EK:   Recovery from an eating disorder was the hardest thing I have ever done. Period. I disliked myself and I though starving my body and losing weight were the answer.  I began treatment with a nutritionist and therapist and at the time, did not know how sick I was.  I definitely did not know what an eating disorder was - but I had one. My nutritionist set up a very strict meal plan that I was mandated to follow. I hated the meal plan with every bone inside of me. I was terrified of food and gaining weight.  For months, my meals were spent sobbing and screaming  Fear, anguish and anger lived inside me.  After a long time I finally realized that I was never going to recover unless I began to trust my mom and my team. They constantly reassured me, "food is scary, but not eating is NOT an option.   Food is GOOD for you.  You will not get fat after one meal. Food is energy.  The scary thoughts that your mind is obsessed with will go away."  I had to trust that these words were true.  My team told me that one day I would believe the words were true and that day has finally come.  Finally, I do believe those words and I repeat them to myself daily.    Recovering from an eating disorder is a battle and most of the time it is a battle for your life. Many times I felt like quitting because the journey ahead was so overwhelming.  I never thought recovery was possible.  I thought the darkness that encumbered me would never end, but it did!  You must never stop fighting.  Put one foot in front of the next and one day you will reach the finish line.