MY BODY, MY ENEMY: My 13 year battle with anorexia nervosa. Claire Beeken

and Michael leave for work and Lisa has gone to school, I start my stomach exercises. I lie flat on the floor, put my arms over my head and slowly raise my legs up to the count of 10, then lower them to 10. Up and down, on and on, until I ache. I shower and inspect my body and then hide it in my baggy white jogging suit. I brush my hair and great clumps fall out; I notice long strands criss-crossing my pillow.