Working hard has always been important for Ashley Gertley, who opened her own hair salon at 19 years old, but her dedication and work ethic came at a cost. For years, Gertley sacrificed her own wellbeing for the sake of her career, and she watched as the scales continued to go up and clothes continued to get tighter.
Gertley, now 23, would hardly eat anything while she was rushing around at work, only to binge on fast food as soon as she arrived home at the end of her shift. With all the chaos each day, there was also zero chance to squeeze in a workout, as she told Newsweek that she was “putting business above [her] personal health.”
But in January 2023, Gertley, from Toronto, Canada, knew she could no longer continue with this unhealthy lifestyle, as her weight reached 270lbs and she was wearing US size 16 clothes. She’d tried a few fad diets in the past and nothing worked, but in 2023 she challenged herself to get back into shape and make it last.
“After opening my salon and putting that first to ensure its success, I finally decided it was time to put the same effort I was putting into my business into myself. I worked hard to create a balance between my personal and work life by making time for meal prep, socializing, family time, and working out,” Gertley, the owner of Ashleeybeauty, told Newsweek.
Ashley Gertley pictured in January 2023, and after shedding 90lbs in a single year. Gertley, 23, put her work before her health and saw her weight spiral, before finally taking control of her habits.
Ashley Gertley pictured in January 2023, and after shedding 90lbs in a single year. Gertley, 23, put her work before her health and saw her weight spiral, before finally taking control of her habits.
@ashleey.gertley / TikTok
“To lose the weight I shifted to have a complete lifestyle change. It was a more maintainable approach that didn’t make me lose the weight quickly, but it was a gradual transformation with healthier habits.”
Just What Is ‘Dirty Keto’?
Her previous routine involved hours without eating before gorging on fast food and quick meals at the end of the day, but Gertley has swapped that for a high-protein diet with plenty of vegetables and minimal…