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If you’ve been following my journey or read my book, you’re probably familiar with how I lost 115 pounds in 563 days. That accomplishment still feels incredible to me, and the physical and mental transformations I experienced were remarkable. However, as any journey of this magnitude unfolds, there are always surprises—things you didn’t expect or anticipate. As much as losing the weight was a monumental victory, I soon realized that there were other issues arising with my body that I hadn’t considered when I started this transformation.
Today, I want to share some of the challenges I faced during this journey, the solutions I found, and how they led me to collagen supplements and greens, which have had a tremendous impact on my health, hair, skin, and overall well-being.
Losing over 100 pounds was one of the most transformative experiences of my life—physically, mentally, and emotionally. The changes to my body shape and size were expected and, in many ways, celebrated.
But what I wasn’t prepared for were the lesser-known side effects—especially the impact it had on my hair, nails, and skin.
I’ve always had thick, full hair, so hair thinning was never something I thought I’d experience. But as the number on the scale dropped, so did the volume of my hair.
At first, I assumed it was stress or temporary shedding, but the thinning persisted. As I dug deeper, I learned that hair loss after significant weight loss is actually quite common—particularly in women and those who experience rapid or dramatic changes in diet. Nutrient deficiencies, shifts in hormones, and reduced caloric intake can all contribute to telogen effluvium, a condition that causes hair to shed more than usual.
Key takeaway: Hair loss is a normal (but frustrating) part of many weight loss journeys, and often a sign that the body is adjusting to a new nutritional baseline.
I’d always had strong, healthy nails. So when they became brittle, thin, and prone to cracking, it was another curveball I didn’t see coming.
Like with hair, nail health is deeply tied to nutrition. Rapid weight loss can sometimes mean you’re unintentionally missing out on essential nutrients like biotin, protein, iron, and zinc. Without them, nails can weaken and lose their resilience.
Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to focus on whole foods, supplement wisely, and hydrate more. It’s a slow process, but it helps.
When you lose 115 pounds, your skin doesn’t just bounce back like a rubber band. I wish it did. In reality, I was left with loose, sagging skin—particularly around my stomach, upper arms, thighs, and more subtly, my eyes, neck, and jawline.
Skin elasticity is influenced by factors like:
While I’ve seen improvements through hydration, strength training, and skincare, some areas may always have excess skin—and that’s okay. It’s part of my story.
Here’s the honest truth: I’m so proud of the body I’ve worked hard for—but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. There are days I struggle with the reflection in the mirror or the changes I didn’t expect.
Weight loss is often celebrated, and it should be—but it’s also okay to grieve the side effects, the surprises, and the sacrifices that come with it.
If you’re on your own journey, know this: you’re not alone. Hair thinning, brittle nails, and loose skin are rarely talked about—but they’re real. You can be proud of your progress and still feel overwhelmed. Both can exist at the same time.
Give yourself permission to feel it all. Growth comes with growing pains—literally and emotionally.
Weight loss is about more than just a number on the scale—it’s a full-body transformation that touches every part of your life. From the physical changes to the emotional rollercoaster, the journey is real, raw, and incredibly personal.
The more we share these unspoken challenges, the more we normalize them—and empower others to feel seen, supported, and informed.
After losing a good amount of weight, it was time to find some solutions that would start to address some of the side effects I was experiencing. I reached out to my doctor to get to the bottom of what was happening. My body was going through so many changes, and I needed to understand why these particular issues were arising. I wanted to know what steps I could take to help slow down the hair thinning and how I could strengthen my nails to get them back to their healthier state. I knew the skin was going to be a more difficult process. So, I thought I would start with my hair thinning and my nails.
After discussing everything with my doctor, she recommended I try a supplement called Viviscal. Viviscal is a supplement designed to help combat hair loss. So, I started taking it right away, hopeful that it would help reverse some of the damage. While it did show some improvement, I still felt like I wasn’t getting the results I was truly hoping for regarding my hair. It is an excellent option for hair growth. So if this is something you are struggling with this is a great option and you can find it here: https://amzn.to/3RdpxWF
As frustrating as it was not to see immediate results, I reminded myself, as I often do, that real change takes time. I’ve shared with you all before that small, consistent changes over time lead to big, impactful transformations. This approach was a cornerstone of my weight loss success, and I knew I needed to bring that same mindset to my hair, nails, and overall health.
Despite Viviscal helping a bit, I still wasn’t seeing the results I wanted, and I knew I had to explore other options. So, at my next visit when I spoke with my doctor, I asked if there were any other options that could possibly help me. My quest to find a solution led me to something I had heard about but never really paid attention to—collagen.
I had recently heard about the amazing benefits of collagen, particularly when it comes to improving hair, skin, and nail health. Collagen is a protein that our bodies naturally produce, but as we age, we lose the ability to produce it efficiently. This leads to visible signs of aging, like wrinkles, sagging skin, and thinning hair. Collagen plays a crucial role in strengthening hair, nails, and skin, so I decided to do some research to find out if collagen could be the missing piece of my puzzle.
I learned that there are several types of collagen supplements available, and after doing some deep research, I found that marine-based collagen is one of the best types for improving hair, skin, and nails. In liquid form, collagen is more easily absorbed by the body than in powder or pill form, making it an ideal option for me.
Little did I know, a company I already loved and trusted had a collagen supplement that fit my criteria perfectly. After doing my research and confirming that it was a good quality product, I decided to give it a try. I started taking the marine-based liquid collagen about two weeks before my Florida trip with my family, and I made a commitment to stick with it.
I didn’t expect the results to be immediate, but as I stayed consistent with taking the collagen every day, I started to notice improvements in my hair and nails. Although it took a little while for my hair to become thicker and my nails to regain their strength, I also experienced some unexpected benefits in other areas of my health.
One of the biggest improvements I noticed was in my digestive system. As I mentioned earlier, my body had been struggling with digestive issues as a result of both the weight loss and some of the medications I had been on. One of the side effects of the medication was digestive distress, and no matter what I did, I couldn’t seem to shake it. I had to take a probiotic, fiber supplements, and a host of other things just to try to manage my digestive issues.
When I started taking the collagen, I didn’t expect it to help with my digestive system, but it was a game changer. The collagen I was taking had added apple cider vinegar and aloe vera, both of which are known to support healthy digestion. Within a few weeks, I noticed that the digestive issues I had been dealing with for so long were significantly reduced.
During our Florida trip, I realized just how much the collagen had improved my digestive health. Typically, after a flight, I’d experience digestive issues for a few days, but this time, I felt different. I told my husband, Gary, that I hadn’t experienced the usual discomfort, and he reminded me that I had started taking collagen just before the trip. It was amazing to see that the consistency was paying off not only in my hair and nails but also in my digestion.
To this day, I still take collagen every morning, and I genuinely believe it has made a huge difference in my daily life. The benefits have been tremendous. My hair is thicker, my nails are stronger, and my digestion has improved. While my skin, particularly around my belly, arms, and thighs, still has some loose skin due to the significant weight loss, I feel much better overall.
It’s important to note that no product can work miracles overnight. The results take time, and consistency is key. Collagen has become an essential part of my routine, and I’m so grateful for the positive impact it has had on my health.
If you are interested in trying out the collagen, you can click this link to go to my page: https://www.youniqueproducts.com/ashleyfeldewerd/products/view/US-16304-40
Now that I had found a solution for my hair, nails, and digestion, I turned my focus to another aspect of my health—nutrition. For the longest time, I knew I probably wasn’t getting all the vitamins and nutrients I needed, but I wasn’t sure how to fix that. As I’ve mentioned before, I didn’t want to be taking a handful of pills every day. I had already been dealing with digestive issues and taking multiple supplements just to manage those, and I was really tired of the whole process.
After doing some research on greens powders and their benefits, I decided to try a greens supplement to see if it could provide the nutrients I needed without adding more pills to my daily routine. I’ve tried several different greens powders, and I’m still in the process of determining which one works best for me.
It’s been a trial-and-error process, but I’ve found that a good greens powder can provide an easy way to get a broad range of nutrients. I’ve been carefully testing each one, paying attention to how my body responds and how I feel after taking it. Once I’ve narrowed down my favorite green powder, I’ll be sure to share the results with you, along with a detailed review. I am on my third trial right now, I have tried each one for two months. I am a week away from the two-month mark on my third option. Once I have confirmed my favorite, I will share that recommendation with you!
One thing I’ve learned throughout this entire process is the importance of taking stock of the supplements and products you’re putting in your body. It’s crucial to evaluate whether what you’re taking is really working and if it’s worth the money. I’ve spent a lot of time testing different products, and I want to make sure that I’m getting the most benefit from whatever I put into my body.
As I wrap up this journey, I can confidently say that collagen and greens have been the two game changers for me. While my skin is still a work in progress (and will probably always be), the improvements I’ve seen in my hair, nails, digestion, and overall well-being have been incredible. My hope is that by sharing my experience, you might be able to find solutions that work for you, too.
Thanks for reading and joining me on this journey. If you have any questions or would like to know more about my experiences with collagen, greens, or anything else, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help and share what I’ve learned.
