Gemma Walker lived seven lonely years under the anorexia and bulimia grips before beginning the difficult but essential recovery process.
At just 14, she was diagnosed by an eating disorder. She is now 28, and doctors have warned her that she will die if she doesn’t receive treatment.
She was hospitalized a few times and received emergency care three times.
Gemma is confident and eats McDonald’s every day without any care. She would rather walk the dog along the coast than do a workout at the gym.
Gemma Walker shared her story of anorexia and binge-eating to reach a healthy weight, in hopes that it would inspire others.
She was only 14 years old when her eating disorder was discovered. Doctors warned her that she would not survive if she didn’t get treatment.
Gemma points out three factors that led to her declining mental health. They were bullying, perfectionism and trying too hard to please her family.
‘I was in the more popular school class, but I was always picked on. Although I was close to my friends, I was always the target. Daily Mail Australia: “I was perfectionist, I could be good at certain things but not great at others. That bothered me.”
“I felt that I was trying to live up to my family’s expectations at the time. I lost weight and I felt as if I had accomplished something. But I realized very quickly that I didn’t want others to see it. It escalated.
Gemma tricked doctors to believe she gained weight in her teens by secretly attaching her gym weights to her body. (photo today).
Steve, Steve’s father, stated that looking at pictures of his child in her most awful moments brought back all the anguish and pain of those difficult years.
He said, “They were the most difficult and terrifying years in our lives. We checked on her every morning to make sure she was breathing. To check if her heart was beating still.”
“Some nights we would simply sit down on the floor next to her bed and just be there for her. It was all we had.
She was admitted to hospital three times with one emergency care and two long term psychiatric and re-feeding admissions
This is a big departure from Gemma, who eats McDonald’s every day and prefers to walk on the beach instead of going to the gym.
Gemma tricked doctors by secretly attaching weights from the gym to make them believe she had gained weight.
“It was completely insane. It was an endless lie. She said that she was obsessed with numbers all day.
Gemma was unable to have regular teenage experiences. This is something she hopes to rectify a decade later.
Gemma made the first steps to recovery after her 21st Birthday. Gemma struggled for 18months with binging and suffered from the re-feeding syndrome.
A dangerous condition called refeeding syndrome, it is when an extremely malnourished individual eats more than usual.
“It was completely insane. It was an inexplicable lie that shaped my life. “All day, I was fixated upon numbers,” she stated.
Gemma turned 21 on her birthday and began to make some tentative steps in recovery. But she suffered for 18 months from binging, refeeding syndrome and struggled with eating disorders.
The teenage girl would eat 6,500 calories, the equivalent to 12 Big Macs in 20 minutes. She would also binge on fast food for hours. This would lead her to experience hallucinations and pass out.
‘Recovery isn’t pretty. She said that no girl will eat more, gain weight or feel better about herself right away.
“My weight loss was rapid. My weight gained 40kg in seven months. This was a tripling of my total body weight. But I felt the most miserable mentally.
“I didn’t have control over my body and was embarrassed by how I looked. To stop me from eating, I was forced to take my car keys and debit card. It seems that the urge to eat doesn’t cease, even though I was sure it wouldn’t.
‘Recovery isn’t pretty. She said that no girl will eat more, gain weight or feel better about herself right away.
It is best to not take too many pictures or attend social events during this time. Instead, spend the time getting to know your changing body.
She advised sufferers not to take too many pictures or attend social events during their recovery period. Instead, she suggested that they spend time getting to know and re-acquaint themselves with their new bodies.
Gemma never felt the need or struggle to control her portion size for many years.
She’ll happily eat in fast food and wear the bikini she loves without having to worry about her weight.
Eating disorders, more than any other, can rob you time. She said that this addiction will not serve you ever.
“It is important to remember that you are not alone, and that you have the ability to get through any obstacle.
If you need help or support for an eating disorder or body image issue, please call Butterfly’s National Helpline on 1800 334 673 or email support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au
You can follow Gemma to hear about Gemma’s journey and more. Instagram.