Body Transformation: Maureen Ashley Body Transformation

Maureen Ashley’s Story

I am a personal trainer.  I know it’s probably weird to think that trainers hire trainers…but I did.  I had a real issue with the fact that I didn’t look like a trainer.  I “thought” I ate pretty healthy.  I worked out pretty hard.  I did triathlons, ran a couple marathons…but still NOTHING!  If I can talk the talk, I needed to walk the walk, better then all of my clients.

I wanted to give them someone to look up to.  If I could overcome my issues..so could they.  I have such a passion for the health and fitness field that it killed me that I could never get to that fitness level that I so wanted to achieve.  I had gone to watch figure shows time and time again.  All of my friends would always ask me when it was my turn to get up there.  I always answered with “it’s just not the right time”.  Well, I finally had a revelation that there would never be the perfect time. I was about to turn 35 and wasn’t happy with the way I looked and the way I felt about myself.

I wasn’t going to celebrate another birthday feeling like I fell short of another dream.  So I called on a pro for help,  Nicole Wilkins-Lee. She was exactly what I needed.  She saw potential in me that I could have never seen in myself.  She stripped my eating habits to only whole clean foods.  No alcohol…no nothing! She set me up on a full strength training/cardio routine.  I thought I worked out hard until I did a few sessions with her…she brought my ego back down quicker than I could do a jump squat. She was always available to me for questions, concerns and a little motivational push when I needed it.

She also gave me the confidence I needed in order to step outside of my comfort zone and finally feel happy with the person that stared back at me every morning.  I am a very modest, shy person.  But there I was 4 months later, on stage in a bikini posing in front of a few hundred people.  I had never felt so beautiful and proud in one shining moment.  Nicole brought out a confident and strong woman that I never realized was even there.  The whole experience changed my life.

It changed how I train people.  I have much more of an understanding of how to better help my clients reach their goals.  I more importantly accept myself for who I am and never sell myself short of what I would like to achieve.  I realized that if you want something bad enough then you will make the sacrifices to get there.  It’s a not a matter of wanting something…..it’s how bad!  It’s that motivation that burns like a fire within you that nobody can put out! Yes, I did transform my body…..but it was inevitable that my mind was going to follow in those same footsteps.

Lifestyle Prior To Change

My lifestyle prior to this change was what I thought was “working out”.  I ate fairly healthy: fruits, vegetables, complex carbs. I allowed myself one cheat day on the weekend.  I worked about about 5 days/week.  Lifted weights, primarily total body workouts.  Cardio consisted of “go through the motions” cardio.  Not sure why I wasn’t pushing the edge but my awakening to a real tough program began when I started prepping for the figure show.

What was your turning point?

My turning point was when my 35th birthday was looming.  I just wanted to be in the best shape of my life in a time when most start to let their health go.

What Was Your Exercise And Diet Plan?

I did a split routine.

I did anywhere from 5-7 days/week of cardio for at least 60 min and working up to 90 minutes.

My diet consisted of 5 meals/day.

• Meal 1: 4 egg whites, 1/2 cup oatmeal.
• Meal 2: Protein shake with water, small apple.
• Meal 3: Protein with vegetables.
• Meal 4: Protein with vegetables.
• Meal 5: Protein shake with water, handful of almonds.

What Is Your Current Eating Plan?

My current eating plan is 6 meals/day.

Pretty much the same as above with the addition of another meal with protein and vegetables, I can also include some dairy such as Greek yogurt each day.  I try to maintain a clean diet throughout the week and may have a “cheat” meal on the weekend.  But my cheat wouldn’t be fast food…it might be a bagel with peanut butter.  Which may not sound like a cheat for most…but when you don’t have those types of carbs…it’s heaven!  Don’t get me wrong, I do have pizza from time to time.  But it’s not part of my weekly diet anymore.

What supplements do you use?

Supplements I tend you use now are whey/casein protein, glutamine, EFA’s, multivitamin, calcium, B complex, vitamin C.  I switch up the brands and might throw in a protein bar here and there if I don’t have time to sit down and eat.

What Is Your Life Like Now?

My life is very different now.  I couldn’t believe how different I felt after cleaning up my diet and my life.  I would constantly say “so this is how I am supposed to feel”.  I don’t really drink alcohol anymore. I really try to eat as close to contest prep as I can but I am far from perfect.  I can finally give my clients the support that they need.  I have been there and have done it.  So when they say “it can’t be done”!  I am there to tell them that it can, but it’s not easy.  You have to want it for yourself and not for anyone else.

I now surround myself with individuals that support my new lifestyle.  I am rarely seen at the bar on a Friday night but you might see me on a stepmill instead.  It’s not something that is done in one week or even one month.  Look at it as a lifestyle change.  I would find a goal such as, I want to run a 10k.  Then make a plan of attack.  Then take it one day at a time to get there.  Don’t scold yourself for missing a workout, just pick yourself back up and keep moving forward.  Just take one change at a time and before you know it, you will be on the right path.