My story isn't unique, it’s the story of so many. A child who was force-fed, told to finish their plate, and taught that food was either “good” or “bad.” A teenager who watched loved ones diet on repeat, from the cabbage soup cleanse to the GM diet, to low-fat, to extreme calorie restriction. A young adult who learned that being a certain size meant being worthy—that weight loss was a requirement for happiness, success, and even love.

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I grew up in a culture where food was love, but our worth was tied to our size. My Jordanian family expressed love and care by feeding us until we were stuffed, yet at the same time, I was constantly reminded that I needed to lose weight to be accepted. I compared myself to others a lot, especially those who could eat whatever they wanted and stay thin, while I felt like I had to struggle for every kilo lost.