Eating disorders are still very common even with all of the knowledge and help that is available today. Eating disorders can affect anyone at anytime. It may stem from various reasons. It may come from an abusive relationship or from people making fun of your weight. Overcoming an eating disorder is not easy. In the “The Secret Life of a Weight-Obsessed Woman“, by Iris Ruth Pastor she takes us on her journey on how she overcame her eating disorder, bulimia.

Iris’s Story

In her book, Iris tells us about her experience with bulimia. Iris begins by telling us how she came from a loving home. In fifth grade, puberty struck, and she was at 110 pounds. Her peers at that time called her “over-grown lummox”. Although Iris does not remember the exact time when she would make herself purge her food, she continued to binge and vomit her food to keep her weight under 110 pounds. She had the eating disorder called bulimia. Bulimia is defined as “an abnormally voracious appetite; a condition characterized by an unnaturally constant hunger.” She suffered from bulimia for 46 years. In 2012, on Valentine’s Day, she decided that it was time to stop harming herself, and decided to get professional help.

As we near the end of the journey with Iris bulimia, she tells about the strategies she used and how she told her family. Iris told her story in hopes to inspire others suffering from bulimia to seek help. She also wants anyone that knows of someone suffering from bulimia to not only help that individual to get help, but also to understand their struggle. “When you’re suffering from any mental health issue, there’s a constant struggle with self-loathing and doubt,” says Iris Ruth Pastor, “This makes it difficult to have a healthy relationship. Learn to love yourself, find a path to recovery, and your loved ones will thank you.”

This is a great book to read. The way the book is broken down into three major parts. It was great to hear from the author’s perspective and how she told her story. I found myself chuckling at some parts in the book. I would recommend this book for anyone suffering from an eating disorder.

Connect with Iris Ruth Pastor: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram