Chapter 1: Redefining Fitness

This past month, I’ve engaged in various forms of exercise—running, HIIT, walking, and dancing—totaling over 30 hours. Traditionally, I’ve not been a fitness enthusiast; my previous approach to physical education was about conserving energy rather than pushing limits. Yet, here I am, exercising daily and feeling fantastic. I’ve grown stronger, quicker, and more resilient. While I might not be able to wrestle a bear, I certainly feel capable of chasing down a duck, and that’s a win for me.

Why is this transformation significant? In the past, my attempts to get fit often involved severe calorie restriction. I excelled at it: consuming just 250 calories daily, fabricating elaborate stories about meals to friends, or enduring weeks on minimal food. My self-punishment could lead to significant weight loss in mere weeks. It’s a form of disordered eating I was all too adept at managing.

Recently, I realized just how toxic my relationship with food and my body had become. It wasn’t about gaining a few pounds over winter; it was the moment I sensed someone’s disinter