing your story. 🙂
June 10, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Denise
You are amazing and you look great. Congratualtions on your weight loss!
June 10, 2010 at 6:51 pm
rebekah (clarity in creation.)
you are incredible! i have insulin-resistant PCOS too, and am glad to hear you are managing it so well!
-rebekah
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July 29, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Marilou
Hey, I’ve just found your blog and your story is very similar to mine 🙂 Congrats on your amazing journey! I’m lokking forward to reading more 🙂
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Your story is truly an inspiration! Thank you!
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