AFTER ballooning to more than 17 stone after giving birth, Ashley Warady felt miserable, isolated, and reluctant to even leave the house.
But in a remarkable three-year transformation, she’s now lost eight stone – and credits a certain fashion choice for her weight loss success.
It was during a visit to the doctor that Ashley decided to do something about her weight.
She said: “One week postpartum, I looked at my medical chart and saw the words ‘obese pregnancy‘.”
Ashley’s weight struggle began during pregnancy, when she says she “ate whatever I wanted” and quickly piled on seven stone.
She said: “That nearly broke me. I knew I was gaining, but I felt helpless, like a prisoner in my own body.
At my heaviest I was 250lbs (10.7st) and people would say, ‘You don’t even look 250’ but from the side you could definitely tell.”
Ashley, who works in consulting, with a background in accounting and finance, seemed to be balancing work and motherhood with ease.
But inside, she struggled with her self-esteem and what she describes as “food noise that never shut off”.
She said: “I didn’t want to take pictures, I didn’t want to go out, I felt awful about myself.
“And all of it was for food? It just wasn’t worth it anymore.”
Instead of crash dieting or turning to extreme measures, Ashley committed to a slow, steady approach, shedding between one and two pounds (0.5–1kg) a week.
She explained “Going fast might get the weight off, but it’s not sustainable.
“The way you lose it is the way you’ll maintain it. For me, that meant small, consistent changes, switching between calorie deficits and maintenance phases, and focusing on health first.”
She also made sure her little girl, now three-and-a-half years old, saw her making positive choices.
She added: “She’s watching me. I couldn’t model unhealthy behaviour. I wanted her to grow up knowing food is fuel, not something to hide behind.”
Now, the 5ft 7ins mum-of-one, from Milwaukee, in the United States, celebrates the confidence she’s gained, walking into the gym in just a sports bra and leggings, something she never dreamed she’d do before.
‘Put on a pair of jeans once a week – if they feel tight, that’s not the dryer, that’s you’
Ashley also shares no-nonsense weight loss “hacks” that combine humour on TikTok – and one of her most viral rants is blaming stretchy pants for modern weight gain.
She said: “We live in leggings and sweatpants, and they expand with us, so we don’t notice the weight creeping on.
“If you don’t want to weigh yourself, fine. But put on a pair of jeans once a week. If they feel tight, that’s not the dryer, that’s you. I didn’t wear jeans for two years, and I gained 100lbs (45kg).
“Now I make it a point to. Jeans keep me honest.”
Ashley has also shared some of the lows of her dramatic weight loss – one of which includes losing her “amazing” boobs.
My boobs are gone. They shrunk and kept shrinking until it felt like they waved goodbye
Ashley Warady
She said: “My boobs are gone. They shrunk and kept shrinking until it felt like they waved goodbye.
“Honestly, I had amazing boobs when I was big. Losing them sucks.
“But I’ll choose small boobs every day of the week over going back.
“Being big left me depressed, housebound, and miserable. That’s not worth any cup size.”
Alongside making small, consistent changes, Ashley recommends keeping meals straightforward.
She said: “Not every meal has to be gourmet. That’s what restaurants are for.
“Simple is easier, and when you’re busy, sustainable is what matters.
“People think I’m crazy for what I eat sometimes – I’m a self-proclaimed sardine queen!
“I’m having sardines with beet, carrot, turmeric, and apple juice because sometimes I’d rather drink my veggies. It works for me.
“You don’t need complicated recipes, just simple meals you enjoy.”
Followers online often ask Ashley about hair loss, a common concern during major weight loss.
She advised: “The only thinning I’ve had is from my thyroid, not from losing weight.
“I lost slowly, over three years, and I think that protected my hair.
“Plus, I supported my body with supplements: vitamin D, a multivitamin, omegas.
“Our food just isn’t as nutrient-rich as it used to be, especially in the Midwest where it’s grey 70 per cent of the year. Sometimes you need extra help.
“People accuse me of lying sometimes, saying I couldn’t have lost 117lbs (53kg). But it’s real. I lived it.
“I’ll never pretend it was easy. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But it’s also the best thing.”
The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight
FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes – most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss.
But burning fat can be easy and mostly free.
In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all…
- Don’t skip breakfast
Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry. - Eat regular meals
Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. - Eat plenty of fruit and veg
Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. - Get more active
Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone. - Drink lots of water
People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. - Eat high fibre foods
Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils. - Read food labels
Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan. - Use a smaller plate
Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it’s full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full. - Don’t ban foods
Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There’s no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance. - Don’t stock junk food
To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice. - Cut down on alcohol
A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain. - Plan your meals
Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list.
