GIC Crew Chit Chat / Life Update…

[@GardeningInCanada]

GICs ❤ So many of you were worried about my health. I am completely fine, just working on my physical health. Thank you for all the love ❤️ ❤ You guys are amazing.

[@Cookontherun7391]

You mentioned the amount of protein you eat/day and a goal weight. Do you calculate grams to equal your goal weight?

[@billnicholson6742]

Congratulations on doing this on your own! Thank you for sharing your journey… you had a lot going on. That’s fantastic! I hired a dietician last June and has been worth every single dollar.

[@jolee6751]

❤❤❤

[@aw2589]

Worried???!!! You look HEALTHY 🎉

[@sandracastle-od1lm]

Congratulations on coming through the tough times. You are an inspiration. 😊❤

[@GardeningInCanada]

I appreciate you. 🥰

[@mason0914]

THIS HELPED ME SO MUCH. thank you!! You look amazing, radiant, and so healthy! Very proud of you and so good to see. Amazing job and keep going, you got this!

[@gerardhuiskamp9660]

It's beautiful to see how you've grown as a person! I'm watching and listening to a powerful, beautiful young woman! You can be proud!

[@ready4change539]

Thank you for sharing such a personal story and your journey. I know stress makes a big difference to weight loss.

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Super proud of you!!!! Only good things moving forward. 👌💪

[@stevenjohns7017]

As i have said before...i have noticed latley that you are looking great! Your complexion, your energy, everything. Not easy what you have achieved but you are doing it!! Well done!

[@mendicantcrow]

Wow, thanks for sharing such a vulnerable story. I generally am leery of people sharing weight loss advice on the internet, but this was refreshingly simple, non-restrictive and gentle. And you contextualized it with your life story. Glad life is giving you a break and wishing you a good year!

[@hennye2694]

I have been followed you for some time now. I have seen the change, heard your plights and still you have made it through. You are amazing, you obviously still have people in your corner that support and love you, including the GIC crew💐💐 I love to listen to all/any of your content and its special that even KZbinrs are real people too. Keep up the healthy choices and looking forward to hearing from you every week. Big hugs to you ........💖💖

[@GardeningInCanada]

That is so kind of you to say, I appreciate it very much!

[@marilynturcotte5304]

Thank you for letting us into your space. Please do what you want and need to do because it's working, Girl!!

[@sennen222]

Well done Ashley. Totally understand about lack of motivation, but how a few little changes turn turn it all around. Be comfortable and confident in yourself, and all the best for this season!

[@noremacf]

You have been through more than most and come through it all stronger and more beautiful, love your content.

[@sharongordon799]

Congratulations. I'm happy for you.

[@wayneessar7489]

Thank you for this very brave and personal update...! You survived and arrived ready to be you again...😅

[@jamestboehm6450]

Well lady, your body was what it was. Your smile, the light in your eyes and your brilliant mind is what caught my admiration. Yes it's good to see you on the way to healthy and healing but keep feeding us knowledge.

[@mrwormtester]

You went through all of that and still had a KZbin channel?! Holy crap, you are a superwoman! 🌟

[@Delgwah]

Yep super woman👍🇨🇦

[@classicrocklover5615]

No wonder you've looked exceptionally good the past few months! Your skin glows and you look happy! Congratulations 🎉

[@kbjerke]

You look great, Ashley!! Keep it up, whatever you're doing!! ❤

[@learnwithlillian8509]

Kudos to you for learning to take care yourself at a young age. I’m 68 & still have to remind myself at times. ❤

[@wendyburston3132]

Thank you for sharing your life with us and what works for you. ❤🇨🇦😊🙏

[@GardeningInCanada]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🙏

[@aalejardin]

Well done! You have been through a lot and deserve some calmer waters. Enjoy your garden and keep sharing your great content.

[@trevor5290]

I have noticed you looked better with each video. Good stuff losing that weight! I recently lost 10 lbs just by adding a shot of ACV before bed, have another 10 lbs to go. It's post menopaused hormone bs. My 60th bd photos from this past summer shocked me into doing something. Once we start gaining weight, sometimes it's hard to see until it's too many lbs. I get the depression, beat it in the 90s & lost that weight too. I'm doing the happy dance for you right now. Much love. ~ Marianne

[@Charles-bj7qu]

Thank you. For your honesty. You do look good.

[@salami5050]

Sending you love and happiness! ❤

[@Delgwah]

Thank you Ashley, you are doing great by being open minded and communicating it out there, thank you again.

[@opal4297]

Congratulations on your personal success! You look great and it seems like you are feeling better!

[@lauriel1826]

I’m glad you have less family stress now. I can relate, it is amazing to be able to live with out fear of the phone ringing and wondering what is next.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Omg that phone statement is the single most relatable comment 🤣

[@debbielavers9836]

I Don,t care what weight you are as long as your feeling healthy and happy. Ashley you are the best! Much love your way ❤.

[@kathleenmccormick5284]

Congratulations on making it through that very rough time in your life.

[@catherineincanada1874]

😍You go girl😍Love seeing you reclaim your health on all levels!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks, it means a lot to me!

[@BrigitteEmes]

Very happy things are going well for you!! Love your channel!

[@timcoolican459]

It's great to hear you're doing well Ashley. Diet and exercise are the key to healthier living. Everyone has their challenges, tragedies, and shortcomings that lead to unhealthy lifestyles, which can spiral you down even further. So it's the little changes that you can make, like you said "...the bare minimum..." that can slowly pull you out of that spiral. I suffered and injury-induced stroke that left me temporarily paralyzed and permanently disabled, 11 years ago. It has been a slow struggle, after my initial physical therapy, to get back to some type of normalcy. I will never get back to what I was before the accident, but I am trying. This is where gardening came to play a key role in my recovery. I'm outside, working to produce better food for may wife and I, giving me a purpose as well as some exercise. We had a five year plan to experiment with what we would grow and why. You, young lady, have been quite helpful with our endeavors. What you do matters...very much to very many...I hope you will keep doing this, for many years to come. We are glad that you are healthy and happy and look forward to more ideas and information from you. I hope we can meet you one day, to say thank you in person. Good luck and God Bless.

[@leahnichol6665]

Thank you 😊

[@imaham1947]

Way to go Ashley! I’m rooting for you.

[@NeilRichins]

Kudos, and thanks for sharing.

[@jackiesheriff7078]

I too went the wellness way after a life trauma and I have never looked back. You look amazing and you are glowing and it isn't just the weight, you just have a different aura about you and it suits you perfectly. Enjoy the ride!

[@adriennec6795]

Way to go!!!!!!! That is all kinds of awesome!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@katipohl2431]

You are looking great.

[@rachellelee8031]

Thanks for being so vulnerable with your viewers and sharing your story. You look incredible! Love your channel.

[@kcstewart2432]

Thank you so much for sharing. Here's to a healthy happy 2025 ❤!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Right back at ya! 🥰

[@LB-vl3qn]

Congratulations on your weight loss, Ashley! You look healthy and beautiful! I had been concerned about you until I saw how much better you were looking. And, you look happy. Keep doing what you're doing. It's working. ~ Lisa

[@schnder1]

I give you so much credit for overcoming all that you have and learning to care for yourself. I come from a similar background and it is so easy to continue to put yourself last, as that is all you know. All the hard times also makes us strong and empathetic. I am so happy that you fought for your own health and happiness. Your life ahead has no limits!

[@cherylmosher6026]

Congrats! I understand both your struggle and your accomplishment. So proud of your commitment to your health. Keeping this episode for personal motivation ❤

[@phil16woman64]

That’s wonderful. I am happy for you. I do whole food high protein but vegan. Lots of lentils, beans and hummus for me. 63 and low blood pressure and heart rate.

[@kerryschaan8447]

Glad to hear you're getting healthier. Keep it up.

[@NicolesGardenNS]

You look happy, and that’s the most important! People really should comment so much on physical appearance but since that’s the subject of this video, you look fantastic ❤

[@MrsThebault]

This is me!! You are proof that there is hope! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@TheRusticHomestead]

You look amazing ❤ So happy for you

[@OurHennHouse3]

Normal people stress, lol! I have 2 parents with dementia, one is in hospice, one not far behind. I get the parent stressed! You are an inspiration!!! Yay you!

[@Tippler0611]

Love your down-to-earth self! So glad you talked about how you convinced your brain to cooperate with walking. My brain says its a waste of time, boring, etc. I feel guilty if I dont take the dog but she needs intense training so its stressful and gives validation to the "don't wanna" voice The caregiving, addiction factor hits hard. I've been faaced quite a bit recently with the family-disease model of addiction; how the pain and suffering reaches tendrils and chokeholds far far beyond what anyone suspects. As kids of addicted parents, we'll carry some of them forever; it becomes part of us. As a person surrounded by people in 12-step recovery, I've had an opportunity to use what was emotional restraints as bonds to other hurting humans.

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

I put weight on in the winter and take it of in garden season. Bad leg and I have to be careful of falling when it’s slippery out.

[@JennJenn9]

Good for you! I can totally understand how you were caught in a cycle of things dragging down your energy and it all feeds into itself…but very impressed you turned that into a positive cycle with fairly simple, but consistent changes. You’ve inspired me to get on my treadmill right now…and just walk 😊

[@cindybeernink4203]

I'm so glad that your life has more peace now and that you've been able to translate that into taking care of yourself, whether that means better food, sleep, whatever. I'm sure your sharing your experience will many to have more compassion for themselves and others.

[@LoriBurke-y5u]

I am so proud of you ! You are smart ! Girl power❤🎉

[@sarahpauline4904]

You have been through so much. Take good care of yourself. You look amazing!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thank you so much!

[@CaraJohnson-wn6nm]

I started following you a week ago! I love your channel. Thank you so much for sharing your story ❤️🙏

[@duanesbuhler7696]

Sending love from Winnipeg. Thanks for everything. 👌🇨🇦

[@eugene3d875]

Great progress, and most importantly, sustainable habits! You can do it!

[@iantalmadge]

That's awesome, congratulations! :)

[@iantalmadge]

And I'm glad you made it through the bad times, I'm at what I hope is the tail end of my bad years, one year of gardening in and I'm still disabled in the traditional sense but now I know that there is some grow lights at the end of the tunnel lol

[@karljiks]

​@@iantalmadgelol that was funny, grow lights at the end of the tunnel. I relate, mentally disabled, sometimes I look at the disheveled plant pots with sometimes still alive plants in them surrounding me and think, these normal things should be normal, and then i remember that 1.5 months ago i got diagnosed as autistic so now i am officially not normal, so neither should my workflow be. glad you're dealing!

[@iantalmadge]

@karljiks I feel ya, I haven't been diagnosed with that but I also spent a few years being gas lit saying that my pain isn't real until my right arm stopped working cause of fibromyalgia and my PTSD made that condition way worse. Luckily I finally got a good doctor after years of true blood sweat and tears struggle, now I just need to be able to afford gas to see a psychiatrist for the mental mental, I'm a purely visual thinker, did t realize that wasn't normal or even a thing, after finding out that most people don't see they're thoughts I honestly have a hard time understanding how that works, how do you think without seeing it lol (not making fun of anyone or anything)

[@juliepuhr9806]

So happy for you. You look great

[@suzannestack7784]

WTG! We'll done, so proud of you 👏 This is a huge and difficult accomplishment 💪💕

[@imannosseir6679]

You look fabulous ❤

[@pattyking8593]

I'm very sorry to hear about a difficult period in your life. Your honesty is admirable. I like the idea of a weighted vest. On my to-do list now.

[@christineelsey3104]

❤❤🤗🤗... Thanks for sharing your back story, my dear ... You have told part of it before.. but it's always good for the new gic crew up to date.. I noticed the slimming but my dear, you look pretty happy.. so, I wasn't worried you were sick.. Good luck, my dear.. All the stress you've been under has been a big part of your infertility.. (& now that That is out there, lots of us will be 🙏🙏🙏 for ya !!!!) ❤❤❤

[@sallygomez1044]

I'm so glad to see you doing well. You've always been so charming in your videos and it's important to recognize that everyone is dealing with life in their every day. Wishing you a great 2025!!

[@GnortsMrAlienn]

I'm sorry you went through so much hardship and hurt. It's sweet of you to be open about it when you don't owe anyone any explanations. I'veI noticed you're glowing with good health. Your hair is so gorgeous and shiny, and your skin and overall demeanor are beautiful. Congratulations on taking care of you the way you deserve, and thank you for all the cool info you give us! Hugs to you from the Appalachian mountains of Virginia. ♥️

[@annemcguire7792]

Congrats & good for you

[@julieklesta]

Sending love and blessings for the best year ever. I am new here, from Ohio and trying to catch up on your videos. Thank you for sharing.

[@joevet4308]

You look marvelous. Amazing journey.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Aw thanks! It's been a whirlwind!

[@MRa-lh2nw]

thanks for the video !! like, u didnt own us any explanation, and i really appreciate you giving us the update. and im glad you r feeling good ! ❤

[@deborahtofflemire7727]

I am so happy for you. I need to change things too.

[@user-cc6zd3kf6z]

Thank you for all the details!!

[@susanwaite4580]

Good for you. Well done!

[@stephaniez2]

Good job 👍🏽 An inspiration for all of us ❤

[@psynurse]

I love your transparency!

[@teac117]

The weighted vest is a good idea. Thanks.

[@shelwyatt7203]

Love this update 🤗☺️💕

[@emilymartin1705]

You look AMAZING ❤❤❤❤

[@timothykrott7248]

Looking good keep it up. I've lost 120 pounds on Monjaro

[@tiutiukas]

You go girl, feel good, look good Happy New Year

[@isaiahcaswell4116]

Congrats!! / Good work!

[@margaretmarshall3645]

Congrats; that is awesome! You go, girl! One thought on infertility-I have seen a couple of health influencers mention that low vitamin D levels can be a possible cause. Might be worth checking your vitamin D level if you haven’t already.

[@andydroid9782]

I recall mentioning something about seeing a change in you quite a while back. You replied and said something about keeping your fingers crossed. I've been keeping an eye on your muscles but they didn't seem to be getting small. That happens with those prescription weight loss drugs. Now I know why you are not losing muscle mass. I believe you are truly doing it the right way. Good job!

[@cjvilleneuve1566]

Damn Ashley you look good ,you worked hard and had a lots to dealt with in the last decade...you are a really special person and for the good you bring you deserve everything that you work for 10 fold 😊, the next year will be your best 🎉 btw i cant waith for this spring to start gardening,so we can have you uploading often all summer . Ps..plese dont give up on us and youre channel to become a fitness and clothing model 😅.

[@bonniejohnson7842]

Congrats to you!! Such a great accomplishment and hard to do.

[@marysemr9915]

You look wonderful and have such a beautiful personality.

[@deew412]

Inspiring 💖

[@alveres9680]

Way to go Ashley! Your story patterns my own (hugs) my brother drank himself to death. In 2022 I became carnivore as a result of gaining 40 lbs. I couldn’t function. I’m down that 40+, walking daily and getting so much better! Holding you in my heart, a whole foods sister and fellow plant herder!

[@neillandscape1376]

Stay Healthy and keep up the great Work! Thanks!

[@rebeccawatson9284]

great job! You look healthy and happy!

[@brianseybert192]

Be proud of yourself Ashley, you had to deal with tragedy after tragedy, dealt with it the best you could, came out the otherside a better person. I wish you everything the best, sincerely hope your life stays on an even keel. OBTW, keep your damn Canadian highs in Canada, going below zero again next week here in WI. Stay Well !!!

[@wildedibles819]

You feel tired extra weight can be exhausting carrying it around You look healthy and you sound good there's a pep in your voice and that can inspire others 🤗 I was almost 200lb before I understand now I can look too skinny to others but I feel well and I'm not under weight for my height 5foot

[@kg89808]

U look FABULOUS! You must feel amazing!!!!

[@calebbrazeau4597]

You look great, keep up the good work!

[@user-ic2ug8ys1z]

You had me at beef jerky...❤ Do you Randell Carlson much? 😀🌱🐢

[@lise6107]

Looking good!

[@leslierowell392]

You go girl.

[@aw2589]

This is the way!! Eat more move more, high protein macros, whole food.You're using the same diet and exercise levers I've settled into after yearssssss of grinding on through so many other protocols that had me on a yoyo and soending effort for nothing. Reading and getting your screen time while doing zone 2 is awesome 😎

[@TheRootedTherapist]

Congratulations on taking care of your physical and mental health! Can I reframe something and see if it fits? You said that you didn’t have motivation, but it really sounds like you were living in survival mode for several years. And there is no shame in that. Trauma does funky things to our bodies & mind. Now you have mental and emotional space to focus on yourself, plus your physiological responses have changed. I’m glad you are out of trauma and figuring out how to caregive yourself. Plus, making one change at a time and nothing extreme and seeing how it works for you is a very emotionally healthy way to make changes to diet & exercise. Also, I get the struggle of doctors blaming weight- my chronic illness took 26 years to get diagnosed as a woman, and a woman who isn’t petite. But it’s crappy you have to try to meet their BMI to get the medical care you deserve (not judging you- definitely judging the medical system!)

[@kerstinahlstrand1626]

Thank you for shearing

[@freshorangina]

Girl you have been through it!! Your weight loss story has a couple of similarities to mine. My diet approach was similar, but different focus which was nutrient density and diet diversity and I did best overall while pescatarian. I thought I had noticed a difference. Congratulations! It makes gardening a lot easier! LOL I need to lose about 25 lbs, after this past year, I am glad it isn’t more. Time to get it done! Thanks for sharing your inspiring journey! 👏👏👏