For a multitude of reasons, many of us experience difficulties with our weight and looks.

Despite campaigns encouraging us to accept ourselves regardless of our size and the use of more realistic-looking models in advertising, eating disorders affect a large number of people worldwide on a daily basis.

In an effort to support those struggling with eating disorders, one woman is sharing her tale.

Annie Windley is an Englishwoman from Derbyshire. After years of malnourishment, she is now in recovery and wants to use her story to encourage others who may be in a similar situation.

Windley’s greatest weight was never more than 29 kg, or around 63 pounds. Her low weight increased her likelihood of having a heart attack and caused a host of other medical issues.

The 21-year-old still struggles with her eating condition five years later. The Woolley Moor resident received numerous hospital stays and medical procedures while in pain.

The young woman claims that she was able to start her recovery process by using her love of running, though. She even finished last October’s Chesterfield Half Marathon.

In one of her social media posts, she said, “I came to the delightful realization that rehabilitation is a breathtaking process that should be thrilling, unforgettable, and amazing. I believe that my anorexia will always be a part of me, but I’ve learned to control it and stop thinking about food.” 

“Changing for the better is never too late,” asserts Windley.

Annie was diagnosed in 2012, and she started her recovery process two years later. She ultimately made the decision to combat her eating condition in October 2017.

“I can’t say exactly what occurred, but this time, it was just for myself,” she said online.

“The battle was amazing; every day was filled with agonizing emotions and remarkable bravery.”

“I am now the heaviest I have been since 2014, having gained three stone in the last four months.”

She has learned from her experiences that the way people treat themselves and other people counts more than anything else, even how they look.

“These are the things that will make you happy and are things that are crucial to you,” she said.

She was really salvaged by concentrating on her love of running and showing respect for others. Her perspective completely shifted when she directed the energy she had previously used to limit her food intake into something that felt like success.

“Pay attention to your desire to succeed and your excitement for where you want to go.”

Annie used to frequently feel dizzy or faint because she was so ill and underweight from eating nearly nothing except a piece of bread most days. She is currently shifting to a healthier weight and adopting a more positive outlook on her body image.

“We must show our disorders that we are able to do so. We don’t want to spend our lives feeling unhappy and full of regret over the things we weren’t able to do due to anorexia.”