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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Real and Honest

This post has been a long time coming. 

Last month I bought these pants as "goal pants".  I tried them on, not knowing if they would fit and the did!  They are more snug than I would like them to be, but they fit.  Ever since then, they have been hanging, just like this, on my mirror as motivation.  I see them everyday, several times a day.  I have yet to try them on again.  Not sure when I will.   But I do know my ultimate goal is to wear them when I go to StL in June.  


 Last night I somehow developed the courage to put my bikini on and take a picture.  I sent the picture to Mel as an accountability thing.  Now today, I'm sharing it with all of you.  Before I do though, please know I am a work in progress.  I have never loved what I see when looking in the mirror wearing in a bikini or less.  I wrote about that here.  In the last three months I have been incorporating more strength training and less cardio into my gym routine.  I am starting to see progress.  

I posted this on IG a couple weeks ago.  It didn't bother me, mostly because my upper body isn't my "problem area".  I carry my weight in my hips and thighs.  My upper body has never been especially strong, so I was excited to see this much progress.  

As for the rest of me.  Please know as I type this, I am having a huge internal debate with myself about pushing "publish".  I know once it's out there, I can't take it back.  Please be kind.


Please don't ask how much I weight, because I don't know.  I use to get on the scale far too often.  I'm talking several times a day.  When I started incorporating weights into my workout routine, I stopped weighing myself.  It wasn't easy, but I did it.  I am trying not to focus so much on the number on the scale and more on how I feel.  While I do feel better, I don't yet feel great.  Like I said, I am a work in progress.

This is real.
This is me.  And I have feelings.

16 comments:

  1. Awesome...you can definitely tell that you work hard.
    Keep up the good work! :)

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  2. I am so stinking proud of you! You know I think your hot but that's besides the point... I have come a long way but I can't wait until I can share one of these pictures and be proud of it. Clothed I am fine... naked or in a swim suit is a whole different territory for me... LOVE YOU LADY!

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  3. I think you look great!! Especially the abs, nice work!

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  4. You look fabulous! I know that we always are our own worst critics, but it is obvious that your hard work has really paid off. Gorgeous!

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  5. YAY!!!!!!!!!!! You look so good Ash - I swear you do... You are doing such an awesome job at the gym too. So proud of you...

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  6. You look awesome!!
    Please share your upper body workouts. While my upper body is (also) not my "problem" area, I feel it could certainly use some work.
    Did I mention you look awesome?!!!

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  7. You look awesome!! Wish I was as brave as you to post a picture of myself anywhere! But maybe if I looked as amazing as you I would be!! Keep rocking the gym!

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  8. you look freaking amazing!!!!!! girl, you should not be ashamed at all, you are rocking that swimsuit!

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  9. Girl, you look great!! It's easy to see you are working hard. Keep up the awesome work.

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  10. Thanks for sharing girl, I think you look like an "after" picture in your bikini! Where is it from? I love how the top looks :) I broke up with the scale too after I started lifting more and I love the progress you can see. Can't wait to meet you in Ft. Wayne!

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  11. You look so great - can you share some of your workouts?? This girl is gym-challenged - for the weight side - I need some help :) You look awesome!!

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  12. Note to self... don't wear a swimsuit around you and Mel. You are looking hot!!

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  13. Hholy shit, Ashley. Uh, I'll be in a swimsuit with a t-shirt over it in June... if you need anyone to rub sunblock on you... hahahaha Seriously, you look hella awesome!

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  14. You look amazing. Seriously. I'm with Holly - I will be hiding with a bathing suit cover-up if we are together during summer!

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  15. You look AMAZING!!! Like super duper fantastic!! It takes 1/2 a second to zoom right in on your progress! You look so lean and fit! Abs look so awesome!! I know how hard it is to feel comfortable in your own skin, and truly see, the hard work paying off. But girl, you seriously look SO FREAKING GOOD! I never ever compliment someone if I don't mean it 1000%. Keep it up, so proud of you!

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