Weight and appearance are struggles many of us quietly face. Despite positive campaigns promoting body acceptance and the increased use of realistic models in media, eating disorders continue to impact millions of people worldwide every day.
To shed light on this issue and encourage those still fighting, one brave young woman has stepped forward to share her story.
Annie Windley, from Derbyshire, England, spent years battling severe anorexia. At her lowest point, she weighed just 29 kg (around 63 lbs), putting her at extreme risk for heart failure and several other health complications.
Now 21, Annie is still on her road to recovery. She has endured countless hospital stays and medical interventions over the years, but she credits her love of running as a key part of what helped turn things around. Last October, she even completed the Chesterfield Half Marathon — an incredible milestone.
In an emotional social media post, Annie wrote:
“I came to the beautiful realization that recovery is a breathtaking journey — it can be exciting, unforgettable, and life-changing. I believe my anorexia will always be a part of me, but I’ve learned how to manage it and stop obsessing over food.”
Her message is simple yet powerful: “It’s never too late to change for the better.”
Diagnosed in 2012, Annie began the long process of recovery in 2014. It wasn’t until October 2017, however, that something finally shifted.
“I can’t explain exactly what changed, but this time, I did it for me.”
The process was incredibly difficult — filled with emotional pain and courage — but Annie continued to push forward. Within just four months, she gained three stone (around 42 lbs), reaching her healthiest weight since 2014.
Her journey has taught her that how we treat ourselves and others is far more important than how we look.
“Those are the things that truly make us happy and matter in the end.”
Focusing on running and showing kindness to others helped save Annie’s life. By channeling the energy she once used to restrict food into something positive, she experienced a complete mindset shift:
“Listen to your passion and excitement about where you want to go in life.”
At her worst, Annie often felt dizzy and faint, surviving on little more than a slice of bread a day. Today, she’s working toward a healthier body and mindset — determined not to let anorexia steal any more of her future.
“We have to prove to our disorders that we are stronger than them. We don’t want to spend our lives feeling sad or full of regret for the moments we missed because of anorexia.”
