Lauren Ash, known for her roles in binge-worthy shows, has garnered a dedicated fanbase. Beyond her acting career, the 41-year-old has been open about her weight loss journey, which occurred alongside treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a chronic illness. This article explores Lauren's health journey, her views on body positivity, and the challenges she faced.
Addressing Weight Loss Speculation
In 2022, after a noticeable change in her appearance, speculation arose among fans that Lauren had undergone weight loss surgery. Lauren took to Instagram to clarify the situation. She expressed her frustration with the public's scrutiny of her body, stating, "You know what’s fun? When you’re living in a larger body, people post that they’re concerned for your health. Then, when you transition into a smaller body, people post that they’re concerned for your health. Starting to feel like there’s no winning as a woman."
Lauren explained that her weight loss was a result of "removed stress from my life… It’s amazing what our bodies hold onto when in a prolonged state of stress." She emphasized that it wasn't due to dieting or weight loss surgery.
The Role of PCOS Treatment
Lauren revealed that her weight loss was connected to receiving treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), can lead to irregular periods, infertility, and obesity. Lauren described the severity of her condition: "The cysts had gotten so big, I was in constant, daily pain. There was a risk the cysts would twist (torsion) which can be fatal." She underwent surgery to address the cysts, recounting a particularly challenging experience during the filming of an episode of Superstore: "There is an episode of Superstore I literally don’t remember shooting because I was five days out of surgery… My pain meds made me sleepy, so I filmed without pain relief. All I remember from those days is the searing pain I was in.” The experience led to the need for a new uniform due to post-surgery bloating.
Lauren shared her story to highlight the importance of not making assumptions about people's bodies, stating, "For everyone making assumptions about my weight loss, accusing me of secret lipo and all sorts of madness, just stop. I am a person who lives with chronic illness. It can take years or a lifetime to get chronic illnesses in line. And I have. It’s a major accomplishment in my life. I didn’t go on a diet."
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Early Struggles and Misdiagnosis
Lauren's journey with PCOS began long before her diagnosis. She recounted how, when she sought medical advice for her symptoms, she was initially told to "eat less and exercise more." She followed this advice, embarking on a crash diet that proved ineffective. "I threw myself into an extreme diet and exercise routine," she said. "After a month of deprivation and agony, I’d gained five pounds. I was so ashamed and embarrassed. I felt like there had to be something wrong with me."
Progesterone pills, prescribed to regulate her periods, had a severe impact on her mental health. "There were times I would lay in bed and the feelings of despair were so overwhelming, I would debate how I should end my life just to end the pain," she confessed. "I knew that I couldn’t go on this way but was also wildly ashamed of what I had been experiencing."
Managing PCOS Today
Today, Lauren's PCOS is under control, but the experience has left lasting scars. She manages her symptoms through a combination of inositol supplements, reduced dairy intake, and acupuncture.
Exercise plays a role in her health management, though she admits to a "love-hate" relationship with it. "The disease, all on its own, is completely exhausting, so when I work out I don’t get that happy endorphin rush that makes people want to do it again-I just feel like I need a nap," she explained. "However, I know that fitness is an important part to not just managing my illness but also staying healthy throughout my life. So I found a way to love it even when I hate it."
Lauren partners with her friend and personal trainer, Alicia Todisco, to make exercise more enjoyable. "She makes it fun by changing up my routine constantly (we mix circuit training with strength training) and it keeps me accountable because I love hanging out with her," she says.
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Advocating for Body Positivity
Throughout her journey, Lauren has been a vocal advocate for body positivity, challenging societal standards and promoting self-acceptance.
She responded to criticism from those who felt she was no longer a role model after losing weight, stating, “To the people who have DMed me this week telling me I’m no longer a role model because I lost weight, I guess my question is, why was my body the only thing that gave me value as a role model? I’ve never once promoted weight loss, nor would I ever. I just happen to be in a body that’s smaller right now than it was a year ago. And god willing, if I’m privileged enough to walk this earth for a long life, my body will expand and contract and change many times over.”
Lauren also expressed her disappointment with the negativity she faced due to her weight loss: “I never expected the vitriol I’ve experienced over the past week, simply because I’ve lost weight.” She emphasized personal autonomy, adding, “You have no ownership over my body. Nor do you over any person in the public eye. And honestly? Would you ever tell a man he was no longer a role model because he lost weight? Exactly. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk. Also, I look hot AF in this pic and am unashamed.”
In a previous post, Lauren shared her concern for followers who expressed negativity towards their own bodies: “I wish all of you could see the beauty in yourselves that exists, and understand that beauty is in no way determined by your size,” she wrote on Instagram. “Value is not determined by size. This life we have is so short and we waste an incredible amount of time trying to change ourselves instead of just being where we are in any moment.”
Raising PCOS Awareness
Lauren's personal experience with PCOS has fueled her commitment to raising awareness about the condition. She openly shared her story in an effort to connect with other women facing similar challenges. The response she received was overwhelming, highlighting the prevalence of PCOS and the need for greater understanding and support.
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She recounted the moment she "came out" as a woman with PCOS on Twitter: "About nine months ago, I was online and saw a tweet someone wrote about “thin privilege” not being real. It said fat people “simply choose to be overweight.” Rage sparks flew as I furiously typed out my reply: “… to suggest that people ‘choose’ to be fat is offensive and simply untrue. As someone who’s been told by multiple doctors regarding my PCOS and weight loss ‘I’m sorry you’re basically just screwed’ I really get my back up about this.” The ensuing dramatic tweet storm was how I “came out” as a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-and it was one of the best things I ever did."
The lack of research funding for PCOS is a significant concern for Lauren. She noted that less than 0.1% of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget is allocated to the condition. She also highlighted the issue of women's pain being dismissed or minimized within the medical community.
Lauren's journey underscores the difficulties women face in obtaining a PCOS diagnosis. She recalled her frustration with doctors who dismissed her symptoms, stating, "I’d been telling doctors for years that I was in severe pain and only now, after they’d cut me open and saw the damage, would they believe me. Is it too much to ask to just believe women when we say we are in pain? We shouldn’t have to “perform” pain to be taken seriously."
Inspired by her own experiences and the stories of other women with PCOS, Lauren partnered with PCOS Challenge, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and increasing research funding. She even visited Capitol Hill to share her story with lawmakers, advocating for greater support for PCOS awareness and research.