Carol's Success Story

For me the joy of my job is to see a person flourish and at 64 years old (yes she wanted me to make sure you all knew how old she is and that there are no Spanx under that red dress!) Carol has started to sparkle. Her confidence has improved so much in the last few months it has been wonderful to see. She even lists her confidence boost as something that has surprised her the most about her journey.  I always say that you cannot lose weight in a silo and Carol is another great example that all areas of her life have seen change and improvements right along with her health.  What started as a way to get her cholesterol numbers in check as to not go on medication has grown into so much more. Our wellness is a journey and we should always be looking for ways to be a better version of ourselves. Carol is doing just that with new goals of working on her blood pressure medication, continuing to work on her bodyfat, and improving her balance.

Carol, like many people, may not have been significantly overweight, yet she was not where she feels the happiest at. In this situation support and understanding of why behavior change is important can be lacking from others, especially if your circle of influence may not be the healthiest themselves. To combat this remember to always go back to making change for yourself and keeping your goals and your why in the forefront of your mind! 

For Carol we overcame a lot of excuses like living 30 minutes in the country, traveling a lot to visit family, splitting time at home and at their cabin which made meal planning hard, and family preference of eating a certain way. We kept peeling the layers away and overcoming those barriers. Once she started to see success that really fueled her to continue making changes.  Carol has ​lost​ ​14 pounds​,​ ​11​ ​inches, and 8% bodyfat.

What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​biggest​ ​thing​ ​that​ ​you​ ​have​ ​had​ ​to​ ​change​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​be​ ​successful?

 I​ ​had​ ​to​ ​make​ ​exercising​ ​a​ ​priority.​ ​To​ ​keep​ ​myself​ ​on​ ​track​ ​at​ ​the​ ​beginning,​ ​I​ ​made​ ​a spreadsheet​ ​with​ ​all​ ​the​ ​exercises​ ​listed,​ ​and​ ​actually​ ​wrote​ ​down​ ​how​ ​many​ ​reps​ ​I​ ​did​ ​on what​ ​day.​ ​Then​ ​I​ ​gave​ ​it​ ​to​ ​Ashley​ ​when​ ​we​ ​met.​ ​It​ ​made​ ​me​ ​more​ ​accountable.​ ​(And yes,​ ​I’m​ ​an​ ​organization​ ​freak.)​ ​One​ ​tip​ ​she​ ​gave​ ​me​ ​was​ ​when​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​working out,​ ​to​ ​say​ ​to​ ​myself,​ ​“I’ll​ ​work​ ​out​ ​for​ ​10​ ​minutes.”​ ​Her​ ​theory​ ​was​ ​that​ ​once​ ​you​ ​get started​ ​and​ ​do​ ​at​ ​least​ ​10​ ​minutes,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​usually​ ​finish​ ​the​ ​workout.​ ​​ ​That​ ​works​ ​for me.

 There​ ​are​ ​still​ ​days​ ​when​ ​I​ ​struggle​ ​to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​priority.​ ​I​ ​have​ ​a​ ​full​ ​life,​ ​and​ ​always​ ​have something​ ​to​ ​do.​ ​​ ​I​ ​just​ ​tell​ ​myself​ ​that​ ​no​ ​one​ ​else​ ​can​ ​do​ ​this​ ​for​ ​me,​ ​and​ ​if​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​take care​ ​of​ ​myself,​ ​I​ ​can’t​ ​take​ ​care​ ​of​ ​the​ ​people​ ​I​ ​love.

 What​ ​surprised​ ​you​ ​most​ ​about​ ​this​ ​journey?

 I’m​ ​surprised​ ​at​ ​how​ ​strong​ ​and​ ​upbeat​ ​I​ ​feel.​ ​I’m​ ​basically​ ​a​ ​happy​ ​and​ ​confident person,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​had​ ​forgotten​ ​what​ ​it​ ​feels​ ​like​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in​ ​good​ ​shape. 

 What​ ​is​ ​your​ ​favorite​ ​workout/exercise?

 I​ ​LOVE​ ​the​ ​circuit​ ​training​ ​I​ ​do​ ​on​ ​the​ ​treadmill!​ ​When​ ​we​ ​are​ ​at​ ​our​ ​cabin,​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​have a​ ​treadmill,​ ​so​ ​I​ ​just​ ​do​ ​the​ ​same​ ​routine​ ​outdoors.​ ​Actually,​ ​I​ ​first​ ​became​ ​faithful​ ​about doing​ ​it​ ​regularly​ ​because​ ​of​ ​being​ ​outdoors.​ ​I​ ​do​ ​this​ ​routine​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​of​ ​3​ ​times​ ​a week​ ​and​ ​spend​ ​a​ ​little​ ​over​ ​an​ ​hour​ ​doing​ ​it.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​originally​ ​a​ ​30​ ​minute​ ​workout,​ ​but​ ​I keep​ ​expanding​ ​the​ ​time​ ​between​ ​exercises​ ​and​ ​increasing​ ​the​ ​difficulty​ ​and​ ​number​ ​of exercises.​ ​Listening​ ​to​ ​music​ ​on​ ​my​ ​headphones​ ​is​ ​a​ ​BIG​ ​help​ ​in​ ​motivation!

What​ ​advice/suggestions​ ​would​ ​you​ ​give​ ​others​ ​who​ ​are​ ​struggling?

Remember​ ​for​ ​whom​ ​you​ ​are​ ​doing​ ​this!​ ​It’s​ ​you!!​ ​Don’t​ ​let​ ​other​ ​people​ ​or​ ​that​ ​little inner​ ​voice​ ​distract​ ​you.​ ​YOU​ ​ARE​ ​WORTH​ ​IT!!!

Tami's Success Story

Consistency wins the race! Tami has been an awesome client to work with. Every single time we had weight and measurements she was consistently down 3-7 pounds in each five week interval. She has totally transformed her body with loosing over 45 pounds and 36 inches from her body. The reason for this success is her consistency with her choices. When she added a behavior change she stuck with it and is still seeing the benefits from the initial hard work each and every day. Help me in congratulating Tami on her success!

 

Here is Tami’s Journey in her own words:

Long ago, in college, I thought I was fat when I weighed 140 pounds.  That was the first time that I started dieting and really have done some sort of dieting ever since.  

Fast forward to March 2012 when my daughter started to workout with Ashley.  She was losing weight and having fun exercising and learning about nutrition and healthy lifestyles so, I decided that it seemed like a good idea to try it too. 

In addition to wanting to lose weight and be healthier, I had just been prescribed medication for my high cholesterol.  I was pretty sure that my lifestyle and weight was a big contributor to my need for medication.  In March 2013 at my yearly physical my doctor suggested that I go off of the medication because of my weight loss and exercise!  What a bonus, I’ve lost weight, feel great and have proven to be healthier. 

The biggest things that Tami changed in order to be successful:

I knew from the start that my biggest issues were mindless eating and polite eating.  I think everyone knows what mindless eating is, for us it was standing at the kitchen counter mowing through snacks while trying to decide what to have for dinner.  Polite eating is what I call it when you go to someone’s house for a gathering and there is a spread of food, including everyway that you can possibly use cream cheese.  Then I would mound my plate with food because, for some reason, I thought people cared what I was eating.  Once I started working out with Ashley I found that if I eat correctly during the day and make a plan for dinner, I could cut out many calories of mindless eating.  I also found out that no one cares what I’m eating at a gathering, everyone is way more concentrated on their own plate (BTW, I always bring things that are healthy to gatherings and they go as quickly as the delicious cream cheese items!)

Tami’s biggest surprise from the journey:

How patient I have been.  I had a lot of work to do and once I relaxed and realized that it didn’t matter how long it was going to take, that this is a lifelong change not a quick fix, everything seemed to fall into place.  It helped so much that my 2 daughters are also working with Ashley and that my husband is a HUGE supporter of the changes.  He has learned to love protein shakes and making new recipes and changing his habits too. 

Tami’s Favorite exercise:

Riding my bike around Lake Monona !  But, as a lifetime ‘wanna be’ runner, I decided now was the time to learn to run.  I have completed two 5 K’s and am working towards a 10K in the fall.  I’m slow but steady and have learned to look forward to my runs.

Tami’s advice/suggestions to others:

Put less focus on eating and more on exercise.  I can honestly say that I don’t feel like I diet anymore, I’ve really just changed the way I eat.  Try new things, even things that you thought you would never like, and then try them again.  Sometimes you have to give new things a few tries!  Try to find a good balance in the food that you eat and your exercise routine and remember to give yourself a break once in a while.

My favorite ‘Ashley’ saying is “Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels”! 

 

I know it’s a lifelong journey and I’m so happy to have taken the first step!

 

 

Tammy's Success Story

All of the clients that I work with are very different in their goals and what strategies I use in order for them to be successful. Many people have goals of weight loss, but for Tammy that was never really her main focus. When I first started to work with Tammy we had to do a lot of corrective stretches, core stabilizing, and learning of movement patterns. Tammy used to joke that the things I had her do for her workouts in the beginning became warm-up exercises as she progressed. For Tammy being active on her own was not in the cards, but with time her intrinsic motivation soared. Movement is an essential part of her life for more reasons than one. Tammy has done a phenomenal job of changing her lifestyle!

Here is a little of Tammy's story:

I have never been athletic or exercised regularly. The closer I got to 40 the more I felt like a slug. I couldn’t get up stairs without breathing hard, I had chicken wings under my arms, and my usual routine of “eat less to keep weight at bay” was not working. I tried gyms and blew a disc in my lower back, or had back pain each time I went back. Money spent on gym memberships was going to waste. I knew I needed something more.

I am good if I have to keep an appointment. I like having a routine, but not having to be the one to research and design it. And I like variety not the same old same old. That’s when I decided to try a personal trainer. I contacted Ashley and the rest is history.

I worked with Ashley for over a year and a half and loved it. Ok, ok, I HATED sweating but I LOVED the results. I bought a piece of exercise equipment to do cardio on my own, seeing definite changes in my body, and feeling great. I was eating better. I was choosing more activities versus sitting on the couch. I really didn’t lose a ton of weight, but that was never my goal. My goal was to be in better shape and feel better and that’s what I got. Oh yeah and no back pain.

I was off exercising for 3 months due to an accident. I went back to Ashley – because I trusted her – and in no time I was back up to my earlier performance. I tear up when I think about it. At one point I couldn’t walk without a walker and now I am dancing with my hubby again. It’s the best.

The biggest thing that Tammy had to change in order to be successful:

I had to change my outlook on exercise. I had to realize that being active is a lifestyle choice, not just 30 minutes, 3 times a week.

What surprised Tammy most about this journey:

How much other people noticed the changes that I felt were teeny, tiny. My confidence improved and that was never an intention. I don’t mind sprinting now, though no 10ks for me...but I never say never now. I eat well, but never say no to a favorite. The biggest thing, how much I missed moving when I was laid up in bed and couldn’t move. I am so blessed to have the ability to be active; I plan never to take it for granted again.

Tammy's advice for others who are struggling:

There is no better use of your time, or your money, than investing in your health. You do deserve it. It is as important as ANYTHING else you will invest money in, I promise. If you want someone who really cares about you – Ashley is an excellent choice.

Erin's Success Story

 

I am proud of all of my clients and their success is the greatest feeling ever. One of the biggest common threads that I have found with client's success is the change in the whole person. A great example of that is Erin. In the years time that I have worked with Erin she has lost 25 pounds, 10% of her body fat, and 17 inches from her hips, waist, chest, thigh and bicep. As you can see from the before and after pictures she looks amazing! These are just the physical changes. In order to get there she has made significant changes in all other aspects of her life. Her self confidence has soared and health and wellness is part of her lifestyle. Challenges that she faced in the begining of her journey are now solid habits. 

 


Erin said, "When I decided to start working out with a trainer, I told myself that I was going to give 100%. I really wanted to create a lifestyle change.  I wanted the things I did and learned to become my new norm. " That is exactly what she has done from her habits at home, work, and most importantly social situations.

Here is a little more about Erin and her success:

"I was always very active and fit in high school. I never really worried about food because I didn’t have to. When I got to college, things were a little different. Like most people, I embarked on some other extra-curricular activities that I enjoyed a little more than exercising! J They all resulted in empty alcohol calories, late night pizza’s and pretty much doing nothing the next day! After college, I would try to work out and get back into my high school shape but just could not get into a routine. Things would come up or I wouldn’t see change and I would quit. In August of 2011, I hurt my knee which put me back even more. In September, I was in a wedding and was very unhappy with my body. In October, I found Ashley! I was about 25 – 30 lbs overweight and I just didn’t know how I had lost myself to that point. I knew I had motivation but I also knew that I needed a little extra push to get to where I needed to be. That is exactly what I am getting by working out with Ashley. I also now have the tools and knowledge of what to do when I am on my own, both with exercise and eating."

"I would have to say that the biggest thing I had to change to become successful was my way of thinking. Your mind can be such a powerful thing. If you don’t think you can do something, you’re never going to be able to. "

"What surprised me the most of this journey is how successful I could be if I really put everything into it. I knew working out was not only a time investment but a financial one as well. I was going to make the most out of it no matter what. Ashley gave me so many handouts, recipes, tips, and workouts that I took in like a sponge. Every time we did weights and measurements I would see improvements, which also helped to keep me motivated with my lifestyle change. Another thing that really surprised me was how much I enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes. I became a farmer’s market junkie and am always looking for new ways to incorporate local fruits and vegetables into my meals." 
 

"I would tell anyone who is struggling to quit making excuses and get started.  Even the smallest changes make a difference. Most importantly, don’t depend on small changes, you have to make a big change in your thinking.  Since you’re altering your lifestyle there’s no need to put a time limit on the changes.  We all want the weight to come off fast, but it takes time.  And it’s not all about the weight (well, it’s mostly about the weight) but it’s also about being healthy."

 

"Being patient is hard. I try to remember that there are a lot of factors that influence my actions, but in the long run, I have to be in control.  In those moments that I waver, I now know how to rebound quickly and get back on track."

Erin has already been a motivation to others. It was always amazing when she started altering her choices in situations as well as her environment how others were intrigued and benefited as well. When others start making changes an even stronger support system develops and all the habits you have worked on are so much easier!