A lady who overcame anorexia now works as a fitness coach to motivate other women struggling with their body image.

Tia Ainsworth, who is 23 years old, stated that several years of her life were lost following the onset of an eating disorder at the age of 18. Covid-19 lockdown .

When her illness was most severe, Tia mentioned that she was too frail for physical activity. However, as she started recovering and regained some strength, she decided to get a personal trainer. This decision transformed her connection with her own body.

Although her progress isn't straightforward, Tia mentioned that she now exercises to build strength rather than reduce size, and she credits weightlifting with helping her "feel like herself" once more.

Tia, who hails from Rhos-On-Sea in Conwy, referred to her recovery process as "without a doubt the most challenging experience" of her entire life.

During the lockdown when gyms were closed, Tia mentioned that she missed the endorphin boost from working out and turned to food as a way to regain control over her situation.

She stated that it consumed her entire life and transformed her into an empty vessel. She continued, explaining that she was unrecognizable to others as the Tia they once knew, and this period was extremely difficult for both herself and her family.

Tia reached her limit when the lockdown ended, and the ability to socialize revealed an overwhelming sense of losing control over the situation for her.

Tia mentioned that it used to make her cry out of frustration, so she resolved that enough was enough.

When physically and mentally ready in her recovery, Tia decided to get back into exercise with the support of a personal trainer, who she says shifted her focus from burning calories to building muscle and strength.

Following nearly half a decade of recuperation, Tia mentioned that she feels as though she has regained control of her life.

"During my eating disorder I exercised for all the wrong reasons... to be the smallest possible version of myself", said Tia.

"But now... I look at exercise to be strong, I look at exercise to be confident and I use it for a feeling."

With the help of her personal trainer, Tia has been a qualified fitness coach for the past four years, and also uses her platform on Instagram to inspire others, by being open about her struggles.

Anorexia nervosa , also known as anorexia, is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition that can cause individuals to limit how much they eat or drink. People with the disorder can often have a distorted body image.

According to the NHS, men and women of any age can get anorexia, but it was most common in young women and typically started in the mid-teens.

While working with clients dealing with anorexia, Tia mentioned that her journey has provided them with a sense of hope, showing them that recovery can be achievable.

Tia defines herself primarily as a "confidence coach," and she stated that exercising nowadays focuses more on boosting her well-being rather than improving her appearance.

Even if you're in peak physical condition, it doesn't matter much if you're unhappy.

I primarily want to demonstrate to women how weightlifting has benefited me and can benefit others—both physically and mentally.

Dr. Hester Hockin-Boyers, a sport and exercise professor from Durham University, has investigated how women at different stages of recovery utilize weightlifting as a therapeutic method for addressing their eating disorders.

Her findings indicated that various approaches to weightlifting shifted participants' viewpoints on exercise from an emphasis on limitation and reducing size to one centered around building strength and muscles.

"This shift was crucial in fostering a healthier relationship with their bodies," said Dr Hockin-Boyers.

She stated, "Weightlifting offered a structured environment that numerous women linked to sensations of 'calm' and 'safety,' enabling them to integrate workouts more effectively into their routines."

Structured workout routines also emphasized the importance of rest days, she explained, which were crucial in stopping exercise from turning into an obsession or compulsion.

She discovered that numerous participants developed a robust sense of community through weightlifting, offering them valuable social support during their recovery process.

The eating disorders charity Beat stated that a healthy connection with physical activity could be achievable for individuals recovering from an eating disorder as they progressed significantly in their healing process. However, they acknowledged that this relationship remains highly intricate.

Umaira Malik, who serves as the clinical and coproduction manager at Beat, stated that although everyone might not face difficulties exercising due to their condition, "it’s crucial to identify certain indicators that may point towards an unhealthy approach to physical activity."

Ms Malik indicated that the indicators might comprise:

• Exercising when unwell or through an injury
• Exercising as compensation for eating
• Being preoccupied with exercise to the extent of sacrificing things like social events

For individuals in recovery who wish to start exercising, Beat suggests scheduling routine consultations, maintaining frequent communication with healthcare providers, and thoughtfully considering the motivations behind their desire to work out.

Indications and manifestations of anorexia

• If you're younger than 18 years old, having a weight and height below the minimum expectations for your age could be an issue.
• If you're an adult with a surprisingly low BMI, skipping meals or consuming minimal food,
• Frequently contemplating your diet and meticulously selecting what you consume, particularly steering clear of items you perceive as weight-gain inducing.
• Feeling overweight when your weight is actually within a normal range or even below it
• Your periods stopping (in women who have not reached menopause) or not starting (in younger women and girls)
• Physical problems, such as feeling lightheaded or dizzy, hair loss or dry skin

Source: NHS

If you or someone you know has been impacted by any of the issues discussed in this article, assistance and support can be found here. Sport BangjoAction Line .

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