You might recognize Asia Ford from a news story that went viral last March. She was struggling to finish the Rodes City Run 10K when a Louisville Metro Police officer and a paramedic stepped in and helped her. They completed the race with her, arm-in-arm.
Ford got into exercising almost three years ago. She’d decided she needed to make some lifestyle changes after her ex-husband had to have his hand amputated because of complications from diabetes. “I started with boot camp and I thought, I’m not going to return, because to me it was harsh. It was a 507-pound woman standing before a group of women who, in my eyes, looked fit, but little did I know they had already been through what I had been through,” says Ford, a Time Warner Cable customer-service trainer. She’s since lost 283 pounds. This year, the 36-year-old is training for the Louisville Triple Crown of Running and the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini.
Louisville Magazine: What’s the most-asked question you get from people about your weight loss?
Ford: The most common question is, ‘How did you do it? What kept you motivated?’ I always tell people that your motivation is going to be different from mine, but not to quit, because that’s always been my hardest thing. I’ve always struggled with my weight. I bet you by the time I was 13 or 14, if I wasn’t already 300 pounds, I was pushing it. I could lose maybe 30 or 40 pounds but never maintained it. It wasn’t until, unfortunately, hardship hit my family and I had to remember that God didn’t put my kids on this Earth by themselves. I’m here as their advocate, so I have to live not only for myself but for them too. So I use my kids as motivation.
Image: Aaron Kingsbury
Lou Mag: You’ve also changed your diet quite a bit. What’s been the biggest thing you’ve learned about healthier eating?
Ford: Take out the carbs. I was so used to spaghetti and chili with the noodles when you could actually do spaghetti and chili with spaghetti squash instead, or you can remove mashed potatoes and you could use mashed cauliflower.
Lou Mag: You post a lot of motivational sayings on Facebook and Instagram. What’s your favorite?
Ford: I’m worth it.
Ford: I’m worth it.
Cover Image: Adam Mescan
