Demi Lovato celebrates eating disorder recovery by showing off glitter-covered stretch marks
"I used to genuinely believe recovery from an eating disorder wasn’t real."
Demi Lovato is sorry not sorry for loving her body.
Recently, the "I Love Me" singer took to social media to celebrate the skin she's in and a major milestone in her eating disorder recovery. Alongside a series of photos showing off her stretch marks that were adorned in glitter, the 28-year-old reflected on her journey to self-love and shared an encouraging word with fans.
"I used to genuinely believe recovery from an eating disorder wasn’t real," she began. "That everyone was faking or secretly relapsing behind closed doors. 'Surely she throws up here and there,' 'she can’t POSSIBLY accept her cellulite'... those were just a few of the things that I used to tell myself growing up."
Lovato continued, "I’m so grateful that I can honestly say for the first time in my life - my dietitian looked at me and said, 'This is what eating disorder recovery looks like.'"
Explaining why she chose to highlight her stretch marks, she shared that she wanted to "celebrate" them "instead of being ashamed of them."
"I started wearing actual glitter paint on my stretch marks to celebrate my body and all of its features (whether society views them as good OR bad). My stretch marks aren’t going away so might as well throw a lil glitter on em’ amiright?" she wrote.
The powerhouse singer ended the caption with a reminder to fans that recovery is possible -- even when it seems like it isn't.
"YOU CAN DO IT. I BELIEVE IN YOU," she concluded. "This year was tough.. be gentle on yourself if you slip up and remember to get right back on track because you’re WORTH THE MIRACLE OF RECOVERY."
If you or someone you know is battling an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) at 1-800-931-2237 or NationalEatingDisorders.org.