“I Would Cry In the Mirror”: Eating Disorder Survivor Turns Into Bodybuilder To Save Herself

Bodybuilding has often given people a way to turn their life around. As hard as it might be for our fans to accept this, bodybuilding giant Lou Ferrigno too had a difficult childhood. EssentiallySports brings to you another inspiring story.

This time, it is about an anorexia survivor who was grievously bullied by her peers. As a comeback, she resorted to strength sports to find herself. Her name is Collette Anderson from Bournemouth.

The story began when her peers ridiculed and abused the old-age carer. She endured such blows both physically as well as virtually throughout her school life. So, what was the moment when she decided to turn her life around?

The Story of a young survivor, Collette Anderson

Throughout her school life, Anderson was trashed for her appearance, often being compared to her good-looking brothers. This led to her indulging herself in unhealthy eating habits to change her appearance. Her eating rituals often resorted to either eating excessively or nothing at all! While she initially started joining a gym in 2018, it did more harm than good.

“It started as a way to change myself to be a different person, one that maybe I would end up liking or others would like. After about a year of unhealthy gym and eating habits, I wanted to change. I wanted to be happy with myself. She no longer wanted to be skinny and unhealthy looking. I would cry in the mirror, and I would just take apart parts of my body that I hated, look at pictures, and just find fault. The way I felt made me want to change.”, she added as she rekindles her past memories.

Also Read | Struggling With Depression, Alcoholism, and Drug Addiction, Arnold Schwarzenegger Gave Much-Needed Meaning to the Former Strongman’s Life in 2020

However, it was when she started interacting with the patrons at her gym that she found what she was looking for. “I felt like it was a place where I belonged. I felt supported,” Collette said.

Bodybuilding: Collotte’s road to recovery

It was after she interacted with people who had who were working out with her at the fitness center with a set goal, that she found her own. She started with weightlifting and then slowly developed a liking for the thrill that came with it. It made her feel motivated to work on herself. The people she was surrounded by now, at the gym, encouraged and celebrated her little achievements.

Her bodybuilding journey entailed her going through rounds of criticism at the gym. Moreover, Knowing that such remarks will only help her in her journey, she endured it all with the best of spirits. Through their praises and compliments, she realized that her progress was visible to the surrounding people.

Watch This Story| Bodybuilder Who Was Bullied as a Child for Being “Skinny” Raised Nearly $1700 for a Noble Cause After Winning Three Bodybuilding Titles

Despite the negativity that surrounded her, bodybuilding has assisted her to find herself and gain her confidence back. Charlotte suggests that people should set passing as well as lasting goals to keep themselves motivated. Bodybuilding to the rescue!