Ashley Ate 6 Times a Day, Did CrossFit 6 Times a Week, and Completely Transformed Her Body

On Nov. 18, 2017, Ashley was hospitalized for the fourth time for alcoholism. "On that day, I almost died. I was around 200 pounds, depressed, and thought there was no way out," Ashley told POPSUGAR. "My entire life had fallen apart, and you could say that was below my rock bottom. It was at that moment I literally had an epiphany and decided to change my entire life around."

After leaving the hospital on Nov. 26, 2017, Ashley checked herself into a rehabilitation center, where she began her new life and got sober. "During that time, I made a decision that I wanted to live a healthy and happy life," she said. "I researched fitness programs and found CrossFit." She looked for a box nearby and found one within walking distance behind the rehab center. She was able to leave the rehab center during certain times of the day and was permitted to go to CrossFit.

In January 2018, Ashley started going to CrossFit six days a week. "It offered not only an exercise regimen but an entire community and a complete new way of life," she said. "I used this as my new foundation and support group. It really became an immediate passion of mine."

In the beginning of her weight-loss journey, Ashley was eating the food she was given at the rehab center, which wasn't ideal or the healthiest. But she did the best with what she had and was starting to feel much better.

The CrossFit box she attended also offered nutrition seminars, and she learned about the benefits of the keto diet. "Due to my limited income and kitchen accessibility at the time, this was a good option for me," she said. Between that and going to CrossFit, Ashley was able to lose 47 pounds. "I was very disciplined in my efforts and put in 100 percent each and every day."

About halfway through the year, Ashley learned about the macro-based Renaissance Periodization (RP) diet through some of her fellow athletes at the box. "After seeing the amazing testimonies and results, I was convinced that this would be the perfect option for me."

On Aug. 13, 2018, after graduating rehab, Ashley started her "first cut" on the RP diet. "This is what helped me finally transform in the last leg of my weight-loss journey!" she said. "This template system was amazing in the fact that it literally teaches you so much about what and when to eat and how your body responds to it." Within the first couple weeks, she began to see the composition changes in her body and her overall health.

"I ended my cut on Nov. 17, 2018, and was absolutely overjoyed with my results. For me, the weight loss was phenomenal, of course, but more importantly was the person I became through all this," Ashley said. From August until December 2018, Ashley lost the last 14 pounds.

Ashley follows the RP Maintenance 1 plan, eating six meals total spaced between two to four hours apart. This is the breakdown of her macros:

Pre-workout: protein shake with 30 grams of whey in Gatorade
Meal 1: 25 grams lean protein, 25 grams carbs, 2 cups veggies
Meal 2: 25 grams lean protein, 2 cups veggies
Meal 3: 25 grams lean protein, 2 cups veggies
Meal 4: 25 grams lean protein, 10 grams fat, 2 cups veggies
Bedtime: 39 grams casein, 20 grams fat

Ashley had struggled with confidence and self-esteem her entire life. "I never really had passions or truly appreciated anything," she said. Her whole outlook on life now is filled with such gratitude every single day, and she's continuously impressed by the physical goals she's able to hit in CrossFit. She's enjoying every step of this journey.

"I believe it is my honor to pay it forward and help others with whatever their goals are," she said. "My whole life now is about CrossFit, faith, family, health, and fitness, and the power of positive mindset!"

Throughout her transformation, Ashley learned it's all about your mindset and your perception. "If you want to make a change, you need to believe you are capable of making it, believe in yourself, and visualize the outcome," she said. "For me, it was becoming a fit and active person, and I was able to watch the beauty of life unfold right in front of me."

Here's some advice Ashley wants to share for anyone trying to reach weight-loss or fitness goals: