As strange as it may seem, that event is what lead me to start caring about myself and even the people around me. The transformative nature of that scale went far beyond physical appearance, which at the time I didn’t consider, but inspired me to be the most I could be. I wanted to run, and be healthy. I wanted to lift weights and enjoy the strength in my arms, and live long so that I could be with my family. When I looked at that scale, all I could think was, “What’s going to happen to me in a year? Or two?” I did live life vivaciously after that, going out and having fun and doing things for sheer joy that I couldn’t experience before. Along the way, I developed a more concrete sense of self-image; as I lost weight, I grew less confident in myself because I realized how far gone I had been. I never wanted to be there again. And so, after some time, I began to struggle with depression and anxiety. I became too aware of my body and my shyness, until it consumed me. I couldn’t think of anything else, and the fear that once came from concern for my health shifted to wondering what others would