Former "Big Brother" Star Maayan Ashkenazi Details Weight Gain and Body Image Struggles

Fitness coach and former "Big Brother" contestant Maayan Ashkenazi has revealed a two-year struggle with emotional eating and anxiety, leading to a weight gain of over 22 pounds. The 34-year-old attributes this period to a difficult breakup, intense partying, and a missile strike near her home during a security escalation. Ashkenazi, who built her career on fitness and personal training, found herself deeply affected by the physical changes and the negative reactions from those around her.

She described the challenges of maintaining her public image as a fitness expert while dealing with her own body image issues. Ashkenazi recounted hiding her weight gain, changing her entire wardrobe, and facing hurtful comments from people in the entertainment industry and online. She also shared an incident at a wedding where a celebrity directly commented on her attire and weight, which she found deeply demoralizing.

Ashkenazi explained that her struggles with weight and body image are linked to a past history of eating disorders, which initially led her to the world of sports. She attempted to conceal her transformation, even wearing oversized clothing to training sessions. The emotional eating also impacted her personal life, making her feel undesirable and hesitant to enter new relationships.

While she sought professional help, including NLP therapy and psychological counseling, Ashkenazi found that ultimately, she had to help herself. In the last two to three months, she has recommitted to her fitness routine, exercising three to four times a week. She is slowly regaining control, allowing herself occasional indulgences while focusing on healthier habits, and believes that finding love will help her fully return to herself.