Inspiring TRANSFORMATION

ASHLEIGH BEST • WAS 73.2kg • NOW 63.4kg

Before signing up to the Goodlife Health Club 12-week challenge, Ashleigh Best, 26, was feeling desperate. “My anxiety had skyrocketed and I was at my lowest point. I was getting extreme chest pain and the doctors told me my last option was to go on medication.” Before doing that, her goal was to try to feel better by toning up and losing weight. “I wanted to try everything I could before I went down that road. I wanted to prove to myself that I could beat it.” Her goal was to lose at least 10kg, but after completing three challenges, she achieved far more. “Instead of wanting to be alone in my room and trying to hide from my thoughts, I have learned to go to the gym and take part in classes or put my headphones on and zone out in a more positive way.

“My anxiety is still a work in progress every day, it’s just on a different path, one that’s a lot happier. The girl who once got told she should be on medication is long gone.” Over time, Best has learned to train her thoughts as well as her body. “I’ve learned to overcome my thoughts and prove to myself that I actually can lose weight and feel good about myself. I never thought

I would get there, as gym and diets never stuck. I still have days where I need to remind myself of what I’ve already achieved but the fact I know I can do it keeps me motivated.” Best says the 12-week challenge is far more than a workout. “The challenge is not just physical but is also a mental challenge. The hardest part for me was staying strong and not listening to that inner voice that tells me I can’t do it or just to have that chocolate.”

Weekends have been a test, but to prevent being tempted by eating out, she makes sure she eats a meal from the Goodlife recipe pool before going out. “There are so many recipe choices for someone who likes food like me.” Having gone from anxious, isolated and self-medicating with food, Best is now proud to say her body image “is better than ever”.

“When I would say during training ‘I can’t’, my personal trainer would respond with: ‘Yes you can. Think of your goals.’” Lost 9.8KG

“I am looking forward to kicking new goals this year at the gym,” Best says.

“When I joined [the] 12-week challenge, things really changed and I finally became as active as I have ever been.”

“At the halfway mark, I was worried my body wasn’t changing and wasn’t going to. My personal trainer kept me positive and reminded me it’s about how I felt.”