- Demi Lovato has long talked to her fans about her experience of living and recovering from an eating disorder.
- On Friday, she shared an update with her fans, writing on Instagram: “I’m very grateful to be able to honestly say for the first time in my life – my nutritionist looked at me and said ‘This is what recovery from eating disorder looks like. . ‘”
- The singer’s post included a series of photos showing glitter paint covering her skin.
- “I started using real glitter paint on my stretch marks to celebrate my body and all its features (whether society considers them good OR bad),” Lovato wrote of the photos. “My stretch marks aren’t going away, so you better throw a lil glitter on them on the right?”
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For years, Demi Lovato has used her platform to raise awareness about mental health and share her experiences of living and recovering from an eating disorder.
On Friday, the “Anyone” singer gave an update to her 95 million followers on Instagram, writing in a post: “I am so grateful to be able to honestly say for the first time in my life – my nutritionist looked at me and said ‘This is what recovery from eating disorder looks like.’ “
“I used to genuinely believe that recovery from an eating disorder was not real,” wrote Lovato. “That everyone was pretending or secretly relapsing behind closed doors. ‘Surely she vomits here and there’, ‘She CANNOT accept her cellulite’ … those were just some of the things I used to say to myself while growing up. “
The musician shared a series of photos from a solo photo shoot she did in early 2020, where she put glitter paint on the skin of her lower body.
“In honor of my gratitude for the place I am in today, this was a small photo I took alone in quarantine this summer, when I wanted to celebrate my stretch marks instead of being ashamed of them,” wrote Lovato.
Lovato added: “I started using real glitter paint on my stretch marks to celebrate my body and all its features (whether society sees them as good OR bad). My stretch marks are not going away, so it is better to throw a lil ‘glow at’ right? “
The singer added that all the photos in the series, except the last image, included a layer of sparkles edited in photos.
She ended her post with an encouraging message, writing: “Also, this is a reminder for anyone who doesn’t think it’s possible: IT REALLY IS. YOU CAN DO IT. I BELIEVE IN YOU. This year was difficult. Kind to yourself if you slip and remember to get back on track, because you are WORTH THE MIRACLE OF RECOVERY. “
It is not the first time Lovato has gone to Instagram to speak openly about his insecurities. In September 2019, she shared an unedited photo in a swimsuit, writing: “This is my biggest fear. An unedited photo of me in a bikini. And guess what, it’s CELULIT !!!!”
In February, the singer shared a selfie without makeup and wrote, “It’s important to show me underneath everything” in response to a series of photos that she shared showing professional hair and makeup.
“That’s how I look 85% -90% of the time. Pride in my freckles, pride in my jaw dropping and pride in myself for loving and accepting me the way I am,” Lovato said in the caption.
Lovato previously talked about becoming addicted to exercise while trying to recover from an eating disorder
In an episode of Ashley Graham’s “Pretty Big Deal” podcast that aired in February, Lovato detailed her recovery from the eating disorder, saying she worked with experts, including therapists, nutritionists and other medical professionals.
She added that before undergoing a drug overdose in July 2018, she lived with an eating disorder that came in the form of addiction to healthy eating and exercise.
Gabby Landsverk, health reporter for Insider, previously reported that the compulsion to work out, as described by Lovato, is known as exercise addiction.
“I thought the last few years were recovering from an eating disorder, when in fact it was completely falling on him,” Lovato told Graham in the podcast interview.
Lovato added: “There were times when I lived at the gym. I ate a meal, exercised. And that is not happiness for me, it is not freedom.”
The “Confident” singer told Graham during the podcast interview that she is focused on accepting the body.
“I see myself in the mirror and say … ‘No, you are healthy and I accept you.’ And that’s all I need to do, “Lovato said in the episode” Pretty Big Deal “.” It is to express gratitude in health and in reality for accepting yourself, instead of trying to convince yourself of something you don’t believe in. “
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you can call the NEDA Helpline (1-800-931-2237) during the week for support, resources and information on treatment options. In crisis situations, NEDA offers support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – just send “NEDA” to 741-741.