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Time To Make A Change? Get Inspiration From Ashlie Allen

photo provided Ashlie Allen started her journey not comfortable with her body. She finished with a new look, a new energy and a passion to coach others! Talk about successful New Years' Resolutions!

photo provided Looking for inspiration and for a home team, Ashlie Allen's family was hers!

Monday December 23, 2013

By Cookie Steponaitis

The time has come for New Year Resolutions, those ideas for personal growth or change that we make every year and start with purpose, zest and enthusiasm. However for most of us the resolve has waned and the goals that looked so plausible have fallen by the wayside by the end of January to be replaced by old habits and demands of the day.
However, for some people the motivation to change not only starts well but becomes life altering as achievement of goals lead to health, increased happiness and lifestyles that exceed the initial expectations. Their stories inspire and make us realize that big goals begin with small steps and over time change becomes a way of life as in the case of Addison County resident Ashlie Allen. “I knew for a long time that I needed to get my body to a healthier place,” remarked mother, wife and full time college student Ashlie Allen. “I was overweight, unhappy with my body and super self-conscious in most of my getting-tighter-by-the-minute clothes. I was in this cycle of wanting to make a change and not knowing how to get started so I just continued to eat without paying any attention to how good or bad it was and stayed completely sedentary. Then I got the invitation. Simple as that. An invitation to change. An invitation for support. An invitation to get some help in accomplishing my health and fitness goals. It was an invitation to join a challenge group using Beachbody programs and Shakeology. That’s when everything changed.”
Ashlie, like millions of Americans has tried diets including powder, workouts, gym memberships, bars, fads and hopped on board with every new gimmick or approach that came out. She would quickly lose motivation, find herself gaining back weight and feel lost and down about her lack of progress. While Allen is not saying that her program choice is for everyone, she is willing to share the difference this time that has allowed her not only success but changing her life for the better. “I felt accountable to myself and others,” shared Allen. “This time I was a part of a support network and a group focused on keeping in touch, utilizing social media and sharing the ups and downs of our journeys. We complained how sore our legs were and shared healthy recipes. It was a breath of fresh air.”
 Ashlie Allen’s goals are similar to millions of Americans each year. “My goals for my body were the same they had always been,” reflected Allen. “I wanted to get back down to my pre-baby body and really to just be comfortable in front of my husband or swimming with my kids. I wanted to be healthy and active. I wanted to take my ‘skinny’ wardrobe out of the dark corners of my closet FOREVER!” Allen shared at length not only did her coaching support staff online help her achieve but her husband encouraged her when she hit a physical wall or lost the motivation to keep training. The change occurred for Ashlie when she completed not only her training but became a coach for others.
Allen, in sharing her story with others hopes to be realistic in not only what worked but what did not. “Using a food journaling app called myfitnesspal to keep my nutrition on track was crucial,” shared Allen. “Shakeology was an amazing benefit- being non-GMO and giving me the chance to have something that was so nutritionally dense but also so good! Having workouts that were short but intense were a major factor too. It was a quick workout and as a busy lady that really worked for me. What didn’t work is simple. I assumed I would nail each challenge without facing setbacks. I had to allow myself to live and eat foods I wanted in moderation. Being real and having real expectations is one of the biggest ways to help boost your success.”
Ashlie has loss to date 32 pounds and 36.5 inches off her body which includes six inches from her waist. Allen has already exceeded her original goal and now is working on core strength training taking her own fitness to a new personal level. “My long-term goal is to be an inspiration to others and to help end the trend of obesity and weight-related illness in America,” reflect Allen. “I have a personal goal to help at least one person from every state in the country and to keep on going from there. I’ve made a goal to open and coach a new challenge group every month of my first year as a coach. I hope that it reaches as many people as possible and sparks a change within our community that radiates out to even more.”
With News Years rapidly approaching, Allen is cheerleading for people to start small and keep motivated. “Try again, try again, and try again,” concluded Allen. “Ask for help. Push yourself! Seek out a coach! You are worth it!” Health is more than a goal, it is life style.
Happy Holidays from all of the staff of the Valley Voice and may each of us find in the New Year the passion and commitment of people like Ashlie Allen who started small and then expanded their goal into a way of life! Congratulations Ashlie!

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