Fitness N.O.W.
2026-07-06T01:33:56.259Z
-My Physical & Mental Results:That's what I've been getting from Fitness NOW with Ashley Martin. I'm not at all going to say it's been easy because it most definitely has NOT BEEN EASY!!! Hear me out PLEASE!!!-Prior to Fitness NOW with Ashley Martin:I have been struggling with my weight and my physical being most of my life, since i was seven years old. Typical yo-yo diets, trying to to the gym, riding the bike, walk, swim, you name it, I've probably tried it. My weight has been as heavy as 507 lbs, which was about sixteen years ago, my back was so bad that i had a wheelchair/powerchair for about six years, and at one point I was pretty much bedridden due to my back being just that bad.-Life prior to Fitness NOW with Ashley Martin:Open back surgery in 2010 was needed once the many injections and cutting the nerve ending stopped working. Then came mini gastric bypass surgery in 2012. Some weight came off, but the physical damage had been done. I wasn't getting any younger. A new hip in 2013, a new knee in 2017, and a few more surgeries in between and after. Isagenix, a weight loss/protein shake system, helped for a while but that dwindled off also. At one point I had gotten down to 283 lbs, but I eventually creeped back up to 351 lbs. I knew I had to make a life change because I'm just not going to get any younger and I'm now pushing my mid 60's. I joined Planet Fitness, paying the monthly fees but next to never making my way to the gym. I just couldn't commit myself to go consistently. To be completely honelt, "the feeling" just wasn't there. That's when Ashely comes into the picture. Back in November 2025, I contacted Ashley, the owner of Fitness NOW, in Festus, Missouri. I knew of her from church but had never actually met her. Through Facebook Messenger, I contacted her and scheduled a time to meet at the gym. I let her know that my goal was to strengthen my core.-The consultation with Ashley Martin, November 2025:Ashley immediately dug in and did everything she could to get to know my habits. There was a brief walk through the gym, but she knew that getting to know ME was what was most important for my future health. This was not something I had figured out immediately. In fact, it was just recently that I allowed myself to trust her and knew just how professional and knowledgeable at fitness training she really is and has been.-As we have trained together:My stubbornness and pride blocked me from allowing my eyes to be open and I only wanted things to be my way. Being that, Ashley and I just don't see eye-to-eye on most things regarding our training sessions. I guess I'm not her most accommodation client, and I haven't made the start of her days easy or pleasant. I'm usually at the gym around 5:10am, and the next 1 1/2 hours can sometimes be quite frustrating, for both of us. I'm surprised she hasn't kicked me out at times, but that's just not who Ashley Martin is. She's completely committed, mentally strong, and OH MY GOD......TOUGH!!!!!! She's never given up on me and will NOT take "NO" for an answer. My need to always be in control has made things very difficult for us and I've finally given up the reins. She's found multiple issues with my physical limitations to work on many pieces of equipment & many different types of exercises and stretches and knows exactly what to do to alter things that I don't hurt myself, and has always known my limitations way before I knew my own. Her professional knowledge exceeds anything I've ever imagined. Some of the exercises she has me do don't always make sense, but they definitely show in the ending result. Becoming a part of this gym, Fitness NOW, and allowing Ashley into my bubble, has been the hardest thing physically and mentally I have every done, but at the same time, the most rewarding achievement I have ever done for God, and myself.-Currently, and in conclusion:I finally see and believe that my body is God's temple, and I have committed myself to making this body the best if can be. Thank YOU, Ashley Martin!!!