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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 22, 2014 | 28 Smith, 21, celebrating her own health transformation by Laura Jackson Special to the Beaver Health "Connected to your Community" When Ashlee Smith looks at her old high school photos, she barely recognizes herself. For most of her teenage years, she said she suffered from an eating disorder. Obsessive thoughts about food eventually led to depression, anxiety and suicide attempts. She said she hit rock bottom when her weight plummeted to 80 pounds (36 kilograms). She was admitted to hospital, and was told she had just weeks to live if she didn't start to eat. Just three years later, she has a much different story to tell. Smith, 21, stepped on stage for the rst time last fall aunting a healthy, strong, toned physique. "I felt stuck in my body and I wasn't sure what to do. I saw a photo of a friend who competed and I liked how she looked," she said. The Oakville resident continues to exercise daily, while following a healthy diet. In fact, she spent the off-season gaining more muscle so that she could compete in both tness model and gure categories. Yet, she said she still wasn't happy with her body. Last April, she hired a personal trainer and a nutritionist to help her get to the stage. Last November, she entered the International Drug Free Athletics (IDFA) tness competition in Mississauga and placed third in the novice tness model category. By sharing her journey and past photos with the judges, she also won the transformation challenge. "Her story was very inspiring. It is one that people generally don't share with others. Above all, her transformation was amazing. When she came out on stage as the `after', it was unbelievable and the audience was amazed," said Shaun Campbell, president of the IDFA. She also became the 2013 IDFA Overall Transformation Challenge Winner, after her story and photos generated more than 600 likes on Facebook. According to Campbell, the IDFA posts before and after photos of transformation winners from 15 shows across Her story was very inspiring. It is one that people, generally, don't share with others. Above all, her transformation was amazing. When she came out on stage as the `after,' it was unbelievable and the audience was amazed. International Drug Free Athletics (IDFA) president Shaun Campbell Oakville resident Ashlee Smith at the 2013 International Drug Free Athletics Fitness (IDFA) Competition was named Overall Transformation Challenge winner. Smith turned to a training and nutrition program after experiencing health challenges. | photo by Dave Paul Canada. For one week, the public is encouraged to vote on Facebook and `like' the photo of the person whom they feel should win. Although Smith has managed to sustain a healthy weight for some time, she continued to struggle with food until recently. When alone, Smith would engage in binge eating, which was often followed by feelings of guilt and embarrassment. Today, she no longer obsesses about food. Instead, she follows a healthy diet, including plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and fresh vegetables. Although some may argue tness competitions are unhealthy, Smith says it has been a very positive experience for her. "It made me more con dent and increased my self-esteem. I don't compare myself to anyone," she said. Campbell notes all competitors have their own unique journey and are all winners in their own ways. "Yes, the IDFA is a physique organization where athletes compete, but above all it is about health and tness." Smith moved to Oakville from England two years ago after meeting her Canadian boyfriend, Jake Guiry, while travelling in Australia. Although she stays in touch with her family, she didn't tell them about the competition. Instead, she surprised them with her new transformation over Skype. She says her parents are ecstatic about her new lifestyle, especially her father, who is a competitive bodybuilder. She said she believes her problems started at age 11, when her body began to change. At 5-foot-8, she was always much bigger than her friends. This was dif cult to accept. After failing at numerous diets, she became anorexic and lost half of her body weight within three months. Smith said she is relieved that she nally escaped her eating troubles. And although the competition prep was dif cult at times, she said wants others to know that she achieved her goal through healthy eating and exercise. see Focus on p.29 Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter @OakvilleBeaver @NewsHooked @DavidLea6 @JuliaLeReporter @BeaverSports and @Halton_Photog Audiology and Hearing Aid Centre "I can hear but I can't understand...everyone mumbles" Hearing loss develops gradually over many years or even decades. Most people wait an average of 7-9 years before seeking help. We offer a Unique Adaptation to Hearing program that gradually restores your hearing in small steps. You will be reintroduced to sounds that you may have forgotten such as the microwave beeps, car turn signal or birds singing. You will start to hear TV and conversations clearly again. Fortunately there is a great variety of excellent digital hearing instruments available in all price ranges. HEARING SCIENCES If you haven't listened to a hearing aid in the last 3 years, come in for a no obligation, 2 week TEST DRIVE and prepare to be amazed! Call (905) 465-3277 (EARS) to book your complimentary hearing test ($60 value, Age 55+) May 26 is the kick-off event for Bike Month! Find out what's happening in your area at BikeMonth.ca. MAY 26, 2014 OAKVILLE 2419 Marine Drive *Pour des renseignements en français, veuillez visiter smartcommute.ca/fr