Various individuals manage their stress in different ways. Some opt for calming activities like leisurely strolls or engaging in conversations with friends to shift their focus and divert their attention from their troubles. On the other hand, some resort to harmful actions such as binge eating.
It is not unusual for people to seek solace in food, but regrettably, despite providing temporary relief, it has lasting adverse impacts on their overall well-being.
Ashley Bratcher, a 27-year-old woman from Texas, who is a spouse and a mother, accumulated excessive weight by consuming unhealthy food whenever she wanted to escape the anguish of her mother abandoning her and her siblings at a very young age.
”Had my mother been attentive, several things could have changed. Being the eldest one, I felt responsible for shielding my younger brother and sister. Hence, I allowed it to happen to me, so it wouldn’t happen to them,” she revealed.
Upon realizing that enough is enough, Ashley weighed 725 pounds. Desiring to find a solution, she applied for TLC’s show My 600-Lb Life and connected with esteemed weight loss surgeon, Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, who has assisted numerous individuals in gaining command over their eating habits and lives.
Ashley was forewarned that if she persisted in her current lifestyle, she wouldn’t survive past 30. This stark revelation was the catalyst she needed to seize control and initiate her transformation.
Ashley was unable to perform even simple tasks. Instead, her 5-year-old son attended to everything for her. ”He is my savior, aiding me in almost every aspect. Without him, I’d be utterly lost,” she mentioned upon joining the show in 2016.
While she was doing this for herself, she was equally doing it for her son.
Prior to undergoing gastric bypass surgery approved by Dr. Now, Ashley followed a calorie-controlled weight loss regimen. To everyone’s astonishment, she shed an impressive 123 pounds. Her surgery was a triumph as Ashley shed 255 pounds, ultimately gaining mastery over her life. “This entire voyage has been not just a physical rollercoaster, but also an emotional one,” she shared with People.
In 2018, Ashley featured in the show My 600-Lb Life – Where are they now?
She informed the audience that she now weighed below 300 pounds and no longer turned to food for comfort. She reclaimed her self-assurance and commenced activities she was previously incapable of, such as shopping and enjoying long showers.
Ashley posts images on her Instagram, garnering a large following that admires her commitment and diligence. “Surgery acts as a mere tool. It doesn’t alter your mindset,” she states.
Ashley’s husband, Jack, with whom she recently celebrated their 12th anniversary, stands as her unwavering pillar of support.
We are happy for Ashley. Keep thriving!
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