According to Ashley Bernard herself, life before appearing on “My 600-Lb Life” was far from ideal. Her weight gain started after she was sexually assaulted at a young age. She used eating as a coping mechanism and a means of preventing her from going through such a traumatic experience again. As she came closer to and eventually passed the 600-pound mark, she became almost entirely dependent on her family members to live. “I’m forcing my family to do things for me even though I hate it,” she said, highlighting that her daughter Aniya was especially helpful in this regard.
With her personal life in shambles and serious health problems on the horizon, Bernard then got into contact with Dr. Now. As we know, she shed over 100 pounds, but this didn’t happen easily. Though she does well with her dieting and gets her weight down to roughly 468 pounds, a combination of stress and other health conditions leads her to regain 34 pounds. Thankfully for her, Bernard is able to get her weight loss back on track and even be approved for weight loss surgery, keeping herself on the road to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life (via TLC UK on YouTube).
Losing weight hasn’t been easy for Ashley Bernard, but through determination, dedication, and the help of friends, family, and Dr. Now, she’s well on her way to reaching her weight loss goals.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
