I love this article; it resonates with so many of us who pick ourselves apart.

I grew up in a German-Irish household where mom and grandma cooked up a storm and love was evident in every pork roast and pie. Early on in my life different tragedies left me shaken and in need of extra support and food was it. As I child I was a big reader but also very athletic so my weight was pretty much under control. But then I got married, had kids and discovered my husband was an abuser. I ate….and ate. I tried to stop to no avail. I never got past a certain number; always kept my weight at the “chubby” level and figured if husband loved me he would accept it. I accepted so much more from him. Then he left me for a married woman who turned out to be after him for his money. Suddenly I couldn't force anything down my throat and I dropped 80 lbs! Not good either. Well it has been 9 years divorced now and finally I know who I am without the heavy food and without my ex browbeating me. At 70 I know I will never be what I was at 26 but I love myself and have formed friendships with people who love me as well. It is better than drugs or alcohol but it still can hurt your self-esteem.