I should be paying attention to my Human Sexuality Professor, but unfortunately my computer is distracting me (and normally I do use it for note taking in class). But taking a glass half full approach, if my computer wasn’t such a distraction, I would not be able to share with you this heartbreaking account of one woman’s battle with anorexia.

Her name is Lauren and at age 26, she is recovering from a long tumultuous battle with anorexia. “What triggered my anorexia was a combination of things. I was going through puberty at nine years old, which was very early then, and I was the only one - because of that I was bigger than the others.” Lauren would spend up to twelve hours a day walking the streets, not just wanting to lose weight but wanting to disappear completely.

Fortunately, this beautiful woman has been able to recover from this heartbreaking disease. Although it is certainly a struggle (years of rising and plummeting), Lauren is dedicating most of her time helping other young girls who aren’t just battling with weight problems, but with self identity. “I still have problems but I am enjoying life now. I want to give others hope that they can get over anorexia and rebuild their lives.”

Just take a look at these pictures. You see both sides: the before and the after. Her story reminds us that more than ever (in all countries) young women are struggling with who they are and who they think they should be based on magazine covers, television shows and music videos. But taking a glass half full approach, her story also reminds us that there is a way to overcome this. It’s utterly painful and like any obsession it can feel nearly impossible. But it can be liberating.