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Ashley

Austin, TX - Server

Height: 5'6"

Start Weight: 296.0 lbs

End Weight: 205.0 lbs

“I’ve learned that you have the strength inside and all you need to do is find it within and you have all the power in the world to do it. If it was easy everyone would be doing it, but it’s not, so it’s worth the fight.”

Ashley started putting on weight when she was ten years old. By the time she graduated high school, she tipped the scales at 230 pounds. Once she hit that weight and saw those numbers, she decided she couldn't live like that any longer and, with her stepmom, decided to start dieting. Ashley had some small successes with her diets and would lose 20 or 30 pounds each time, but she always gained it back. Her happiest moment was when she managed to lose 55 pounds, but she says she got a job at a restaurant and, as a result, put the weight and more back on. She often finds herself over 300 pounds and is tired of being "ugly, fat and unhealthy!" Her weight is a major source of insecurity and keeps her from pursuing a relationship. She wants to get married and have children, but she must get her weight under control first.

Limitations:

• -Can’t go to the beach without people making fun of her
• -Can’t wear cute clothes
• -Can’t get people to take her seriously because of her weight
• -Can’t enjoy life

Health Problems:

• -Hurts to get around at times
• -Easily fatigued
• -Sagging stomach is uncomfortable

Stakes:

• -Desperately wants to get married and have kids
• -Wants to feel attractive
• -Wants to be able to travel and someday climb a mountain
• -Wants to live longer