Woman Loses 140 Lbs. While Exploring ‘Breathtaking’ Trails in Her Home State (Exclusive)

Ashley Cherismond started her path to health by returning to a simple habit: walking. Living in Massachusetts, where daily life often requires a car, the 24-year-old found herself living a sedentary lifestyle after moving from New York. In late 2023, weighing 356 lbs, she decided to change her routine. She began with short walks near her home before venturing onto local nature trails.

While Cherismond utilized gastric sleeve surgery in 2024 as a tool for her transformation, she emphasizes that consistent physical movement remained the core factor in her progress. She began documenting her hikes on social media, sharing details about trail accessibility and terrain to help others in her state find manageable ways to get outdoors.

Her favorite discovery, Ames Nowell State Park, showed her how accessible nature can be when approached one step at a time. Through this process, she has lost 140 lbs and shifted her focus away from a specific goal weight. Instead, she monitors her overall health and quality of life.

Now, Cherismond works to encourage others through the Good Steps Community Walking Club. She shares that the act of walking helped her gain accountability and confidence while exploring her new home state. She hopes her experience shows others that small, steady actions lead to long-term results.