This week has been a turning point for me both personally and professionally.
Unfortunately, as you all can tell, I haven’t exactly been sharing everything daily on the blog. This isn’t because I can’t or don’t want to. It’s merely because after a week of burning the candle from both end when I was in Paris and Geneva I decided that the only way I’d keep from getting sick was to sleep this week. 
Each night when I walked through the door I gave Bo a quick hug and kiss before collapsing in bed.
So, back to why this week was a turning point. Well, I spent over sixty hours at the office between Monday and Friday, even though Monday was supposed to be a holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The beautiful thing about this sixty hour work week is that it reaffirmed just how much I love my new role. I am blessed to have a career that I love at a company for which I never want to leave. I am blessed to be surrounded by people who push me on a daily basis, challenge me to manage the business, make decisions, and come to my side when I need support. What I love even more is that they are just all around great people.
I was worried that my new role wouldn’t be everything I hoped when I first accepted it. But, in the few short months that I’ve been 100% in the role it’s evolved to be more than I ever expected and has added a few new facets which have challenged me but are also helping me grow as a leader, colleague and decision maker within my organization. Without the strength and support of my colleagues, none of this would have been possible and for that I’m ever thankful.
Bo and I both work long hours during the week but we both discussed at length last night just how blessed we are to be doing what we both love. There are always good days and bad days at work but there is nothing more assuring than when you can look at yourself in the mirror before heading to work and smile because you are looking forward to the day.
On the personal side, I woke up Tuesday morning and decided to face the scale. After a wonderful week of traveling I wasn’t exactly sure what numbers would flash on the scale but I knew that I felt great. The numbers that graced the screen were 3 digits I haven’t seen in four years. The past month of holidays, travel, celebration, and long hours have been favorable to my body as I’m back to my goal weight set with Weight Watchers when I started my weight loss journey in 2005. I started the journey at 195 pounds and today am at my happy weight of 156 pounds. What’s even more important than the number on the scale is the way I feel these days. In one word I’ve felt confident. Confident enough to finally try Barry’s Bootcamp, confident enough to spend night after night on the dance floor in a foreign country, confident enough to make decisions at work, and confident enough to push myself in different ways.
Over the past four years I’ve moved in with Bo and started working from an office, all of which have caused my weight to fluctuate. Between marathon training and enjoying life in New York City it’s been hard to find a happy balance. But then, after the marathon, I decided that I was tired of trying and figured that I’d take some time post marathon just to see what my body wanted to do naturally. I’ve been eating what I crave, enjoying wine, and working out consistently. The trick is all about intuitive eating and drinking. When I’m craving something, I eat it but in a small portion.
For example, last week in Geneva and Paris I didn’t sacrifice enjoying local specialties just because it may include heavy cheese or loads of butter. I enjoyed it, stopped when I was satiated and then focused on staying active. For some people ,this is how they live their entire life and never have to think about it. Those people are blessed. For those of us who have experienced years of fighting with food and balance, it is a magical moment when life tips in our favor.
In addition, Bo and I both broke up with our personal trainers on Tuesday morning. There is no ill will between us and though I worried and thought about the decision for longer than I ever should have, Lauren, my trainer, articulated the end of our relationship perfectly. They taught us how to lift, use our bodies, and go through effective workouts so now it’s time for us to continue on our own. Over the past 18 months Lauren took me from a cardio queen to someone who does 45 minute weight workouts by choice when traveling. I am able to push through 45 pushups, use kettle bells, know my way around the weight room, and have confidence to try new classes and moves solo or with friends. We have both become independent enough that we’ll do boot camps together without needing the support of a personal trainer.
So for now, I’m relishing the fact that we’ve both found balance in our lives from a health and work standpoint that has left us happier than ever.
Congratulations! That must be a wonderful feeling.
Congratulations Ashley! Those are fantastic awareness and really enjoying life as it is!
I too have been in the midst of my own personal turning point. I am learning and accepting that I can too live a balanced life. I am staying focus on taking simple actions and really trusting my body/intuition. Life is easier and loving.
oh ashley i am so happy for you. and you are right we must listen to our bodies and go from there. i know weight has been a struggle for you and i am so pleased that your battle may be over. you look radiant and healthy and happy!
What an incredible post! I’m SO HAPPY FOR YOU friend and this post made me smile for you. I’m so proud of you! You are such a STRONG, confident and beautiful person, inside and out, and I’m so happy to have met you this year. Now, teach me all the things 😉
Congratulations Ashley! It must feel wonderful to be in such an amazing place personally and professional. Truly the result of all of your hard work. You can really see how happy you are in these pictures. Enjoy it!
Love this post – you look great – physically but also the glow you have from happiness and inner peace shows through as well. I also can’t believe how sylish you look in your travel pics – keep up whatever you are doing 🙂
I’m glad you feel so at peace at this point in your life. During my college years I struggled with healthy eating and a balance, but now I too can confidently say I feel a balance with my lifestyle choices and enjoy food and going out in moderation. I still have a ways to go in other aspects of my life, but this is one huge starting point that sets the foundation for other things. 🙂 Have a good weekend!
Congratulations lady! This post made me really happy and gives me hope that I will soon hit my turning point too, not so much in weight loss but in life. 🙂
Ashley – such a great journey you continue to live! I love checking in to see how you are doing and I am so happy for you personally and professionally. Let’s catch up – love to know what you are working on these days.
Your story of so inspiring! May I ask how tall you are? Also how did you decide on Weight Watchers?
I am SO incredibly excited for you!! Congratulations on find balance and reaching a place of joy and happiness!
Thanks Ashley! I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support over the years!
Amazing! So happy to hear of your successes personally and professionally!
Thanks Clare! It’s nice to be so happy right now!
Been reading your blog but never commented. I am so happy for you. I did notice that you are looking mighty fabulous lately. So odd, but just last week I was searching for “weightloss” topic on your blog. Trying to see what you’ve been doing to look this great. I am so happy for you. I am hoping to get to the same place you are. I too struggle with my weight. I work hard to get in a somewhat decent shape. Your journey inspire me to continue working for my health and life.
Super inspiring! Congrats to you in all of the personal and professional successes! xoxo
Thanks Gwen! I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s amazing support over the years!
Wow, it sounds like your life is pretty great right now! That’s awesome that you’ve been doing so well with your weight training that you’re able to do it on your own now, without a personal trainer. Congratulations! And it sounds like, even though you weren’t totally happy with what you saw on the scale, that you did a good job maintaining balance while you were on vacation. Good for you! 🙂
Thanks Miranda. Life is pretty amazing right now. Oh, trust me, I was VERY happy with what the scale said. I haven’t been back in the 150’s for 4 years!
I love your bracelets. Where are they from?.
Thank you Aleece! The bracelets are David Yurman. I was gifted one for my 18th birthday and another for my 21st!
Great post and reflection! Hitting that turning point is truly life changing. Congrats on “breaking up” with your trainer — I am sure that she considers you an awesome success story.
Thanks Michelle! The break up wasn’t easy but it was needed and yes, she feels great about the progress I made!
loved this post, and you look great in your work outfit! So slim!
Thanks Charlie!
You really do radiate confidence lately. I <3 you! You are truly beautiful both inside and out.
Love this post and congrats!!! It’s wonderful to have found that balance and to know and understand what it takes to nurture your body! I’ve come to feel that way recently, and it’s so comforting to finally feel in sync with my body, and I feel so grateful for the one I’ve been given!
Congratulations! So happy you have found a balance in life and work right now. Thanks for always being so honest, its so refreshing.
Thanks Dana for all your support and kind words! I try to always be honest because it’s way too hard to be anything different with y’all!
This is a really beautiful and inspiring post. So much so that I returned just now to read it again a week later! Everyone deserves to experience life in the way you have described.