07/19/2015
Worth the read, so glad she wrote about her struggles. It isn't about the number on the scale!!
While this may seem like a shameless post, this is actually an incredibly proud moment for me and a huge victory that I’d love to share. I only share in hopes of this helping someone out there that may be going through what it is that I went through in life.
Moment of truth: In the depths of my own severe eating disorder, I never thought in a millions years that I would happy with my body. “Weight, scales, body image, exercise, food, dieting, restricting, binging, purging, fear” were just a handful of awful words that would literally plague my mind daily, for nearly a decade as I battled with the strongest opponent ever: MYSELF. I fought my own demons each and every day; each day attempting to release myself from the hell I was living; each day striving for a healthier life. Day after day, month after month, and year after year, I failed. Each failed attempt was proof that I’d always suffer, and that I would never live a ‘normal’ life. There were times I felt my body wouldn’t be able to handle the stress I was putting on it, and I worried I wouldn’t make it to the next day.
The picture on the left was me at 17 in the place I mentioned above. This wasn’t even the worst of it…fast forward 6 years I was married with a baby on the way, and still didn’t have my crap together. Luckily, that was about when things changed and healing began. Becoming a mother and learning to be selfless was one of the best things that had ever happened to me, and truly helped set me on a better path.
Two kids, one divorce, a new husband and two more kids later, I am healthier than ever before. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. While it truly has been a slow journey, the fact that I am eating upwards of 2600 calories a day to build muscle will never be anything short of a miracle to me. The thought of increasing size was always something that terrified me. At 33 yrs old and 20 lbs heavier than I’ve been the majority of my adult life, I feel sexier, stronger, more beautiful and confident than ever before. Yeah, I might have a little more cellulite and wear a couple sizes larger, but I can lift heavy weights and carry someone on my back without feeling like I'm gonna break 😉. I wouldn't change it for the world.
I saw this pic Chris snapped of me today during my workout and couldn’t help but cry a few happy tears for how far I’ve come. I thank GOD every single day that I’m not suffering now like I did for so many years.
For ANYONE out there struggling with feeling like you will never get out of the vicious eating disorder cycle, use me as PROOF that it is possible! GET HELP! Seeking help may seem like a sign a weakness, but is sign of strength. Weak people do not reach out for help. Only strong and courageous people do!
