Hello! My name is Grace Gao, and this is my story.
I started this blog shortly after I received my first natural period after 3+ years of losing it due to under-eating and over-exercising. This experience has deeply impacted my life, teaching me the importance of balance, self-compassion, and truly listening to my body. Through the highs and lows, I’ve learned how powerful it is to choose healing over control and to prioritize long-term well-being over short-term goals. I created this space to share my journey and the valuable lessons I’ve learned, in the hope of supporting and encouraging others who are navigating similar challenges.
I weighed my heaviest at 136 pounds (5 feet) in 6th grade. I started decreasing my calorie intake and exercising more beginning of 7th Grade, and 8th grade was when I started to take things to an extreme level and lost weight abnormally fast by undereating and over-exercising. During my freshman year in high school, I weighed 92 pounds (5 feet 2 inches).
Now, after years of recovery and acceptance, I’m at a healthy weight, but most importantly, my mindset has completely shifted. I’ve become a stronger person than I was before, both physically and mentally, and I would like to help others realize their worth is not based on their appearance, as well.
This picture was taken of me during one of my lowest times in 2022. I was constantly fatigued, tired, had cold hands and feet 24/7, couldn’t sleep at night, and ALWAYSSS thinking about food and when my next meal was.
Looking back now, I wish someone had told me and convinced me to realize sooner that my body and the way I look do NOT define the person I am.
I was doing fasted cardio workouts each morning, 1-2 hours of weightlifting in the gym 4-6x a week, and only eating about 1200 calories each day.
The amount I was eating did not fuel any of my organs, and exerting/using more calories with the high-intensity activities I was doing was destroying my bodily functions. Instead of gaining more muscle, my body was eating itself to fuel other organs.
This is a picture of me now! The difference in how I feel and how my BODY feels is astonishing.
The weight gain in the beginning stages is going to be hard, one hundred percent. Trust me, I’ve been through many mental battles with myself during recovery. You MUST change your mindset and realize your health is a priority. You’re fighting for fertility (whether or not you want kids, it’s still important), bone health, and OVERALL health.
Losing your period (reproductive organs shutting down) is not worth having a 2-digit number on the weight scale. Your health is so much more valuable than a number on a scale.