Thursday, May 14, 2009

Happy Birthday ME! (And a 5 Year Photo Recap)

Happy 24th Birthday to me!
I absolutely LOVE birthdays, mine and everyone else's! I love celebrating them, making cakes, and living it up! This year, I am so excited about my birthday for so many reasons.
I don't like to look at many old photos of myself because I'm embarassed, sad, and angry, but I decided to look at the past 5 years of birthdays to do a little LOOK AT ME NOW!


So let's take a little looksie! I tried to find every photo of me with my traditional Pumpkin Pie (birthday cake) but I couldn't find them digitally already on the computer.


24 Years YOUNG: 173 lbs
and looking good in horizontal stripes, something I avoided when overweight!

23 Years: 195 lbs., had been only focused on cardio, since last year at this time I started doing strength training. My arms have really toned up since then!
(Note: Those are NOT my onion rings!)

22 Years: 238 lbs., 2 months into my weight loss journey, down 15 lbs!

21 Years: 230-ish , had just lost 10 lbs. for my sister's wedding, thought I looked great. Did not.

20 Years: 245-ish, College = where I gained so much weight
So there ya have it. I don't have more than 5 years back on the computer, and photos are at my parents house.

This year I feel better than any other birthday. Things are really hard for us right now, so I'm so thankful that I'm healthy and in a great mind-set otherwise.
I'm so thankful to my wonderful husband for his continued support, and especially my parents and sisters who have always been the best.




31 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday!! You look absolutely fabulous! =]

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  2. Happy Birthday! You look great!!!!

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  3. How fun to have a review of your journey with photos! I hope you have an awesome birthday!!!

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  4. Happy Birthday Ash! I hope you have a great day!

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  5. Happy Birthday Ash! You must feel so amazing looking at those pics :) You have worked so hard!

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  6. Happy Birthday Ash! You look FAB! Congrats on the weightloss and having such a great support system! :)

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  7. Happy Birthday Gorgeous! And now I'm convinced that I MUST take some 'before' photos of myself. You are such an inspiration! I hope you have a wonderful day!

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  8. Happy Birthday!
    Just wanted to say that you look AMAZING!
    First time I write you a comment, but have been reading your blog for a while. You are my inspiration now as I bet you are for many others :)

    Have fun in your b´day and may all your wishes come true.

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  9. Happy Birthday! You look absolutely fantastic :) Any tips on how to slim down arms? I seem to be losing everywhere except my arms (they make me so selfconcious) and I'm afraid to strength train because I don't want to bulk them up ever more! LOL. In your 23/195lb pic you mentioned you focused on cardio which is what I do right now. Any tips are greatly appreciated! Thanks so much Ash! Hope you have a great day :)

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  10. Happy birthday Ash! You look great, you have come so far, and have so much to be proud of, and to look forward to. I hope you have a great day!

    Hope

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  11. Happy Birthday!! Enjoy your day. You look great and your motivation and dedication is inspiring.

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  12. Happy Birthday and you look smokin'!

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  13. Happy Birthday! Love your blog. It is such an inspiriation. Like you I gained weight in college. About 40 lbs!!!! All that late night eating and eating whatever I wanted and when I wanted. After I college I dropped 10 lbs, but want to drop the 30..It is so hard..Its such a lifestyle change..I am so use to eating what I want, and when I want. But your blog is so inspiring. Little by little:)

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  14. Happy Birthday, Ash!

    Jennifer G.
    Weight training will not bulk you up. You can't spot reduce, but you can tone up the muscles so your arms will look slimmer as the weight comes off. The work you do lifting weights now as you lose the weight might not show results right away, but as the weight comes off you will see that you have toned the muscles.
    Good luck!

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  15. You know most people go the opposite way - get bigger and start aging as they... well.... age. But you are looking younger and skinnier and better than ever!! You go girl!!

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  16. YOU look amazing. Happy Birthday. You are an inspiration to all of us!

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  17. Happy birthday!!! Hope you have a good one!

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  18. What a cute idea, Happy Birthday! You have come such a ways on your health & fitness journey.

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  19. Happy Birthday thanks for blogging you look FANTASTIC!!!!

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  20. Wow Ash, the difference between the old you and the new you is AMAZING! You look awesome and have come so far. Keep you the good work, you deserve to have the happiest birthday EVER.

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  21. Happy Birthday! you look great! I'm curious.. how tall are you? I'm 5'7 and not far from your current weight but you look MUCH smaller than I do!! You look amazing!

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  22. Happy Birthday!! Have you done Jillian Michael's Making the Cut too? Or just the shred?

    Heather

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  23. Sorry I'm late with the wishes but happy birthday! Congratulations!

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  24. Happyyy Birthday! You look amazing! Keep it up! You have accomplished so much in the last 5 years~ good for you!!

    Angie

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  25. I love reading your blog! you are inspiring to me... and I was excited to learn that we have the SAME birthday! :)

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  26. Happy Birthday!! You look so amazing!! Everytime I read your blog I think "wow she is such an inspiration!!!" :)

    P.S. I have that same striped shirt in navy and in lime - love them!!!! :)

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  27. Happy 24th! I have a few more months until I turn 24. I really admire your motivation and drive with your weight loss. You look amazing. You really do!

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  28. This is GREAT! You look fabulous!I'm so excited for your successful journey. I lost 30 pounds BEFORE pregnancy and I just had my baby 5 days ago and will be back on the band wagon. Will be coming back to visit your blog for inspiration and fun!-La.

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