While much is rightly being made of
body positivity and promoting
plus-size models, anorexia and other eating disorders can sometimes feel like they're being overlooked. Body positivity is meant to be a movement for people of all sizes, but sometimes it feels like it can be dominated by discussions regarding curves and belly rolls rather than helping those with
eating disorders as well.
However, one blogger is trying to change this and is using her social media accounts to promote a healthy lifestyle after recovering from severe anxiety that left her struggling to walk up stairs due to her dramatic weight loss.
Robin Gallant, 26, from Birmingham, UK, grew up in a challenging environment in which her parents constantly pushed her to achieve educationally. Because of the pressures at home, she neglected her health and ate foods that were low in protein, high in carbs and fat, while doing no exercise whatsoever.
"As my parents both came from difficult and underprivileged upbringings, they wanted nothing more than for me to succeed," Robin said. "This meant they exerted a lot of parental pressure to excel in academics and life from a young age.
"I allowed my complete sense of self-worth to be determined by numbers and scores.
"I started to neglect my physical and mental health, barely sleeping or eating, so I would have more time for schoolwork.
"For the first time, in January 2013, I allowed myself to take time away from school to regain my health. This is when I discovered fitness and I've never looked back."
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Due to her lack of nutrition, Robin's weight dropped to 7st 7lbs and she found it difficult to walk up the stairs without suffering from shortness of breath.
"I had a complete
lack of fitness and proper nutrition, I would barely eat most days while going to school and studying.
"I remember walking up the stairs would be such an effort for me, I would get out of breath easily, and I couldn't even do one bodyweight squat or push-up."
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Robin knew that she would have to change her daily routine in order to regain her mental strength. After beginning to focus on her diet and including exercise in her routine, she gained 10lbs of muscle and is now a healthy 8st 3lbs.
Explaining the turning point in her mindset, Robin said:
"I was twenty-one, which is around the age when you start gaining fat and cellulite in the areas you don't want it. I didn't hate my body or have a poor body image, but I did want to get into better physical shape.
"I knew that better nutrition and a healthy lifestyle would help me anchor myself and would cause a positive change that would help me deal with my anxiety.
"I was very embarrassed by my lack of exercise fitness, and I didn't want anyone to see me struggle, so I refused to go to the gym."
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Instead of going to the gym, Robin decided to get fit in her bedroom until she was confident enough to go to a women-only gym.
"I feel strong and confident in myself. I feel as if I have determined my path in life and I can succeed in anything I put my mind to if I work hard and smart enough.
"I now have 3-4 meals with a protein, carb, fat and fruit/vegetable source in each.
"I have a couple treats a day, usually carb-snacks around my workout, and I drink three to four litres of water per day.
"The hardest part for me was overcoming the initial embarrassment, but once I decided to forget about what others thought and stop comparing, it was easy for me to put in the work.
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"My parents weren't supportive, as they thought it was unlike me to change paths so drastically.
"They hoped I would become 'more than a personal trainer' having high hopes for me to become a corporate engineer or doctor.
"Although I didn't use my education via the traditional route, I take an educational approach to my social media content; aiming to help spread factual fitness information to other young women.
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"Start where you're comfortable - workout at home if you need to. Lifting weights is what built my physique, but there are so many ways to exercise."
Fair play to Robin for turning her life around in the way that she has. As I mentioned, sometimes body-positivity can seem like it's only about curves and rolls, but people like Robin help make it a more all-inclusive movement.
