Verity's journey is an important one because there are so many women and men out there for whom food has a hold over them to such an extent they feel trapped in a downward spiral.
Verity demonstrates that by focusing on what your body can do - the amazing things it's capable of - rather than what you believe it to look like, you can free yourself from a cyclical life of punishing diets and guilt.
"The weight on the bar is more important than the number on the scales."
Verity:
"I finally decided to take control of my life at the age of 34. From the age of around 8 or 9 I started to believe I was fat. No matter what I was told, I believed I was huge.
I used to feel embarrassed with every food shop, eating in public, believing people were looking at me wondering why I was eating because I obviously had some serious weight to shift.
I began to abuse laxatives around 10 or 11 years-old and learnt the fine art of making myself sick after meals. I tried every diet going. The high point being the celery diet! I literally only allowed myself to eat celery and drink tea, nothing else. My weight in adulthood stayed between 7 and 8 stones. I was constantly exhausted and miserable.
So after finally admitting what my life was like, I took control.
I do CrossFit as it allows me to eat and not feel guilty. The weight on the bar is more important than the number on the scales.
I've learnt to throw clothes away that no longer fit. I know I'm never going to starve myself to fit into them again. I no longer shop in children's clothes sections.
Do I ever relapse? Yes. Do I sometimes obsess about the fact I no longer have a thigh gap? Yes. The difference since CrossFit? I go and train. Sometimes I can't face talking, I have to just lift and get through a shit workout to realise what my body and fucked up head can push through.
It's not always plain sailing but I'm pretty confident I control food rather than the food controlling me."
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Verity - I'm sure many people will relate to it. If you would like to share your story, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
