“By allowing my body size to define who I was as a person, I missed out on a lot of fun. 

I passed up pool parties and trips to the beach.

I rejected dinner plans with friends and denied myself cake on my own birthday.

I spent vacations hiding inside the hotel room.

I avoided photographs and missed out on opportunities to create lasting memories with the people I love.

I isolated and cancelled plans at the last minute with friends.

I gave up doing the things that I loved if they meant allowing my body to be seen by the public eye.

I hid my body in baggy clothes, and confined myself to underneath my covers.

“I could survive in bad body image prison, but I couldn’t truly live there.

Ultimately, I realized that I wanted to live.”