MY WEIGHT LOSS, HEALTH, & FITNESS STORY AFTER 4 KIDS| PART 1

[@happymamahomeschool4086]

I watch all of your homeschool videos and usually skip over the fitness ones, but I am so glad I watched this. It is so easy to look at a beautiful fit woman and assume she's always had it all together, so thank you for sharing your story. I really needed some encouragement to take better care of myself!

[@jessicarupert8815]

Coming back to binge all of your fitness videos 😆 my 4th baby is now 7 months old and I haven't lost a pound. Life stressors during pregnancy lead to really poor eating choices and no exercise. Sitting at my heaviest weight by far. Super encouraged to hear that you got started with Les Mills programs! I bought a subscription months ago and have yet to use it much 😬. Here's to kicking myself in the butt this week! Just wanted to say thank you for all the quality content you share with us all!

[@TheJoyfulHomemaker05]

I love your channel! So much great content!!! My kids were born in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2013. All via c-sections and gestational diabetes twice. I was never overweight before I had kids. I was active in that I trained and showed horses. I was 160 when I got pregnant and 265 when I gave birth. I have stayed between 240-260 since I had my first child. I’m now at the point I know I’m not having anymore kids and I am ready to shed this weight. I just want to feel good. My body hurts all the time. Your channel is so encouraging and I have been “binging” on all of your awesome videos!!!

[@aprilturner5542]

I am currently a homeschooling mom of 3 boys on my fitness journey and I am excited that you will be sharing some tips! Thanks for posting this, it was very inspirational :)

[@GraceandGrit]

April Turner Thankyou so much! Happy to have you here!

[@lovelysweetivy]

Wow our stories sound so similar. On my last pregnancy I ended at 225 and I was miserable. Finally I started working out and eating right and I've lost 65 pounds. Right now I'm stalled, but I'm still pushing to get these last 15 to 20 off. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Your motivation is inspiring 😄.

[@GraceandGrit]

That's incredible! You can DO IT! Keep on going those last 15 are the hardest to shake, it's a real test of your mental strength!

[@charlenepinpin4655]

Congrats on your health journey! So much of what you said is spot on with me. So excited to begin this journey of getting back to health with you! What a blessing!

[@GraceandGrit]

Charlene Pinpin thank you so much for your encouraging comment! Knowing that just sharing where I've been can help people out there is what motivates me to share here on this platform! I'm grateful to partner with you!

[@DaughteroftheLight]

Thanks for this video. It made me think of a potential goal- being an instructor instead of focusing on the weight. ❤️

[@SaraWeston]

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm looking forward to the upcoming series. My fourth baby will be 1 on Friday and have been slowly losing the weight since December (I started the pregnancy at my highest weight and ended it 20 lbs higher than any of my others - so this is quite the journey for me - but I am within 10 lbs of my pre-pregnancy weight so that is a big milestone - I just have about 45 lbs to go after that to get to what I think will be an ideal weight for me - I'm trying to go based on my body fat percentage instead of the weight on the scale and I think that's what I need to lose to get down to the right percentage). My biggest struggle is portion size. I know when I have that in check I can lose weight easier but it's so hard when I start to feel hungry all the time (I try to increase my protein but that doesn't always seem to help). I am still nursing my baby (but nursing has never helped me with weight loss) and he does not sleep through the night yet. Anyways, I'm looking forward to your insight and motivation!

[@jaimiekight]

I’m just watching this video now- and it literally made me start crying. Thank you for sharing this and inspiring so many women! I’m so proud of you ash!

[@GraceandGrit]

awe thanks friend, this was one of my first ones!!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Congrats friend. You are one amazing lady!!! This video is the beginning to so much more. Thank you for sharing your story. I feel soooooooo lucky to have you in my life. Love ya!!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@GraceandGrit]

Thankyou so much! 💓💓😘

[@GraceandGrit]

Thankyou so much! 💓💓😘

[@lizzeplays9697]

Super inspiring! I too had back pregnancies from 2006-2011 - a set of twins and two additional pregnancies so I feel ya on the whole 'being pregnant or nursing for 6 years". I have started and stopped trying to get to a comfortable workout regimen off and on for years and at one point was in a great groove with yoga and gym but life happened and it was the first thing to go out the window. Your video inspires me to get my butt back in gear and also helped me to see some of my own pitfalls. Thank you for sharing your life, you are making a difference!

[@GraceandGrit]

Hippy Happiness Homeschool this makes me so very happy!!! ❤️✨

[@akaMommy]

Oh my goodness!!! I'm so glad that Heather shared you with us! I, too, am a homeschooling mom of 4 kiddos and started out on my own fitness journey last year! The whole time I watched this video, I kept saying "Me too!!"!! Thank you so much for sharing! Can't wait to watch the other videos in this series! :)

[@GraceandGrit]

aka Mommy... ahhh yay! So happy you found me through heathers channel! It is so so encouraging to find someone who you relate to! Having 4 kiddos and homeschooling them is no joke, and I hope my channel is an encouragement to you!

[@m.a.hickman1240]

thank you so much for your video. I have 21 day fix and Piyo at home and going to be starting those this week since I need to lose weight for health reason. I look forward to following you with this series.

[@GraceandGrit]

Amazing choices! Both will yield you awesome weight loss results!

[@SandySaysYT]

I actually just listened to this during my ab workout 😂 your journey is so motivational 💕 thanks for sharing.

[@mandatoryroyalty]

Love this! Gave birth to 5 kids and I love my body!!!

[@keriann01]

I'm so excited to hear more!

[@CreatingEssence]

I love this! You mentioned specifically working with moms and women- do you have special training for helping women with diastasis recti and pelvic floor weakness? I am profoundly affected by both and found almost no one was aware of these issues and how even basic exercise should be done differently to help women strengthen and heal these areas. I would love to hear how you handle(in a general sense) these issues that statistically most women who have borne children deal with. Thank you for all this you've shared!

[@GraceandGrit]

Too long of comment to type out here for specifics, but yes i do have experience here, and i have healed mine. The biggest thing is to be aware of internal bracing and controlled moving. Abdominal crunching is not recommended. All functional dynamic core movements in a controlled manner help draw the abdominals back together. It takes time but can be done!

[@crossfamilycircus5986]

I'm only about halfway through this video and your (physical) story is similar to mine. Wow... except that I haven't found the motivation yet.

[@nicoleharper6107]

Very encouraging story! I've had 6 pregnancies but 5 children. 2003, 2005,2006,2007 (lost this one 18 wks pregnant) end of Dec. 2008 and 2011. I'm 5'7 and my pre-pregnancy weight was 110. I struggled with an eating disorder most of my life and my babies help to change that in me. When I could no longer control my weight. I believe 170 was the most I weighed during a pregnancy. I've been able to get back to about 130 but this past summer I've been hovering around 140 and I feel really unhappy with that. I have done Tone it Up for years and I mix it up cuz I get bored. I've done Cindy Whitmarsh and 21 Day Fix. I've done Insanity and Insanity Max. Anyway, thank you for your story. I'm encouraged to keep at it. I look forward to seeing more of your fitness videos!!

[@GraceandGrit]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Thankyou for sharing your story with me! It's always a blessing to know we as moms and women are not alone in the challenges! I definitely like to change things up as well!

[@nicoleharper6107]

Thank you. It was a very difficult time in my life. I'm so thankful for an awesome God who doesn't let us walk that alone but holds us in His loving arms as we go through it.

[@onehomeschoolundergodoneho8668]

Do you think this is possible for me at nearly 40? Seems like I’ve tried everything. Your dedication is inspiring. Thank you for the video!

[@mjrox317]

Just had my 4th baby in 4.5 years and about to start the weight loss journey!

[@mtngrace123]

It makes me sad that us moms and women in general feel that we have to hide our bodies unless they look a certain way or weight. I am recovering from anorexia and then binge eating disorder. I am the biggest i have been but I will not be ashamed. I will not hide! I also have an autoimmune disease so my body will probably never be what it used to be. I could just be depressed and hide but I am choosing to treat it with compassion and kindness and do what I can. We are often told by society that we can’t start living to the fullest until we reach that weight loss goal or look a certain way. We are told we are to be ashamed of our bodies so much. Not everyone can lose weight due to so many reasons one being eating disorders being triggered by intentional weight loss. I am currently reading intuitive eating and Grace, food, and everything in between and it’s been eye opening at how we put so much emphasis on weight loss and dieting all of our lives. To each their own and I am glad you feel better but sad that you felt you needed to feel shame and embarrassment from your body. I am hear to tell all sized women please be proud of your amazing body no matter what size and no matter if you lose weight or not. You are enough right where your at as is!

[@NikkiSchumacherOfficial]

This is so inspiring.

[@amandatapp4800]

I am so excited to find your channel! I am a group fitness instructor and going to be a first time homeschooling mom starting this year with 5 kiddos. How do you balance working and teaching your kids how many classes do you teach, when do you do school?

[@stephaniejoyce6896]

This was amazing. Thanks for sharing your journey so far. I'm off to continue watching the rest of the fitness videos!

[@ThatLadyLivingHerPurpose]

Watching this April 9th, 2020 and I needed to hear this :) You are amazing!!!

[@audrashelton4195]

Thank you so much for your video I found it really inspiring. when I found your channel I actually came for the homeschooling videos that you posted and I really liked those but this actually just popped up on my newsfeed. It's strange how sometimes you feel like when someone's telling you a journey of their own that you can relate so much into their journey because it feels a little like your own journey. I had C-sections with my children and with my first baby I gained 50 pounds and I dropped considerably I only had about 10 or 15 pounds left over but then a year and a half later I became pregnant with my second child and then I gained weight, yet the weight wasn't as easy to lose a second time around. I had tried to lose weight of course and go to the gym but it was really hard to stay motivated, it was hard with having a baby and a 2 year old and being a full time stay at home mom and now a homeschooling mom so I tried to ignore it. Years passed and I kept trying but then failing and so I quit but the truth is I hadn't felt good about myself or healthy and I became very self-conscious, I have a very athletic husband as well and I would hate being in photos with him I would put my children in front of my body to hide the weight that I had gained. I also gained weight in a very unflattering area of my body in the saddle bag area and I would just cry when I saw photos of myself and so I would hide myself in sweats and in the hoodies because I was just so uncomfortable with myself but I felt like I just couldn't suffer anymore of myself quitting and thinking that I just couldn't do this because I had so much on my plate already. But I need to take care of me and that's been hard to learn. So thank you for sharing your journey I know you're not going into the greatest detail because of how long it would take your still sharing something that is raw and personal and I just want to thank you and congratulate you on your success and becoming this new person from where you were a few years ago so congratulations and I look forward to watching the rest of your video parts.

[@GraceandGrit]

Audra Shelton thanks for sharing with me, I did leave ALOT out because it would be 3 hours long if not! So nice to know we aren't alone in the struggle!

[@maryrosegutierrez3116]

Your beginning story sounds like mine! I'm barely starting my weightloss journey now and it's really hard!

[@GraceandGrit]

You can do it

[@allamericansnob]

I’m a mom of 4 also. Although I had 5 pregnancies. I’ve always been smaller even pregnant. But I’ve recently started putting on weight...I’ve recently started dealing with chronic illness. I’m looking into getting fit and healthier. Do you have any tips for easy work outs for starting out?

[@palomaramos1699]

I love your channel! you have a new subscriber!!😃😃🍂🍂

[@GraceandGrit]

paloma Ramos aww Thankyou! So happy to have you here!

[@aliciawebb9138]

I love ,love your channel. You have really inspired me and encourages me. And I am determined to loose at least 45 lbs. Thanks for always responding back !! That means a lot. I have a questions about my macros. My BMR is 1636. And I workout HIIT style with weights 3-5 a week. I have my macros daily at protein 161g carbs 81g fat36 g. I am having a hard time eating all the protein and am going over on my carbs. I am eating whole clean foods. Lean protein. Healthy carbs. Can I switch the macros around up my carbs and lower my protein and still have fat loss success??? This is so overwhelming but I am trying. Thanks so much. You rock!!

[@GraceandGrit]

Alicia Webb Thankyou so much for your words! It means a lot to me. If your macro calculation is accurate than no you shouldn't change it, until you've been consistently able to hit them for 3-4 weeks. It's hard at first and most people do what you are but just keep on trying!

[@lolamarie244]

Love your makeup, can you share what makeup your wearing? Thanks homeschooling 4 over here too!

[@GraceandGrit]

luly305 Thankyou so much! In this video I'm wearing: 1. maybeline cc cream tinted moisturizer 2. Maybeline dark circle correcter concealer 3. Just a cheap elf brand loose powder over top 4. Benefit bronzer on my cheeks 5. Nyx pallet on my eyes, kind of a mix of colors 6. Maybeline black eye liner 7. Maybeline mascara great lash (the kind in the pink tube) 8. Lip gloss

[@lolamarie244]

thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. your amazing!!!

[@corihill7321]

Love this fitness series, even though I know it is old! I am a homeschooling mom of 4 (4 csections as well) and recently lost all my baby weight and some so I can totally relate. I am intrigued by all the certifications and training, but I am a home workout fan so I am not sure how helpful they would be. Formal nutrition training is on my bucket list though. :-)

[@GraceFilled]

This is very encouraging!!

[@amberdk1]

Awesome video, Ash.

[@GraceandGrit]

Xoxoxo

[@sabrinaslack9052]

I want to say thank you so much for making this video! I feel like I'm in the position you were when you first started and just needing some encouragement, I currently have 4 kids under the age of 4 and i just started homeschooling and weigh about 190 lb. I feel like my time to work out would not be much at this point, what are your thoughts about going straight into weight training... After all of your experience what do you feel is the best approach for your maximum results?

[@GraceandGrit]

Sabrina Slack go for it mama! Weight training is what changes the body fast. Just keep the heart rate up between sets!

[@Renewed85]

I feel so bad about myself. I decided today that I have to get better

[@NicholeLovins]

Oh my gosh! I found your channel originally for homeschooling, but tonight I was going through your videos and realized you had fitness stuff! And I have to say your story is so similar to mine! Except I am still over weight. I have 5 kids, I weighed 130 when I got pregnant with my first and gained 65 pounds! Then when she was 2 months old I was pregnant again. And the cycle continued with all 5. Except by the fifth one I didn't gain any weight at all and stay the same weight through my whole pregnancy and weighed less when I had him than when I started. So that was great lol. But still no matter how many salads or starving diets I have dont the weight stays or comes back as soon as I start eating. My next step was well I am going vegan or vegetarian. So your story is exactly what I needed. I have lost 7 pounds. But still I have a long way to go. My husband is also fit and smaller than me and I HATE that. And you will never see a picture or KZbin video of a whole body shot usually just my face.

[@GraceandGrit]

Mom Gone Domestic you can DO it!

[@crosscultured6422]

Thanks for sharing! I started having health and weight issues when I was 16-19. I ended up being 230lbs. I lost all the weight down to 155lbs by the time I graduated college and got married. It was always hard work for me to keep the weight off. Then I had my first pregnancy and gained weight which i managed to work and diet off and then had another pregnancy. This time I gained more weight after the pregnancy. I finally worked HARD to get it off and then got pregnant again. I have been up and down but overweight since my third. I just started my weight loss and fitness journey again. I’ve lost 3inches so far around my waist and hips. I’ve really been thinking about getting certified as a trainer and nutrition coach. I would really like to help women. I have learned so much through my journey. I am a homeschooling missionary wife and mother, but I would like to get the training to be able to earn some living by helping women help themselves be healthy and strong.

[@crosscultured6422]

Yes weightlifting!! That’s what I am specifically doing and interested in training! I love it! I’ve done, Pilates, kick boxing, Barre, and Zumba in the past. Weightlifting is by far my favorite! The results are so great physically and mentally!

[@Amanda-oc7vq]

Hey! I know I'm late and don't know if I'll get a response but I just found out I'm pregnant with my 3rd baby and I'm right at the beginning of my weight loss journey. I don't want to harm my child but I have a significant amount of weight to lose. I'm already super fatigued and if I don't eat every 2 hours I get very nauseated. Does anyone have any tips for me?? Thanks.

[@KatelynG0301]

So inspirational. I had 3 babies in just under 4 years. Just out of curiosity how tall are you?

[@sable747]

Hi! I am researching homeschooling for the first time on you tube and I found the interview you did on Heather's channel. One of my main concerns with homeschooling my rising first grader is my health. I have neglected mt health for a while. I kept thinking "I'd get to it later" and later never came. Over the last few months, i started taking small steps to losing a lot of weight. I'm trying to figure out how to "fit it all in" when carrying this extra weight makes me lethargic and my joints hurt more than I admit. I'm going through your "moms" series and it is very encouraging and practical. I'm wondering if I should put off homeschool decision one more year to focus on me aka health and figuring out my passions or jump into the deep end and homeschool as I figure it out?! Thank you.

[@GraceandGrit]

sable747 praying for you as you discern through that! You can do both though, so be encouraged!

[@aprilmurrell7637]

Thank you so much for this video!!!! ♡

[@rhondaleigh7512]

what planet are you from!!???? you've done it all!

[@GraceandGrit]

haha i definitely don't feel I've done it all, but thank you for such a nice compliment!

[@BrooksLink]

Th for this vid. I can so relate.

[@jennapritts7336]

I was a fitness instructor for 7 years. I had a similar fitness journey to yours. However 3 years ago I made a move out west to a rather rural area with a gym not very close as well as a hip injury that limits my running and plyo. That set into motion a depression with unhealthy choices that undid my years of fitness and clean eating. Needless to say I am back to square one and it is so hard to mentally go after something I had already.. I'm feeling embarrassed and ashamed. I am trying very hard to muster the motivation I used to give others... I am stuck any advice? I'm enjoying your channel Thank you

[@GraceandGrit]

Sending you a huge hug first and foremost. I'd choose one thing to focus on, and just take it one day at a time. Choose what you enjoy doing, to just get going again. Don't look too far ahead. Just one day at a time. You can do it, and everyday you wake up is another opportunity to do it!

[@jennapritts7336]

Thank you!! I have been probably setting unrealistic goals for myself. You inspire me to get back to it!

[@andrealurie6801]

Hi Ashlee, a major fan of your's here. 😜 I was wondering about your thoughts on creating calorie defecit? I've worked out with a trainer for over a yr and a 1/2 for 6 days a week. It was mainly strength training and power walking on an incline. I was on 1300 cals every day. I lost 40lbs. I got sick and had family issues. Gained all back. Trainer is no longer available, so trying to go solo. Need to lose fat and tone up. Is 1300 ok? I get hungry frequently. Any other suggestions/tips? Emotional eater too. 😶

[@GraceandGrit]

Andrea Lurie that’s a bit too low in my opinion.

[@andrealurie6801]

Thankyou.

[@kimberlymcmurry9338]

I met you when you were training for your half marathon.

[@GraceandGrit]

I know you did! Crazy to think back to then! Huh?

[@SaraWeston]

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm looking forward to the upcoming series. My fourth baby will be 1 on Friday and have been slowly losing the weight since December (I started the pregnancy at my highest weight and ended it 20 lbs higher than any of my others - so this is quite the journey for me - but I am within 10 lbs of my pre-pregnancy weight so that is a big milestone - I just have about 45 lbs to go after that to get to what I think will be an ideal weight for me - I'm trying to go based on my body fat percentage instead of the weight on the scale and I think that's what I need to lose to get down to the right percentage). My biggest struggle is portion size. I know when I have that in check I can lose weight easier but it's so hard when I start to feel hungry all the time (I try to increase my protein but that doesn't always seem to help). I am still nursing my baby (but nursing has never helped me with weight loss) and he does not sleep through the night yet. Anyways, I'm looking forward to your insight and motivation!

[@GraceandGrit]

That's awesome! Congratulations on the loss thus far! You've still got a little one so give yourself some time! I hope you find some motivation or inspiration here:)

[@keriann01]

I'm so excited to hear more!

[@GraceandGrit]

Thanks for watching!