Ahhhh, I’m so excited to finally share this incredible transformation story!  Y’all this woman is an absolute force!  We met through our kids’ daycare and I knew the moment she came into my life that she was a mover and a shaker.  She has the most infectious spirit and exudes light and positivity.  It wasn’t until I got to know her that I learned that while she was always taking care of the needs of others, she struggled to take care of herself.  I am so thankful that she allowed me the opportunity to guide her on her health and wellness journey.  Without further ado, here is Ashley’s incredibly inspiring Transformation Story!

“My name is Ashley Miller and I’m writing this testimonial to share my Beachbody experience and how much it has changed my life.

I have battled my weight for decades- I have memories of ‘dieting’ in fourth grade! I tried every avenue growing up and by age 17 I was working out for 3 hrs a day with insane workout videos and ridiculous diets. I struggled with anorexia and bulimia.  Due to this insane yo-yo dieting and extremely unhealthy habits in my younger years, I greatly damaged my metabolism and had to work even harder in my twenties to keep the weight off.

After the birth of my 11lb 14oz daughter when I was 28, my weight truly spun out of control. Not only could I not get the baby weight off – but I was in a high stress job, had mommy guilt over the hours my daughter was in someone else’s care- and put everything and everyone else before myself. I would see pictures of myself and I didn’t even recognize who I had become. I missed out on so much during the early years with my daughter because I didn’t feel good about myself. I hardly have any baby pictures of her and I together because seeing myself in photos truly made me sick. And I just kept putting the weight on.

In 2015 I had my son and my husband and I made the choice for me to stay at home after his birth. We had to move to a town further away from his job to make this work financially for us. After we moved, I didn’t know anyone in our new town and the adjustment of a new baby and a toddler, and staying home for 12+hours a day with them without my husband has difficult- to say the least.

In the fall of 2015, I was stressed to the max and had had enough. My father had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, finances were tight, almost everyday I was having “mommy breakdowns” and the stress of how I felt about myself was taking a toll on my parenting – as well as my marriage.

One day I just put the kids in their stroller and started jogging. Between stopping for kids and just not having the endurance to go any faster, the first day it took me 18 minutes to do one mile.  After that, I committed to walking or running everyday after that. I even signed up for a 5k in November to help “keep me accountable”.

During this time a dear friend of mine, and inspirational mommy, Jen Thorn, reached out to me to join a virtual bootcamp. I wasn’t sure about the whole Beachbody “thing” and Shakeology, and really couldn’t make it work financially to purchase it all. BUT, she didn’t lose hope in me and inspired me to start with a 30-day exercise challenge workout plan- where you perform a different set of exercises each day (pushups, burpees, situps, lunges, etc.). I was hooked! My husband even joined with me in some of the workouts- and being able to hold myself accountable through a private Facebook group was so helpful.
However, during this time I was focusing mainly on a “low-carb” diet. I did lose weight, but found myself WAY over eating because in my heat I told myself: “as long as it’s low carb, I can eat all day”! Not to mention, it was difficult to get through some workouts and keep up my breastfeeding supply with this way of eating.

Then in March of 2016, Jen reached out to me again and asked if I wanted join a one of her virtual boot camps. It was awful, yet perfect timing; we were about to move into a new house, I had fallen off the jogging wagon over the holidays, and the stress of finding a new place to live….. But I knew I had to make a drastic change and make some smart financial decisions so I could afford a Beachbody Challenge Pack that comes with a complete workout program and Shakeology. In April, I started the 21 Day Fix Extreme, and I have never looked back. I would sell a pair (or five) of shoes to buy my Shakeology every month. It’s not just a “protein” shake; it’s a nutrient packed, no sugar, no artificial anything drink that has kept this mommy on a health kick without feeling deprived of something yummy.

I am about to wrap up my second round of 21 Day Fix and I’m down 2 pants sizes. Yes, in nearly 42 days (with a few cheat moments here and there) I have lost 6 inches in my hips, 4 in from my waist, and 2 in from my thighs. Workouts I couldn’t get through thirty days ago, I can now get through and I have even been able to increase the weights I use during my workouts. Now, one day without exercise is like a day without brushing my teeth. In a world where I have felt like I couldn’t control anything in my life (my husband’s long work hours, my father’s fast progressing illness, working on my Graduate degree and stressing on deadlines), my workouts and my nutrition have been the one thing I can control. It’s my happy place… I’m a better wife, a better mother, a better friend, and a better person because of this program. My husband tells me daily how good I look. My neighbors and family can’t believe the transformation in such a little time. I’ve cut my mile time on my jogs by a full minute in 40 days. I can do 5+ miles without stopping. I sleep better. My clothes fit me, and some are even loose! Imagine what another 40 days will do?!

Ashley before and after just two rounds of the 21 Day Fix Extreme:

I owe this life change to Jen and her faith in me. She kept trying until I was ready. She kept me accountable and, on days that I struggled, she told me no one is perfect and to keep at it. She helped me get my nutrition in check and ensured that my calories were enough to keep up my breast milk supply. She shared her own struggles and led by example – not by perfection.

I am now on my own journey as a Beachbody coach because I believe in their programs and the impact they can have on someone’s life. I have signed up for two more races and my friends want to join me. They see the changes, not just physically, but mentally. I owe it all to Beachbody and Jen. I cannot stress enough the change this program can bring you with the right mindset and coach. You are worth it.

Once you make that choice & decide not to look back- the possibilities of where you’ll take your body and mind are endless!”

I am so proud of this amazing friend, mom and wife and all that she has accomplished in such a short amount of time!  She is an inspiration to me and I hope her story inspires you!