Many people face challenges with body image and weight, despite movements promoting self-acceptance at any size. For Derbyshire, England resident Annie Windley, these struggles led to a battle with an eating disorder, which kept her weight under 29 kg (about 63 pounds) and caused serious health issues, including a high risk of heart attack. After five years of hospitalizations and treatments, Annie began using her passion for running as a tool in her recovery. In October 2017, she committed to fighting her disorder, gaining strength, and achieving her heaviest weight since 2014. Annie’s journey taught her that kindness to oneself and others is far more important than appearance. Now, she channels the energy once spent on food restriction into running, which she credits with changing her mindset and her life. “We don’t want to live with regrets,” she says, encouraging others to embrace self-compassion and pursue their passions.
