'My 600-lb Life' Finale: Ashley Loses 364 Pounds, Finds Softball Again (VIDEO)

Ashley has been struggling with her weight her entire life, and on the season finale of "My 600-lb Life" (Wed., 10 p.m. EST on TLC), she finally started regaining control. Her mother, who is overweight herself, was inexplicably cruel and teased Ashley, even as she appeared to be on hand to support her daughter. It was a dynamic and a relationship that was very difficult to understand, but it was clear that her mother's words hurt Ashley. It may well have helped lead her to the dark place that saw her put on so much weight in the first place.

The episode chronicled her seven-year journey toward a healthier life and body, including multiple skin removal surgeries along the way. But even at over 500 pounds, Ashley started dreaming of getting back to one of her childhood passions. As a girl, she'd played softball, until it became too physically exhausting for her to do so.

Once she'd managed to shed most of those excess pounds, she signed up to coach softball to be close to the sport that had once brought her so much joy. She shared her story with the kids on her team, serving as inspiration that anything is possible and it's never too late to take the reigns of one's life. Her ultimate dream is to own a childcare facility where she can maybe reach out to those struggling kids like she was and provide a helping hand before they find themselves living their own 600 pound lives.

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Comments

[mikebirish]

04:40 PM on 02/26/2012

I'm happy that she's losing weight. I hope she has continuing success. I'm also hoping that AOL or HuffPo realizes that they've had this "news" article posted for several days and it's no longer "news" if it ever, in fact, was to begin with. Time to move it along.

[sliceshy]

04:19 PM on 02/26/2012

This series showcased a study in emotional abuse concerning the cruel mom. Was sick to my stomach when she threw her head back and cackled after telling Ashley that her dad would be making his delicious yeast rolls at Thanksgiving and she would NOT be having any. Unbelievable and sadistic. Ashley's pain and reaction to this treatment clearly came through the comfort she found in food. She needs to stay far away from her toxic mom to heal over a lifetime.

[bladerunner88]

03:51 PM on 02/26/2012

I saw the show. Her mother was disgusting She actually sounded mentally ill and very sadistic. That this girl could do what she did in spite of her grotesque mother...she is beyond strong

[teds623]

03:37 PM on 02/26/2012

She had a hard journey but look at her now! YAY Ashley!

[eggcream]

03:24 PM on 02/26/2012

You tell a heartwarming story like Ashley's and then you post a story right under it about "Basketball Wives"!
These women are spoiled, obnoxious, attention getting people!
Ashley is one beautiful person and has more class than any of those caddy women will every have!
What does one story have to do with the other?

[bigyellowdog123]

02:58 PM on 02/26/2012

GO GIRL

[gooftigg05]

02:35 PM on 02/26/2012

Good for her!

[mmcti88052]

02:16 PM on 02/26/2012

I happened to watch this show. Never heard of it- saw small clip on news- and taped episode. Without her mothers mean, cruel, abusive ways- she never, ever would've gotten to the deadly weight she did. I was appalled to see a mother could be so mean, and critical to her own child. (who, by the way- tipped the scales at 300 pounds) I give this woman an amazing amount of credit- due to the fact she was able to accomplish what she did- in spite of her miserable mother! Very sad- because during the course of the 7 years (show was a diary of a 7 year span) her dad passed away. She was very close to him, and he was a huge support. So, for her to overcome so many challenges- she deserves only the best life has to offer in the future. Congrats to Ashley!!! Huge inspiration to many!

[mmcti88052]

03:32 PM on 02/26/2012

Rebecca, I hope you soon get the help and assistance you need in getting your chair! Good luck to you! You're right- It is a long process, ( I know becuase my mother-in-law went through same thing). Hang in there- be patient!

[teds623]

03:43 PM on 02/26/2012

You are wrong! She was so obese that she could NOT walk so in the case of the grocery, she needed the cart. And if you are in a Hover round type of chair, you can push a grocery cart. I am also physically disabled and I see no reason why a person who can't walk, no matter the reason, cannot go to the grocery and use a riding cart. Stop focusing on the me-me-me and think about the people around you in need!. .

[MaryJane710]

01:43 PM on 02/26/2012

CONGRATULATIONS ASHLEY, Maybe now your mother can follow your example! I weighed 130 lbs. and once I stopped dancing, I gained 20 lbs. IT'S SO TRUE, that remaining active, keeps the weight down!

[Kerry Cook]

03:30 PM on 02/26/2012

Wow, TWENTY whole pounds! How ever did you manage? Maybe you can go on the inspirational talk circuit & tell the world how it was absolutely intolerable to carry so much weight & then show before & after pictures. (facepalm)

[Podzak]

01:34 PM on 02/26/2012

WELL DONE LADY !
You can be proud of what you've achieved.

[Carol Yothers]

03:26 PM on 02/26/2012

Ditto, Ashley Way to Go, Girl!

I'm working on my own weight problem.

One really important thing is once you find out what works for you, be consistent for the long haul ~ This is a very inspiring story. Thank you, Ashley~*

[lghiata]

01:28 PM on 02/26/2012

On the pic of this woman she was driving around on one of those electric ride-on shopping carts. I hate seeing heavy people drive these. It is hard to lose weight when one can't even walk about a grocery store. I know this is mean of me but it just bothers me. These carts were designed for people with injuries and the elderly. These carts are not for able-bodied individual who do not like to exert themselves. I live by Disneyland. You can't believe how many people rent these contraptions. Walking around Disneyland is a great way to walk and burn calories.
I know I sound rude but walking is good for your body.

[Carol Yothers]

04:06 PM on 02/26/2012

It really is best to accept people as they are ~ she / we have to accept where we find ourselves when we wake up one day and find we need to 'do something' about a problem, whether it's weight or something else. How did she change without finding acceptance of herself where she was at. Obviously, people can be so heavy that it messes up your joints, muscles, tendons, all that! Yes, anyone of that size is clearly handicapped but she did something about it ~ bravo and kudos to her!

[Kerry Cook]

04:07 PM on 02/26/2012

Did you ever think that some of those "fatties" using the carts may have health problems that led to them becoming obese? I was on corticosteroids for 6 years to manage an autoimmune disease that tries to kill me every day by causing anaphylactic response (like those with food allergies who eat something that leads to their bodies covered in hives, their eyes & lips swelling & their throats closing up blocking the airway) & I gained 150lbs.(yes, ONE HUNDRED and FIFTY, a whole other person) while eating well & exercising. I also have severe joint damage & chronic pain, which was there long before the extra blubber, & there are times I had to use the carts. I was supposed to be fitted for a cart or wheelchair a decade ago & flatly refused, but there were/are days when I'd have to use the carts at the stores & I've put up with a lot of remarks from smartasses like yourself & it's high time that adults keep their asinine opinions to themselves & rude comments should be directed to yourself when looking in mirrors. Those carts are not simply for the "injured & elderly," they're for ANYONE with a disability. Some folks who are thin & quite healthy abuse them, as well as parking in handicapped spots, often with a card that's misused or has been stolen, & it's those folks who should be stigmatized, not those who are obese, ill or disabled.

[MFL1946]

01:27 PM on 02/26/2012

brave girl. but it isnt in the looks its in the heart.all woman are beautifull from the 80lb cutey to the 300lb beauty. its in the heart

[Dontneedtoknow]

01:17 PM on 02/26/2012

Good job! I'm happy for her.

[count4eternity]

01:00 PM on 02/26/2012

Ashley's story is just another reminder that we can't know what is going on inside of people. Many overweight woman were sexually abused, and learned to hide their bodies. Many others were emotionally abused, and sought comfort in food.

I put on abou 15 pounds, during puberty. My father was never unkind about it, but just knowing he was "concerned" upset me. (He was very soft-spoken and outwardly kind, but would do passive-aggressive things such as not speaking to my mother, if her hair was cut above her shoulders, until it grew out!)

So I would starve myself, during my weekends at his house, then REALLY pig out, before and after. Of course, there were other emotional issues, such as my parents' divorc and my mother's obvious heartbreak.

Consequentially, weight became a very long term issue, for me. Years later, when my oldest stepson went thru puberty, he gained weight, and his face became especially chubby. I just sad "This happens to a lot of people, when they go through puberty. Don't give it a thought! You're very active, playing sports and mowing lawns, it will disappear all by itself, just as mysteriously as it showed up. But it will turn into muscle!"

At meals, I was careful to serve him the same generous portions, and no one EVER said "Are you sure you want to eat that? We IGNORED it, and by mid summer, it had all turned to muscles, like I had said.

[dreamuri]

01:27 PM on 02/26/2012

what a GREAT Mom hugs and love right back at you for the understanding

[Kerry Cook]

04:38 PM on 02/26/2012

Bravo c4e! I'm sorry you have such a trying time with your parents while growing up, but look atchoo now, you're beyond awesome & quite a sweetie too. I just want to add a lil' something: while your step-son was a bit chubby, there are some kids who are morbidly obese who aren't encouraged to eat well & get off the couch & develop diabetes, heart & lung ailments. Many people aren't kind & enjoy saying hurtful things in order to make themselves look/feel better. I applaud those parents that are encouraging to their kids who go through rough times, but enabling children to become/stay morbidly obese is abusive. We all want our kids to have better lives, so when your 16 yr. old son weighs 420 lbs, can't take a few steps without wheezing & is already taking medications for type II diabetes, you should strive to help him to lead a better life & live longer by helping him to eat better & getting exercise. However, if your pre-teen, pubescent daughter looks a bit chubby, the worst thing you can do is push the issue by making fun of her food portions & using comments like "Miss Piggy." Often the chunkiness of pre-teen girls turns into womanly shapeliness with curvy hips & posteriors, as well as boobies. I wish there were more kind, respectful & encouraging parents like c4e because it would make for kinder, respectful & encouraging teens.