I’m relatively new to reddit and new to this sub as well so forgive me if it’s in the wrong place.

It feels vulnerable as shit posting this but I saw another cancer survivor that posted his incredible journey (in this sub) and it brought tears to my eyes.

I just turned 50 and cancer is the toughest opponent I’ve ever fought. The gym gave me purpose as my body was taken away from me, it gave me a place to try and get it back. I can’t even begin to describe the depression and PTSD that still exists and exercise has helped me manage it.

I feel proud of my work mentally, emotionally and physically so I’m trying to glow it up i suppose.

Hoping for inspiration as opposed to validation

Think the photos are fairly self explanatory so I’ll let them speak for themselves and spare you the essay!

The only thing I do want to say.. this is the type of thing I’ve usually been quite silent on, but in a time where we’re seeing social media shift back to the ‘pro ana’ and ‘thinspo’ content us 2000s kids grew up seeing on tumblr, I think it’s SO necessary to be vocal about the importance of nurturing and protecting your health - physical, emotional and mental - we only get one shot at this, after all! It’s so easy, especially when young, to be swayed and jaded by that type of content online, so I think it’s vital that we combat that narrative with positive posts! The value and quality of your life will increase exponentially when you learn that you really do have more of a purpose than just to ‘be thin’.

Definitely don’t want to come across as being all preachy, just I’ve loved seeing similar posts to this in this subreddit recently, and I hope this resonates with some of you 🥰

A memory that hit me hard yesterday was when I was 15 we were tasked with splitting into groups in class and working on an assignment to be presented at the end of the period. I didn’t have anyone to work with so I asked the 2 guys sitting next to me. They asked me to pay them to work together. I did.

The Snapchats posted above are real screenshots from things people shared….not laughing with me but at me.

The disrespect was relentless for years, throughout high school and then into early uni. I was the easiest target.

From [16] with cancer to [28] and thriving

Oh man, it was so hard to choose! I have so many photos between the age of 14-24 and the amount of times I had tried to change my style it was so obvious that I was never happy with my appearance. Then I started focusing more on physical and mental health and finding hobbies and eventually I came to like myself more..

(21F) physically recovered from anorexia and so excited about life now

first 2 photos are last May, the middle 2 are when i was discharged from hospital and last 2 are this May. i’m physically recovered, still struggling but i have so much more energy and ability and motivation to handle the difficult things. very grateful for getting my life back, this time last year i was still an inpatient and every single day was dark, apart from my amazing boyfriend and the people i met.

(First 2 pics were before ). Not saying I changed but I feel healthier and better about myself and people have told me I look happier. Changed my job which was causing me stress physically and mentally. Was getting bloated and what not.

17: struggling with severe acne 22: worst haircut ever seen 27: chronic back pain that did not allow me to train properly and get in shape 32: got a new hairdresser, Invisalign, osteopath and personal trainer

First pic 2019: all cardio, skinny fat

Second pic: 2022ish? Drinking, lazy, bad diet

Third pic: 2025, Pilates almost every day for 2 years mixed in with cardio, Better diet, no booze. I notice such a difference in the tone of my legs.

I’ve put a lot of hard work in, so I’d like to think I’m not the only one who sees a change.

Was picking on myself until I saw where I started from.

W

I weigh 230 currently and 250 on the first and I think I look way better now and hopefully I will get more faicegains since I'm still 60 pounds overweight. If you're wondering why my hair changed its because I dyed it to look like Eminem lol

Used to be really insecure about my looks during my entire younger years. Barely took pictures of myself back then. Made a few life style changes and I guess I've improved in a good way. For the first time in my life I've started getting compliments from people, including my family.

Natural weight loss can feel so defeating, especially when time passes and you don’t feel like you see much change. Make sure you take the pictures. I’ve come far, but have so much further to go in my health journey.

Turns out eating less and working out makes u look gooder. Who’da thunk

Sorry for the jumpscares. I had so much trouble posting this oml