This episode of Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition had Ashley losing half her body weight. Ashley was a 20 year old young woman who still lived at home. The largest in her Italian family, she was alone in her weight problems. Looking at pictures from her childhood, she was over weight from a very young age. It was obvious to me that her genetics were different than the rest of her family to have such a marked difference at a young age.
The First Phase
On Ashley’s first weigh in we find out she is 323 lbs. and 200 lbs. over weight. Her goal for this phase was to lose 80 lbs. and she would be rewarded with her own apartment. She really needed her own space because living with her family was causing problems. Her mother was sabotaging her by unplugging the work out equipment and telling her she was not allowed to do all the hour Chris had planned for her. It was an abusive situation and Ashley really needed to move out.
Unfortunately, she did not reach her goal for this phase. Chris instead rewarded her with a therapist so she could try to work some of the family problems out.
The Second Phase
Ashley’s goal for this phase was to lose an additional 50 lbs. and go on a hike… up a volcano… in Hawaii! Ashley was thrilled because she had never been on a plane before. She ended up moving in with a friend rent free. Her relationship with her mother started to heal because they were not spending so much time together. Ashley also had problems with her father, who left them at a very young age. He is an addict and had very low self esteem. Chris had Ashley confront him a few times on the episode. Her father never understood why Ashley felt abandoned. With the help of the therapist, Ashley learnt to handle that pain.
Ashley weighed in this phase at 217 lbs: 12 lbs. short of the goal. Chris took her to Hawaii anyway and Ashley completed a “walkabout” by climbing the volcano herself.
The Final Phase
On the final weigh in we find out she has lost 156 lbs. and now weighs 167 lbs. Living on her own was the best thing to happen to her. She lost half of her body weight but gained her independence.
Click here to watch a video of Ashley’s life after her journey on Extreme Makeover Weightloss Edition!
